Engine rebuild services in the UK

[RikkyTang!]

Hi folks,

Any leads on a business or reputable person that can strip/inspect/rebuild a Bros 650 Engine over here in Blighty? I might even throw a 663 kit at it (if indeed the kit will fit a Bros like it does the Hawk GT). The bike will be for road-based fun but a track day or two is not out of the question

[Zanderk]

Hi Chap,

Not sure where you’re based but this chap has a good name in my area - Leicester particularly on engine work. He does tyres as well.

[DrPMC]

Hi folks,

Any leads on a business or reputable person that can strip/inspect/rebuild a Bros 650 Engine over here in Blighty? I might even throw a 663 kit at it (if indeed the kit will fit a Bros like it does the Hawk GT). The bike will be for road-based fun but a track day or two is not out of the question

Don’t people normally fit 82mm pistons that takes the capacity to 697cc? If you go for this, I’d recommend the JE Pistons kit, which are closest to the weight of the standard pistons. The kit also raises the compression ratio too. If you mean to go to the expense of having someone to rebuild your engine you might as well have it bored out at the same time. In terms of BHP per $ the 697 kit must be the best value around.

I’d imagine that the big bore option would cost around 500 (UK pounds), taking into account the piston kit, rebores and some gaskets. Obviously this would be on top of the cost of a rebuild.

The Bros engine is identical to the Hawk.

[squirrel_hunter]

Slight hijack, but where in the UK might be a good place to get a big bore kit?

[DrPMC]

Slight hijack, but where in the UK might be a good place to get a big bore kit?

A UK agent for JE Pistons is http://www.performanceunlimited.co.uk/ - I used them recently and they were helpful. The kit may be available on EBay too, from the states, but I found that when tax and shipping was included there was no benefit.

[RikkyTang!]

Don’t people normally fit 82mm pistons that takes the capacity to 697cc? I....

Thanks for your reply - I am a tad uninformed when it comes to the details of big boring... I mistakenly thought that it was the 82mm pistons that would get me to 663 so clearly I have not done my homework. My engine feels tired and I want it to be fit and fun to ride... a 697 engine would be just the ticket!

Together with @Zanderk's contribution regarding Sangha R&R, seeing if they will take on the JE Pistons 82mm kit and rebuild sounds like a plan.

I'm in Gloucester so Leicester isn't a million miles away. Will still happily accept other suggestions though!

[6]

Thanks for your reply - I am a tad uninformed when it comes to the details of big boring... I mistakenly thought that it was the 82mm pistons that would get me to 663 so clearly I have not done my homework. My engine feels tired and I want it to be fit and fun to ride... a 697 engine would be just the ticket!

Together with @Zanderk's contribution regarding Sangha R&R, seeing if they will take on the JE Pistons 82mm kit and rebuild sounds like a plan.

I'm in Gloucester so Leicester isn't a million miles away. Will still happily accept other suggestions though!

Not to start the always fun budget stretch, but..

If you are going to go the 700 route a set of cams is always a nice addition. Having ridden all the configurations almost back to back, (stock, stock 700, 700 with street cams, 700 with street cams stage 2 heads, 700 race cams stage 2 heads.) i can tell you with confidence every step along the way is noticable.

If I where building an engine for the street and had to be in a reasonable budget I would spring for the street grind cams if I could find a set.

The difference between the bikes with the head work and without is drastic, but that is where things start getting really pricy.

[RikkyTang!]

Not to start the always fun budget stretch, but..

It certainly will be a difficult one, knowing where to stop with these upgrades I like the sound of the cams too and the potential they make for an even more enjoyable engine in my little bike! As you say, that would require head porting for the best results... getting pricy!! I can at least try to put together an accurate budget based on:

Engine strip/inspection/rebuild
JE Piston kit (82mm) and rebore
Street cams (can the standard cams be re-ground or does this require a new set?)
Porting?
Gotta be talking a couple of thousand of my English pounds there!

