Topic: Anyone bought a CycleX 750 motor?

[russ]

The harshness of the words you use to describe another person who you do not know is sickening.  Accusing someone of being incompetent, or on drugs etc. has absolutely no place on this board.

He made himself look incompetent by telling us he is a skilled mechanic, then he makes stupid amateur mistakes, i tell it like i see it, {from his words} ..Russ says,,,,
You can blame me of cross a threading spark plug? when the head was on a table. That alone is sad that some of you blame me ,It was from a sand blasting error from cycle x that caused the spark plug threads to be weakened.(that I paid for ) and when using a hose over the spark plug when installing it then limits the amount of force(torque) needed to cross thread a spark plug.

 when I have had 4 of the same bikes and put 100k on each bike, and allot of spark plugs were installed bye me in over 34 or so years,

 :-[yes the oil cooler hose that ken sold me was fuel vapor return line, yes this was my fault as I trusted ken to not make a huge mistake that someone could die over, I believed ken should have known better and I trusted him, but when ken called me and I told him what happened ken said call the hose manufacture is a joke and sad, all because ken said he uses this hose on his bikes.

 I paid  for a inferior product that caused a life treating issue cycle x sold me these inferior products not only to fail in every way to comply with even basic safety issues and they represent potentially life threatening injury's or death, over a monetary gain from cycle x. sale to me, that caused my bike to run off the road from the inferior hose sold to me, and now my bike is messed up from running off the road, then ken said call the hose manufacture,is sad.

and re jetting four carburetors with out asking ken after all the problems and money spent in trying to be careful not to hurt this motor confuses me that some of you here think and react in analyzing situations like this, a few here believe I should have just guessed on what was needed to make the motor richer confuses me, i guess rich people can guess, i am not rich.

Russ is simply sharing his story because it is relevant to the topic of this thread.  There is absolutely no reason for anyone to ridicule him for any reason whether you thing it is justified or not.  Despicable.

Harden up dude.... whether i am despicable or sickening just goes to show how hypocritical  some posters here are, you've just done exactly the same thing....   Looks like some of you guys would believe anything....

My take on this is Russ resurrected an old thread in order to bash cycle-x.

Russ says,,,,, I only wanted to tell my story to try to protect others from the same treatment from ken, I have not opened a old thread in order to bash cycle-x, I am sorry you feel this way scottly and with retro rocket as I feel you are not given me a fair chance in my posts.
   


Exactly, and posted the exact same thing in 2 other sections of the forum...

The funny thing here is, the guys defending Russ, don't have any clue what went on either, the guy has only posted in this thread and the other 2 on the same subject.......  You all want "freedom of speech".....when it suits you.... Russ says,,,,I am sorry about posting my story two times I was UN sure were to post my story on this board

[HonderCB]

Harden up dude.... whether i am despicable or sickening just goes to show how hypocritical  some posters here are, you've just done exactly the same thing....   Looks like some of you guys would believe anything....

RR,
surely you are old enough and mature enough to realize the difference between someone (you) who called another person, who they dont know, incomptetent and on drugs (and still continues to do so), and someone (me) who thinks that behavior is sad and unwarranted.

I think any reasonably objective person who reads this thread will see that i am not being hypocritical here.  I did not attack you.  I simply found your behavior towards a stranger to be in poor form.

[russ]

     Another item I should tell all here the last time I talked to ken I offered to r and r the motor with his crew to help in removing the motor, as it is very simple, but I needed help in getting the heavy motor out of the frame, and then replace the head gasket or o–rings, he laughed and said no way I am done with you, I am not paying for anything else as he said I paid a lot already.

 A very simple question to all,,,, have you ever screwed up in life putting something together in life, be honest.

Could it be that on my motor, the person got interrupted and forgot or misplaced a simple o-ring, or mis torque a motors torque sequence?

  A quote from cycle's from ken on a e mail  reads ,,say I'll say this, his mind has been on the racing bike pretty much non-stop for months now. On Tuesday, July 31, 2012 3:51 PM

  I have worked on a lot of jap crap and bmw, Porsche, Mercedes, Toyota, Subaru, and many other foreign cars, and it seems to me that Japanese cars need more attention in every aspect then any other car when working on them, in the years before my life long altering injury happened.

[Retro Rocket]

I think any reasonably objective person who reads this thread will see that i am not being hypocritical here.  I did not attack you.  I simply found your behavior towards a stranger to be in poor form.

