KTM 300 opinions - Page 8

MeterPig · 04-12-2012, 08:30 PM

Partially related, when was the last time the clutch master cylinder oil was changed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by thump_co

Hmmm.. a "KTM/Bauer" brand map switch just arrived at my door from Slavens an hour ago.. hopefully I'll have better luck.. The switch action feels pretty stout at least.

I also think I have a clutch issue to address. I've had quite a few issues with tea-kettling the radiators when climbing steep/loose stuff and felt the clutch action was inconsistent. At first I thought it was traditional KTM hotness combined with rider error, but when doing battle with a climb last weekend I started noticing the clutch slipping as the bike gets hot. It also develops enough clutch drag that the bike can't idle and will die with the clutch pulled in unless I keep on the gas a bit. I'm going to try the oil+ATF mix suggestion that I see on ktmtalk first to see if maybe it's just a glazed plate. If that doesn't fix then I'm guessing I have some warped plates. Anyone else ever experience this?

thump_co · 04-13-2012, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeterPig

Partially related, when was the last time the clutch master cylinder oil was changed?

Not sure.. but it's getting flushed tomorrow along with the tranny fluid change.

thump_co · 04-16-2012, 12:34 AM

Got it sorted.. flushed the clutch, changed the oil and slapped on a new rad cap. Not sure which one did it, but it didn't boil once over the weekend.

Also liking the map switch, the difference is subtle, but I think it helps on the loose climbs.

MeterPig · 04-16-2012, 09:34 AM

I changed my cap as well and the boil over ended. When running right, the 300 is a dream machine-at least to me. It seems to me there is nothing that cannot be conquered.

HellSickle · 04-16-2012, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeterPig

I changed my cap as well and the boil over ended. When running right, the 300 is a dream machine-at least to me. It seems to me there is nothing that cannot be conquered.

Agreed. 1.4 caps are set too close to the thermostat temperatures. 1.8 caps are a must. RLR overflow reservoirs are nice insurance.

Just got my 300 off the bench yesterday. New top end and refreshed the suspension at both ends.

thump_co · 04-16-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HellSickle

Agreed. 1.4 caps are set too close to the thermostat temperatures. 1.8 caps are a must. RLR overflow reservoirs are nice insurance.

Just got my 300 off the bench yesterday. New top end and refreshed the suspension at both ends.

Nice.. now you get to play with the PV.

Mine had the 1.8 cap already, I just think it was worn out. Seems like something good to proactively replace every couple years. I had installed an RLR last week before I figured out the cause of the problem and all it did was redirect so I was spewing steam and fluid out the back.. my own version of a James Bond oil slick dispenser.

HellSickle · 04-16-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thump_co

Nice.. now you get to play with the PV.

Looking fwd to it. I've only had the bike 4 years. I suppose it's time to experiment.

FYI, I developed a neat trick for installing the head gasket O-rings.

As anyone who has done this knows, the large O-rings often require some stretching to get into place. Once in place, they are precariously positioned and will snap out of the groove.

I tried heating the O-rings in boiling water, thinking they would expand. Didn't work.

Then I dipped the O-rings in gasoline. Viola! In fact, they over expanded and I had to hit them with a hair dryer to drive out some of the gas to get them to shrink down to the optimal size.

Gordy · 04-16-2012, 03:05 PM

I looked (real hard) at my 300 yesterday for something to do it since I have been flogging it a bit lately.

I couldn't think of anything really......
That's it! I'll change the oil.

I gallon of Rotella 15-40= $14.00.
I gallon = 3.785 litres
Bike capacity= 710 cc

Works out to 10 minutes and $2.64/Oil Change.

One drain bolt and no filters! I love this bike!!!

MeterPig · 04-16-2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordy

I looked (real hard) at my 300 yesterday for something to do it since I have been flogging it a bit lately.

I couldn't think of anything really......
That's it! I'll change the oil.

I gallon of Rotella 15-40= $14.00.
I gallon = 3.785 litres
Bike capacity= 710 cc

Works out to 10 minutes and $2.64/Oil Change.

One drain bolt and no filters! I love this bike!!!

You must mean the semi synthetic rotella as the full synth runs 22 up here in Colorado.

RideFreak · 04-16-2012, 04:32 PM

And to believe some folks say the KTMs are expensive and time consuming to maintain

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordy

I looked (real hard) at my 300 yesterday for something to do it since I have been flogging it a bit lately.

I couldn't think of anything really......
That's it! I'll change the oil.

I gallon of Rotella 15-40= $14.00.
I gallon = 3.785 litres
Bike capacity= 710 cc

Works out to 10 minutes and $2.64/Oil Change.

One drain bolt and no filters! I love this bike!!!

