Author Topic: rebuild - pistons, sleeves?  (Read 12879 times)

Offline Gouraami

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rebuild - pistons, sleeves?
« on: November 07, 2016, 03:01:42 PM »
Hi everyone

My bandit is smoking. I was going to pull the top end off and the original plan was to resleeve and keep the original pistons.

The problem is that I don't find sleeves or over sized pistons for sale anywhere...

Is this the end? No parts means no point of pulling the engine apart  :stickpoke:
Project: Suzuki Bandit 400 Limited Edition, either a '90 or '91 needs a lot of TLC

Offline Squishy

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Re: rebuild - pistons, sleeves?
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2016, 03:08:22 PM »
Smoking when?

Smoking on full throttle = most likely piston rings

Smoking on closed throttle from high rpm = most likely valve seats

Always smoking = bad  :bandit:

Offline Gouraami

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Re: rebuild - pistons, sleeves?
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2016, 03:41:45 PM »
Hey Squishy

Full throttle.

If the rings are worn the cylinder walls will also be worn, thus the plan to resleeve.

Pointless replacing the rings if the cylinder is worn

Project: Suzuki Bandit 400 Limited Edition, either a '90 or '91 needs a lot of TLC

Offline Squishy

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Re: rebuild - pistons, sleeves?
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2016, 03:50:56 PM »
Hey Squishy

Full throttle.

If the rings are worn the cylinder walls will also be worn, thus the plan to resleeve.

Pointless replacing the rings if the cylinder is worn
Not per se.
Might just be the oil scraper rings.

I'd first open it up and then decide what to do

Offline Gouraami

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Re: rebuild - pistons, sleeves?
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2016, 03:56:42 PM »
The problem is that it has done 81000km, so I know it will be worn, no need to open up first   :shrug:
Project: Suzuki Bandit 400 Limited Edition, either a '90 or '91 needs a lot of TLC

Offline Squishy

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Re: rebuild - pistons, sleeves?
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2016, 04:21:00 PM »
The problem is that it has done 81000km, so I know it will be worn, no need to open up first   :shrug:
:)

Mine has 85000km and also smoking under full throttle (high revs). But it's only 1L on 2000KM heavy riding... so not gonna open her up yet. Still starts great and pulls to 210km/h speedo.
Once it goes <1:1000km I'll consider it.

Btw on the 400 from F to L on the glass is only 300ml of oil. So even when it seems like you have to fill it up too many times, it's not so much.
E.g. on the SV650 it's almost double from F to L

Offline Gouraami

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Re: rebuild - pistons, sleeves?
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2016, 05:29:28 AM »
I'm filling from empty to full every +- 350km, depending on how the bike was ridden.

I guess I am going to have to pull it open and see  :danger:
Project: Suzuki Bandit 400 Limited Edition, either a '90 or '91 needs a lot of TLC

Offline Squishy

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Re: rebuild - pistons, sleeves?
« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2016, 05:40:48 AM »
I'm filling from empty to full every +- 350km, depending on how the bike was ridden.

I guess I am going to have to pull it open and see  :danger:
Okai so that's about 1:1000.. so I guess you got a good reason  :bandit: good luck

make some pictures if you can!

Offline Gouraami

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Re: rebuild - pistons, sleeves?
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2016, 06:10:13 AM »
I have been phoning around for custom sleeves. I found a guy who can create new std sleeves from scratch, but for R1000 each + then I would need to get them pressed in and bored another R1000.

Simply not worth it  :deadhorse:

Project: Suzuki Bandit 400 Limited Edition, either a '90 or '91 needs a lot of TLC

Offline TJS

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Re: rebuild - pistons, sleeves?
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2016, 11:01:17 PM »
Gouraami, what country are you in?
There are some options by modifying FZR pistons, TTS in the UK has old stock, and Suzuki UK may have OEM 1mm oversize....and I have ordered hard to find parts from Japan. http://japan.webike.net/

I have a set of the TTS and their rings for a future race motor. I have probably the last OEM 1mm kit from Suzuki USA.
« Last Edit: November 16, 2016, 11:09:55 PM by TJS »
More Bandit 400 stuff on my youtube:
https://youtube.com/c/StanleysGarage369

Offline TJS

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Re: rebuild - pistons, sleeves?
« Reply #10 on: November 16, 2016, 11:12:39 PM »
My bike is forsale again on CL and a few sites on FB. If the bike sells; I will post the piston kits here first for sale.
I'm sinking all funds into my track bike.
More Bandit 400 stuff on my youtube:
https://youtube.com/c/StanleysGarage369

Offline Gouraami

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Re: rebuild - pistons, sleeves?
« Reply #11 on: December 04, 2016, 09:17:21 AM »
Hey TJS

Apologies for the delayed reply, I haven't been on here in a while

In South Africa.

I have bought another project bike, so the bandit has been put on hold.
Project: Suzuki Bandit 400 Limited Edition, either a '90 or '91 needs a lot of TLC