Have you ever ridden a dirt bike before? Dirt bikes are fast, fun, and can go anywhere. The only problem is that they are expensive to buy and maintain. If your engine needs an overhaul or just some routine maintenance, it’s not always easy for kids to do the work on their own (or with help from friends).
Luckily there’s a website called dirtbikeland.com where people who love riding dirt bikes share tips about how to get their engines back up and running again. This post will cover everything you need to know about rebuilding your dirt bike engine so that you can be out on the trails in no time!
How Often Should Service Dirt Bike?
So you’re a dirt bike rider and want to know how often your machine should be rebuilt? Well, it all depends on RPMs (rotations per minute) as well as the type of riding you do.
Obviously, if most of your time is spent in big mud pits or rocky terrain then there will come more wear-and-tear than with someone who spends their day off-road just for fun.
When people ride their bikes over rough terrain and push them aggressively up steep hills, they’ll need to maintain/rebuild them much more frequently than those who only do so occasionally.
Dirt bikes are pretty hardy machines that can withstand rough conditions for a long period of time; however, this does not mean they don’t need attention from riders every once in a while.
The two main factors to consider when determining rebuild frequency are one’s rotational speed–or “RPM” as well as riding style.
How Long Does It Take to Rebuild a Dirt Bike Engine 4 Stroke?
You may be thinking to yourself, how long does it take to rebuild a dirt bike engine? Well, the answer is about 1-2 hours. In order for you to get started with rebuilding an engine, one should have all of their tools ready in advance and make sure they are well maintained.
One will also need: safety goggles/glasses; screwdriver set (renters); wrench set(metric or standard) ; socket sets (6mm-24mm).
Occasionally there can be additional items needed depending on what type of motorcycle has been reached but this list goes over most things that would typically happen during a routine maintenance session for your average 4-stroke dirt bike.
Functions of Four-Stroke Engine:
A four-stroke engine functions in a much more intricate manner than its two-stroke counterpart. It has 4 main components: intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust. The different cycles of this type of piston are fired every other revolution rather than twice per crankshaft rotation like the 2 stroke engines.
Which contributes to smoother power delivery over time as well as providing stability during acceleration or uphill riding where there is not enough torque available from continuous strokes.
Unlike the less powerful 2 stroke models, most modern riders prefer for their smaller size and increased fuel efficiency on trails that have tighter turns it can be easier to ride an ATV equipped with one since they provide greater control when climbing hills without sacrificing any speed because each push provides limited thrust.
How to Rebuild a 2-Stroke Dirt Bike Engine?
It is important to rebuild a dirt bike engine on your own. Dirt biking has become one of the most popular hobbies for young people, but not many know how to service their bikes themselves. Luckily there are plenty of resources online that can help you with this task!
Rebuilding a 2 stroke dirt bike engine is not always an easy task. There are many steps involved, and if you’re doing it on your own the process can become very frustrating at times. Here’s how to do it right.
2 Strokes are the Best Choice for Rider:
“Two-stroke engine bikes are perfect for riders looking to get the most out of their bike. These lighter and faster machines have a powerful kick that’s easy to handle with more power per cc than four strokes, but they require frequent shifting while also being hard on newer riders in terms of control”.
Advanced two-strokes come equipped with all the necessary features like an electric starter or rear disc brake which make these lightweight beasts totally worth it.
2 Stroke Bottom End Rebuild Cost:
You could get a high-end rebuild for your motorcycle engine with the best quality parts and labor from professional mechanics. The cost of this service is around $1,000-$2,500 depending on what you need to have done. A more affordable option would be to purchase an overhaul kit online or at your local auto store that will allow you to do it yourself!
Top End Disassembly
Tools Needed:-
• Service Manual
• Compression Tester
• Sockets, Wrenches & Hand Tools
• Drain Pan
• Exhaust Spring Tool
• Gasket Scraper/Razor Blade
• Micrometer (Calipers), T-Bore Gauge & Flat Feeler Gauge
To remove the top end of your dirt bike engine, use the instructions below as a basic guideline. Some engines are somewhat different, and some methods may or may not apply to your particular motorcycle.
1. Wash & Clean Thoroughly
There are many steps that you need to take before tearing down your dirt bike engine. The first step is washing the entire motorbike as any unnoticed chunks of crusty mud can fall into the air filter or cylinder and create more damage than when it started.
Make sure to cover overflow hoses, plug up exhausts, and have a clean space in which to work – all will save time later on.
Before starting with the removal process for your dirt bike engine make sure it has been washed completely so there is no chance of having hidden pieces of crusty dirty matter from falling inside covers such as cylinders or cases (causing additional damages).
When cleaning off motorcycle parts be aware if they are plugged by anything such as an open pipe; also keep close.
