pressure testing

[Tosh]

Excuse me for sounding THICK but is there anyway to check an engine for leaks wants it`s rebuilt,is their any gauges on the market rather than having to start and run it,like the ones you use to check the cylinders on cars were you screw it into the plug area once the plug is removed

[dapper]

You can use a compression tester, but it will only give you a rough guide as its only one cyclinder, as compared to two or more on bikes and cars where you would be looking for equal compression on all cylinders. IIRC you should be looking for a figure around 100 +PSI

[soulsurfer]

There is a kit you can get that you can use to check if seals and gaskets etc. are okay, but they cost about £250. Here's one from the states

[Tosh]

thanks chaps,but it looks like the old way fire it up and ride then check

[dirtyhandslopez]

You can use a compression tester, but it will only give you a rough guide as its only one cyclinder, as compared to two or more on bikes and cars where you would be looking for equal compression on all cylinders. IIRC you should be looking for a figure around 100 +PSI

100 is just enough to start. 120-140 is what you want for easy starting and proper running.

You can blank of the inlet and exhaust and slowy introduce pressure with a hand held pressure pump with the piston somewhere and check for seal leaking. Pain in the ass, never done it. Sounds like an idea . Not saying it's a good idea or bad idea though .
Start it and listen is always best I reckon.

[Markus]

You can buy this kit in the states: