xr650r crankcase up the swanny

[Dick]

Does anybody have any experience of a stone or the chain smashing into the crankcase just ahead of the front sprocket on an xr650r ?



The immaculate, gorgeous xr650r that I have just bought has been hiding a secret



Just behind the sprocket guard I have found evidence of a previous repair to the crankcase (couldn't see it behind the front sprocket/chain guard) where the bike may have thrown a chain or had a stone do its worst



The repair (looks like gunge or chewing gum slapped on the case) is starting to weep a tiny amount of oil.



I'm thinking a) welding is going to be tricky and not a permanent repair and b) new crankcases will have to be bought as a pair and will cost squillions along with gaskets and a complete engine stripdown



I was tempted to move the bike straight on but I believe in karma and all that sh*t, so would feel really bad passing the bike onto a new owner with a bodged repair, knowing that a few days down the line, he would have the same experience as me.



The bloke who sold it says he knew nothing about it and short of sending the boys round, there doesn't seem to be many options there.



If someone has experience of sorting out such a problem on an xr650r I'd be happy to hear it

[*Touring Ted*]

Really need pictures here mate.

[sansom33]

Hi Dick

Have seen this a couple of times on these bikes. It is usually caused when the chain snaps as happened to me. You can get a case saver that should prevent this from happening. So long as no oil seeping and case fitting as it should its not worth getting rid of the bike for.

Hang on tight

Cheers Chris

[*Touring Ted*]

Take the engine out (very easy on these bikes) and take it to a professional aluminium welder or machinist.

As long as the damage isnt on the crank case join then there is no reason why a permanent and life long repair cant be done. If it is on the crankcase then its not the end of the world. You would only have to split the cases if you were changing the gearbox or bottom end.

Like Samson says, its more than likely a snapped chain or jammed rock which has caused the hole. The previous owner will have gummed it up to sell it..

Sadly, it happens all the time. I bought an XT600E like this a few years ago and got it repaired for about £50. I told the new owner who didnt care as the repair was perfect.

[Dick]

I got a local mechanic to effect a temporary repair with JBWeld (or its equivalent).
The bike has just survived a 150 mile thrash around the Hafren Rally course this weekend without a single weep of oil.
Thanks for the advice - long term it will definately need the engine to be whipped out and the crankcase welded up professionally.
I ain't no mechanic so will have to get someone to do the whole lot for me - after paying for a full set of gaskets and all the labour, its still probably the best part of 300 quid.
But the bike was a hoot on round the Hafren forests so I will stick with it
cheers
Dicj

[*Touring Ted*]

Originally Posted by Dick

I got a local mechanic to effect a temporary repair with JBWeld (or its equivalent).
The bike has just survived a 150 mile thrash around the Hafren Rally course this weekend without a single weep of oil.
Thanks for the advice - long term it will definately need the engine to be whipped out and the crankcase welded up professionally.
I ain't no mechanic so will have to get someone to do the whole lot for me - after paying for a full set of gaskets and all the labour, its still probably the best part of 300 quid.
But the bike was a hoot on round the Hafren forests so I will stick with it
cheers
Dicj

Seriously mate.. Dropping the engine is really easy. Its just a case of taking things off and on an XR650, its all really basic and straight forward.

You shouldnt need any gaskets too.