New and improved KTM690 WUNDERFEST

[MFS]

Phhaaa AACKKKK!! That's kinda what I'm readin and finding out. Nearest dealer 3 hours, and "the guy" to talk to didn't return my call yesterday, and it was recommended I don't leave a message but call back as he is a busy guy

Will try him again of course but my crystal ball tells me it's a 6 hour round trip, and a stalling issue when I get home!

The "tuneECU hardeware is downloadable, any idea where to get the required cable in Canada? I'll have to look more in depth look after work, and see how that's all done. Might as well do it all myself and eliminate the middle guy! Sucks for them though...

Idled for 6 minutes this morning though, like a loved one comin out of a trance. We spoke, she told me she loved me, I touched her and looked in her pretty orange face as she slipped away from me again...

And when she was gone I swore at her and called her an ignorant C__t!

MFS

[wsmc831]

Originally Posted by MFS

Phhaaa AACKKKK!! That's kinda what I'm readin and finding out. Nearest dealer 3 hours, and "the guy" to talk to didn't return my call yesterday, and it was recommended I don't leave a message but call back as he is a busy guy

Will try him again of course but my crystal ball tells me it's a 6 hour round trip, and a stalling issue when I get home!

The "tuneECU hardeware is downloadable, any idea where to get the required cable in Canada? I'll have to look more in depth look after work, and see how that's all done. Might as well do it all myself and eliminate the middle guy! Sucks for them though...

Idled for 6 minutes this morning though, like a loved one comin out of a trance. We spoke, she told me she loved me, I touched her and looked in her pretty orange face as she slipped away from me again...

And when she was gone I swore at her and called her an ignorant C__t!

MFS

Have you tried googling 'tune ecu cable ktm'?

[bobzilla]

I think there is a link on tuneecu for the cable but I may be wrong. google is your friend

[Mini Trail]

I finally got my new rockers and the intake is TIGHT. I expected to have to adjust the valves but I don't exactly know where to start. Is there a way to estimate the shims particularly when they are tight? They aren't cheap.

[gbx2001]

I bought my cable from Craig at CJ Designs (US).

I live in Calgary and so far have not seen any Canadian suppliers.

[The Letter J]

Originally Posted by Mini Trail

I finally got my new rockers and the intake is TIGHT. I expected to have to adjust the valves but I don't exactly know where to start. Is there a way to estimate the shims particularly when they are tight? They aren't cheap.

When you say "TIGHT" do you mean there is NO clearance? If so, are any of the shims for any of the other valves thinner? If so you could swap them around just to get a measurement. I just went down to my local Harley Davidson dealer (some harley's use the same 10mm shims) and traded shims for what I needed at no charge. I only needed 1 new shim to get all 4 valves in spec. If they are at .000" I would just start with a shim that is at least .006 thinner and go from there.

[RoninMoto]

Originally Posted by Mini Trail

I finally got my new rockers and the intake is TIGHT. I expected to have to adjust the valves but I don't exactly know where to start. Is there a way to estimate the shims particularly when they are tight? They aren't cheap.

What you will need:
-A set of calipers for measuring the shim you remove.
-a shim kit About the same price as 1 hour of shop time at your local KTM shop?
-strong magnet (easiest way to remove the shims, like you use when you drop a socket into a motor and have to fish it out)
-Feeler gauge.

1. Measure the clearance and note the one(s) that is/are tight.
2. Use the feeler gauge to see about how far out they are.
3. Pull the cam out and so your rockers are loose. Its a good Idea to ziptie the timing chain to the cam gear so you don't loose the place.
4. Using the magnet, remove the shim.
5. Measure it with the calipers and find replace with the shim you need.
6. Re-install the cam and check your valve clearance again to see if you have correct clearance.

Last time we did the valves shims on my 08 we installed them loose.. around .11 mm. They are more noisy when they are loose but seem to tighten over time. I don't want to have to do valve shims in Siberia next summer.

[Albie]

Originally Posted by The Letter J

When you say "TIGHT" do you mean there is NO clearance? If so, are any of the shims for any of the other valves thinner? If so you could swap them around just to get a measurement. I just went down to my local Harley Davidson dealer (some harley's use the same 10mm shims) and traded shims for what I needed at no charge. I only needed 1 new shim to get all 4 valves in spec. If they are at .000" I would just start with a shim that is at least .006 thinner and go from there.