I usually give anyone the benefit of the doubt , we only have one side of the story here and  when i read this thread i find it hard to see how the  problems lie solely with CycleX if at all , especially after reading another confusing reply, Russ admits fault then goes on to blame Ken once again {for the same thing?}, trying to make Ken also look stupid by saying that he screws up because he's busy with a race bike..!  You do know how many shops have race bikes ? It is more common than not. Yes Russ, i make mistakes but i don't blame others for them. Cycle x are a reputable business and long term member, Russ lobs up to throw stones and you wonder why some of us are skeptical..?  If it makes you feel better, i have had extremely serious life changing injuries as well, Fractured skull. shattered jaw, severely broken left arm, my left wrist points left, lacerated liver than ended up in me having a liver transplant 13 years ago and much much more, all from a hit run accident,  i have never once EVER used it as an excuse for anything and never will.

Could it be that on my motor, the person got interrupted and forgot or misplaced a simple o-ring, or mis torque a motors torque sequence?

 Could it be that you did something wrong ...?   Pull it apart and find out, its just speculation other wise....

[russ]

I think any reasonably objective person who reads this thread will see that i am not being hypocritical here.  I did not attack you.  I simply found your behavior towards a stranger to be in poor form.

I usually give anyone the benefit of the doubt , we only have one side of the story here and  when i read this thread i find it hard to see how the  problems lie solely with CycleX if at all , especially after reading another confusing reply, Russ admits fault then goes on to blame Ken once again {for the same thing?}, trying to make Ken also look stupid by saying that he screws up because he's busy with a race bike..!  You do know how many shops have race bikes ? It is more common than not. Yes Russ, i make mistakes but i don't blame others for them. Cycle x are a reputable business and long term member, Russ lobs up to throw stones and you wonder why some of us are skeptical..?  If it makes you feel better, i have had extremely serious life changing injuries as well, Fractured skull. shattered jaw, severely broken left arm, my left wrist points left, lacerated liver than ended up in me having a liver transplant 13 years ago and much much more, all from a hit run accident,  i have never once EVER used it as an excuse for anything and never will.

Could it be that on my motor, the person got interrupted and forgot or misplaced a simple o-ring, or mis torque a motors torque sequence?

 Could it be that you did something wrong ...? Russ says,,, pretty please give me advise on what i did wrong as i have no clue at all, ken had the complete bike the last two times and never adjusted for any lean condition at that time, if this was the cause? please remember i rode with a inferred heat gun checking head and oil temps... 

 r.r.  really? after me Russ has spent over 4k you tell me to Pull it apart and find out, its just speculation other wise....Russ does not understand this action  after spending that amount of cash and has a bike motor that leaks oil and has a internal knock only when cold after cycle x has had my head for three times and complete motor one time and then the complete bike with motor attached two times and ken never said anything about a oil cooler at that time, and now this?

 Russ will never ever run away from something i did or caused, as you do this you will self destruct in life over time, you must analyze it and the situation so it wont happen to you again in life, bettering your self in life is my goal, as i am a giver in life not a taker in life.

[Rookster]

Russ,

Are you expecting CycleX to fix your motor?  I don't think this is reasonable.  At this point what you should want is some of your money back.  In order to get anything you will need to take the motor apart and document with pictures/video exactly what you find.  Or have another shop take the motor apart but you will need pictures or video to "prove" your claims about bad work.  It shouldn't be a surprise that Ken is probably as frustrated with you as you are with him.  You are going to have to get over the oil line issue and address specific problems within the motor that you payed for and believe are wrong.  Use your receipts for work to guide your case.  "I paid for a valve job, here is a pic of the reciept and here is a video or a bunch of pics that show what is wrong with the head."  There's 2 sides to every story, unfortunately for you, you are going to have to prove to Ken and the board that he is to blame.

Scott

[russ]

Russ,

Are you expecting CycleX to fix your motor?  I don't think this is reasonable.  At this point what you should want is some of your money back.  In order to get anything you will need to take the motor apart and document with pictures/video exactly what you find.  Or have another shop take the motor apart but you will need pictures or video to "prove" your claims about bad work.  It shouldn't be a surprise that Ken is probably as frustrated with you as you are with him.  You are going to have to get over the oil line issue and address specific problems within the motor that you payed for and believe are wrong.  Use your receipts for work to guide your case.  "I paid for a valve job, here is a pic of the reciept and here is a video or a bunch of pics that show what is wrong with the head."  There's 2 sides to every story, unfortunately for you, you are going to have to prove to Ken and the board that he is to blame.

Scott

tyvm you are wise and smart, as some actions i don't want to put ken in at this point.

