Freshen up a 650 with 33K miles?

krunk · Full Member Joined: Jul 15, 2008 Posts: 75

In your opinion, if a 650 has good compression and has 33K miles, is it worth the time to take off the top end and change the seals? I'm fairly confident the original owner was easy on the bike, due to its condition.

I'm leaning towards no......

davidnj2

I would tend to agree with a no on taking down the top end especially if the bike has been kept in continuous service.

krunk · Full Member Joined: Jul 15, 2008 Posts: 75

Well, whats the expected mileage on a 650 that is well cared for? 100K miles?

I'm trying to put it in perspective as i'm arguing with my father over it, lol. He keeps telling me I should rebuild the top end, and I try to explain "You don't buy a car with 40K miles on it and pull the heads...thats essentially what your saying do to the bike...."

I feel it will just make my restoration that much more unnecessarily a pain in the ass.

nj1639

If it's got good compression, don't smoke or make a bunch of noise in the top then leave 'er be. If you did a top end rebuild you'ld want to end up with good compression, no smoke and no noise.

xsjohn

Not forgetting the front cam chain guide and the sump filter...........xsjohn

5twins · Full Member Joined: Aug 05, 2006 Posts: 1616

These bikes do have a bit of a weak point in the top end and that's the front cam chain guide (as John mentioned). It's not due so much to the mileage but more to the age. The rubber portion of the guide tends to come unbonded from the aluminum part. Check your lower sump filter often and look for bits or strips of rubber. That will tell you the guide is on it's way out.

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