Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Okey dokey, here we go.

I have an old GPX600 which has been great, the only problem thus far has been a bit of an oil drip which I have been putting off fixing. I went on a ride today and got stuck in a fair amount of rain. Lost the back tyre at one stage and got spooked so I pulled over, when I smelled coolant and saw a bit of steam coming up from the front. I headed off again to get to the next town in case it was a leak and was going to get hot on me...

It was fine on the way there and didn't miss a beat, no more coolant smells so I'm not sure what that was all about. After the stop for lunch, the bike started but was reluctant to keep running, and then under any more than light throttle was missing - but it would maintain a steady light throttle (ie. constant speed or gentle acceleration) without incident.

These symptoms kinda point towards a possible blown head gasket. I did some searching, and whaddya know... a number of reports on BHG's on Kawasaki GPX/GPX motors of this vintage.

As it's got an oil leak and this possibility, I'm thinking I might rip the motor out and rebuild it. Being a Kawasaki forum I was hoping you guys might have a bit of experience with these older bikes and could warn me off doing it if appropriate, or give me any advice.

Also an idea on things that should be looked at while it's apart would be great - and any idea on what a full rebuild kit goes for these days?

Shifty - buy another bike

Wouldn't a GPX750 lump fit straight in? If so it might be an option

Get the fark away from my engine!!

mike-s wrote:Get the fark away from my engine!!

and mine....

You can't have mine either Shifty Your poor bike.

Strap-on

Shifty
mate
I would not go and pull the engine out or down
coz of a bit of a leak

first where is the oil leak coming from???
round the oil filter opening? near the water pump?
around the clutch cover?
all simple and cheap fixes ..and a bit of your time

and the coolant leak?
where did that come from?
radiator? a hose or hose connection? stuffed cap?
water transfer pipe???
all easy fixes too

it is unusual for the GPx engines to do a head gasket
unless you lose coolant or the level is very low.....
they will still run, probably a bit hard to start
but they will still go
great Kwaka engines

so check out the oil and coolant leak first
fix them then look at the head gasket

and a head gasket is a pretty easy fix too
but you do need the right tools and it is a bit of a long job
the gasket (VRS) kit is about $60 (non genuine)

have a look and let us know

cheers

Shifty - buy another bike

Good in thoery, but I could hardly afford this one when I bought it a few months ago! I am paying off a couple of mistakes I made five years ago and won't be done with them for another three. Let this be a lesson to anyone who:

(a) finances something they can't realistically afford
(b) drives someone else's car without asking if it insured for you to drive it

Unfortunately, I managed both and let's just say it has worked out badly in both cases. A new(er) bike is the logical choice, but it's a non-option at the moment.

I'd prefer stretching my finances to make the bike I will (no doubt) be stuck with for a good year or two a reliable one, rather than run it into the ground and have something unsalvageable in a few months time (or get stuck in the middle of nowhere).

Wouldn't a GPX750 lump fit straight in? If so it might be an option

The fact that I will end up out of pocket a bunch of money and still have a 17yo engine doesn't seem that good an idea... the same reason I am not keen on picking up another old 600 that is likely to be just as stuffed as mine may or may not be.

irst where is the oil leak coming from???
round the oil filter opening? near the water pump?
around the clutch cover?
all simple and cheap fixes ..and a bit of your time

Well, the oil is everywhere... I gave it a good clean up and it seems to be at the rear of the engine & gearbox assembly. I am a pretty good home mechanic but without pulling it apart and looking at it, I'd have no bloody idea what part it is! Having come from cars, a combined engine/box contraption is a little bit new to me! Either way, it loooks like a sod of a job to get to it which is why I'm thinking if I go half way to pulling it out I may as well consider doing it properly!

and the coolant leak?
where did that come from?
radiator? a hose or hose connection? stuffed cap?
water transfer pipe???
all easy fixes too

This is the problem.. I can't find it so I am assuming it is internal somewhere. Unfortunately when it happened I was in pouring rain so I couldn't see where it was coming from - and no the bike wasn't running hot and wasn't low on coolant at the time. I will take it for a good belt on the weekend and see if I can't stir it up

and a head gasket is a pretty easy fix too
but you do need the right tools and it is a bit of a long job
the gasket (VRS) kit is about $60 (non genuine)

That doesn't scare me, I'm more scared about doing all that work and then having it spin a bearing in a couple of months and having to do it all again!