Alright, so I want to rebuild the motor and transmission on my CBR600F2. It runs strong, but I need a project for the winter, and I want to drop it out of the bike anyways to powdercoat the frame and such...so my question is what am I getting myself into?

I've never done anything like this before, I've just kind of done stuff like oil changes, rotors, pads and other stuff on cars, never really worked on the mechanical parts of a bike. I'm going to college this fall for Mechanical Engineering, I understand how things work but once again I've never done something like this.

I have plenty of time, under no time limits, I want to build a really cool, but unique bike that I can keep riding for years to come and know inside and out. I like it when I can show something off that I've done, and that's sort of why I've decided to keep this bike and make it my own. I have some really neat ideas for it!

Anyways, what kind of tools and parts would I need for a general rebuild assuming no parts (like gears, pistons, cranks) need to be replaced? Just the normal stuff like gaskets that you should replace when you do a rebuild.

Also, what on an engine can and cannot be powdercoated? I've seen some cool painted engines, but I want to know what I should and shouldn't paint.

Thanks!

 

A short answer

MUCH MORE THAN YOU'RE CAPABLE OF

If it's running strong LEAVE IT ALONE.

POWDER COAT THE FRAME AND SUCH BUT DON'T MESS WITH SOMETHING AS TECHNICALLY SOPHISTICATED AS YOUR ENGINE WITHOUT EXPERT GUIDANCE.

FWIW

 

Is it really much more than I am capable of? I like to think that I could do anything with enough time, patience, and resources...and I've got the time and patience, and the resources would trickle in.

Could you share some of the reasons something like this would be difficult?

 

The resources you need to tackle a complete engine rebuild are not something that will trickle in. These are highly technical engines which require EXPERIENCE and an understanding of cause and effect - for example, just being 1 tooth out on replacing the timing chain and the engine won't run - worst case scenario is you bend the valves when you turn the engine over-that mistake is easy to make, even by guys with many years more "tool time" than you have. Downloading a workshop manual is the first step, then having an array of the CORRECT tools without which the job will be a nightmare. That in itself will be expensive - it's not the sort of work that can be done without micrometers, feeler guages, ring compressors,torque wrench, good quality spanners, impact driver etc etc. Then there's the cost of the spares - an engine rebuild will set you back more than you think, the cost of rings, bearings, timing chains, etc etc is EXPENSIVE.
IF YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT ENGINES, FIND ONE THAT IS SIMILAR AND TAKE IT APART before POSSIBLY RUINING A PERFECTLY GOOD ONE. Leave that engine alone - take it from one who has been there, has the tools, and a fair degree of experience (riding and spanners for 46 years) and LEAVE IT ALONE.

Don't say you haven't been warned.`
And don't expect pages of help on the forum because you didn't listen.
I cannot understand why you would want to pull down an engine which is running perfectly anyway. Do the powder coating, and all the polishing and ancillary bits, do the fairings (learn to do fiberglassing) then at least it'll still run when you are finished.

 

I'm with Shadow. I have a degree in automotive technology, was an auto tech, I am still a tech just not on cars, I've rebuilt auto, and manual transmissions and car engines.
If its running fine do not mess with it. Your only opening up a whole can of worms. If you want a project and you want to learn then find a blown F2 engine repair that one. This way if you fail you'll still have a running bike and if you succeed you now have a spare engine.
Always learn major mechanics on something you don't "need". Now if your engine was blown i'd be all for you because what's the worst you can do but as you said it runs fine.

 

Oh and btw, winters are a lot shorter down here in Mass than they are up in Maine. I ride from March/April til Thanksgiving. And then sometimes you'll get those awesome 60 degree days in the middle of winter. Most towns don't even use sand down here anymore just salt so you don't even have that to worry about.

 

If you need to ask if it's over your head, it probably is...

Just clean it, mask it, and paint it. Don't powder coat anything on the engine, use high heat engine paint.

 

Hmm.

I'm not saying you can't do it but what I am saying is 'assuming it needs no parts', then its not a rebuild, then what exactly are you going to do ?

If you want to just take it apart , look at it and put it all back together then your your just going to need an assembly manual, a gasket kit, the neccessary seals and a torque wrench.

If you want a project then stuff a 900 in there or bore out the 600 and/or put a turbo on it or something worth while.

If your just completely bored then get off you a$$ , dip that bad boy in the ocean and start running that sprocket around the east coast !!!

 

Well, I forgot to mention I am not riding this bike right now. I have a 2012 CBr250R that I'm riding all the time, haven't taken the 600 on the road. Doesn't really matter how long the winters are, I've got time because I won't be riding the bike, and I won't be pressured to get it up and running.

I would probably get the cylinders bored out a bit, maybe do some other stuff while I'm at it. I just think it might be a fun project that I would enjoy doing.

 

If your hell bent on doing it, then do it. Don't say we didn't warn you! Hopefully you will be able to know if something is worn, bad, or .001" out of tolerance. Otherwise, your efforts will be all for nothing.

A word of advice: the longer the motor is apart, the better chance of failure. As time passes, parts magically disappear, the mind forgets exactly how things were, and an increased chance of impurities messing up the works.