Wrench Rabbit Engine Kits... Anybody Use One?

DF313
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DF313
I have a chance to buy a decent 2006 CRF450 for $1,000 says he hasn't used it in 5 years, took it to the shop had it service and they said the top end was gone. If I'm breaking into it, I figure I might as well run through the whole motor.. I've never done a full rebuild on a 4 stroke, but doesn't seem like it would be a bad deal with that Wrench Rabbit kit being $699.... Anybody have any advice or opinions? Thanks!
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scooter5002
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scooter5002 1/15/2018 12:27pm
1/15/2018 12:27pm
Never used one, not a fan of the whole product line, although Vertex seems to have a decent rep, from what I’ve heard.
Here’s my thoughts. If the crank is decent, buy a ProX kit, and rebuild it. Go with a good aftermarket piston, or OEM, and OEM or known quality products for everything else. What is a prematurely grenaded motor worth, rebuilt with cheap parts? That’s what I would do.
Acidreamer
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Acidreamer 1/15/2018 12:31pm
1/15/2018 12:31pm
Its tempting but not as good as choosing higher quality stuff. Thats why i havent bought one.
crc245
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crc245 1/15/2018 2:26pm
1/15/2018 2:26pm
scooter5002 wrote:
Never used one, not a fan of the whole product line, although Vertex seems to have a decent rep, from what I’ve heard. Here’s my thoughts...
Never used one, not a fan of the whole product line, although Vertex seems to have a decent rep, from what I’ve heard.
Here’s my thoughts. If the crank is decent, buy a ProX kit, and rebuild it. Go with a good aftermarket piston, or OEM, and OEM or known quality products for everything else. What is a prematurely grenaded motor worth, rebuilt with cheap parts? That’s what I would do.
Good ideas here! Saw one go in a 2008 CRF450 last week and I'll never run one in any of my bikes. First and foremost, the main bearings provided felt terrible. Secondly, the HotRods crank simply isn't comparable to an OE Honda assembly.

I've ran ProX rod kits and bearings with good success and OE Honda is always a safe bet. If you're going into it that far, best to do it right the first time Cool
Uncle Tony
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Uncle Tony 1/15/2018 5:01pm
1/15/2018 5:01pm
I'm a mechanic at a Honda shop and have installed a few wrench rabbit kits on customers bikes and never had any problems, me personally I'm an oem guy if it was my bike

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DF313
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DF313 1/15/2018 6:32pm
1/15/2018 6:32pm
Thanks for the good thoughts... I really appreciate it.
pete24
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pete24 1/16/2018 6:47am
1/16/2018 6:47am
ive probably installed 25 or so, i always thought they were good put one in a yz 250 two stroke last year fifteen hr later the rod spapped it was ugly OEM only here now
Tracktor
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Tracktor 1/16/2018 11:47am
1/16/2018 11:47am
I will never put anything Hot rods into any motor I work on. Just used a connecting rod kit on OEM since I got it free from a friend in one of our KTM 85's. Lasted less than ten hours. Cranks was properly shimmed for float. Stuffers never got hot bearing just disappeared. So pissed right now..............

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