+1, at my local HD dealer, the shims are only a couple bucks. I wouldn't waste money on a shim kit, chances are you'll never use 3/4 of the shims in there and you'll probably end up having to go buy a shim or 2 because there's not enough of a particular size in the kit.

[Mini Trail]

If it isn't obvious I am new to the shims. I had to replace both rockers. The intake (new item number) is so tight I had to compress the valves a touch to push the rod through.

They seem to have some relief machined into the bottom where they go over the valve stem. I thought it might be measured from inside that relief (where my calipers or micrometer won't fit) but it sounds like they are measured at the flats.

How many brands use the same shims? I'll buy that hotcams set but if there was an S&S kit for Harleys for half the price well...

[Kirk the Jerk]

Originally Posted by Albie

+1, at my local HD dealer, the shims are only a couple bucks. I wouldn't waste money on a shim kit, chances are you'll never use 3/4 of the shims in there and you'll probably end up having to go buy a shim or 2 because there's not enough of a particular size in the kit.

+1 on not needing the kit. Just buy them individually from a shop. They're cheap, and you'll only need a few for the life of the bike...

[RoninMoto]

Originally Posted by Mini Trail

If it isn't obvious I am new to the shims. I had to replace both rockers. The intake (new item number) is so tight I had to compress the valves a touch to push the rod through.

They seem to have some relief machined into the bottom where they go over the valve stem. I thought it might be measured from inside that relief (where my calipers or micrometer won't fit) but it sounds like they are measured at the flats.

How many brands use the same shims? I'll buy that hotcams set but if there was an S&S kit for Harleys for half the price well...

-1 for not needing the kit. He is starting out new. He will have to try shims until one works.

My opinion: Get a kit. Put a small shim in and see how tight it is. Try till you get within speck.
When you are checking a motor during its periodic mantainance, you have the advantage of KNOWING which shim to use. There really is no way to measure short of putting a shim in and using a feeler gauge. So unless you live next door to a shop or they will give you a hand full of shims to try, I suggest getting the kit. Especially if you live in the boonies like many of us do and don't have a close local shop.

[Roadracer_Al]

Exactly - if there is any clearance at all -- tight or lose compared to spec -- it can be measured, and the correct shim ascertained in one shot.

If the clearance is zero, there is no way to determine the correct shim in one shot. You have to gain clearance with a small shim, then get the clearance in spec with a second shim.

Before you go buying shims... read the manual on the section about crank shaft position for checking the shim values: it is easy to try to measure the clearance in the wrong position and find zero clearance.

[Albie]

Originally Posted by Mini Trail

If it isn't obvious I am new to the shims. I had to replace both rockers. The intake (new item number) is so tight I had to compress the valves a touch to push the rod through.

They seem to have some relief machined into the bottom where they go over the valve stem. I thought it might be measured from inside that relief (where my calipers or micrometer won't fit) but it sounds like they are measured at the flats.

How many brands use the same shims? I'll buy that hotcams set but if there was an S&S kit for Harleys for half the price well...

Something seems odd, new rockers shouldn't effect your clearance that drastically. Are you 100% positive you are at TDC? Do the intake shims look pitted in the center? You measure the gap between the rocker and shim using a feeler gauge.

The reason HD dealers carry the shims is because they are used on the Rotax motored Buells. Obviously KTM uses them and I'm guessing some Aprilias use them also.

[Uller]

Originally Posted by Albie

The reason HD dealers carry the shims is because they are used on the Rotax motored Buells. Obviously KTM uses them and I'm guessing some Aprilias use them also.

The Harley Davidson V-Rod uses the same shims too.

My local HD dealer didn't have any in stock. Told me that their mechanics don't have them either. Then stated that the minimum order was for 5 shims of each size and finally, that he couldn't order them at all.

I am now the proud owner of a Hot-Cams Shim Kit.

[Albie]

Originally Posted by Uller

The Harley Davidson V-Rod uses the same shims too.

My local HD dealer didn't have any in stock. Told me that their mechanics don't have them either. Then stated that the minimum order was for 5 shims of each size and finally, that he couldn't order them at all.

I am now the proud owner of a Hot-Cams Shim Kit.

LOL, wonder what they charge the pirates for a valve adjustment when they don't even have shims to do the job. THIS is the reason I don't let dealers do the work.