Tweet
This is what happened with my 1990 Suzuki Katana 750 on Saturday.
A Motorcyle mechanic I found on Craigslist (a "certified mechanic" with "20 years experience" - which I'll refer to as "the dude") ran the engine without any oil for a couple minutes... This guy obviously had an "attention malfunction". He had earlier drained the oil completely, but then started spraying the carbs before putting any oil back...and, without thinking, he started up the bike and ran it for a couple of minutes - revving it really high until it started smoking!
After that, the engine wouldn't turn over - lots of lots of cranking attempts being bolstered with a running car battery. And we could not get the wheel to move (or the bike to roll at all) in any gear - even with both of us pushing. Adding insult to injury, the dude then insisted it must be a bad starter solenoid - he was "certain" of this - so we tracked down a dealership and I spent $100 for a non-returnable part - which did absolutely nothing to change the situation.
So the issue was forced - and I told the dude that as one professional to another, he really should deal with the situation - and I advised him to call *his* expert (i.e., I suggested he must have someone he calls when we gets in over his head.)
Sure enough, we ended up speaking to his consulting mechanic - a really standup guy. After the dude left, I spoke to the consulting mechanic at length and he is going to try to help salvage the situation. One possibility is that he might be able to track down a used engine from his parts network at a low price. (maybe in the $300 to $500 range). He said ideally he might find bare engine in the low end of that range. And he would discont his installation to something like $250 to $450 or so (ballpark). Of course, part of the resolution would be having the dude do some of the labor - or make it up to the consulting mechanic some other way. (the consulting mechanic said he would be speaking to the dude).
Personally, I'm equivocating as to whether it's really exconomically sound for me to spend another $600 to $900 on this bike - even if that is a bargain price to replace an engine: Beyond the engine, the bike is in overall "good" but not stellar condition. Body parts are all intact, but with some scuffing and graphics could use some touch-ups. Carburetors were last running a little rough (usually when cold) and probably need to be rebuilt. Bottom line is I think the bike, with a nice running engine would be worth about $1600 or so - And as much as I would like to see it ride again - I'm thinking it could be time to part it out - and if it's thoroughly picked apart, I think it might bring $800 or more for plastics, tank, wheels, and other parts at "retail" through eBay.
In either scenario, unclear how much - or even what - the dude can put on the table. Along the way, I learned that the dude is mostly broke - and the consulting mechanic also informs me that the dude really is not qualified to be doing an engine rebuild or other sophisticated or high precision work. I'm not to out punish the dude or anything, I just want to him to accept responsibility and do his best to make it up to me.
Just thinking out loud for now. I don't know the precise condition of the engine just yet. I'm going to connect with the consulting mechanic later today - and will arrange for him to do an on site inspection. Will update with more details when we have a better handle on the condition of the motor.
Thoughts welcome.
You may also unleash the scolding on me - but please use restraint!
A Motorcyle mechanic I found on Craigslist (a "certified mechanic" with "20 years experience" - which I'll refer to as "the dude") ran the engine without any oil for a couple minutes... This guy obviously had an "attention malfunction". He had earlier drained the oil completely, but then started spraying the carbs before putting any oil back...and, without thinking, he started up the bike and ran it for a couple of minutes - revving it really high until it started smoking!
After that, the engine wouldn't turn over - lots of lots of cranking attempts being bolstered with a running car battery. And we could not get the wheel to move (or the bike to roll at all) in any gear - even with both of us pushing. Adding insult to injury, the dude then insisted it must be a bad starter solenoid - he was "certain" of this - so we tracked down a dealership and I spent $100 for a non-returnable part - which did absolutely nothing to change the situation.
So the issue was forced - and I told the dude that as one professional to another, he really should deal with the situation - and I advised him to call *his* expert (i.e., I suggested he must have someone he calls when we gets in over his head.)
Sure enough, we ended up speaking to his consulting mechanic - a really standup guy. After the dude left, I spoke to the consulting mechanic at length and he is going to try to help salvage the situation. One possibility is that he might be able to track down a used engine from his parts network at a low price. (maybe in the $300 to $500 range). He said ideally he might find bare engine in the low end of that range. And he would discont his installation to something like $250 to $450 or so (ballpark). Of course, part of the resolution would be having the dude do some of the labor - or make it up to the consulting mechanic some other way. (the consulting mechanic said he would be speaking to the dude).
Personally, I'm equivocating as to whether it's really exconomically sound for me to spend another $600 to $900 on this bike - even if that is a bargain price to replace an engine: Beyond the engine, the bike is in overall "good" but not stellar condition. Body parts are all intact, but with some scuffing and graphics could use some touch-ups. Carburetors were last running a little rough (usually when cold) and probably need to be rebuilt. Bottom line is I think the bike, with a nice running engine would be worth about $1600 or so - And as much as I would like to see it ride again - I'm thinking it could be time to part it out - and if it's thoroughly picked apart, I think it might bring $800 or more for plastics, tank, wheels, and other parts at "retail" through eBay.
In either scenario, unclear how much - or even what - the dude can put on the table. Along the way, I learned that the dude is mostly broke - and the consulting mechanic also informs me that the dude really is not qualified to be doing an engine rebuild or other sophisticated or high precision work. I'm not to out punish the dude or anything, I just want to him to accept responsibility and do his best to make it up to me.
Just thinking out loud for now. I don't know the precise condition of the engine just yet. I'm going to connect with the consulting mechanic later today - and will arrange for him to do an on site inspection. Will update with more details when we have a better handle on the condition of the motor.
Thoughts welcome.
You may also unleash the scolding on me - but please use restraint!
Comment