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**Aryan** · 03-03-2009, 11:31 AM

Query Approved.

**dallbir** · 03-03-2009, 03:05 PM

Hey Buddy,

Don't know much about AVLs but this guy is taking you for a ride. First I am not sure whether you can convert AVL into traditional iron cast. Even if there is a problem with ur AVL, don't think piston can go kaput at 13k kms unless there was not enough supply of engine oil or run-in wasn't done properly.
Secondly, fixing a traditional 350cc bullet engine cannot cost that much. A new 350cc cylinder kit won't cost more then Rs.3000/- + other spares & labour cannot go beyond 10k.
Would suggest you to take ur bike to some other reliable servicing guy and have his opinion.
One piece of advice, please don't take ur Thunderbird to anybody & evrybody.
cheers

**prabhubravo** · 03-03-2009, 04:54 PM

@enfielder:
The white smoke might be becoz of worn piston rings. BTw, Did you have a seizure?

regarding replacing the engine with CI is complete bull shit, may be the mech needs a AVL engine. Dont even talk to mech.

BTW which city/town you are from ?

**Enfielder** · 03-03-2009, 05:50 PM

Thanks Dallbir and Prabhu

@prabhu-m from Pune.No the bike did not have seizure, but when i saw the oil filter it was completely drainched in oil, had to change to new oil filter

**jayprashanth** · 03-03-2009, 08:41 PM

Enfielder,

White smoke in all probability will be due to the piston rings being worn out. Due to this, the bike starts burning oil and hence you get the issue of white smoke. The mechanic you have approached seems to be wanting to fleece/misguide you. AVL engines tolerate abuse better and I know people who have done a lakh plus kilometres on AVL350(the ThunderBird/Machismo 350 engine) engines. Pune Xbhpians, please guide him on a good enfield mechanic in Pune.

**Enfielder** · 03-04-2009, 09:55 AM

Thanks Jay.

Guys if i ever want to shift to traditional Enfield CI engine on my Thunderbird,What all parts will be changed.Can any of the AVL engine part be reused or it will be complete makeover. Will only crank case change or even the bottom half will change.What would be the approximate cost to shift to CI engine.I am sorri for posting such questions, i am complete newbie with respect to engines.

**alpha1** · 03-04-2009, 12:32 PM

Originally posted by Enfielder View Post

Hi everybody,

Hope all is well and fine.

Well coming to the topic, I had purchased a second hand 2006 Thunderbird which had done around 13000 kms. I am actually very new to royal enfield and infact very poor in mechanic terms which the mechanic uses while servicing my bike.

Recently i had taken my bike to servicing as there were lot of problems in bike. The bike was emitting white smoke plus it was dying in speeds of 50 KPH. The bike would behave as it is short of petrol.

The Mechanic suggested that had i been more late, the tappet would have loosened and broken down, He also inspected the AVL engine and said that the piston is gone and the engine can collapse any moment.He also replaced the oil filter at it had dranked maximum engine oil.

He service the bike and said that the only solution in the long run would be replacing the AVL with traditional bullet engine keeping all the other things intact. He said that the crank would be of the traditional bullet and the problem of mechanical clatter and tappet noise would be eliminated for this.

He said that this would cost me around 15000 Rs. Guys as i am very new in biking and almost layman to this. do you think i should go for this? your comments will be appreciated. Has anyone gone for this before? Riding a thunderbird with traditional bullet engine.

Thanks,
Enfielder

How long have you driven after buying the second hand vehicle?
Did you go in for checks from mechanic/service center before purchasing?
Did you service your bike right after purchasing?

AVL engines are much better in Oil department. The oil pump has more capacity than the traditional cast iron Bullet.
Also it can rev higher and longer.

So take your pick before going in for a CI350.
Besides, I don't think it is so easy to just plonk in the cast iron engine on AVL platform.

**Enfielder** · 03-04-2009, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by alpha1 View Post

How long have you driven after buying the second hand vehicle?
Did you go in for checks from mechanic/service center before purchasing?
Did you service your bike right after purchasing?

AVL engines are much better in Oil department. The oil pump has more capacity than the traditional cast iron Bullet.
Also it can rev higher and longer.

So take your pick before going in for a CI350.
Besides, I don't think it is so easy to just plonk in the cast iron engine on AVL platform.

@ Alpha,

Thanks for your response. Well i believe i did not lay hands on good 2nd hand thunderbird coz there were engine niggles in all the servicing.Infact in the servicing after i purchased the bike, the mechanic told me that the engine had been opened earlier and packing was done.

**prabhubravo** · 03-04-2009, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by Enfielder View Post

Thanks Jay.

Guys if i ever want to shift to traditional Enfield CI engine on my Thunderbird,What all parts will be changed.Can any of the AVL engine part be reused or it will be complete makeover. Will only crank case change or even the bottom half will change.What would be the approximate cost to shift to CI engine.I am sorri for posting such questions, i am complete newbie with respect to engines.

Why should you change it to CI, change to 500LB and would be better.
or If U want a Ci, sell this and get a CI bull. Becoz I dont see a point why U bought the AVL and then convert a AVL to CI

**Enfielder** · 03-04-2009, 04:48 PM

@Prabhu, thanks
what would be the components that would be changed while changing to 500 LB. And what would be the approximate cost?

**prabhubravo** · 03-04-2009, 05:32 PM

as far as I know the cost would be 15K, you can check with the Authorized RE dealer.

**jayprashanth** · 03-04-2009, 08:16 PM

Enfielder,

As Prabhu has suggested, why not go the whole hog and convert your engine to a 500LB? I am not sure whether people have done this before. Before taking such a step, first see whether your TB's engine can be overhauled by replacing the piston rings and repairing other stuff.

Also, the parts of the 500LB are very expensive. You will need to change the entire cylinder block assembly and also fit a new engine head. According to what I have heard, the 500LBs head has a slightly different design as compared to the AVL350 as the ports are bigger than that of the 350. Also, the cam profiles are different. In order to get all the performance gains that the 500LB offers, you need to change all these parts. The bottom end however, is the same. So, first assess whether your AVL350 can be overhauled cheaply before thinking of increasing the displacement.

**Enfielder** · 03-05-2009, 10:04 AM

Thanks Prabhu and Jay

**prakash_mvpa** · 03-05-2009, 10:27 AM

as others suggested ,you may try the 500cc AVL Cylinder kit.but I think ,it costs quiet a lot.I have a friend with a 350cc machismo ,converted to Cast Iron Cylinder kit.It included lot of customization ,especially with lathe works.It costed him around 8000 rupees 2 years back.
--
Stick with a new 350cc AVL kit.run-in properly.your bike will be as good as new

Good Luck.

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