Gordy · 04-16-2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeterPig

You must mean the semi synthetic rotella as the full synth runs 22 up here in Colorado.

It works just fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RideFreak

And to believe some folks say the KTMs are expensive and time consuming to maintain

Pretty funny, eh?

DirtDad · 04-16-2012, 06:09 PM

Hmmm, that is the same oil I use in my truck!

I was pissed the other day, cause it took me about 11 minutes to change the oil, and install a air filter.
Fricken KTM Two Smokes, they are sooo, needy.

thump_co · 04-16-2012, 06:16 PM

I got all fancy. Currently running a 50/50 mix of Rotella 15W-40 and ATF Type F as recommended every so often by a number of folks on ktmtalk. The ATF detergents will clean off any glazing on the clutch plates.

Also have to toss in the new springs that came in from Slaven's today. This thing is just a maintenance beast.

toddler · 04-16-2012, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HellSickle

Looking fwd to it. I've only had the bike 4 years. I suppose it's time to experiment.

FYI, I developed a neat trick for installing the head gasket O-rings.

As anyone who has done this knows, the large O-rings often require some stretching to get into place. Once in place, they are precariously positioned and will snap out of the groove.

I tried heating the O-rings in boiling water, thinking they would expand. Didn't work.

Then I dipped the O-rings in gasoline. Viola! In fact, they over expanded and I had to hit them with a hair dryer to drive out some of the gas to get them to shrink down to the optimal size.

Now you tell me, that oring is a bitch! I would stretch it and put a bit of RTV on it to hold it in the groove place.

Gordy · 04-23-2012, 08:45 AM

I was thinking about taking off my Rekluse Core EXP for a while and trying the bike without it for a while.

Well, last Saturday, I played around with the lever adjustment and got it working just about perfect! I have manual control with a feel that is very, very close to a standard clutch, but I am still getting all the benefits of the auto-clutch.

This was all fast desert single track, so we'll see when the mountain riding opens up.

04-16-2012, 12:34 AM	#108
thump_co ^OP ..ouch Joined: Feb 2011 Location: 8532' Oddometer: 1,495	Got it sorted.. flushed the clutch, changed the oil and slapped on a new rad cap. Not sure which one did it, but it didn't boil once over the weekend. Also liking the map switch, the difference is subtle, but I think it helps on the loose climbs. __________________ Ride AMA \| COHVCO \| Stay The Trail \| BRC \| TPA \| BCTR \| NCTR

04-16-2012, 09:34 AM	#109
MeterPig Meh Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Parker, Colorado... Oddometer: 15,767	I changed my cap as well and the boil over ended. When running right, the 300 is a dream machine-at least to me. It seems to me there is nothing that cannot be conquered. __________________ COHVCO Member and Blue Ribbon Coalition Member I have a DR problem

04-16-2012, 06:09 PM	#117
DirtDad Green Chile Guru Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Albuquerque NM Oddometer: 1,447	Hmmm, that is the same oil I use in my truck! I was pissed the other day, cause it took me about 11 minutes to change the oil, and install a air filter. Fricken KTM Two Smokes, they are sooo, needy. __________________ Current rides: 1999 KX500 Dez Sled 05 KTM300EXC 2011 KLR650

04-16-2012, 06:16 PM	#118
thump_co ^OP ..ouch Joined: Feb 2011 Location: 8532' Oddometer: 1,495	I got all fancy. Currently running a 50/50 mix of Rotella 15W-40 and ATF Type F as recommended every so often by a number of folks on ktmtalk. The ATF detergents will clean off any glazing on the clutch plates. Also have to toss in the new springs that came in from Slaven's today. This thing is just a maintenance beast. __________________ Ride AMA \| COHVCO \| Stay The Trail \| BRC \| TPA \| BCTR \| NCTR

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04-16-2012, 03:05 PM	#113
Gordy Team Listo Joined: Dec 2001 Location: NM Oddometer: 18,299	I looked (real hard) at my 300 yesterday for something to do it since I have been flogging it a bit lately. I couldn't think of anything really...... That's it! I'll change the oil. I gallon of Rotella 15-40= $14.00. I gallon = 3.785 litres Bike capacity= 710 cc Works out to 10 minutes and $2.64/Oil Change. One drain bolt and no filters! I love this bike!!!

04-23-2012, 08:45 AM	#120
Gordy Team Listo Joined: Dec 2001 Location: NM Oddometer: 18,299	I was thinking about taking off my Rekluse Core EXP for a while and trying the bike without it for a while. Well, last Saturday, I played around with the lever adjustment and got it working just about perfect! I have manual control with a feel that is very, very close to a standard clutch, but I am still getting all the benefits of the auto-clutch. This was all fast desert single track, so we'll see when the mountain riding opens up.