So I had a rattle, did chain tensioners and tappetts. Turns out it was the big end bearing cap working its way loose. The right hand cylinder has gone bad, the piston has disintegrated and 30% of my engine is in a bucket in a workshop. It's a 2003 1150 gs. 65k on the clock. Is it worth changing the engine? Where do I get one, or do I just sell the bike? What's it worth? Help!!
Is it worth changing the engine?
- Thread starter bustairo
- Start date
James Sherlock was selling some r1150gs motors on E bay a month or so ago ,think the most expensive one was under £400
beemer pimp
Registered user
Well if engine can't be saved then you have to think how badly you want to keep this bike , how long have you got a bike , is it sentimental value to you ? I'm sure you can buy engine like from motoworks or eBay or get donor bike it's all depends how badly you want and what sort of money you can spend . By the way what you spend on rebuild you never get back if decide to sell.
If you in to mechanics rebuild your self.
Val
2 bikes , twice is happy
If you in to mechanics rebuild your self.
Val
2 bikes , twice is happy
flatdog
Registered user
I've posted a couple of links on your other thread.
Its a pain in the arse fitting a twin spark you need a lump of the loom plus the ECU for the coil sticks
Any of the motors 1150 GS RS R RT will swap in from memory Might be a difference in clutch plates but sure you would bung a new one in while you are there
I cant remember if the 1100 are a direct fit I "think" they are but cant swear to it
and....
If you can get an Engine for £350 - £500 where could you buy a GS for that ???
My thoughts Stick an Engine in and maintain it your self
P.S. NEVER Seen a big end cap loosened! What I have seen is oil starvation from not being checked frequently enough and the big end munched and beaten flat that was on an 1100S and I recommended a replacement engine
Any of the motors 1150 GS RS R RT will swap in from memory Might be a difference in clutch plates but sure you would bung a new one in while you are there
I cant remember if the 1100 are a direct fit I "think" they are but cant swear to it
and....
If you can get an Engine for £350 - £500 where could you buy a GS for that ???
My thoughts Stick an Engine in and maintain it your self
P.S. NEVER Seen a big end cap loosened! What I have seen is oil starvation from not being checked frequently enough and the big end munched and beaten flat that was on an 1100S and I recommended a replacement engine
flatdog
Registered user
RT would be the way to go. I don't think there are any mechanical differences. (but I may be wrong)
The only issue with RT engines is they suffer more from corrosion due to being hidden behind farings.
Still a quick brush over and some hammerite (or other suitable) will help with making it look good.
Thats the way I intend to go if/when mine does this.
RT engine has a different exhaust system which uses three cylinderhead studs on the engines as opposed to the GS models two studs.
An RS engine also has three studs, the R1150R has two studs and will fit.
Ah yes thats what I was trying to remember and why an 1100 wont fit straight off
But its simple enough to use the front pipes of the RS RT with a Remus link pipe and tail can
The GS sump guard doesn't fit with the RS/RT downpipes. And the engine is much lumpier at low revs without the front balance pipe..
Thanks guys this is all really useful information. I'm so grateful for your help. This one looks like it could be a goer. What are your thoughts please?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162214359820
It seems to have 2 exhaust studs
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162214359820
It seems to have 2 exhaust studs
No, it has three exhaust studs.
And they look fecked, which means they'll snap off when you try to remove the exhaust.
Pffft, and here's me thinking Shylocks being generous by including the headers in the sale
Nope - you want an R1150GS, R1150R or Rockster engine. Given that your bike is a 2003 are you 100% sure it's single spark? I thought 2002 was the last of the single spark engines? Having had both, single spark is better IMO - less to go wrong.
flytoolow
Registered user
Complete Engine or strip n rebuild ?
I have a similar issue (previous thread somewhere). So, do you think it is cheaper/better to have a newish/second hand engine fitted complete rather than have someone open up the engine case and refit all the internals ?
After having talked to a few mechanics the problem comes when stripping an engine down and finding a score or groove somewhere that won't keep oil pressure if left alone...and hence the price of the internals soon mounts up...
Any opinions ???
I have a similar issue (previous thread somewhere). So, do you think it is cheaper/better to have a newish/second hand engine fitted complete rather than have someone open up the engine case and refit all the internals ?
After having talked to a few mechanics the problem comes when stripping an engine down and finding a score or groove somewhere that won't keep oil pressure if left alone...and hence the price of the internals soon mounts up...
Any opinions ???
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Cant see why not Except to replace clutch
Checking the cylinder head
Part 11121342200 was found on the following vehicles:
R21 (R 1150 GS) (09/1998 — 11/2003)
R21 (R 1150 GS Adventure) (07/2001 — 09/2005)
R28 (R 850 R, R 1150 R, Rockster) (11/1999 — 06/2006)
259 (R 1100 S, R 1100 RS) (12/1996 — 07/2005)
A61 (01/1997 — 01/2000)
I've been through both options - i.e. engine rebuild and replacement engine on my R1150. The engine rebuild happened due to a local bike company snapping a cam chain guide whilst removing the heads. They stripped the engine , replaced the guides and rebuilt. It ran OK for a while but 18 months later the big end bearings failed. I have no idea whether this was related or not but following this I looked at all options and opted a good used low mileage engine swap. Moto Scot sourced the engine and did the work and I'd be happy to recommend them - that was back in 2012 and I've probably done 30,000 miles since without issue.
Just my experience. Good luck
Complete engine rebuilds become very expensive if done properly , about 8 or 9 years ago I did a full rebuild on my GSX1100 katana as it was starting to use a bit of oil. this was a running engine that had not had any kind of catastrophic failure .
The roller bearing crank was absolutely fine , but by the time I had bought the Wiseco piston kit (£300 cheaper than OEM pistons) , cam chain, fasteners , tensioners, various gaskets and oem seals, bearings plus some machining work the bill without labour for the strip down and rebuild the bill was in excess of £1100. The costs soon start to spiral
I went the rebuild route to retain engine numbers on an older classic rather than bung in a Gsx1100 efe motor , unless you are really attached to the bike and it was immaculate low mileage and totally original go for a low mileage used motor , check it over prior to fitting , engine flush if you want to be paranoid and then a full service and go for it
The roller bearing crank was absolutely fine , but by the time I had bought the Wiseco piston kit (£300 cheaper than OEM pistons) , cam chain, fasteners , tensioners, various gaskets and oem seals, bearings plus some machining work the bill without labour for the strip down and rebuild the bill was in excess of £1100. The costs soon start to spiral
I went the rebuild route to retain engine numbers on an older classic rather than bung in a Gsx1100 efe motor , unless you are really attached to the bike and it was immaculate low mileage and totally original go for a low mileage used motor , check it over prior to fitting , engine flush if you want to be paranoid and then a full service and go for it
