KTM 530 EXCR- More better!

[jesusgatos]

So I've got kind of an interesting little problem. Noticed that my front brake was dragging a little bit. Figured I probably just needed to remove the caliper from the caliper mounting bracket and grease those pins. But I can't get the damn thing off! It seems to be seized on the upper pin. Tried unscrewing the lower pin, but can't unthread it all the way because the upper pin is seized. Cut the rubber boot off and have been soaking it in PB Blaster for the last two days. Hammers, C-clamps, screwdriver/prybars, no luck. Any ideas?

[B-Rod]

Originally Posted by jesusgatos

So I've got kind of an interesting little problem. Noticed that my front brake was dragging a little bit. Figured I probably just needed to remove the caliper from the caliper mounting bracket and grease those pins. But I can't get the damn thing off! It seems to be seized on the upper pin. Tried unscrewing the lower pin, but can't unthread it all the way because the upper pin is seized. Cut the rubber boot off and have been soaking it in PB Blaster for the last two days. Hammers, C-clamps, screwdriver/prybars, no luck. Any ideas?

Check the adjustment at the brake lever. Back it out a turn or two and see if that solves it. After a day of riding around last year, mine gradually applied to the point of fully stopping me. I was wondering what was happening, then they cooled and it was good again. Did it again after a mile or so, and I backed the adjuster out, and I never had the problem again.

[jesusgatos]

Originally Posted by B-Rod

Check the adjustment at the brake lever. Back it out a turn or two and see if that solves it. After a day of riding around last year, mine gradually applied to the point of fully stopping me. I was wondering what was happening, then they cooled and it was good again. Did it again after a mile or so, and I backed the adjuster out, and I never had the problem again.

Oh, I tried that before I removed the front wheel and brake pads (so they wouldn't get soaked with penetrating oil). There's nothing but the pins holding the (empty) caliper to the caliper mounting bracket, and I'm pretty sure the caliper is not seized on the lower pin.

[antpatterson]

I have a slight problem> My 08 XCRW 450 is having starting issues. At first the problem began by pressing the start butto and it'd make a slight noise like it was trying to crank, 2 days ago it made a buzzing like noise, then yesterday the battery was drained and made no noise. I've read somewhere that the 08's were prone to starting issues, so what would this be? It kicks with one kick, but I do like the magic button since it is there. After riding a bit the battery is charged some to start by the button. Any ideas? Replace the starting system with an 09?

[trailjammer]

Originally Posted by antpatterson

I have a slight problem> My 08 XCRW 450 is having starting issues. At first the problem began by pressing the start butto and it'd make a slight noise like it was trying to crank, 2 days ago it made a buzzing like noise, then yesterday the battery was drained and made no noise. I've read somewhere that the 08's were prone to starting issues, so what would this be? It kicks with one kick, but I do like the magic button since it is there. After riding a bit the battery is charged some to start by the button. Any ideas? Replace the starting system with an 09?

Have you tried replacing the battery? Sounds like a bad battery. I'd try that first. I you have a Cycle Gear near your location, they have a $90 Mega Boost battery that's guaranteed for life. When dead, you take it in and exchange it to them for a new free one. I have an '08 530 EXC-R. I notice if the bike has been sitting for a week or more, it helps to try to kick-it like 5x then hit the magic button and it'll start way easier. The starting problem the '08's had, i believe the fix was putting in the '09 cam. I think.

[trailjammer]

Originally Posted by jesusgatos

Oh, I tried that before I removed the front wheel and brake pads (so they wouldn't get soaked with penetrating oil). There's nothing but the pins holding the (empty) caliper to the caliper mounting bracket, and I'm pretty sure the caliper is not seized on the lower pin.

Do you think a little heat would help?

[jesusgatos]

Originally Posted by trailjammer

Do you think a little heat would help?

Yeah, and if it doesn't, a lot of heat might. Seriously think I might need to cut it off if it doesn't come loose. Hoping a little heat will persuade it though. Just wanted to check to make sure there weren't any other tricks I should try first.

[ian408]

Originally Posted by trailjammer

Have you tried replacing the battery? Sounds like a bad battery. I'd try that first. I you have a Cycle Gear near your location, they have a $90 Mega Boost battery that's guaranteed for life. When dead, you take it in and exchange it to them for a new free one. I have an '08 530 EXC-R. I notice if the bike has been sitting for a week or more, it helps to try to kick-it like 5x then hit the magic button and it'll start way easier. The starting problem the '08's had, i believe the fix was putting in the '09 cam. I think.

I was looking at one of those Shorai batteries yesterday. Light weight, charge lasts a long time and you can use your current charger. A bit spendy but if the charge lasts and it's light, maybe that's worth it? Might be about $120 (didn't ask).

[LukasM]

Originally Posted by jesusgatos

Yeah, and if it doesn't, a lot of heat might. Seriously think I might need to cut it off if it doesn't come loose. Hoping a little heat will persuade it though. Just wanted to check to make sure there weren't any other tricks I should try first.

I had the same problem yesterday, except that it was a rear caliper that was frozen in a Scotts shark fin that I bought used. It would not budge even after clamping it down in a vise and trying to lever it off with a 12" screw driver and hitting it with a big hammer...

My luck was that there was a removable plug on the other side so I finally got it out by using my hydraulic press. Just a ton of rust in there and the pin is done (and of course KTM doesn't sell it separately), and I am not even sure if I can salvage the bore...

If you do get it off, I have heard that Honda has some pins that will fit. Don't have a part number unfortunately.

[jesusgatos]

Originally Posted by LukasM

I had the same problem yesterday, except that it was a rear caliper that was frozen in a Scotts shark fin that I bought used. It would not budge even after clamping it down in a vise and trying to lever it off with a 12" screw driver and hitting it with a big hammer...

My luck was that there was a removable plug on the other side so I finally got it out by using my hydraulic press. Just a ton of rust in there and the pin is done (and of course KTM doesn't sell it separately), and I am not even sure if I can salvage the bore...

If you do get it off, I have heard that Honda has some pins that will fit. Don't have a part number unfortunately.

Yeah, the weird thing is that there's zero rust on this bike and I greased those pins within the last six months. Almost seems like it might be hydraulically-seized, you know?

[ian408]

Originally Posted by jesusgatos

Yeah, the weird thing is that there's zero rust on this bike and I greased those pins within the last six months. Almost seems like it might be hydraulically-seized, you know?

slide hammer?

[jesusgatos]

Yeah, maybe. I've got one, but kinda forgot about it. Thanks, I'll give that a try.

[WVa Dualsport]

Can someone refresh my memory. What are the stock fork and shock rates for the '08 + 450/530's. I'm getting conflicting info.

Thanks,

Shawn

[fuggy]

Originally Posted by ian408

I was looking at one of those Shorai batteries yesterday. Light weight, charge lasts a long time and you can use your current charger. A bit spendy but if the charge lasts and it's light, maybe that's worth it? Might be about $120 (didn't ask).

I just installed a Shorai last week on my 08 xcr-w. They claimed the battery was over 3lbs lighter than stock and would make the bike start stronger. So far I've been impressed. I purchased straight from Shorai's website and the battery came with extra foam shims for secure mounting.

[bigborefan]

Does anyone know the inside diameter of the fuel line? The piece that runs from the tank to the carb.