[russ]

I Jess sitting at home from a lack of money and looking at a huge c.c. bill over a motor that leaks oil on my legs of each side of the head and has a internal knock when cold and the knock most likely get worse over hours put on the motor has me confused in why you don't see the issues with ken and cycle x .

when cycle x has had my head for three times and complete motor one time and then the complete bike with motor attached two times.

ken has been advised on what he needs to do to put this right, on only one issue if he does, i promise to remove all my post here on this board and every board on the net, and drop all and every issue in the future and past. its a fair deal,do trust me here.

 the sites on the net down under  about Honda 750 wont help me post my story on cycle x.

[russ]

Russ,

Are you expecting CycleX to fix your motor?  I don't think this is reasonable.  At this point what you should want is some of your money back.  In order to get anything you will need to take the motor apart and document with pictures/video exactly what you find.  Or have another shop take the motor apart but you will need pictures or video to "prove" your claims about bad work.  It shouldn't be a surprise that Ken is probably as frustrated with you as you are with him.  You are going to have to get over the oil line issue and address specific problems within the motor that you payed for and believe are wrong.  Use your receipts for work to guide your case.  "I paid for a valve job, here is a pic of the reciept and here is a video or a bunch of pics that show what is wrong with the head."  There's 2 sides to every story, unfortunately for you, you are going to have to prove to Ken and the board that he is to blame.

Scott

cool looking bike any bigger pics

[scottly]

The days are very hot and I did not drive it during the day and only took it out in the early morning and at night because of the heat. A few days later on one 95 degree day I make a call to Ken because I am worried about high oil temps. I put on 20 miles and the oil temp was 200f, head was 247 f. I have an infrared heat gun with laser and was checking it as it bothered me and I was worried.

200f oil temp is not excessively hot, IMHO. 247 for the head isn't either, depending on where it was measured. If both those readings were 50 degrees higher, then it might be cause for concern.

[tlbranth]

Russ - I think you're going to have to take Rookster's advice and come up with some hard evidence. If it were me in your shoes, AND everything you say is correct, I would either chalk the whole thing up to experience and cross CycleX off my list of vendors I deal with or I would gather the necessary evidence and take CycleX to small claims court. It would be good here if this Ken fella would give his side of the story because this is going to hurt him. I do all my own work but if I hired it out, CycleX would not be on my short list of outfits to do the work simply because of the cloud left by this story. Russ paid a lot of money and has a non-functioning engine. Why is that Ken? Ken? Ken? Don't you care? As someone on this thread has already stated, and I paraphrase, 'if you only know one side of the story, you don't know #$%*'. So Ken, let's hear your side eh?

[Rookster]

Russ,

Thanks.  Here's a link to my build thread.  Bigger pics are on page 4 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=55860.0

Did you pay by credit card?  If so, contact you're credit card company and explain the troubles with CycleX and get a chargeback.  Why waste time trying to get Ken to admit fault.  Get the chargeback and move on.  Your credit card company will fight for you.

I learned a few things by doing what you are doing with a vendor on this board:

1. No matter what you say, some people will not believe you
2. Even if you get your money back or get your problems fixed it feels a little slimey
3. There is always the thought, "what if its my fault?"
4. If the error was mine, I just screwed a small business out of money
5. I am responsible for creating a bunch of bad feelings and press about someone else's company.

These are things that I learned from my experience doing this.  I will never do it this way again.  Of course my issue was nowhere near the $ amount of yours.  I'm not suggesting any of your problems are your fault because I have no idea.  These are the feelings I was left with after publicly bashing a vendor.  In the end, I wish I had never done it.

Scott

[Tews19]

Can you post a video of your bike?

[russ]

The days are very hot and I did not drive it during the day and only took it out in the early morning and at night because of the heat. A few days later on one 95 degree day I make a call to Ken because I am worried about high oil temps. I put on 20 miles and the oil temp was 200f, head was 247 f. I have an infrared heat gun with laser and was checking it as it bothered me and I was worried.

200f oil temp is not excessively hot, IMHO. 247 for the head isn't either, depending on where it was measured. If both those readings were 50 degrees higher, then it might be cause for concern.

Russ says,,, then please tell me why ken blames me? he said i have melted the o rings in the head from a over heat condition,and this is the reason my bike sprays oil near the head, is why this makes no sense to me at all in kens actions and reactions with me.