2. Drain or remove Coolant
Before draining the coolant, make sure that the engine is cooled. To start, place a drain pan underneath the water pump and remove it with your hose (if you have one). Slowly open up the radiator cap so there’s no chance of any spillage – that’ll speed up the process too.
You should be prepared to move around in order to catch all of the fluids from spilling out; don’t forget about reinstalling your plug once everything has been drained.
3. Remove Gas Tank, Radiator Shrouds, Seat & Sub-frame
In order to access your dirt bike engine, it will help a great deal if you move or remove the gas tank. You may also need to take off the seat and gas tank depending on the model of your motorcycle.
4. Carburetor Relocation or Removal
To make it easier to work on your bike, you should remove the carburetor. This can be done by disconnecting and moving out of the way or completely removing it depending on what type of dirt bike you have.
If removing only a small section from its base, cover up where fuel enters in order to keep debris away while repairing other parts like gears etcetera!
5. If Required, Remove the CDI box and Radiators
It may not be completely necessary to remove these items, but it can pay off in the long term. While the CDI and radiators are removed, you’ll have a lot more room to work with when removing and installing the cylinder.
6. Exhaust Should be Removed
You may remove the exhaust from the engine using an exhaust spring tool and a wrench/socket.
7. Take off the Top Motor Mount
The top motor mount on the engine must then be removed using a socket or tool.
8. Remove the Spark Plug and Disconnect the Radiator Hoses
It’s a good idea to have a work rag ready when you detach the radiator line from the head to capture any coolant that may be left in the hose. You may now detach the spark plug cap and slide the plug wire out of the way after removing the hose. After that, take out the spark plug and put it aside.
9. Remove the Cylinder Head by Unbolting It
It’s critical to loosen the head bolts in a crisscross and stepwise pattern to prevent the head and cylinder from becoming twisted or distorted.
10. Remove the Head Gaskets Or O-rings
After you’ve removed the cylinder head, you may now remove the head gasket or O-rings, depending on your engine. If it’s a gasket, attempt to get as much of it out as you can.
11. Disconnect Linkage & Remove Power Valve Cover
The power valve on many engines may be accessed from the outside. The linkage must be disengaged before the cylinder jug can be removed on these engines. Remove the power valve cover first to gain access to the linkage.
The linkage bolt must be removed to disengage the linkage. Underneath the bolt, certain models have a groove for a holding tool. This will keep the linkage in place while the bolt is removed, preventing it from being damaged. Make sure you remove the spacer after you remove the connection.
12. Remove The Cylinder Nuts, Juices, and Base Gasket
The cylinder jug may now be removed after the power valve connection has been removed. To begin, loosen and remove the cylinder nuts with a box end wrench or a socket. You may now pull the cylinder away from the studs and locate dowels after removing the bolts.
You may need to tap the cylinder with a dead blow mallet to free it. If this is required, take care not to damage the cylinder by striking it too hard. It is critical to support the connecting rod and piston as it comes loose when removing the cylinder.
With the cylinder removed, cover the casing aperture with a clean microfiber towel or plastic bag to prevent debris from entering. Next, pull off as much of the base gasket as you can by hand.
13. Remove Wrist-pin and Circlips
The circlips that hold the wrist pin in the piston can now be removed. Use a tiny pick or needle-nose pliers to accomplish so. The wrist pin may then be pushed into the piston with a comparably sized socket. If the wrist pin won’t move easily, you’ll need to use a piston pin puller, which is intended for this purpose.
14. Wrist Pin, Needle Bearing, and Piston Should be Removed.
The piston should now be free of the connecting rod once the wrist pin has been removed. Once the piston is removed, the needle bearing should slip out of the connecting rod.
15. Completely Clean Surfaces of Gaskets
Now that you’ve removed the top end of your dirt bike engine, you may clean all of the gasket surfaces thoroughly. It’s critical to remove any traces of the old gaskets before installing the new ones to ensure a tight seal. Remove the trapped gasket pieces with a gasket scraper.
In a pinch, a razor blade can be utilized. When scraping the old gaskets off, be cautious not to scratch or damage these surfaces.
Get a Professional Engine Inspection:
There are a lot of engine parts to inspect and some can cause major problems if they break. You want the best for your dirt bike so check every inch with care! If you see something that needs fixing, it might be necessary to tear down the whole engine.
But before doing this consider whether or not all the pieces will get used in future repairs – sometimes one set is enough but other times having more than one on hand means that there’s always an option when needed.
1. Examine Needle Bearing
Needle Bearings are necessary for the smooth operation of top-end components, and if yours are missing or damaged it’s time to replace them.
Old needle bearings might have damage that was not detected before purchase because they were hidden by other parts in a kit designed to fix your engine problem–consider inspecting carefully beforehand just in case.
