K11 Owners Group

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 8:52 pm Post subject: Restore engine treatment

Restore is an engine treatment that supposedly restores compression. It's got some crud in it (higly techncical term there Laughing

) that supposedly fills in and bonds to the scratches on cylinder walls in order to restore compression.

Some people claim it's snake oil and the proper thing to do is rebuild the engine. Well duh. But if you don't want to spend numerous hours/$$$ or a few grand having someone else rebuild your engine then this is a simple, relatively low-cost alternative.

So here's a thread with some real data from real people about how it works on K bikes.

CASE #1: Recently, in another thread, Shog's original beast with oodles of miles began smoking so she and Steverino (her hubby for those not familiar with him) decided to give it a shot. (Half a can.)

Here's her original compression test results on her first K1100RS:

#1 cylinder: 110 Shocked

#2 cylinder: 170
#3 cylinder: 185
#4 cylinder: 185

She reports that it stopped smoking pretty quickly after adding the Restore and here are the compression test results after about 400 miles of riding:

#1 cylinder: 190
#2 cylinder: 195
#3 cylinder: 195
#4 cylinder: 195

(Correct me if anything I stated is wrong please, Gwen.)

CASE #2: A local guy recently picked up a 1990 K75RT for a good price with 4 or 5 previous owners and no maintenance history. I've been helping him get it sorted out and running properly.

Here's the initial compression test results:

#1 cylinder: 125
#2 cylinder: 115 Crying or Very sad

#3 cylinder: 130

(140 is kind of a decent minimum so this engine had not been well cared for.)

Based on Gwen's results I told the K75RT owner to add half a can of Restore, run it about four or five hundred miles and then give me a call to retest the compression. I went over to his place today and compression tested it again. Results:

#1 cylinder: 140
#2 cylinder: 140
#3 cylinder: 150

There you go, real data from real people you know. (Sort of.)

Conclusion: This stuff actually works. No, it's not an rebuild in a can but it does seem to work as advertised and if you don't want to sink a lot of time and money into an old car/bike then this seems like a worthwhile product.

A couple of caveats:

The "crud" is suspended in a can of 30W oil. When the can sits on the shelf this colloidal material (stuff suspended in a liquid - I have an engineering degree where I learned lots of fancy words) falls out of solution and sinks to the bottom of the can. If you're going to use it then make sure that you shake up the can really well before adding it.

It's advisable to use it on every oil change to keep your compression up.

CASE #3: MY K75F was built around an engine I knew nothing about that I got from a local guy. It runs pretty well but it compression tests at:

#1 cylinder: 130
#2 cylinder: 130
#3 cylinder: 140

Those are OK numbers but I'd like to improve them so I'll be adding some Restore on the next oil change and then retesting after several hundred miles to see how well it works on that bike. Might be a while but I will report back with results.
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
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Mystic Red · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:35 pm Post subject:

Don't be a wuss, just rebuild the engine. Razz

_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:45 pm Post subject:

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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:57 pm Post subject:

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:07 pm Post subject:

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:14 pm Post subject:

Just picked out a random snake image- didn't single out any particular species.

Was bitten by a rattlesnake 30+ years ago- I NEVER take snake bites lightly.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

John Clauss · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:28 pm Post subject:

I have used Engine Restore in two car engines. One was a Chrysler 225 slant six the other was a Toyota inline 4. On both it worked noticeably. The Chrysler stopped smoking and ran much better. The Toyota was like freaking new. Obviously it shouldn't take the place of a full rebuild if you are really serious or keeping the vehicle for a long time. But as a short term measure it works very well.

All that said I never used it in a bike.
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1997 K1100LT
1975 R75/6

It will bring you so close to nausea, it will make you sick! - Big Al

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 11:20 pm Post subject:

roadscum · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:55 am Post subject:

Is it good for snake bites??
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"I don't believe in the after life, although I am bringing a change of underwear." - Woody Allen
'94 K11RS
'08 F800S
'08 MG 1200 Sport
'09 Triumph Scrambler

granth · Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 6:18 pm Post subject:

An excellent post Duck, thanks.
I wish there was a more general trend towards this type of real world testing and feedback, its always useful to know
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1993(94 MODEL) K1100RS IN ASTRAL BLUE
2006 URAL 750CC DALESMAN SIDECAR OUTFIT,
RED AND CREAM.

whyoldbill · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:51 am Post subject: Word of CAUTION

This stuff is NOT safe to use in all motorcycles. Only those with a Dry clutch, like the K1100.
Most japanese bikes have a wet-clutch and this stuff will really wreak havoc.
DAMHIK....
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'02 - GL1800

The desired effect is what you get when you improve your interplanetary funksmanship - George Clinton

merlin geikie · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:44 am Post subject:

Nothing wrong with gook in a can that can get you where you wanna go... Smile

Thanks for the info ... always good to see a product that does what it says it does...well.

That being said, I saw the fine print on the can that said...'in case of snake bite pour the contents onto the snake to help it slither away fast and not bite you again' Wink

Thanks Duck and any more info on the balancing beads?

best

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:15 am Post subject: Re: Restore engine treatment

merlin geikie · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 5:56 am Post subject:

The Flying Duck writes;

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:16 am Post subject:

cw3jack · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 6:54 pm Post subject:

I used Restore about 20 years ago on a completely worn out lawn mower. It had no compression at all, and I didn't want to buy a new one because I was selling the house. I put in about half a can, more than needed I'm sure. It did the job. Can't beat science.
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1995 K1100RS

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 9:16 am Post subject:

Then I stand corrected regarding my comments from 6 years ago. Embarassed

_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.