Engine Rebuilder in Central Ontario

[wildwr]

Recently discovered that my 2003 VN1500fi was popping out of 2nd gear.
I've already posted a want ad for a donor motor.

However I'd also like to know if anyone in Ontario knows of a reputable engine builder to overhaul my current motor.

Keeping in mind my ride only has 30,000km on motor and bike is in pristine condition, so to spend upwards of $3000 in parts & labor is not a big deal.


Thanks

[redjay]

My first thought would be to contact a Kawasaki dealer to get a price from them and to see if the parts are still available. If they are not interested in doing the work they might know an independent shop that can help. Try Niagara Race Crafters in Virgil near Niagara on the Lake. It is a Kawasaki dealership.

[wildwr]

Yes parts are available.
Spoke to a couple dealers about the rebuild
Snow City cycle in Scarborough Ontario says they don't work on 20 year old bikes. IMO that doesn't say much for them as Kawasaki dealership.
"I Know for a fact you wouldn't get that response from a "Honda Dealership"

Another dealership said come back and see them in the fall.

[redjay]

I presume you were going to say they dont do engine rebuilds ?
Have you checked Kijiji and Facebook for a mechanic, and possibly an engine for sale ?

[wildwr]

Originally Posted by redjay

I presume you were going to say they dont do engine rebuilds ?
Have you checked Kijiji and Facebook for a mechanic, and possibly an engine for sale ?

hey Redjay i updated my original reply, for some reason it didn't upload

[redjay]

Originally Posted by wildwr

Yes parts are available.
Spoke to a couple dealers about the rebuild
Snow City cycle in Scarborough Ontario says they don't work on 20 year old bikes. IMO that doesn't say much for them as Kawasaki dealership.
"I Know for a fact you wouldn't get that response from a "Honda Dealership"

Another dealership said come back and see them in the fall.

I seem to remember someone saying on a Goldwing forum that dealers don't want to work on bikes older than 10 years !

[Mechaniac]

As a repair garage owner I see this brought up on forums all the time. We don't have enough help, older what-ever's take up all our time and resources and often still get negative reviews. There's not enough shops to serve a large or growing market area. Parts are hard to get. Newer what-ever's turn a good profit and the line is around the corner.

Find the old bike grumpy old man shop closest to you with a good rep and pray for the best.

There's no "good or bad" dealer there's only dealers with too much work to accommodate time wasters or one in the middle of nowhere with time to kill that will do it so they can pay rent.

If you find a good big dealer willing to take it in jump on it because they will probably change their minds soon.

I like older stuff, but do it at home for myself. Nothing worse than spending all day driving all over the city looking for an 30 year old A/C bracket or proportioning valve that doesn't leak. And you'll say "the parts are still available". Until the bracket that isn't breaks.

Just being honest with everyone.
Vernon

[redjay]

There is a grumpy old guy shop about 15 miles from me but I don't think I would want to take my bike there. An engine by itself maybe. He has a big dog there walking between the bikes in the packed shop and I don't think the paintwork on your bike is a priority.

[wildwr]

Can anyone tell me if this kit will fit My 2003 Vulcan Nomad 1500 or is there a different part number?

Athena Complete Gasket Kit - P400250850026 | Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic 1996-2005

most sites indicate this will fit 2003 VN1500 Classic Tourer


https://fortnine.ca/en/athena-comple...-p400250850026

[redjay]

Not sure if it fits but it seems expensive. Compared to OEM parts it is probably not.

My thoughts are the engines and gaskets for the Classic and the Nomad are the same as long as they are both fuel injected.

[wildwr]

Well as luck has it, after several calls to cycle salvages, searching classified ads to purchase a bike with a replacement engine.

I found an engine builder in my own backyard "Precision Cycle Works"
going to deliver the motor in a couple weeks and hoping to still salvage my riding season.

Thanks for all the PMs and the responses.

Cheers

[redjay]

So have you taken your engine there and they are going to rebuild your engine ?

[wildwr]

Originally Posted by redjay

So have you taken your engine there and they are going to rebuild your engine ?

Spoke to the owner and we'll be touching base in 2 weeks. He has 2 other big projects on the go and I'm trying to finish my bathroom reno.

I'll be pulling motor, they're rebuilding it and freshening up everything.

[redjay]

Gotcha. Good that you found somewhere near you willing to do the rebuild.

[mick56]

Originally Posted by Mechaniac

As a repair garage owner I see this brought up on forums all the time. We don't have enough help, older what-ever's take up all our time and resources and often still get negative reviews. There's not enough shops to serve a large or growing market area. Parts are hard to get. Newer what-ever's turn a good profit and the line is around the corner.

Find the old bike grumpy old man shop closest to you with a good rep and pray for the best.

There's no "good or bad" dealer there's only dealers with too much work to accommodate time wasters or one in the middle of nowhere with time to kill that will do it so they can pay rent.

If you find a good big dealer willing to take it in jump on it because they will probably change their minds soon.

I like older stuff, but do it at home for myself. Nothing worse than spending all day driving all over the city looking for an 30 year old A/C bracket or proportioning valve that doesn't leak. And you'll say "the parts are still available". Until the bracket that isn't breaks.

Just being honest with everyone.
Vernon

What a load of bullshit.Either you are mechanic, or you aint.If you can read, you can learn about the small differences, between the brands