Cylinder #2 Not Firing

[pgilliam1]

I think you would be quite capable of removing the head and fixing the problem. You can do all that w/out removing the engine. I wouldn't expect much more than a bent valve or 2 and you could have that repaired easily. You might be able to fish out the foreign object by picking around so you'll know at least what it was before tearing it apart. The shop manual is excellent for this job.

Dave

Thanks for the vote of confidence. If I decide to do this I will need more of that I'm sure. I tried to pick around in there with little success. The object must be imbedded. I'm not wanting to cause any more damage. Here are a couple more pics:

[NobleHops]

Go for it man. You can do this with this gang at your back. Just setup your workspace for it, don't be in a hurry, and take your time. You can do this, we will help.

[bikeymikey748]

Taking your head off ?
Ya, I might have some info that'd be of use
Honest, stay organized. Read all you can from the manual, and understand what's involved.
These folks will walk you through it.

[cross]

Yes,
Read and reread all information until you completely understand the procedure.
It's not that hard.
I just tilted my engine, pulled carbs to sort out my carbs and adjust valves.
It's a breeze and especially with everyone's input from here!

[pgilliam1]

Your input and support sounds great and is greatly appreciated. My concerns are that the piston is damaged (although the pics don't show it) or something else major, and that I'll have this bike in pieces and be stuck. There is a vintage bike shop here in St. Louis. I've talked to the owner, and friends have had work done there that they were happy with. With a heavy heart, I have decided to trailer the bike there and hope for the best. If I wouldn't have caused the problem to begin with, maybe I'd feel different and attempt this operation. But I can't quit kicking myself for causing this problem and my confidence suffers for it.
I will update you with the progress, costs, etc.
Your input and help has shown that motorcycles can, and do, bring people together in a motorcycle community.
Thanks -

[NobleHops]

There is a guy in Cincinnati I think that is a CBX specialist. Jim Zemenak or something close to that? Very well regarded. I'd strongly encourage you to find someone in the CBX community to work on your motor. I don't know Jim myself or have any first-hand experience with him, maybe others that do can pipe up, but he's 5 hours from you and probably worth the drive.

http://www.cincycycles.com/

[daves79x]

Yes, Jim is very good with CBXs and 1100Fs. If you can talk him into doing the job, it'll be done right. I think the correct spelling is close how you spelled it, Nils. Jim Zemanek, I think. I have his contact info if you're interested.

Dave

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Your input and support sounds great and is greatly appreciated. My concerns are that the piston is damaged (although the pics don't show it) or something else major, and that I'll have this bike in pieces and be stuck. There is a vintage bike shop here in St. Louis. I've talked to the owner, and friends have had work done there that they were happy with. With a heavy heart, I have decided to trailer the bike there and hope for the best. If I wouldn't have caused the problem to begin with, maybe I'd feel different and attempt this operation. But I can't quit kicking myself for causing this problem and my confidence suffers for it.
I will update you with the progress, costs, etc.
Your input and help has shown that motorcycles can, and do, bring people together in a motorcycle community.
Thanks -

I was in exactly the same position at one time and did not want to have my only bike apart for an eternity while i learned and wrenched at the same time.
Because of the addictive nature of these brutes you will be able to tackle some engine repairs on your SECOND CBX.

[Rick Pope]

I know Jim well. He's a genuine good guy. But, because he's so well regarded, he's also pretty busy for a guy who's supposed to be retired.

[pgilliam1]

I was in exactly the same position at one time and did not want to have my only bike apart for an eternity while i learned and wrenched at the same time.
Because of the addictive nature of these brutes you will be able to tackle some engine repairs on your SECOND CBX.

I hope I don't NEED a second CBX! That sounds ominously like I'll not get this one back
I did some minor repairs and troubleshooting on this bike and was progressing fairly well - until that !@#$^& bolt fell into the spark plug hole.

[pgilliam1]

Yes, Jim is very good with CBXs and 1100Fs. If you can talk him into doing the job, it'll be done right. I think the correct spelling is close how you spelled it, Nils. Jim Zemanek, I think. I have his contact info if you're interested.

Dave

We'll see how this shop progresses first. If it goes badly I will definitely contact him and see if he could help me out.
THX as Always -

[bikeymikey748]

I did some minor repairs and troubleshooting on this bike and was progressing fairly well - until that !@#$^& bolt fell into the spark plug hole.

Hey, welcome to the club. A bunch of us have managed to shoot ourselves in the foot too. You stand in good company.
But, with a lot of encouragement, and helpful advice, we all eventually got our 'happy endings'.
I learn something new, most times I dive into the 'X'. Stick around, the party's only just started.

[cross]

I always wondered about this "find a shop that knows cbx" or do it yourself!
Anyone that I asked I got the answer, sure but I haven't seen one in a while or it's just the same like in any other bike, etc.
But, how much do i know about this bike? Why would I trust myself more then some mechanic who has a lot more experience than I do even if he hasn't worked on cbx?
Now I know!
It's because of all great people on this forum!
I was motivated and encouraged by many to tackle forks, carbs, clutch, valve adjustment and so on. And yes it's true that I do check and recheck things way too many times to make sure that I understood everything and that I did it right.
I've never worked on any bike before but I do have plenty experience working on cars and I've taken challenges that I even today ask myself how in a world did I even think of doing it myself?
But with some skill, logic and common sense, I lot can be accomplished.
Now I'm confident to tackle any job on this bike and this winter, when riding season is over, I'll pull the head and change seals and re-lap valves!

Thanks everyone!


Sasha

[pgilliam1]

I did some minor repairs and troubleshooting on this bike and was progressing fairly well - until that !@#$^& bolt fell into the spark plug hole.

Hey, welcome to the club. A bunch of us have managed to shoot ourselves in the foot too. You stand in good company.
But, with a lot of encouragement, and helpful advice, we all eventually got our 'happy endings'.
I learn something new, most times I dive into the 'X'. Stick around, the party's only just started.

I plan on sticking around because I plan on keeping this bike until I'm physically forced to go the Can-Am route. I'm sure I'm at the bottom of the learning curve with this bike, but as with anything in life - the more you learn about something, the more you appreciate it. That said, all I really had to do to appreciate this bike was to ride it.

[pgilliam1]

I always wondered about this "find a shop that knows cbx" or do it yourself!


Sasha

Taking this bike to a shop was not an easy decision and something that I really didn't want to do. But the picture I drew in the back of my mind of it being in parts strewn across my garage and then coming to an impasse was just too much. In the end, taking it to a shop could be a very bad decision. I got my fingers and toes tightly crossed and hoping for that elusive happy ending. It could happen -