KTM 530 EXCR- More better!

[B-Rod]

-10ºC, and several inches of snow fell over the night, so naturally it was time for a snow ride. We put just a couple dozen screws on the outer knobs just to insure we could stop. Meh, didn't help. It was suuuuuper slippery, but wicked fun ripping around the city, alleys, and various other places. No big spills, so it's all good. Again, lousy phone pics, sorry.

[GreatWhiteHunter]

Just wanted to drop a note and say thanks to everyone that posted in this thread. I've absorbed it all (or like to think I have) and now I get the chance to put it all together. I picked up a 2010 530 XC-W with a street title and will be using the downtime this winter to make a few mods to the bike. The pointers in this thread will go to very good use.

Here's a pic, hope you don't mind that it's not an EXC.

[Foot dragger]

Nice! I like the 6 days graphics,very stylish. I had my 530 out today,springlike conditions with enough mud and rocks to keep it interesting. Traction was mostly great and had a blast!

[Hayduke]

More bonding time with the 530 today.

[B-Rod]

Originally Posted by Hayduke

More bonding time with the 530 today.

Way to rub salt in a wound. You wait duke, once I put this prickly pear on, I'll be bonding with my 530 as well. I'm jacked, and am very curious how it is on ice, since it seems to have more pull than my friend's 530, and much more than the 525.

[Foot dragger]

Ive gone riding in Colorado a few times,none of it looked like Mr Hayduke's version of Paradise,Makes me want to go to Salida and check it out!
Singletrack is epic at this moment in time in Nor Cal though,snow at 6500 ft but everything below that is absolutely perfect! Local secret trail area is all decomposed granite,velcro traction for sure.

[Yellow Pig]

So my 2010 XC-W started using quite a bit of oil at 100 hrs/2400miles. Should I just put in new KTM rings or go for an aftermarket piston and better rings?

What do you guys recommend?

Thanks

[B-Rod]

Originally Posted by Yellow Pig

So my 2010 XC-W started using quite a bit of oil at 100 hrs/2400miles. Should I just put in new KTM rings or go for an aftermarket piston and better rings?

What do you guys recommend?

Thanks

Consider doing a leak down test on it before you go crazy. This will indicate where your problem is. There is still a possibility of a guide seal lifting. Somewhere not far back, Ned mentioned one of his Dakar motors suddenly using oil, and it was just that, a guide seal. Oil migration??

From info I've read on KTMtalk, the stock pistons aren't favored because of their ring design, even on the post '08 bikes. Seems Wossner is the piston kit of choice should you go down that road, but it would be worth checking over there yourself, or maybe LukasM will chime in.

Found it.

Originally Posted by neduro

+1

And realized I hadn't posted a recent update on my Dakar 450 motor...

At about 125 hours, it suddenly started consuming oil. Sure enough, I lifted the valve inspection cover, shined in with a flashlight while turning the motor over, and could see an intake valve guide seal going up and down.

My mechanic had a sneaky solution- we locked the motor at TDC, installed a compression tester and turned on the compressor, and then took off the valve spring retainer/ spring, replaced the guide seal, and reinstalled, all using air to hold the valve up. Worked like a charm- about a 10 minute job.

Back to consuming no oil. Leakdown was around 7%, which isn't bad for how that motor has been used! We did have to go 1 size thinner on both intake shims, first valve adjustment after half the Dakar, and a whole bunch of absolute flogging that has no internationally recognized name.

I'm so impressed with durability on those motors.

[Stobie]

Originally Posted by B-Rod

Consider doing a leak down test on it before you go crazy. This will indicate where your problem is. There is still a possibility of a guide seal lifting. Somewhere not far back, Ned mentioned one of his Dakar motors suddenly using oil, and it was just that, a guide seal. Oil migration??

From info I've read on KTMtalk, the stock pistons aren't favored because of their ring design, even on the post '08 bikes. Seems Wossner is the piston kit of choice should you go down that road, but it would be worth checking over there yourself, or maybe LukasM will chime in.

+1 on the leak-down test, especially at 100 hours. I didn't do a leak-down on my '09 530 EXC, because I was planning to replace the piston anyway. I bought the bike used, and knew it had been used hard, with an unknown amount of hours/miles on it (PO estimated 6000 miles); and I knew the head was coming off to replace a bad exhaust valve stem seal. Mine was blowing so much oil out of the exhaust port, that oil was dripping off the header flange, and running down the front of the cylinder. But, the seal hadn't lifted, it was just worn out. Or, it's possible it was improperly installed at the factory, which has apparently happened before.

I went with a Vertex piston, simply because my great local dealer didn't have a source for Wossner, and Vertex is carried by Parts Unlimited. I'm lucky to have a local dealer who is a true enthusiast that supports the local riding community, and I give him first shot at everything I need. The Vertex is a little more expensive, and has some fancy coatings on the skirt and pin, but I've never heard of anyone having a problem with a Wossner. They're both high-quality, and easy to get.

[Yellow Pig]

Thanks for the info. I have checked the valve lash and all is in speck. I tried looking at the valve seals, but it's hard to tell if they have moved. Can't see much looking through the valve springs. I plan on doing the leakdown test next week.

[Yellow Pig]

Originally Posted by B-Rod

From info I've read on KTMtalk, the stock pistons aren't favored because of their ring design, even on the post '08 bikes. Seems Wossner is the piston kit of choice should you go down that road, but it would be worth checking over there yourself, or maybe LukasM will chime in.

Found it.

From what I've read the stock rings are the issue. KTM uses a single ring versus the traditional doiuble oil ring.

[B-Rod]

Originally Posted by Stobie

The Vertex is a little more expensive, and has some fancy coatings on the skirt and pin, but I've never heard of anyone having a problem with a Wossner. They're both high-quality, and easy to get.

Originally Posted by Yellow Pig

From what I've read the stock rings are the issue. KTM uses a single ring versus the traditional doiuble oil ring.

Vertex is another one. Yup, the issue is with the KTM ring. Again, not from my experience, but because I read too much, many have had success with the KTM piston and new rings, but many others have enjoyed relatively short term success.

[Yellow Pig]

Can oftermarket rings be put on the OEM KTM piston, or do they have to go w/ their brand of piston?

[Assfault]

YP,
The rings need to match the piston. They come as a set, and unless you are putting stock rings back into a stock piston, you are asking for a hung/broken ring at the least. More likely scored barrel and who knows what ever else might be destroyed. Ive had great luck with Wossner Piston in KTM's.

[Foot dragger]

Originally Posted by Yellow Pig

From what I've read the stock rings are the issue. KTM uses a single ring versus the traditional doiuble oil ring.

Reading is good,best to figure out whats really wrong before taking it apart,Ned can tell you what to look at as far as the valve stem seal. 100 hours isnt many hours to be assuming it needs a rebuild.
Stock KTM parts can go many miles. Unless dirt got in somehow,then it needs a rebuild.