So for the second time in 5 months my top end has seized, this time at about 60mph on a busy road sending me and the bike sliding down the road and me almost getting squashed. This time the piston is scored in multiple locations and the underside of the piston crown has brown heat related marks. I also noticed play in the big end bearing and my crank seal has gone, I believe the seal has gone because my gearbox oil was 300ml low after 3 weeks. I also noticed what looks like rust on the conrod which i find strange as it means water must be entering the crankcase. I have completely stripped the bike, i'm going to rebuild the engine and at the same time get the frame powder coated, im also fitting mk3 forks to my mk1. If anyone has some foot pegs and panels to fit a mk1 i'd be happy to arrange a price as mine got ruined in the crash!!!

My first question is can anyone recommend a good place to get my frame powder coated and estimated costs?

Second question is what is happening in my engine, why has it seized so soon and where is the best place to buy new big end and mains bearings?

Sorry to hear the bad news mate!! And I believe all footpegs fit, and are the dame as some CRs - Maybe CR80 - I had a set off ebay for about £5 new, but had them powder coated as the finish was pants!!

As for the frame, I've had loads of bits done at CJ Ward in Burton Upon Trent - Leicestershire, not too far? I think it costs roughly £60 there, anywhere else I would thing you're looking around the £100 mark.

As for the engine, you will have to ensure your autolube (assuming you use it) is runing well, the pump is set up correctly, not leaking and you're using the correct oil. Also you should check your carb settings to make sure it's not running lean. If your crankcase seals have gone, this will let air into the combustion chamber and cause lean running, leading to the engine running hitter and seizing. I'm also assuming you've had a re-bore, who's done the work and what quality pistona re you using?

Lastly, you cannot buy big end bearings, unfortunately a new crank from Honda. You cannot even but just the conrod. Leisure Trail will sell you a conrod from a Maico I think it is but you will ahve to have a different piston as the gudgeon pin is a different size to standard. SEP at Kegworth did my crank. As foir mains, Leisure Trail or any Honda spares ir Lings, David Silver etc if you have the part number.

Good luck.

Thanks for the response, I will give CJ Ward a bell tomorrow that seems a good price. Yes I suspect my leaking crank seal probably lead to the bike running lean as my carb settings were correct and the autolube is working ok. I will have to split the crankcase and inspect the conrod for movement and then I can do the main bearings. Sounds like getting a new conrod and piston to match may be an issue. What crank work did you have done at SEP and how much did it cost, I had my barrel rebored there and they seemed good?

They split my crank and replaced the conrod - about £25 I think. Leisure Trail sent my barrel to Lancourts I think in Weston Supermare to be machined and re-plated to suit the o/s piston (which was for a TRX250).

That £60 was because my mate knows them there, not sure but see what they say - mention the word cash!! ;) Alex_H had his done cheap in Burton recently - Not sure if it's the same place though.

I will slip the word cash in to the conversation tomorrow then, does your crm have 2 stroke in the frame or a seperate tank? Wondering what implications this will have on the powder coating.

Going back to the engine, i'm hoping its only the mains that have gone as I didnt realise how pricey the crank assy work is! I'm not going to attempt to order any parts until I've investigated the damage.

Got a price for £70 to do the powder coating so this will be the first step in getting my bike back on the road!!

its not what it looks like its what it goes like

get the money spent on what needs doing i.e getting it running first unless your gonna splash out and do it all at once

Well the idea is to do it all at once whilst its in bits, its always bothered me having a tatty looking frame as it was down to bare metal, I'd rather get it done then put the engine back in. Its going to take me a while to save and sort the engine out especially if my mains and big ends are shot not to mention other bits damaged in the crash lol

PM sent it may help

Thanks much appreciated

For £700 i can get you a complete /running (sorn) mk1/2 plus nearly a complete bike still together not in boxes ............think long n hard

Can you get me one an all gary?

My mate has it for sale ,rock up to Nottm and ill get it sorted for you £700 gets you the lot

Notts aint too far i guess. Is it a mk1 or 2 then?

An whats the condition like? Can he send me some piccaroonys to save a long journey?

im gonna say its a mk1 then if its a 2 its a bonus it has blue forks if thats a clue,piccys....... .no, im not feckin about going to his uploadin n stuff ,condition is as he parked it up 4 yrs ago when his missus died over a w/end .He rode with me for 2 yrs before that ,never rode again since so there should be nothing more than fresh fuel needed,for £700 plus a bike for spares ,its first come im afraid ,ill mess about doing piccys and some joker then wants to haggle ,First £700 wins this