Help with LTD440 twice siezed, now using oil.

Hello im in the uk and im having some issues with my 440 ltd. The previous owner told me that it had seized up twice and was using alot of oil. My question is is it worth stripping down re ringing the pistons and sheeling the big end or just get another engine. It starts and turns over fine and will idle away ok. It smokes a bit. There is no oil coming out of the breather.
Im away to do a compression test when i return from offshore.
Can anyone shed any light on what might be up with it?

Not a bad idea to invest time into a compression test and if needed pull the top end off the motor to inspect the pistons and bores for any damage or excessive wear. How much is a gasket kit and rings vs a whole used motor ?
Dave

id have to get the motor from the states because the KZ 44ltd is american marked not uk. I can get all the pars ok gaskets rings etc here as NOS but complete motor is a differant story

Theres a 454ltd motor for sale here in Holland,if thats any good to you?
www.marktplaats.nl/a/motoren/onderdelen-...c624&previousPage=lr

edit;
Sorry thats one motor complete (e100) and another in parts 2/3 complete (e80)

How many miles are on the motor? If the bike is starting and running and not smoking that much then I would just re bore (if needed) and get new pistons, rings, etc. The bottom end of these bike are pretty solid. just working on the top end should be fine. Most of the work on the top end can be done locally (re-bore) and getting parts via mail from ebay or Z1, other should be a lot easier and cheaper than getting an engine sent to the UK. ALso if you do find a motor and get it sent over it may need a re-bore and piston rings, anyway so you might as well do it yourself and have fun while learning about your bike.

JIm

davido wrote: Theres a 454ltd motor for sale here in Holland,if thats any good to you?
www.marktplaats.nl/a/motoren/onderdelen-...c624&previousPage=lr

edit;
Sorry thats one motor complete (e100) and another in parts 2/3 complete (e80)

The 454 is an evolution of the K400/440. The motor mounts might work but, the shift shaft
is in the wrong place, up in front of the stator.
Plan on a complete rebuild. Run a compression test. Pull the head and check the bores.
But with a couple seizures that your aware of, my money is on a scored bore, piston, rings
and bearings. All seals are available except the clutch pushrod seal
Here is some reading material that could be of some help.
www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=39120.0




.

Right guys I've got back from offshore and carried out a compression test on the engine after it was ran untill hot. As you sit on the bike the right cylinder has 130psi and the left 149psi compression.
The bike started no bother didn't idle worth a dam but got it to idle it was smoking a bit i could see it wafting out of the garage i got it to run without cutting out long enough to warm up
When I pulled the plugs they had oil on them both sides.
Also a nasty nocking sound from bottom end ish
The compression figures look to be ok so I wonder if its valve Stem seals causing the oil and the nocking is crank shaft bearings (big end shelf)
???// thanks for the responses so far.

I think you're right. Seals and rod bearing. Compression is encouraging. Maybe go through it with new rings, seals and bearings. Then ride the piss out of it. :woohoo:
Steve

Value of the bike in USA is very low. Nobody would repair engine. You'll spend for parts as much as good running bike.

car5car wrote: Value of the bike in USA is very low. Nobody would repair engine. You'll spend for parts as much as good running bike.

About like your 1000.

Buy this one
jacksonville.craigslist.org/mcy/5311444291.html

In the UK... You do realize those folks will spend $20k plus restoring bikes we wouldnt put half that much in.

By the same thought, we in the states used to strip and scrap out every single kz1000 shaft drive to fix chain models.

Also 'spending more for parts than an engine' i was told that about my goldwing and did a refresh on another engine for $150 total. (New block, ring set gaskets and surfacing head, all depends how cheap and do it yourself you are)