IRISHCOFFEE
Member
- Aug 3, 2002
- 194
- 0
ray johnson, where is south la? ca. or louisiana?
Originally posted by dstktmusa
Eric,
Only the 2003 SX model RFS' have this conicle spring design in the cylinderhead. The EXC/MXC still use the "2 spring" set up. My parts book is clearly marked at the top of the page that the conicle springs are for the 450/525SX only. There is a seperate page for the EXC/MXC that shows the 2 piece design. There are also 3 different cylinderheads, one for the EXC/MXC 450/525, one for the 450/525SX and one for the 250 EXC -R. Make sure when you order replacement parts that you are ordering them for the correct application. As you stated the parts do not fit all cylinderheads.
Originally posted by EricGorr
KTM Safety Notice
As a proud owner of four KTM motorcycles it upsets me to write this letter to other “KTM Guys” because I feel the responsibility of informing people about a potential safety hazard with a motorcycle is that of the manufacturer and the management of the American importer/distributor. I don’t like playing the watchdog role but I’ve carefully examined several damaged motorcycles, ordered replacement parts, examined new parts, and performed repairs before I wrote this letter to inform KTM 400/520 owners of what I conclude as a potential hazard that can cause personal injury to the rider and or cost several hundred dollars to repair.
One final note, in September of 2002 I attended a national product liability conference at the University of Wisconsin/Madison and there were representatives from some American motorcycle manufacturers. One of the points covered concerned recalls and warnings. The theme expressed by the speakers was that honesty is the best policy. In my opinion profiting from a design flaw is inexcusable. In the near future I hope to see the management of KTM in America straighten out this debacle by sending technical communications to dealers and owners warning of this potential problem, labeling cylinder heads that require machining to accept the larger diameter spring seat washers or pull them from stock, and providing detailed instructions on exactly how to repair bikes that are currently in use.
Eric Gorr, a happy owner of a KTM 640 Adventure
Originally posted by EricGorr
Don't expect anymore responses from me on this topic.
Originally posted by dstktmusa
Eric,
Only the 2003 SX model RFS' have this conicle spring design in the cylinderhead. The EXC/MXC still use the "2 spring" set up. My parts book is clearly marked at the top of the page that the conicle springs are for the 450/525SX only. There is a seperate page for the EXC/MXC that shows the 2 piece design. There are also 3 different cylinderheads, one for the EXC/MXC 450/525, one for the 450/525SX and one for the 250 EXC -R. Make sure when you order replacement parts that you are ordering them for the correct application. As you stated the parts do not fit all cylinderheads.
posted by EricGorr If you own a KTM 400 or 520 I suggest that you have your local dealer modify the head for the new conical valve springs and install the new parts with fresh stem seals.
Originally posted by EricGorr
Marcus brings up a good point related to maintenance. I see a distrurbing trend in the motorcycle industry, manufacturers are terrified of suggesting to owners to update they're bikes with improved parts because unscrupulous lawyers in the American Trial Laywers Association will glom onto anything they see a profit in initiating class action lawsuits about, and newbies of 4-strokes have been lied to by the motorcycle magazines as "NO MAINTENANCE DIRT BIKES".
THAT TOTALLY CRACKS ME UP!
Stop being a bunch of babies and put a little love and tendernous into your bikes. WORK ON THEM! Heres the sad truth, there is no maintenance free dirt bikes. Magazine editors lie to you because manufacturers pay them via advertising. They don't care about you, they care about ad revenues.
Everyday I talk to guys on the phone who have ridden the crap out of their 4-stroke bikes for years and then they whine about the $2,000 estimates that I give them when I disassemble their engine that hasn't had a oil change or valve adjustement in 2 years. Two weeks ago I conducted a seminar at a shop in Indiana. There was a guy there who owned a YZF. I've seen him there for 3 years running. Every year I do a segment on 4-stroke valve adjustments and top end rebuilds. For the last 3 years he bellyaches about the costs and hassles of maintenance, saying "thats too complicated and I can't afford it". The funny part is that this year when he professed his procrastination he was holding a parts bag with a set of flashy graphics and a carbon fiber tail pipe, about $500 worth of junk. Valve shims cost $5 each
Originally posted by Shaw520
None of this garble is even remotely relative to the subject of this thread, (that you started),.......... I wont even acknowledge your final quote!!:|
Originally posted by EricGorr
For all of you dumbasses who want to hassle me about this post, I wish you the worst of luck.
Sincerely, Eric