hi everybody, just to set the situation clear, the bike is a 96 f3 BUT its engine has been replaced with a 91 f2's engine. I have NOT looked at the bike yet and just wanted some prelim opinions and thoughts about whether or not I should buy it and repair it.
the f3's problem is that before the engine was replaced, that current engine wouldn't turn over and the older owner had determined it was some form of electrical issue. he then replaced the 96's engine with the 91's and still the engine does not start at all.
now here comes the guy that bought it from him that is selling it now. he put in starter fluid and got it to run for 5 seconds. he believes that the engine only needs a carb job but isn't too sure if that's the extent of the problem.
what I want to know is if it's worth buying to repair and get it to work. currently he is selling the bike along with the 91's race frame for 1250 but I'm thinking I can work him down to 1000.
I'm wondering what it would cost to rebuild the engine and/or what it would cost for a carb job alone?
other than the engine the bike looks fine on the outside and has a few scrapes here and there.
I will get more details when I go to see the bike personally.
also I don't have any vehicle or way to get the bike to a shop for inspection/estimates so that's not an option sadly
thanks guys

 

It depends on how handy you are with a wrench.

Think about this:

$600 bucks for a 96 motor

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/X-199...ayphotohosting

$550 for a 95:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-...3A1|240%3A1318

Not affiliated with any of these people, but it is a thought if you can't get it running these types of deals are found on ebay all the time. I wouldn't pay the guy top dollar for a running bike. NADA on a 98 f3 is about $2800.

According to NADA: 96CBR600f3t

PRICING

Low Retail Average Retail
Base Price $1,880 $2,350
TOTAL PRICE $1,880 $2,350

Low Retail Value — Low retail unit may have extensive wear and tear. Body parts may have dents and blemishes. The buyer can expect to invest in cosmetic and/or mechanical work. This vehicle should be in safe running order. Low retail vehicles usually are not found on dealer lots. Low Retail is not trade-in value.

Average Retail Value — An average retail unit should be clean without obvious defects. All rubber and cables should be in good condition. The paint should match and have a good finish. All lights and switches should work properly. The mileage should be within or slightly higher than the average range. This unit should also pass any emission inspection.

So for a non-running bike I think you should get well below his asking price. Because in the end...rebuild or motor swap, you're gonna be right back up there in price.

If you just want a project cool but if you want to ride their are too many deals out there that are running. These are just suggestions and my opinions, and you know what they say about opinions. Just my two pennies.

 

so if i were to get one of those engines, what's the extent of work that I would need to do to get it in and running?

 

Well if the seller is actually telling the truth as in it IS actually a running motor, you'll have almost no work at all. Just the un-attaching wires/bolts to your old motor and dropping it in and replacing it with one of those.. That's not hard at all. You can pretty well just un-plug and re-plug to the newer engine, but might put some tape that describes where it went so you don't get confused. A shop manual is always a + too! I'd say you could do it in one long afternoon, maybe more like a weekend project.. ALso looks like you'll need some carbs & correct air box. But getting the engine first off is a great start! Good luck!!

 

carbs and air box.. they don't come with that engine? aren't carbs supposed to? not sure about air box, or are they both normally seperate entities?

 

On those two engines, they do not come with carbs nor air box. You can get the air filter box on ebay. You can get those pretty cheap. Carbs have a good size range from around $75.00-$250.00 depending on if the have aftermarket kits/conditon etc. Also you'll probably need a ram air intake..If you go to get a ram air intake box, look for one that has lots of hoses coming off it because it'll save you TONS of time trying to track down hoses/filters. You can find those anywhere from like $10.00-$30.00 depending on condition/shipping etc. All this may seem like alot of work, but it's not really. Just don't give up! Good luck bro!

Carbs & air box together - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-honda-cbr-600-f3-carbureator-air-box_W0QQitemZ150345044504QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorc ycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item2301435218&_trksi d=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1205|65%3A12|39%3A1 |240%3A1318

Carbs alone - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-HONDA-CBR600-CBR-600-F3-CARBURETORS-CARBS-CARB_W0QQitemZ130271645954QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotor cycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item1e54cb9102&_trks id=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A1205|65%3A12|39%3A 1|240%3A1318

Good looking set of carbs for $99.00 - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda...item4143524615

I took a pic from one of those engines and circled in red where the carbs WOULD be if they came with the engine..

The other pic i circled in green where the ram air intake attaches to the air filter box.

 

Quick question on your original post at the top.. Where did he spray the starter fluid into? Right down into the carbs? It *may* be something simple like fuel hoses clogged or petcock clogged.. But i'll see what info i can dig up for ya!

 

speedemon: thank you veeeeeeery much for the info, clears up a lot of things I didn't know about. with what you've provided me so far, makes me really want to do it just for the experience and challenge factor, I wouldn't mind the project

as for where the fluid was sprayed into, I have no idea. I'm going to check the bike in and out tomorrow and get as many details as possible

i'm also wondering if I can just get parts from any of the f3 years? i know the 97/8 have different looks wise but I can still just buy parts and it should fit the 96 and all, correct? I'm hoping at least heh
and is there anything else engine wise I would need if I wanted to do this project besides the 3 that have been listed?
thanks

 

No problem! Glad to help! Hard to believe i'm only 16 huh? lol.. I -think- the '95-'98 engine ext. parts are interchangeable..but might outta ask your local Honda dealer because i don't want you to mess up because of what i said. I believe that's about all you'll need.. Oh! Need to buy a set of F3 ignition coils (again might ask Honda about that) I've taken apart my '91 Kawasaki Ninja 250 all the way down to the bottom end of the engine and my '95 CBR F3 all the way down to bare frame (as you can see in my pic). Experience is a big big BIG help on these projects. Pretty much all Jap. sport bikes are the same so once you do one, you can pretty much do these projects on any sport bike. Good luck!!

A pretty nice trivia link on F2/F3 items..
http://cbrworld.net/forums/thread/15735.aspx

 

a lil update, i gave the guy a call and found out that the f2's engine that is currently in the f3 is a race engine. so it turns out it's probable that it's been modfied and/or it could be damaged from the crashes/drops