MT Riders Club

Hi folks I have just bought a MT 500 that is in poor condition with a siezed engine it will be the largest project i have ever atempted, my plan is if i cant get it going after a couple of hundred pounds i will be selling it as spares, but thinking positive I want to restore it to its former glory so any help, tips or advise I can get from this site will be most welcome and my first question is, should I atempt to get the siezed engine running or try to find a recon or one that is running ???

Hiya matey, really do hope you get it running as they are great bikes and you have a wealth of info on the forum and help from other forum members who have the 500s too. However, if the worst comes to the worst, and you do end up breaking it, can i have first refusal on the bike (frame especially, with 654 or logbook). As i stated at first, i really do hope you get it all together and running as would be a shame to break it up, but i am another option for you if things don't go well. Cheers. Vinnie

timbradder wrote:Hi folks I have just bought a MT 500 <snip> should I atempt to get the siezed engine running or try to find a recon or one that is running ???

I would always try to get the motor running, remove any broken rings or loose bits etc,
Do the frame and bits, the engine can be left until last as it comes out in a lump. If you find a better engine or just a piston if it's a rebore.

Good Luck,

Im sure there are more than a few of us on here that would lend you a hand if you get stuck.

Beer and bacon rolls really do work wonders

Beer Is always available in my domain (little work shop) and her indoors could always be bribed in to doin the bacon butties lol

Hi YNOTPIPS has a 350 engine for sale good runner Regards Hugh.

While you are sorting the frame and cycle parts fill the engine with some sort of releasing agent diesel,warm oil etc as soon as possible and let it sit, will save lots of hassle later.
Do you know what's seized bore to piston, crank or gearbox?
I bought one a while ago that was thought to be seized but it just had the crank locking bolt fitted

hi is the engine seized due to no oil ? or is it seized due to just standing if its seized due to standing it would probably just be the rings stuck in the bore and can be repaird cheaply

another suggestion , make sure cambelt not shredded or broken and jamming the pulleys .

I have taken the plug out and put half a can of wd40 in the pot and its started leaking out of the exhaust gasket after 24hrs so tried standing on kick start no movement with 20st on it will check crank locking bolt tomorrow.
thanks for offer of 350 engine but I already have a 350 and bought the 500 for a little extra power & top end speed.

My mission for saturday is to get the workshop tidy move a couple of bikes out, get the 500 on the bike lift ready for strip down.

I am confident I can do the frame, wheels, swinging arm etc but a little woried about doing the engine.

the most i have done on the 350 is spag clutch (with the step by step instruction of this site) and even then I didnt put the washer on behind the top pully which cost me a new top pully and cam belt, education truly is expensive