A n00b goes racing - Page 51

MotoMike · 03-22-2011, 02:42 PM

Cool. I don't know if I will be out on Saturday or Sunday morning yet. Have to wash the bike tonight, change radiators and find out if I hurt anything else on it this weekend.

eatpasta · 03-22-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotoMike

Cool. I don't know if I will be out on Saturday or Sunday morning yet. Have to wash the bike tonight, change radiators and find out if I hurt anything else on it this weekend.

Right on. depending on rain, we may crash in a motel again this time. We still have a hole in our tent from last summer..... maybe its time to replace it?

who knew exhaust had such an effect on plastic?

header · 03-22-2011, 06:50 PM

Its ironic you just got a KTM.
Last week was my spring break, and while I went down to TN for a couple of days I came back with a 525exc for a souvineer

04 too.

A lot different than the XRR isnt it. The first thing I realized after getting a good day on it was any mistake I did make had much less of an effect.

Very fun bikes! I can't wait to get a race on it.

eatpasta · 03-23-2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by header

Its ironic you just got a KTM.
Last week was my spring break, and while I went down to TN for a couple of days I came back with a 525exc for a souvineer

04 too.

A lot different than the XRR isnt it. The first thing I realized after getting a good day on it was any mistake I did make had much less of an effect.

that IS really weird....I have come to realize that its an insanely popular bike and that builds confidence in my decision for sure.
it is much different from the 650R. I was surprised to notice how much higher it is! I love that.

sadly, pretty much the first time I Get it into the dirt will be time to be racing.... so im going to have to learn fast.

I dont mess around....

its still leaking a bit of oil and I need to figure out from where.

nobrakes · 03-23-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatpasta

that IS really weird....I have come to realize that its an insanely popular bike and that builds confidence in my decision for sure.
it is much different from the 650R. I was surprised to notice how much higher it is! I love that.

sadly, pretty much the first time I Get it into the dirt will be time to be racing.... so im going to have to learn fast.

I dont mess around....

its still leaking a bit of oil and I need to figure out from where.

Do yourself a big favor and make sure the sag is set correctly before the race. If you can't get the sag in the specified range, you'll need a different rate spring. Any good dealer or race shop will help you out. The bike will track and turn so much better when the sag is properly set up.

I would also get the manual and set the suspension clickers back to their stock defaults, it's hard to tell what the previous owner may have had them set to. The defaults are a good starting point and you shouldn't vary too far. If you find you need to vary more than say, +/- 6, chance are you need to address the issue in valving as it's too much for the clickers to adjust out, which are designed for fine tuning.

Good luck!

eatpasta · 03-23-2011, 10:55 AM

the suspension was set up by a popular suspension shop here in town, so I dont want to mess with it just yet. The previous owner spent some money having it done, so I figure they probably did a better job that I will...

I may need a heavier rear spring - to me though it seems very firm. I am VERY curious to see how this thing acts in the desert!! if its this fun going down wilshire.....

MotoMike · 03-23-2011, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatpasta

the suspension was set up by a popular suspension shop here in town, so I dont want to mess with it just yet. The previous owner spent some money having it done, so I figure they probably did a better job that I will...

I may need a heavier rear spring - to me though it seems very firm. I am VERY curious to see how this thing acts in the desert!! if its this fun going down wilshire.....

Setting the sag is important and a separate issue from from the clickers. We can do it in the desert without to much trouble.

eatpasta · 03-23-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotoMike

Setting the sag is important and a separate issue from from the clickers. We can do it in the desert without to much trouble.

ok cool. that would be greatly appreciated.

Just talked to George - super nice guy. Remembered the bike and commented on how well the previous owner looked after his stuff.... which is nice to hear.
He did the suspension a few years ago and he said to take notice of how it performs. It doesnt have many miles on it since the work was done, so it should be for the most part good.

Tbone · 03-23-2011, 11:46 AM

FYI...you run a little more slack in your chain on the KTM. Have fun !

eatpasta · 03-23-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbone

FYI...you run a little more slack in your chain on the KTM. Have fun !

I was just noticing this morning that it looked loose.
I was wondering if it needed tightening..... perhaps not

MotoMike · 03-23-2011, 12:31 PM

We can can adjust the chain too. I remove the shock and block the rear wheel to the tightest spot, which is 4 or 5 inches from bottomed. Very common for KTM noobs to over tighten their chain.

eatpasta · 03-23-2011, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotoMike

Very common for KTM noobs to over tighten their chain.

dammit!! im a noob again!!

nobrakes · 03-23-2011, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbone

FYI...you run a little more slack in your chain on the KTM. Have fun !

Yes, if your Japanese-bike riding buddies say your KTM chain is too loose, it's "just right."

With the bike on a stand, pinch the chain toward the swingarm just behind the plastic guard and you should measure about 8mm, like this:

eatpasta · 03-23-2011, 01:22 PM

interesting.... ill check it when I get home.

Ive thumbed the manual twice and it doesnt have anything about valve adjustments! Are they tricky? Is it a bucket and shim situation?

MotoMike · 03-23-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatpasta

interesting.... ill check it when I get home.

Ive thumbed the manual twice and it doesnt have anything about valve adjustments! Are they tricky? Is it a bucket and shim situation?

Tappet w/lock nut. Kind of a bitch the first couple times, but you get the routine down. Need a special angled feeler gauge.

03-22-2011, 02:42 PM	#751
MotoMike Washed Up Desert Racer Joined: Sep 2004 Location: The Black Palm Springs Oddometer: 4,650	Cool. I don't know if I will be out on Saturday or Sunday morning yet. Have to wash the bike tonight, change radiators and find out if I hurt anything else on it this weekend. __________________ Lost Coyotes MC

03-22-2011, 06:50 PM	#753
header Chris Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Columbus Indiana Oddometer: 1,683	Its ironic you just got a KTM. Last week was my spring break, and while I went down to TN for a couple of days I came back with a 525exc for a souvineer 04 too. A lot different than the XRR isnt it. The first thing I realized after getting a good day on it was any mistake I did make had much less of an effect. Very fun bikes! I can't wait to get a race on it. __________________ KTM 530exc Header's journal 525exc refresh

03-23-2011, 12:31 PM	#761
MotoMike Washed Up Desert Racer Joined: Sep 2004 Location: The Black Palm Springs Oddometer: 4,650	We can can adjust the chain too. I remove the shock and block the rear wheel to the tightest spot, which is 4 or 5 inches from bottomed. Very common for KTM noobs to over tighten their chain. __________________ Lost Coyotes MC

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03-23-2011, 11:46 AM	#759
Tbone off-ramp slayer Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Tampa Oddometer: 4,026	FYI...you run a little more slack in your chain on the KTM. Have fun !