Blown Motor - 2008 Tuono 1000 13,500 Miles

Hi Folks,

Just joined the forum today, had the bike a couple of weeks and absolutely love it.

That all came to a sudden and end today when I missed a gear change just hooking fourth on a fast overtake, tried to hook it again and then cos I was slowing down rapidly dropped one down and let out the clutch.

Bad mistake, as I think I had dropped 2 gears and near on turned the poor girl inside out. Immediately nasty noises from motor, unusual exhaust noises, and a 1/2 mile limp to the next available pull in.

The gears selected down ok on the nursing run, but when I stopped and turned her off she was tight as a tight thing. Would barely turn over when cooled down, and although she did start there are very nasty top end clatters so immediately turned off.

I have recovered the bike home, and am about to embark on the exploratory, has anyone had a similar experience, and what am I looking for?

Any help / observations welcome.

Thanks Guys,

Gearbox seemed to function OK, it's the motor that squirmed.

Because of the immediate change in exhaust note and spanner in the works top end clatter, I am thinking a whacked valve, but not too sure how that could have occurred.

I will be having a look at the workshop manual, kindly downloaded from here, to see whether I can get a handle on the internal layout for the cam drive setup. I guess that it could also be a popped clutch basket due to the tightness.

I will keep you posted.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the input.

I tried to start the motor from cold this morning, and for 10 seconds or so it sounded ok, then the clatter started and she seized up solid, so at the very least one of pistons has taken a load of shrapnel and driven it into the barrel.

I will drop out the engine and strip down to see what damage, but as a second hand engine is £850.00, and a top end rebuild will be a grand, I will probably simply replace engine. It would seem a shame to do a full top end re-build and then discover the crank is bent!


Will keep you posted.