Rebuild or Buy New????

Heres the deal. I was donated a 01 FZ1. The bike has 18,000 miles on it. It was taken out for a nice 150 mile ride last summer. The guy, 45 yrs old, parked it after the ride and then a few weeks later went to ride it again and it wouldnt start. He took it to the shop and they said the piston and rings on 2 and 4 were bad. He took it home in boxes and set the engine out side. Six months later, (now) his job is transfering him from dallas to memphis. He didnt want to haul the bike so he signed the title over to me. So the question is, do I rebuild the engine and replace the 2 pistons and rings or buy a used engine off ebay or something? The engine, when I picked it up poured out murkey oil/water out of it. I have taken it apart and everything looks clean and good inside. No cracks or broken parts.

if its already apart, then buying 2 used pistons and new rings sounds a lot cheaper. But was the bad cylinders due to a lack of compression? then just replace the rings.

It really depends on if your looking for a hobby to work on or your wanting to ride it now. If the motor parts sat out in the weather for 6 months you would need to check out everything really well. You could probley get a motor for 800-1000.

I think it would be easiest to replace the whole motor

More info.... The lower end looks great. It cleaned up real nice. There's not any scarring or any signs of wear. The pistons, crank case, crank shaft, and cylinders look brand new. I am amazed at how well it looks with 18,000 miles on it. There is carbon build up on the head (not any more than normal) and thats where I found the problem. The exhaust valves on 2 and 4 arent seating. I flipped the head upside down and poured water on the valves. After an hour or so, the water had leaked out the exhaust valves on 2 and 4. I am going to go ahead and start rebuilding the lower end. I am just going to put new rings on the existing pistons. I will let you know what I find out about the valves. I have to go buy a tool to remove them.

You don't need a tool to remove them, but you will need one to re instll them. A socket/hammer/rag will remove them. Thats the common method, and way faster than any over sized valve spring compressor that will have you cursing for hours.

yes... just get sockets thats close to same size as retainer. put rag ontop of it, make sure you have head lifted up a bit so valve doesnt hit anything hard. i usually put rag under it to give some pressure on valve. then hit socket with hammer. both keepers should come out. rag should keep them from flying all over place. sometimes it takes a hit or 2 to get them out. going back in you need a tool. there are different tools you can use.

Ok, I got them out. Everything looks good. No cracks. I am cleaning it up. I need to get a gasket set. I called today and the local moto shop wants 250 for the set. Any of you guys know if thats a good price?

More info... I started putting it back together and while cleaning the piston and rings I noticed that the top ring on 2 of the pistons has shrunk so much that the gap has closed up. I don't even think I can pry it apart. I guess I will change the pistons too. Do you guys think that happens while everything was together or outside in the weather? Also, I didn't know that the little round disk under neigh the bucket on the valves were shims. I kept the valves in order but didn't keep the springs, keepers, caps, shims, or buckets separated. I put them all in one bag. I talked to the local shop and he said it was going to be very time consuming to get these valves in correct time. Do you guys have an secrets in putting the valves back in place? Last question for now. I cant seem to find a complete gasket kit for the engine. I called the Yamaha shop and they said I would have to piece the lower end together. He said they make the one for the top end but not lower. What have you guys done for gaskets? I don't think there are that many on the lower end, but since I'm this far in to it, I figure I might as well replace everything that is easy and cheap.

Also, I didn't know that the little round disk under neigh the bucket on the valves were shims. I kept the valves in order but didn't keep the springs, keepers, caps, shims, or buckets separated. I put them all in one bag. Bummer.

Ok, I got it running again. I started it last night and took it for a spin. A few issues. It starts bogging down once it gets above 5k rpms. (could this be the exup cables are backwards?) I couldnt find the Skye Blue Neutral wire to connect. (where on the engine is it)