Hello all. The F4 is my first motorbike ever... it's the one I learned to ride, and ride for about 4000 miles in just a couple of months time. As some other Veteransmight be able to relate, this bike was my new foundtherapy.But this all ended abruptly, because as the Subject states, my CBR600 F4 motor was sabotaged... by none other than a immediate family member.[:@]

In any event, to make a long story short... this person removed my fuel tank and the top of my air box, and then poured sandinto each of my carbs, after which this personreinstalled everything. The following day,I went to start my bike (which BTW started and ran excellent until this incident) and all the motorwould do was turn over then backfire (sounded like a shotgun going off!). The motor would not start. I tried maybe a dozen times to get the bike started... I figured maybe oil got into areas where fuel should go as a result of my bike being violently pulled over to the ground just the day before. Needless to say, I became very discouraged.[&o] Later on after lots of encouragement, I decided to tackle the situation of the bike not starting. First thing I thought was to replace the spark plugs. I removed the tank, then started to remove the air filter box... and that's when I discovered SAND!

I'm not sure how much damage has been done, if any... especially since I tried to start the bike not knowing my carbs had sand poured in them. I don't know if my motorcan be saved. I'm not sure what to do. I've seen used motors on Ebay, but what if those motors had been vandalized in some sort of way too?

I have yet to find a complete engine rebuild kit, much less a way to buy a new motor. Am I overreacting? Is this not as bad as it seems? Please help[&o] Thank you for your time.

 

.......wow.


that's a new one..

eh... hmmm...

Well, have you tried removing the sand?

 

Since you've cranked it over, its a certainty that sand has gotten into each cylinder, probably scored the cylinder walls, along with the pistons.

In order to tell for certain you need to take the motor out and tear it down. while its apart, use the crank on the family member who screwed with it, and tell them they're paying for the brand spanking new replacement motor from honda or you'll see them in small claims court. screw used motors, make em pay for their stupid sabotage and make it hurt their wallets. family or no, theres some things you never do. screwing with another's bike is certainly one of those things.

and thats me being nice about it. if someone poured sand into my engine, I can promise you that person's head would be removed and placed on a pike next to my bike so as to say DO NOT touch my ride or you will suffer his fate. in fact, once you have obtained the replacement motor, remove offenders head and place it on a pike just to prove the point.

 

That sucks man. If it was me i would just get a another motor of ebay or something because most time when u try to save money you send up spending more

 

Awesome reply... thanks! Believe me those sort of thoughts went through my mind. It was suggested that Itake this person to small claims court, but being that my bike is a 'used' bike, the best I could hope for is market value of a 'used' motor as restitution(per advice from aattorney). It'snotworth that ($1000 or less??) because of the trouble that this POS coward of an individual that sab'd my bike is capable of causing my family and I (he's a "Social Engineer"; look it up in Wiki). Sand gett'n into everything... that's what I figured[&o]

 

time for a new motor.. or part it out and buy a new bike. im sure you would love an f4i since you enjoy your f4 so much.

any way you want to share the background as to why the said individual did this... im dumbfounded as to what would cause them to do this...

 

I'd pull the motor down - if the bike wouldn't start, you may have less damage than is apparent
(not always so, but would have been worse if the motor had run for a time)
Barrels can be honed, or even bored out one size over standard.
Pull it down over the winter, and get a professional opinion once that's done.
This will give you a great deal of insight into the workings of the motor, and be useful in years to come.
I'm not trying to give you false hope, but if he'd dumped the sand in your oil it would've been even worse........
I've seen some rally nasty stuff with motors - I had an outboard motor sit for a week full of salt water - everyone said the crank was toast - my late Dad said no, and used 1000 grit waterpaper and light oil on it, sitting in front of the TV. Long story short, motor ran perfectly after his work.
First step would be to pull the carbs. Total stripdown and clean.
Then fill the cylinders with paraffin as a cleaner. Don't crank it.
Fill the tappet cover area with paraffin too, and then strip and clean all the cams, journals, valves etc.
Pull the head off and check the bores.
It's a helluva job, but it CAN be done.
Your lower engine probably wasn't affected by the sand, so perhaps some good news.....
I'd probably be in a cell right now, if someone did that to my bike.[:@][:@][:@][:@]

 

I wouldnt waste my time on rebuilding the engine. you can get a decent used one for a lot less than the cost and time involved if rebuilding. Unless you like that sorta thing and have experience, I would buy a used one.

Actually, if you take them to small claims court, they will owe more than just the cost of a used engine. they will owe the cost to have someone remove andinstalltoo. Or the cost to rebuild that one . Get a few estimates from afew dealerships. It will more than likely be over 2 grand for the engine to be repaired. If nothing else, this family member needs to see consequences for their actions. Their is no way a judge wont throw the book at them. You can walk away with the money, then decide what to do from there. I would take the money and then buy a used engine. You can come out a bit ahead on this one if you play it right. I would also consider vandalizm charges on this person.

You dont need a lawyer for small claims court. Most states have a limit to 3 grand or 5 grand. It would take you about 20 minutes in court and the judge rules on it. Getting your money may take some time, but at least the person has to pay and doesnt get away with it. From the persons actions, it seems they need a lesson taught. Seeing as the baseball bat is out, make em pay for it.

 

It seems odd that someone would go through the trouble (or even know how) to take all of that apart then reassemble it.