I have a 2007 Ninja 500r and it recently broke down. I was riding across a mountain pass at midnight when my oil light came on. I had nowhere to pull over to buy/fill the oil so I had to keep riding. By the time I made it to town the engine suddenly started making a terrible noise. I rode it to an apartment complex and left it there while I took a taxi. I went back today and the engine wont turn over, I tried adding more oil but alas nothing.

My question is A.) Is there anything I can try to do to get it started as it will eventually be towed

B.) I know that a low oil level will cause bad wear and tear on the engine, but what I do not know is the extent of the damage it can cause. Could it be possible that I ruined the engine? Can it be fixed or does the engine have to be replaced?


Any suggestions or opinions are greatly appreciated and welcome.

Warm Regards

 

does the motor turn over when you hit the button?

 

Bad news bub...

1st:
The piston rings got so hot they disintegrated. As the pistons expand, they score the cylinder walls, leaving big scratches & gouges. (that's the noise you heard) When you turned the engine off, the hot (aluminum) pistons melt like a Hershey bar, and stick to the scratches in the cylinder walls. Engine lock up...
So:
If you remove the left engine cover, you can try to turn the engine over manually by the stator nut. But if it don't move, it's done... If it moves, try starting it.
Next:
Even if it starts, it's already ****ed. The cylinders need to be honed, the pistons replaced, and the head rebuilt. Everything that needs oil regularly is damaged.
Now:
If you can find a whole motor, cheap, just swap it.
(swapping a 500 motor is fairly simple)
Or rebuild.
(cyl. job-$200 / pistons,rings,connecting rods,etc-$400)
Most of the repair is labor, ie: checking valves & re-lapping, swapping connecting rods, pulling and reinstalling engine, etc...

So, save up a grand, and take it to the dealership.
Then start paying more attention to your bike.
THE BEST MAINTENANCE IS PREVENTIVE ! ! !

 

wow, you are a brave soul to admit burning up an ex engine.

 

Actually, running without oil ( or oil pressure) is more likely to have destroyed the main and big end bearings, which need a constant supply of pressurised oil. The bore is only splash lubricated and scraper rings are used anyway so that the compression rings aren't really lubed, so they're much more tolerant of low oil than the bottom end bearings. If the rings barrel and piston are destroyed, which is not impossible, then the engine bottom end certainly will be severely damaged.

Probably a new crank and rods, plus the bearings, all before you start to look at the top end. This is a major rebuild, not for the inexperienced. A new motor will be cheaper.

That said, you might be lucky. The only thing to do is to strip it and look.

If you see low oil level or low oil pressure, switch the engine off. Immediately. Because you didn't, any warranty remaining on the bike won't cover the damage unless you are unbelievably lucky.

Rob