2. Check The Connecting Rod and The Rod Bearings
It’s important to inspect the connecting rod and its bearings for any pitting or damage. If you see any, it is recommended that a new one be installed as soon as possible so your engine doesn’t have problems in the future.
3. Inspect the Road’s Alignment
When the rod bearings are bad, they will cause a lot of noise. The process to check them is rather simple: just grab one and try moving it up and down without turning the crankshaft! If there’s any give at all, you’ll need new bearings.
You can also measure side play by inserting an appropriate flat feeler gauge between that connecting rod and its thrust washer to see whether or not your engine needs more work on this front- avoid costly future repairs with two minutes’ time spent now.
4. Inspect the Cylinder
Cylinders are important to inspect because they have moving parts that can get worn and stay in place if not taken care of. Make sure the cylinder is clean before inspecting it for wear, scratches, or gouges on its surface.
If there’s a brush hone handy you should use it since this will remove all debris from between grooves along with any gunk inside small scratches or nicks in plating on your favorite revolver. Inspecting also works well if you’re just getting back into collecting firearms like old revolvers who knows what could be lurking deep within?
5. Inspect Cylinder Head
Use a parts washer or wire brush to clean the carbon and other gunk from the cylinder head. Once it’s cleaned, inspect for any scratches in indents that could cause poor combustion of fuel during operation.
Top End Reassembly:
You may start the reassembly process now that you have all of your high-end components cleaned, prepped, and up to spec. When putting the top end back together, pay close attention to make sure you don’t neglect anything.
Apply a little layer of 2-stroke oil to all of the parts to ensure that they fit back together smoothly and operate with minimal friction when the engine is initially starting up.
1. Piston Rings Should be Installed on the Piston
You must first check the ring end gap before installing the rings onto the piston. To do so, just insert the piston ring into the cylinder on its own, making that it is squared.
Measure the ring gap with a feeler gauge. Examine the gap to see if it’s appropriate for that ring. You’ll have to file the ends if it’s too tiny.
You may now put the rings on the piston with the proper ring gap. Make sure the side of the ring that has any text or markings is facing up first.
Then, near the locating pin, put one end of the ring in the bottom groove. Press down with your thumb and work your way around the ring until it is completely seated in the groove. Replace the upper piston ring in the same manner.
2. Needle Bearing, Piston, Wrist Pin, and Cir-Clips Should all be Installed.
One of the circlips on the piston should be installed before the piston is installed to make the operation easier. The first one may be installed using your thumb.
Make sure the clip isn’t bent and that it’s perfectly placed with the ends pointing up or down. Next, insert the needle bearing into the connecting rod’s tiny bore.
After that, slide the piston into position, making sure it’s facing the right way. On the top of the piston, there is usually an arrow pointing to the exhaust side of the engine. However, this isn’t always the case, so double-check the piston kit’s instructions.
Without the circlip, you may now slip the wrist pin through the side of the piston. Install the last circlip after the wrist pin is in place. While doing this, it’s a good idea to keep the case covered so that none of the pieces fall into it.
3. Install the Base Gasket & the Cylinder
The base gasket may now be installed on the case’s cleaned surface. With the gasket in place, you may begin reinstalling the cylinder to the engine by sliding it over the piston.
Before you do this, make sure you’ve lubed the inside of the cylinder, the piston, and the rings with 2-stroke oil.
As you begin to lower the cylinder over the piston, use your free hand to compress the piston rings, ensuring that they are aligned with the locating pins.
Continue slipping the cylinder straight down until it hits the case, which will take some time. Toss the cylinder nuts onto the studs with care, following the service manual’s instructions.
4. Install The Head Gasket and O-Rings, as well as the Head
On the clean cylinder deck, install the head gasket or O-rings. After that, correctly install the cylinder head and tighten the head bolts according to the service manual’s instructions.
5. Linkage for the Power Valve Should be Installed
Make sure the power valve linkage is secure before you bolt it back on. Make sure there was a spacer, too! Once both are in place, put the cover back on and tighten all of your bolts with an appropriate socket wrench for maximum efficiency.
6. Install The Ignition Coil, Carburetor, Radiators, Hoses, CDI, Exhaust, Top Motor Mount, Plastics, Sub-frame, and Seat.
Put the remaining parts back into place and reassemble your bike. This step is fairly straightforward as it just involves putting things together again, but don’t forget to tighten everything up so you won’t have a problem later.
7. Fill With Coolant
Don’t forget to refill your dirt bike’s coolant reservoir.
FAQs
Final Thought
In short, It is important to rebuild your dirt bike engine periodically, as it will break down over time. This post covers some of the basics about how to do so, including the different types of tools you’ll need and what kind of parts are typically needed for a successful rebuild.
This article also includes guidance on how often you should be rebuilding your dirt bike engines and tips on maintaining them in between periods of repair.