[Matts K8]

Russ - I think you're going to have to take Rookster's advice and come up with some hard evidence. If it were me in your shoes, AND everything you say is correct, I would either chalk the whole thing up to experience and cross CycleX off my list of vendors I deal with or I would gather the necessary evidence and take CycleX to small claims court. It would be good here if this Ken fella would give his side of the story because this is going to hurt him. I do all my own work but if I hired it out, CycleX would not be on my short list of outfits to do the work simply because of the cloud left by this story. Russ paid a lot of money and has a non-functioning engine. Why is that Ken? Ken? Ken? Don't you care? As someone on this thread has already stated, and I paraphrase, 'if you only know one side of the story, you don't know #$%*'. So Ken, let's hear your side eh?

Well said If someone was talking about me or my company I would speak up. Russ a good lawyer would tell you to stop writing and let him handle it. A few days in court away from his business will get his attention.

[Retro Rocket]

Russ - I think you're going to have to take Rookster's advice and come up with some hard evidence. If it were me in your shoes, AND everything you say is correct, I would either chalk the whole thing up to experience and cross CycleX off my list of vendors I deal with or I would gather the necessary evidence and take CycleX to small claims court. It would be good here if this Ken fella would give his side of the story because this is going to hurt him. I do all my own work but if I hired it out, CycleX would not be on my short list of outfits to do the work simply because of the cloud left by this story. Russ paid a lot of money and has a non-functioning engine. Why is that Ken? Ken? Ken? Don't you care? As someone on this thread has already stated, and I paraphrase, 'if you only know one side of the story, you don't know #$%*'. So Ken, let's hear your side eh?

Well said If someone was talking about me or my company I would speak up. Russ a good lawyer would tell you to stop writing and let him handle it. A few days in court away from his business will get his attention.

Some real crappy advice here guys, no one has proven anything and we only have one {weird and incorrect at times} side of the story in which a lot of stuff just doesn't add up.....  Not to mention that not even the OP knows whats wrong..!!

CycleX would not be on my short list of outfits to do the work simply because of the cloud left by this story. Russ paid a lot of money and has a non-functioning engine. Why is that Ken? Ken? Ken? Don't you care?

Really.... You recommend HARD evidence yet you've already made up your mind {with no evidence} that Cyclex are no good, A silly statement considering NO ONE knows whats going on and 100's of reports of great work on this site, not to mention the brilliant parts developed by Ken. I will continue to be a customer of theirs because i have NEVER had a problem with them, as have 100's of others on this site....

[bollingball]

RR that is the good thing about it you can do what ever you want. I don't know Ken or Russ and sure as hell would have handled things a lot different. I like most of the stuff Ken sells And would love to be able to buy one of his motors. I wish he would speak up but in a way I can understand him staying out of it on this forum or level. I don't think they will solve this with out a third unbiased party That is up to them. Russ I think you should leave it alone or get help You will not solve it here.

Ken

[bollingball]

Thinking about buying a new motor for my K3 rather than fix mine.

Anyone had any experience w/ CycleX motors?

Anybody know other sources for complete motors?

P.S. - I'm not looking for a super motor. Just a good, RELIABLE stocker or slightly modified stocker.

Hey Grumpy I forgot all about you Make up your mind yet

Ken

[Retro Rocket]

RR that is the good thing about it you can do what ever you want. I don't know Ken or Russ and sure as hell would have handled things a lot different. I like most of the stuff Ken sells And would love to be able to buy one of his motors. I wish he would speak up but in a way I can understand him staying out of it on this forum or level. I don't think they will solve this with out a third unbiased party That is up to them. Russ I think you should leave it alone or get help You will not solve it here.

Ken

Yes, i agree 100%, there is far too much left out here to make a rational decision about anything.....  I just think saying that someone would never deal with CycleX after reading this thread is just sensationalizing far too much..... Its like believing everything you read in the news papers or on Fox....

[scottly]

The days are very hot and I did not drive it during the day and only took it out in the early morning and at night because of the heat. A few days later on one 95 degree day I make a call to Ken because I am worried about high oil temps. I put on 20 miles and the oil temp was 200f, head was 247 f. I have an infrared heat gun with laser and was checking it as it bothered me and I was worried.

200f oil temp is not excessively hot, IMHO. 247 for the head isn't either, depending on where it was measured. If both those readings were 50 degrees higher, then it might be cause for concern.

Russ says,,, then please tell me why ken blames me? he said i have melted the o rings in the head from a over heat condition,and this is the reason my bike sprays oil near the head, is why this makes no sense to me at all in kens actions and reactions with me.

