Topic: Anyone bought a CycleX 750 motor?

[Greggo]

Well it ain't gonna be cheap but it won't be a whole lot more than fixing mine - and it'll be a whole lot less trouble vs. getting the valves done, maybe bored to second step, fixing the tranny, sourcing all the parts, and me fumbling and bumbling with it for weeks.

The other option is to sent it to Honda Man but then I have to pull it, pack it, take it to a shipping dock, wait, and repeat in reverse.
If HM was closer it would be there by now but the shipping thing is a PITA. Plus it's my daily driver so I want to minimize down time.

Well, by Spring I will have one or two rebuilt 750 engines for sale (stock, with step bores of 1mm or less). One is a K3, the other may be a K1. I have most of a K7, except the crank, that will also be a candidate soon.

I would take a Hondaman rebuild over a CycleX rebuild any day of the week, this is who you need to talk to if you are going to buy a rebuilt engine.

+1  I'd put myself on his waiting list if he wasn't half a country away   

[russ]

i have talked to ken over 20 times and  drove my motor up there 3 to 4 time  at a 11 hour drive each time, the motor parts were sent up there around 2 times, it leaks oil near the head gasket and has a internal noise when cold on one cyl.

$1200 head 5 to 6 weeks

$240 heli coils for spark plugs took 3 weeks, I could not get spark plug in one out side spark plug hole a socket and a racket and socket was needed to put spark plug in, from sandblasting, after admitting your help might not have listened to your rules in sand blasting your parts, ( I had one very weak spark plug tread on the inside left side before the head was sent to you)

 i Installed head..

 I Removed head and motor after your 2nd party co. miss matched valve train parts that failed.

$85 ken said drive up here 10 hrs, and he will put on the head, and put a base gasket on the motor, from the delays and it caused the base gasket to shift and start leaking from the delays on him fixing my defective head parts, then after the drive up there I was told ken was micro waving something in the microwave oven and he spilled something hot on his face and had to go to the er room. 

Then I had to leave the motor up there.


 Then ken had the motor all winter, and ex worker tossed out all your customers numbers.

 $90 Delay made me remove bike from my friends shop, 400 miles

$85 trip to pick up motor

$2300 motor all winter, missed vacation, out of order parts, and ex worker tossed your customers numbers.

Ken gave me 3 oil filters

$185   with 8 oil changes was done with metal in oil filter housing.


Allot $ was spent  and it seems to have a primary chain noise that wines like a alternator.

Drop bike off pick up bike 100 ken gave me.



  Got bike back home then  was told to re jet carbs, when bike and I was up at there shop,  nothing was said, or shims for metering rods or bigger jets were offered to me then 2 times I  rose metering rods and re jetted, adjust valves, cam chain,  then Broke valve adjuster 200 miles away tow bike home.$200

Remove valve cover find broken piece,

 called ken on may 21st called ken about running rich he said lower metering rods he said matt told me to use 40 thousand shims on rods that’s was to big,  and talked about clutch slipping , ken said to adjust rod on bike not cable, found clutch cable not tied to frame and burnt  when motor was installed, replace the new cable that was just installed with another Honda clutch cable clutch is ok now. 26$


Head valve retainers failed again and almost drooped a valve, I called ken. It seems bye the photos I had deferent color valve retainers and it looked like I had been given used valve retainers as they were deferent, one very dark, and one very light on some valves.


May 23rd talked to ken and he’s going to pick up bike this Saturday, on a holiday and he said its his sons b-day this blows 

Called on Friday roxey and ken asked if Sunday is ok, I said yes of you bet its ok

Around 5 weeks later I pick up the bike, ken pays 4 gas.

 Now an internal noise is heard when cold and goes away when hot.

Called ken and his helper matt say the oil leak around the head is assembly lube and will go away, and was told to run the bike.


After one 95 degree day the calls made to ken and his helper, about high oil temps I called ken.


I put on 20 miles oil temp was 200f, head was 247 f.

I called ken 4 a adapter plate to install a oil cooler after a week one was sent after me asking for one, and finally getting a hold of ken on sat June 28th.
 


 I got the cooler on july 3rd  he sent fuel line non pressure I did not notice it and the hose blew I went off the road on the 4th.


I called ken on july 12th and he said he told me to put on a oil cooler before and was twisting around the story’s on oil temp and caused me to make the o rings fail in the head from a over heating issue and  for me to get lost, he’s not doing anything for me.