[6]

It certainly will be a difficult one, knowing where to stop with these upgrades I like the sound of the cams too and the potential they make for an even more enjoyable engine in my little bike! As you say, that would require head porting for the best results... getting pricy!! I can at least try to put together an accurate budget based on:

Engine strip/inspection/rebuild
JE Piston kit (82mm) and rebore
Street cams (can the standard cams be re-ground or does this require a new set?)
Porting?
Gotta be talking a couple of thousand of my English pounds there!

Our race bike has 700 pistons, street cams, and that's it. That thing is an absolute blast. Won a LOT of races with that motor when it was in the old bike.

Chucks bike has the stage 2 heads and cams. It's noticably faster and has some more "hehehehe, hold my beer" factor. But they are both very fun bikes to ride. Chucks may be the best street bike engine I've ridden as far as useable well mannered power.

The "two up" bike has the race cams and head work and we are not entirely sure what else, but that thing is probably a good bit overkill. It spins up the street tires in first when you give it a good wack.

Like I said, if it where my money and I needed it for things like food and car insurance I'd probably stop at cams.. If money is no object, well then for a street bike I would emulate chucks setup unless you are after pure speed, in which case for the cost of the engine build you could probably go buy a CBR.

Also rode btt's bike with JD's chicken hawk motor in it once. Fastest hawk I have ever ridden. If I where to get into anowhrr police chase on a hawk (never advisable) that's what I would want.. but pure overkill for anything but wow factor.

How fast do you want to spend?

[6]

I believe JD still sells the cams.

[squirrel_hunter]

A UK agent for JE Pistons is http://www.performanceunlimited.co.uk/ - I used them recently and they were helpful. The kit may be available on EBay too, from the states, but I found that when tax and shipping was included there was no benefit.

Thanks.

Yeah thats the thing with tax and shipping, I'm not exactly looking at it from a cost perspective just from a 'can I get this stuff' so I don't really mind where it comes from but if it UK based I dont have to gamble on what the final price will be. I've looked at JD/ Hordpower and am very tempted its just what the cost will be at the end and not knowing which is the issue, but thats out of mine and the vendors hands unfortunately. But I'm a bit of a way off of engine work just yet still playing with the chassis setup.

As for the original question, to help out a bit I'd have to go to someone to do the rebore at the moment, the rest I'd do myself. So for that I'd be looking at KMB Engineering which is only up the road from me (I'm Swindon based) or Piston Broke in Bristol. I dont know if either would rebuild an engine as I've never asked, but South Cerney Engineering probably would or could advise more as to who could do it. I've used all three before for various engine related works and would happily use them again if needed.

[RikkyTang!]

How fast do you want to spend?

I do fancy throwing some decent coin at this bike... I was made redundant a few weeks ago (I'm employed again now) so I have some money to burn! But I don't want/need to go too far... to be honest the main thing I want from the engine tune is increased torque for easy overtaking and acceleration out of bends without stirring the gearbox too much, not HP per se (I've no desire to have a CBR!) My current big bike is a BMW R1250R with 105ftlbs at the crank and I love it!

A 700 with street cams and head work to make it all ive together sounds mighty tempting. I'll drop JD a line about the cams. Cheers 6!

[RikkyTang!]

As for the original question.

Thanks for all the suggestions I've passed KMB many times as I used to work in Ciren myself (I was riding the B4425 through Barnsley, Bibury etc tonight actually!)

[Zanderk]

Are the cylinders steel lines ir Nikasil’d ?

I dropped in to Kieran’s today for a quick catch up and potentially book my bike in for October to have similar work to what you’re describing. It’s the first question he asked.

It’s invaluable the kind of info ‘6’ relates and I’m very grateful not having to reinvent the wheel on this one.

Sounds like 700 big bore, street cams, ignition advancer (?) is a good set up to aspire to.

[DrPMC]

Are the cylinders steel lines ir Nikasil’d

The liners are iron - its a straightforward bore and hone job that’s required.