SNAFU
 

Just bought a 2001 KTM Adventure R. 10000 hard klms on it, but looks to be in good shape (at first)

Riding from ALice Springs to Darwin 1400+ klms the beast burned over 1.5 litres of Oil.
I didnt overfill it. THis is crazy, I ride less than 95 klms per hour and baby it all the way. What gives?

Also the bike will not keep a consistent speed the motor surges and decelerates at its own will. I can hold the throttle at 90 kph and the speed will wander to 85 and then up to 95. Its impossible to ride with other people without driving them nuts as well.

The temperature here is hot 38-40C but doesnt explain the poor performance. The bike is running a bit rich.

Can someone help me I have to ride the thing to Siberia and will be leaving for Timor within a week.

First check for any obvious leaks.

Next: If your motor is running rich then oil will be burnt - my understanding is that excess unburnt fuel ends up mixing with the oil between the piston rings and cylinder bore, and this oil then ends up getting burnt. A symptom of this is a smoky exhaust.

Another related cause of oil burning is worn piston rings/or cylinder bore - although I would doubt this is your problem especially with such a low mileage bike (even hard miles), and the fact that your motor also happens to be running eratically implies there's something wrong with the mixture. Check the air filter is nice and clean then strip the carb down and ensure everything is clean and intact, including the jets. Also check the choke mechanism is functioning correctly and not sticking on.

There's a friendly (in my experience) dealer
http://www.dalbymoto.com.au/ with KTM experience - but they're in Queensland.

PS If you're topping the oil up, it might be a good idea to bleed the oil system before riding as you do when changing the oil as per the KTM procedure.

PPS There's another tale of oil loss here http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000012.html
due to a cracked piston. But unless oil is being forced out somewhere e.g into the air box via the breather then it's unlikely to be your problem. A worn piston/rings/bore may also result in oil being forced out in a similar way.

[This message has been edited by Ian (edited 26 October 2002).]

Just lifted the top of the CV carb and found it full of grit and sandy stuff. Looks like somebody didn't look after the airfilter, so what happened is that it breathed some very dirty air from the remote canister attached to the top of the carb. All the dirt then entered the carb and destroyed the CV slide surfaces, needle and emulsion tube etc. That is as far as I got with my tools. I suspect that this dirt got into the cylinder and sandblasted the piston etc.
Instead of digging deeper into the motor I contacted the shop where I bought the beast and they are willing to replace everything that is needed, labour included.

My question is this just a question of carb parts, piston and rings, or is it a rebore etc.
DO the big end bearings need replacing.
Is the transmission etc going to be affected

What else should I be cautious of?

Thanks

I'd recommend to prevent damages to the engine in future by preparing the air filter as discussed here:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000055.html

Big end should be fine, also the gearbox.

Big end can be checked when the topend comes off. I'd be very surprised if there was a problem.

A rebore is highly recommended (pay for it yourself if they are reluctant) assuming the cylinder is worn anywhere near the limit of the specs. In other words err on the side of caution.

If replacing the piston and rings anyway, the rebore is the only additional cost to have as new, and it's only $50 or so to rebore.

Might as well have a look at the valves while it's apart, perhaps a light grind, and then you're as new.

TIP:
Pay especial attention to the bleed procedure when changing oil - MANY KTM's have blown big time because the procedure wasn't religiously adhered to.

Sounds like the shop is a good one, so work with them in solving the problem. MAke sure they know where you're headed, and that you are prepared to pay extra if they suggest something more is needed for your special requirements (long trip to Siberia!) that isn't covered by their warranty.

Good luck, and try and learn as much as you can by watching and talking to the mechanic - and be prepared to pay for that too! I've asked to watch and learn and offered to pay something extra for the lesson - well worthwhile.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com