I cant believe after 3 k in miles driving up there  5 times or so and doing everything that was needed like re jetting, he blames me on not doing what he says, as the trips up north cost allot in gas, , and days off of work.


And all this is going on for about 1 year.

Allot $ was spent around 4300.00

[unheatedgarage]

^^^^^

[Rookster]

russ, instead of the laundry list of problems/perceived problems please put some context around this.  What did you pay to have done?  What were the problems with the work that was done?  You are mixing tuning problems with engine build problems with customer service problems and its hard to understand.  Pics would go a long way toward legitimizing your claims.  Ken is a well respected man around here and you have only 2 posts.  I'm not trying to discourage you from telling us what happened only giving you some perspective on the forum.

Scott

[liPPy]

Russ - if you are going to litter threads (two posts, the exact same rant in two separate threads) with your semi-literate screed I suggest you learn to write in coherent sentences or make friends with someone that can.

Without wishing to appear rude your jumbled nonsense gives the general impression that you're a crack addled, dribbling lunatic that drinks petrol and walks around the mall wearing slippers. And I think that's a generous assessment

[Duke McDukiedook]

Or just lay off the meth a little, you don't have to go cold turkey. Just ramp the consumption down a wee bit.

[the technological J]

isnt this a zombie thread any way? 
What did you end up doing with your engine?

[tlbranth]

Gotta say that Russ does seem a bit off kilter. But in his defense, I've been about that coherent when receiving a royal screw from someone - or thinking that I did. Give the fella a little room here and let's get to the bottom of it. If the revered CycleX burbled, we should know about it and not just chant the fashionable line. If Russ is in error, it should become apparent but I think he should be allowed his say.

[Retro Rocket]

Russ - if you are going to litter threads (two posts, the exact same rant in two separate threads) with your semi-literate screed I suggest you learn to write in coherent sentences or make friends with someone that can.

Without wishing to appear rude your jumbled nonsense gives the general impression that you're a crack addled, dribbling lunatic that drinks petrol and walks around the mall wearing slippers. And I think that's a generous assessment

Thanks Lippy, you are now responsible for the cleaning bill from my coffee soaked keyboard, Coffee is NOT supposed to come out of your nose....

[Retro Rocket]

This thread was about buying a complete CycleX engine..

[lucky]

I've heard good things about their motors. And they make some badass carbs. I'm still waiting for them to finish testing their 30mm carb kit for stock sohc cb750's.

CycleX does NOT "make" carbs.

[lucky]

I have a CycleX rebuilt engine. 
It has less than 200 miles on it.

The price was fair. I asked for a basic rebuild no frills.
Ken threw in some extras. Chrome Allen bolts etc.,.
Make sure to make a clear agreement with KEN about what you want.
Write it down and send it to him. Make sure to write the engine number.

Remember all that has to be done to the engine.
 It must all be taken apart, cleaned, measured, Parts ordered, Assembled and started up. That is a lot of work.

My engine runs fine and does not leak a drop.

Below are two photos of engine returned from CycleX.
Click on the photo one time to enlarge image.

[russ]

sorry people i will rewrite the issue with cycle x better, all i am trying to do is tell others my story to protect others, as 5 or 6 times  sending the the same motor up to ken and spending over 4k and now it leaks oil and has a internal noise only when cold. is a joke. 

[lucky]

sorry people i will rewrite the issue with cycle x better, all i am trying to do is tell others my story to protect others, as 5 or 6 times  sending the the same motor up to ken and spending over 4k and now it leaks oil and has a internal noise only when cold. is a joke. 

Yes that is a good plan.
Write more carefully and do not include anything that is not Kens problem, like the price of a clutch cable. People will take you more seriously.
Describing a noise is also difficult. we all hear differently and what one person would think is normal another person thinks is minor. Very subjective.

Boil it all down to things that matter to you and are factual.
Travel time is also not Kens fault.
Holidays or birthdays are not Kens fault. A birthday for a young boy is a very important event in his lifem it will be part of his memory for life.
If Ken is injured or sick that is just part of life and Ken is human too.
If YOU break a part of the motorcycle and suffer a inconvenience that is not Ken's fault .

You have had very difficult problems and we can all empathize,
but they are not Ken's fault.

Ken provides certain services. He cannot be there all the time to guide you like a teacher.

[lucky]

Please tell us WHY you think one rebuild by one shop is better than another shop.
Otherwise is not worth much. something factual.

