Forum

[simon]

Just checked out the pics of the 500 Quattro. Nice

[SteveH]

i had a 550 four about 20 years ago i,m no machanic but this was the first engine strip and rebuild i ever did armed with a trusty hains and a lot of spare time ,at the time i remember replacing the primary chain to hope it would stop that embarrasing rattle ( it did,nt) dont know if i would ever do another multy though as i have no patiece and fingers like cows tits,at that time dave silver used to keep every thing for engine and cycle parts alike,i don,t know where you are but BRT BEARINGS in lincoln always come up trumps ,for things like old huski,s, matchless to modern ktm as long as you have your original,or sizes

[samj]

Well you are a smashing lot! I never expected a response like this-I'm most grateful. Since my post I've stripped out the clutch to get at the bearing-and the outer race has failed. There is a significant amount of play in the mainshaft (hence the wobble) the shaft being a snug fit in the inner all the play being between inner and outer races. So,it will have to come out and I'll arm myself with some of the info you have showered on me and make a final decision. I'm in the Nottingham area, by the way, if anyone knows of any firms etc. One final question for those who've done it before-how far does the engine have to be stripped down before you can get it out of the frame? I have a Haynes manual but this is mostly for the 400/4. I only want to access the gear section, the engine's fine. I would guess the carbs at least need to be off. Once again many thanks and I'll let you all know at intervals how I get on.

[Skip]

SamJ, for what its worth, I've found that most of the time its generally easier to do any major job on an engine with it out of the bike - there is always that unexpected job, be it a nut, bolt or other type of fastener that you need to remove and just can't get at and tbh taking the engine out of a 550/4 isn't that major a job either.......... Sorry, I can't suggest anybody in the Nottingham area, but as has already been pointed out, joining some of the various forums or club notice boards can reap huge rewards!...... The other 'club' I belong to (we all own Honda CX's or GL variants), work on the basis of offered 'bacon butties and coffee' in exchange for assistance with jobs like yours; members have been known to ride in excess of 100 miles at the merest hint of home made bread loaded with thick rashes of smoked bacon, brown sauce and coffee as black as yer hat and thicker than axel grease

[Alan R]

Hey SKIP-----------(drool) you've talked me into it, I'm on my way !!!!! (slurp!!)