QuestionLoading bike onto trailer knocked hole in motor lost all oil by dragging high center.750 honda shadow what will it take to fix it and est.how much.thanks
AnswerRick, I would need to know a lot more about the location of the hole and the size. The crankcases are pretty strong, so to have broken through the center cases would take a pretty heavy hit.
You can either remove the fuel tank, seat and anything breakable on the top and invert the whole bike upside down and get better access to the damaged area. If it isn't in a critical place, strength-wise, you may be able to use some JB weld with a some real good cleaning around the damaged area and let it sit up for a day or two. Some fine screen may hold the epoxy in place w/o falling down inside the motor. This is a real backyard approach, however.
In the real world of motorcycle repairs, you pull the motor, split the cases and either replace the case half or have it TIG welded VERY CAREFULLY. Pre-heating the case, before welding on it will help prevent excess warpage of the part, especially where the machined surfaces are. If the damage is near a parting line or other machined surface, you may not get away with welding on it, as it is apt to leak oil again after all that work. The parts have to be REALLY clean before welding. HOT TANK the part at a radiator repair company or dunk it in carb cleaner vat. Any oil in the pores of the aluminum will cause spattering and ruin the welding process.
Welding could cost $50+, plus the time to tear down the engine, get new gaskets, seals and other soft parts. Shop labor rates of $50-75 hour will eat a big hole in your wallet in a hurry. You may have to search out another motor or good engine case half from a wrecker somewhere to make a really good repair in this situation.
Bill Silver
