Posted by Don Peters on June 01, 2000 at 02:50:06:
In Reply to: Re: Need '87 Motor posted by Frank on June 01, 2000 at 01:47:38:
My best guess is that I had a bad ring or seal that resulted in my burning off (unknowingly) all but about 8 oz of oil during a couple of rides. The motor was rebuilt, at about 22K I think. Now at 28K, blue smoke became evident on a few occasions just after start-up, but then only for a few minutes until the motor was warmed up. This happened only if the bike had been unridden for several weeks previously. In retrospect I suppose this was a key warning sign, but it didn't register with me. Compounding the oil consumption was my difficulty using the oil view port to determine oil level, especially since the view port on this '87 had become opaque with age.
Engine seizure came last week during my 30 mile commute to work at expressway speeds. My first reaction (hope?) was electrical failure, but the lights, and ignition were okay. Then a friend suggested that maybe the timing chain had jumped out of its guide or slipped its sprocket. Wrong again.
It didn't take the bike doctor at the shop long to pronounce the motor DOA after discovering the low level and the thick, burned character of the oil. The crank shaft is pretty much frozen in place.
He didn't recommend another rebuild. So now I'm looking for a replacement motor. A hard lesson, but the rest of the bike is gorgeous...the previous owner having done lots of custom work. She's a wonderful ride! I hope there's a wrecked Savage out there with a perfectly new motor that would like to find a new frame to live in.
Don