How long will an engine last???

My old 550 I had in the service I sold had 37,000 miles on it and still ran, although not very good. I owned it since nearly new, and the valves were never done ever, so I'm sure it had burnt valves.

With a properly maintained engine how long would you expect before a rebuild? Is 40,000 miles unheard of??? 8O

 

I have a 82 xj650 maxim with 92,xxx miles on it. Still runs strong and FAST. The PO was a mechanic and told me he never rebuilt it, just maintained it regularly. I've put just under 10,000 in the last 2 years.

 

100K and over is not uncommon if you maintain it. Most of these engines die from neglect and abuse.

 

The engine we are replacing with 53K miles on it, is perfect except being stored outside with out spark plugs killed the piston rings.
Everything mic'd with in factory specs.

My mechanic said that "If it had been stored with spark plugs, this engine would be ready to go right now"

I don't know if that helps you, I was rather surprised to see the interior in that good of shape with 53,000 miles on it.

 

Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't dog mine so hard!

 

39K and still zipping along... I don't think the PO really did anything to it!

 

My XJ550 motor lasted 110,000km although it was burning oil towards the end
I only did the last 20,000k of that and I would say if it had been looked after a bit better by previous owners it could have easily done more

 

I regularly see members post who have over 50K on their engines with no problems.

You have to really neglect these motors to ruin them.

 

Yeah, tell me about it

I keep wondering if it's bad form to bitch slap a gift horse in the mouth

 

Doesn't a member on here have a bike with over 200k miles on it? or was that km?

 

I have seen a 900 do over 185.000 miles and my dads 550 when he sold it in 1992/1993 had done over 50k (clutch was shot) and that still ran well and is still going know in a chop frame. I think Xj engines can just keep on going if maintained right.

 

Got my '85xj700 a little over 3 yrs ago with 23k on the clock.
I just passed 60k. I replaced the timing chain at 56k because it
should be done around that time.
I'm putting in a new clutch next week. This is the original clutch
and has just started to slip up around 8k on the tach.

I follow all the good advice from our guru's and hope to get 150k
or more.

Next tax season I'd like to do the top end as I'm sure she would be a very happy motor. :wink:

 

I put anywhere from 15k to 25k on my bike a season, right now the current engine has 69k on it and runs like a stallion. I'm riding it down to Tennessee next Wednesday, I have no doubts it'll make the trip with no hic-ups.

 

XJs are all solid 1pc crankshaft Inline fours with a good oiling system and in a mild state of tune.......maintain it properly and they will last a very long time

 

Looks like a whole bunch of them have gone for going-on 30-years.

The Cycle Magazines all seem to agree that: "By adhering to the Maintenance Schedule these Plants would be hard to kill."

One article said that the engine was built to withstand whatever punishment got handed out and would resist being dispatched by the most severe neglect.

 

you have GOT to love that! at income tax time I'm gonna be hard on the hunt for another one. but now Im torn between the 750 seca and the 550. Of course if I find a Maxim ....