[russ]

please give me more time on this matter.

 i will re write this post in a better understanding  for and to all on this matter.

it turned into a complete rebuild motor 3 times that cycle x has had, after the cly base gasket shifted or failed over cycle x time delays.

  now it has two oil leaks near the head  on both sides and has a internal noise when cold like a piston skirt slap one one cly only.

 i will send all pics of hose used on oil cooler that ken sent me that was fuel vapor return fuel line line, this fuel hose sent was non pressurized fuel hose, non oil cooler line.

 old or miss matched valve keepers, pics will be posted.

 oil leak pics will be posted.

 oil shaving in oil drain pan will be posted, after 5 oil changes in 400 miles.

and if you want  wav files will be sent of the motor noise when cold, they could be hard to hear on a recording.

[russ]

 ;DI have had four cb 750 f bikes in my life time, I put on 100k on every bike,

and I keep buying the same old bikes.



9 chains and 6 sets of tires are used on every bike that turns 100k.


I am real and no fake.

I only want to inform others of cycle x actions in my dealings with ken, to only protect others from the same.

[ofreen]

Without wishing to appear rude your jumbled nonsense gives the general impression that you're a crack addled, dribbling lunatic that drinks petrol and walks around the mall wearing slippers. And I think that's a generous assessment

I don't see the problem.  Slippers are comfy.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

So to me it sounds like Ken is doing machine shop work and russ is being the mechanic. Where does this make the faults lie? Perhaps all blame could have been placed on Ken but ONLY if he did ALL the work and it was a TOTAL rebuild rather than a repair of an old engine by a different party.

Looking forward to the details and pictures.

Why do you need to use 9 chains in 100,000 miles? Inexpensive chains stretching or less than optimal maintenance? Don't know how anybody can get 16,666+ miles on a rear tire on a F when the chain only lasts 11,111 miles! Front maybe, rear no way. If I only get 11,111 miles on a chain then I'm only getting MAYBE 3,000 to 4,000 miles on a rear tire. Most of my F rears last approx 5,000 miles max. Please let me know what tires you're using because I'm buying them!

[Retro Rocket]

Why do you need to use 9 chains in 100,000 miles? Inexpensive chains stretching or less than optimal maintenance? Don't know how anybody can get 16,666+ miles on a rear tire on a F when the chain only lasts 11,111 miles! Front maybe, rear no way. If I only get 11,111 miles on a chain then I'm only getting MAYBE 3,000 to 4,000 miles on a rear tire. Most of my F rears last approx 5,000 miles max. Please let me know what tires you're using because I'm buying them!

Exactly....Which doesn't help anything else being said..... The numbers just don't add up....

[bollingball]

Hold up a few days guys I really want to see the videos.
Ken

[russ]

Why do you need to use 9 chains in 100,000 miles? Inexpensive chains stretching or less than optimal maintenance? Don't know how anybody can get 16,666+ miles on a rear tire on a F when the chain only lasts 11,111 miles! Front maybe, rear no way. If I only get 11,111 miles on a chain then I'm only getting MAYBE 3,000 to 4,000 miles on a rear tire. Most of my F rears last approx 5,000 miles max. Please let me know what tires you're using because I'm buying them!

Exactly....Which doesn't help anything else being said..... The numbers just don't add up....

Ops sorry my fault sorry, its 9 sets of tires and 6 to 7 chains per 100k lol


I use rk racing o ring chains 630 series as they get high and low spots, then I replace them.

I have found out that use rk racing o ring chains 630 series last the longest and not stretch as other stretch worse

 I run Dunlop touring in the rear.

 I do wear tires down to limit were they are bald, and got tickets from the cops sometimes, only near the Chicago suburbs, I have gotten these tickets for bald tires.

I do get 50 mpg and sometimes better, as I cruse county side roads a lot.

[russ]

I have to apologize to all hear I do not put my words on paper good.

 I have taken great advise from lucky here in his post and I am having others help me put it on paper, were every one can understand it.

 Thank you lucky. For you help and advise on this board.

[bollingball]

Russ any pics. of the bike is this a 77-78 with the 630 chain? It is all ways better to take a deep breath and calm down when upset. It makes you look bad right or wrong. I would like to hear more details and as much fact from both sides. Proof read and spell check before your next post.
Ken

[russ]

hello ken


I have had a life long alerting injury, i will do my best for all here.