Play in main bearings

[njhardy]

Hi all,

The old CRM was overheating and buggering about again after another blast in the jungle this week. I checked the waterpumpee and fins and all seemed OK. I am now suspecting poo in the radiator tubes, so will need to flush them.

Took my stator/magneto plastic cover off to check play in the flywheel/main bearings manually - and unfortunately I could definately feel play/wobble both up and down and sideways. Now I know this isn't good and the longer I leave it, the worse the main bearings and seals are going to get..

Now, normally (say in the UK) you could split the engine and replace the bearing and seals yourself (if you felt confident enough) or send it off to LT and get it done for 150 quid. Job done.

However, in the arse end of the world where I am, that just isn't going to happen...a) mechanics are poo out here- unless you own a C90 b) the bits just aren't available until I return to the UK in April or June.

What is 'acceptable' play in the main bearings? -She isn't leaking oil/water (just not pulling at high revs and overheating- which isn't suprising in 40 degrees and 90% humidity). I know the cylinder is a bit scored and the piston is scorched, so that needs sorted. The PV works fine, exhaust is good and the mixture is perfect. I don't want her to have a 'catastrophic' on me- especially 50km from the nearest road!!

Should I limit using her until I can attempt splitting the engine and replacing bearings and seals, or will she put up with some mild abuse considering she has done 100,000km??

-I am putting new piston, rebore, little end, reeds, clutch plates into her when I manage to pick them up in the UK and maybe get a mechanic to attempt doing the split here in 'Nam when I get all the stuff back.

Any suggestions?

Worried Nick..

[BaNZ]

Suggestions about what? I can say definitely there should be no play at main bearings at all, so you got yourself a rebuild, mate.

I suggest you to calm down, stop using your CRM for it's sake, get 50/100cc scooter or even bicycle on time of rebuild, which you (trust me) would like to perform all by yourself.

Living outside of UK or Japan x) isn't a big problem. I can advice good OEM parts supplier on ebay if it's obstacle for you to get them elsewhere.

[knackeredMk1]

BaNZ + 1.

There should be no play in the bearings. Unfortunately the longer you run it, the more risk of a catastrophic breakage - It really will be game over then .

I'm afraid you do need to strip it down and check every item if you want to keep the bike for any length of time.

[njhardy]

Ok- rebuild it is then. I am quite looking forward to learning a lot about the internal workings...I just hope I can cope with getting it back together again...Lots of questions to follow.