UPDATE: It seems that the fine folks at Bicycle-Engines.com are doing me a solid. The latest update from them indicates that they are going to not only send me a bottom end... but a top end as well. I want to be 100% CLEAR that I have been 100% HONEST with how this all went down...
My initial email to them read:
I am so bummed. I am 346 miles in on this motor... still running 25:1... and when I went on a short 2 mile jaunt today...
>GRRRRRAAGGGGGG< ... the most god awful noise...
I figured "Oh crap... the rings finally died" but I don't think that's it. I'm 90% sure it's the clutch. With the clutch IN the sound is different... when I let it out... it no longer slowly grabs... it grabs instantly. I think the clutch has taken a dumb.
What should I do at this point? Warranty is still in effect... until February 1st.
Please take note of the paragraph "I figured "Oh crap... the rings finally died" but I don't think that's it. I'm 90% sure it's the clutch. With the clutch IN the sound is different... when I let it out... it no longer slowly grabs... it grabs instantly. I think the clutch has taken a dumb.".
To make a long story short... there was multiple times that I was asked if I needed a top end. Multiple times I repeated that I thought the top end was likely fine... when asked yet AGAIN I did say...
Honestly... the engine was running when this went. Now, I am sure I'm gunna need a new set of gaskets for the head at the very least... and if you think it's best I go with a new head/cylinder ... obviously I will defer to you. I'm not really looking to get something for nothing... just want a nice running bike (I really do baby these things... I'm too damn old to race `em around). I'm really new at all this stuff and I'm just sort of "feeling" my way along to be honest.
...she then ASKED AGAIN.... to which I replied:
I have not pulled the head at all to be honest. Once I confirmed my suspicions with the clutch area I stopped pulling... but I can/will if you think it's necessary.
WOULD I like a full top/bottom? Sure. I'd like to know I am not using a part that is potentially damaged (even if just a little) versus the alternative to be 100% honest. Would I mind another break-in? Not really... I run my bikes pretty much the same after break-in... very very carefully... I'm none-too-keen on the idea of ending up on the ground at my age (51 nearly)...
...to which she replied...
I think in this case looking over all pictures and warranty claim form and all notes, I think it’s best to be safe then sorry and I think replacing the cylinder kit too is the best. I see in the first email you mentioned that the rings failed, so I am almost betting that cylinder and piston are probably damaged too and I won’t want that damage the new bottom end.
At this point... I thanked her and confirmed my address.
I really was as honest as I could be... and to maintain the karma on this whole transaction I'll swap out engines and only use the extra engine as a parts engine... (even though I could just repair the bottom end as suggested above)...
