ok, I'll try to keep this as short as I can. I bought a 1999 cr125 in a box for 400 bucks. It came with everything I needed except for a new piston and ring. It even came with a new crank and rod and what the kid told me were new (just out of the package) crank bearings. Looking back I should have bought new ones since the motor was 100 % apart but the whole 20/20 thing. so I assemble the engine (btw this is my 1st 2 stroke and 1st motor build ever ) with the help of a Honda shop manual and it ran pretty good for a while. Then it sounded like I had some loose change so I investigated. Apparently the crank bearings were not new because the right side went out and when it did the vibrations were enough to break the water pump gear lose off of it's shaft and cause the bike not to cool properly. The excess heat is what I believe was the reason for a hair-line crack in the exhaust port bridge. As many of you may know, when that bridge is cracked, it can "grow" and score the piston, which it did. So, I took the cylinder to who is suposed to be a 2 stroke genius to ask what I should do. He said that on the race motors that he builds they just cut the bridge back. That made me a little bit nervous but I did some research and found that as long as you put a good chamfer at the top of the port all the way accross it would be fine. The guy started telling me how to go about it but as I do not have any machining experience I asked what he would charge to do it for me. He says "40 bucks" and I figured that was fair so I left it there with him. When I picked it up he had cut the bridge out entirely. He said that would help with flow and that I didnt need it there anyway. So, I took it home and put it together with a bran new pro-x piston. I had already replaced the crank bearings and waterpump gear at this point so I was ready to go. After just a few kicks the bike started right up! I was totally excited. But then, It lost compression and died. I took it back apart and to my total disapointment, the exhaust valves apparently needed that bridge as a stop. Without that there, the valves or sliders or whatever contact and destroyed my piston. What do I do now?

So much for keeping it short

kneedrag05, on 03 July 2012 - 06:45 AM, said:

You are going to need to buy a new cylinder.

did he not see that there was a power valve in there?  
Buy a used cylinder on ebay or
Buy power valve plug from eric gorr and get rid of the power valve altogether.  That is if the cylinder you have is in good shape.  or  
Buy a new cylinder from power sport plus along with any other parts that are broken because of the expert that you took it to.

Do you think its fair for me to ask the guy to pay for at least some of the parts I will need to repair it? I understand my cylinder wasnt bran new when I took it to him but if he would have modified it correctly It would have been fine.

New cylinder from powersports plus is $267 buying used off of ebay will cost you nearly that and then most likely you will have to have the piece of used crap replated to boot.  Buy it new from powersports plus.  If it were me, I would talk to the guy that did the work and show him the damage and why it happened.  If he is cool, he may help you.  If you want him to help you, you are going to have to be nice though.  If you start off being rude to him, it will only start a fight and most of the time make them refuse to help you at all. (Just my opinion).

Ya, I fully intend on trying to sweet talk him. N need to piss him off unless he refuses to help right out of the box. I just feel like he should have had a little bit more knowledge about the cylinder before he just started cutting metal out. It had the power valves installed when I took it to him too so there is know way he didnt knw they were there..

I personally have never heard of someone cutting the bridge out of a power valved cylinder.  I know some of the CR500 guys have done it.

im with frdbtr, why he would cut the bridge completely out is beyond me. Either way you need a new cylinder, I had a very similar thing happen too me. I sent my cylinder off to a "cough" *expert* for some porting work on my 125 when he was finished with it, it had vice marks all over it which you guessed it put it out of round.

I had no such luck trying to get my money back or get a replacement, you may find yourself in a similar situation and just have to bite the bullet and buy a new cylinder.

Thats gonna suck if the guy doesnt help at all. I think it would be in his best interest to because its a small town and I know almost everyone around that rides and I know them on a friendly level. It would be very easy for me to tell my story about his lack of knowledge and customer service. I think I might go by his shop tonight. I'll update when I find out what he says.

Good luck, it is hard to find good mechanics who will back up their work, when you do, they are like gold.

Sorry to hear about your problems. If he says anything other than "let me get my checkbook", I'd put that old jug through his shop window tonight. That's messed up.

Edited by robfromga, 03 July 2012 - 09:40 AM.

robfromga, on 03 July 2012 - 09:39 AM, said:

LOL!  I know how you feel.  The problem is, you definately don't want to do anything that would make for a counter suit.  Not knowing the laws in every state, small claims court can really come in handy if the cost of the suit is way less than the filing fees.  In utah you can file a small claims suit for $50 and ask the court to have the defendant pay for all fees along with the expenses that are owed.  If you had a clear cut case (a mechanic that verifies that the damage done to the engine was definately negligence on your mechanics part, you could probably recoup all your engine costs and expenses.  Lawsuits aren't always a good way to go but if you don't mind getting delayed satisfaction and trust the courts to find in your favor, it may be an option.

I'm sorry but f#$% the court. He'll spend more in lost work times than a new jug cost. Brake fluid is pretty bad when left over night on a cars paint job. Eye for eye.

robfromga, on 03 July 2012 - 11:42 AM, said:

Just remember that vandalism will land you in court for the wrong reason.  Yes, stuff like this makes you mad but be smart about it.  If you really think it is that important to get some sort of satisfaction out of it, do it legally and keep your butt out of jail.

Only if you get caught or talk.

I dont think I'm gonna take the guy to court. And as fun as it would be to ruin something of his, I dont think it is worth getting in trouble and paying more in legal fees than I would have for new parts. I think i'll just see what he will do for me by asking nicely and if he acts like a jerk I'll smear his name. I used to work at the local dealer for about 3 years and I am an ABATE MSF safety course instructor for street bikes so I know almost eveyone that rides andy kind of powersports around my area. It will be in his best interest to make good on this one.

Edited by kneedrag05, 05 July 2012 - 05:42 AM.