Once again, it is very difficult to understand the sequence of the events. I interpreted it that YOU determined (incorrectly?) that the motor was overheating, and after complaining to Ken, he recommended the cooler?
As far as his decline of your offer to help R&R the motor, it reminds me of a sign I've seen in many shops: Shop Rate x$. If you watch, 2x$. If you help, 3x$. From everything you've posted, you sound like the "customer from hell", and it's no wonder Ken gave up on you. Who knows which of your problems were caused by Ken, and which were self inflicted wounds? For starters, I would like to see a clear pic of the failed oil hose. I also can't understand how sandblasting the head "weakened" the spark plug threads??

[bollingball]

RR that is the good thing about it you can do what ever you want. I don't know Ken or Russ and sure as hell would have handled things a lot different. I like most of the stuff Ken sells And would love to be able to buy one of his motors. I wish he would speak up but in a way I can understand him staying out of it on this forum or level. I don't think they will solve this with out a third unbiased party That is up to them. Russ I think you should leave it alone or get help You will not solve it here.

Ken

Yes, i agree 100%, there is far too much left out here to make a rational decision about anything.....  I just think saying that someone would never deal with CycleX after reading this thread is just sensationalizing far too much..... Its like believing everything you read in the news papers or on Fox....

Agreed Never dealing with Ken based solely on this is to far. Hell Russ could be 8 years old as far as I know. No offence to you Russ.

[bollingball]

I vote this thing to be locked up once and for all What say the rest. Had enough?

Ken The other Ken

[russ]

gee again it looks like i have upset people on this board i am sorry, all i am doing is trying to answer questions that are asked.

I am confused,
1 I have the head sent up there to have valve train work done the sandblasting weaken the spark plug threads. I paid for the repair of the threads.

2 Then the valve train keepers on the valves fail. I was told to remove head when ken should have done it, he sold me bad parts, and ken fixed it.

3. Then I was forced into a rebuild from the delays cycle x repairing the defective valve train parts.


4 I got motor put in the bike and then a bushing near the primary chain is making a winding noise, ken fixes it.

5 Then the valve train keepers on the valves fail. For the 2nd time. Ken fixes it.


6 Then calling ken about high oil temps he blames me I burned the oil rings in the head when oil temp were only 200f and head temps were 247f and ken blames me for the motor leaking oil near the head gasket.

7 oil cooler lines that were gas vapor return was sold to me bye ken, splits in haft, I run off the road, my bike is messed up, ken blames me, and was told to call the hose manufacture.

If you can't understand the run around on the post #67 I put on here, I don't know what else I can say, as a lot here understand there are some serious issues, and a select few don't understand this situation.
 

A few here say talk to ken and try to work this out,  I did try is why I told my story in helping ken and crew in r and r the motor at his shop.

How can anyone blame me in these issues, it was not caused buy owner operator error or assembly of a motor.

Scottly, I was unsure about the oil temps, and called ken, he blames me in the motor running to hot and told me to add a oil cooler and the motor oil was 200f and head temps were 247f, then ken says, I told him the oil was 247f and the head was 200f, and blames me.

Scottly I tried to reach Ken for a couple of days and he was not available. I then I talked to his helper Matt and asked why is oil coming out around the head on both sides? Matt tells me that the oil leak around the head is assembly lube and it is very thick and will go away, and I was told to run the bike.

Scottly When a alum head is sand blasted the old spark plugs should be left in position, the spark plug threads were weakened and very ruff and course, and this caused a condition were a hose put over a spark plug could not install the plug more then 2 or 3 turns, a socket and ratchet were needed to put the spark plug in the head, on one of the outside spark plug hole.

And when I talked to Ken he said his new employees might not have listened properly and to his requirements and orders in regards to sand blasting parts.


Then I paid 245.00 to have this fixed.

[russ]

if a moderator of this board would like to call me on the phone, i will have no problem with a moderator doing this.

to lock up this tread on this issue seems kinda harsh, i am trying to be polite and not mean and doing my best in telling the truth, so everyone can make there own choice.

everyone please take the time and read my post it is  Reply #67 on: July 19, 2012, 03:21:34 pm

i do know ken knows his stuff, but i believe i fell Thu the cracks and got mistreated.

[vames]

if a moderator of this board would like to call me on the phone, i will have no problem with a moderator doing this.

to lock up this tread on this issue seems kinda harsh, i am trying to be polite and not mean and doing my best in telling the truth, so everyone can make there own choice.

everyone please take the time and read my post it is  Reply #67 on: July 19, 2012, 03:21:34 pm

i do know ken knows his stuff, but i believe i fell Thu the cracks and got mistreated.

Problem is, trying to convince people on this board who is wrong and who is right, especially with only one side of the story, isn't going to do anything to solve this. You've said your bit. Now go crusade somewhere else.