piston #1 is seized

well the # 1 piston is seized hmmmm i found out by putting miracle oil down the barrels of 1 2 3 4 to the top and #1 is still full after two days on my 1986 yx600

 

How long has it been sitting? or was it from the lack of oil?

 

maybe #1 just has REALLY good ring seal?
:wink:

 

What's the issue? Just tap it free with a hammer and a heavy piece of wood. After that you may need to hone the cylinder and change the rings, or maybe not.
Either it's a special old bike you want to restore to like new condition, or it's just an old bike you don't want to spend too much money on. :roll:

 

Yeah I'm not quite understanding how "no leakdown" translates to "seized piston." Is the motor seized, and this was how you're trying to figure out why? Have you put a nice big wrench on the end of the crankshaft and tried to turn it? I'm not saying it's NOT seized but I don't know if that's the best way to test.

 

well one for starters i cant turn over the engine with the starter and i have put a very long wrench on the side of the crank shaft the ex owner told me the engine is seized to restore the engine with hone and new cylinder wall is about 360 bucks not to bad at all i just got the carbs off and im trying to get the engine out and fully restore this baby

 

Got any movement on the crank at all ? If not you may have more seized than you think...
Assuming it's out of gear when your trying to turn it, does the rear wheel turn free ?
If so put it in 5th and on centerstand(or rear wheel up) and rotate the wheel Gently and Slowly back and forth after you shoot some more penetrating oil in the cylinders. Then let it sit and try it again each day until it moves a bit. Dont rotate it all the way just back and forth and back to it's original position. Then you should be able to get the jugs off.

 

well i have been able to move the tire in nutrel but not in 5th gear at all or 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th or even 6th at that matter im pulling the head as soon as i can to find out from there

then cylinders hopefully and if its not those then crank shaft

 

There was just a 6000-mile XJ550 motor up on eBay that got no bids. The guy wanted $150. I know where there's another one that could be had for the same price. Quite honestly, it might make more sense to find another motor to drop in so you can get the bike together. Then you can fix the original one if you want but considering the cost differential... you just might want to use the original mill for parts. I've got two Seca 550's and I've been "trolling about" for a spare motor just to have. They're out there and the going price seems to be $150-$200.

 

yeah i really need to update my signature info i have a 1986 yx600 radian now

 

OK, then you need a 600 motor. Still might be cheaper than spending big bucks on a rebuild.

 

Before I'd lay a wrench on the seized engine; I'd be very happy with a good runner to just swap in-there.

You're calling it a seized piston.
It might be.
It might be something worse; needing big-money and machine work to get right.
That's going to make the project hard to justify in terms of how much you'll have to invest getting a 600 Engine restored.

Find a good used Engine and save yourself a lot of money and a lot of time..

 

i would love to get my hands on a running one but i cant seen to find one in my price range if you can help rick that would be more helpful

 

There's engines waiting to be asked for, do a google search for motorcycle salvage yards. You'll get some phone numbers, and request listings.

 

Try going here and search Craigslist for that radian 600. There are a few out there.
http://search.restrainingbolt.com/

 

It doesn't cost you anything to tear it down and take a look at it. put a bunch of PB Blaster down that cylinder and let it sit for a few days before you try to move that piston. I'm all for swapping the engine if you find one, but I don't see any reason not to check this one out either way.

 

Actually, the thing to do is explore the Salvage Network.
Google "Used Motorcycle Parts - 1 800)
Find a Yard that hooked-up to the National Salvage Yard Network and can list your "Want" on the daily feed.

Then, heat the oven to 350-degrees and wait!

 

Ok Mssr. Massey, what's the 350 Deg oven for??????

 

wow your right rick i just got some replys on a salvage network you told me to do and really cheap too awesome thnx

 

I found all sorts of parts for my two 550 Secas that way too.

BEWARE: Ben Caldwell of Caldwell's Motor Toys in PA responds to the locator services. He is a liar and a thief, and ripped me off for close to $400 that it took Mastercard about 3 months to give me back. He DOES NOT have the stuff he claims to, a "Google" revealed I was not the first victim.

 

350 Oven?

That's just old shop talk for "Then you sit and wait"

 

To bake the cookies while you wait.

 

Stevetibb, I've got a 600 Radian in storage that needs a home. And I'm in Ventura. I'm cleaning house so you might want to have a look!
As for the stuck piston, you want to avoid hitting the piston. Use Mouse Milk http://www.mousemilk.com/ , it will dissolve the rust and free up the cylinder without damaging the aluminum piston or the cylinder walls. The rings will be a write-off but that is a fairly cheap replacement considering. A fresh hone and new rings wouldn't be a bad idea anyway if the engine has been sitting open for a while.

 

wow send me some pics is it in a running condition? or are you parting it out if it is running i might just buy it off you

 

I got it off of a fellow at my last command who was removing it from a friends garage (she had it in her garage for over 5 years, last boyfriends before getting married). The original owner had been asked to remove it for years and never bothered. I have an old registration on it and some other paperwork to chase a title (I'm convinced this will be an easy process, I have his last known address). I did an oil change on it right away but never got around to cleaning out the carbs. I can do this rather easily now that I have time. Let me see what I can pull out of my hat. But first, I need to tear this Maxim apart and sell parts to waiting folks. I'll PM you with more details.

 

good good i wait for a reply