so i will turn over 100 hours and 2200 miles this weekend and with NO issues to report. one valve adjustment, lots of oil changes, filter cleanings, and tires. but no problems!!!!!
06 FE450 and lovin it
06 FE450 and lovin it
Joined Dec 2005
1K Posts | 0+
australia
Joined Dec 2004
255 Posts | 0+
Kuna, Idaho
I have just about double that (200 hrs and change), with nothing exciting to report. no metal on the drainplug or anything. I would have more time on it, but I broke my leg last year and then got a new ktm 200, which now has about 190 hrs on it in 11 months.
05 fe550.
05 fe550.
Tinbanger,
Outstanding!! Just another example of the great reliability of these models.
Like Velosapiens I have a bit more than double that, I'm right at 212 hours and 4650 miles.
At 180 hours I replaced the cam followers, as the exhaust side valve lash started increasing, and I found the exhaust side cam follower was trashed, I was lucky it hadn't failed. I think that the common knowledge on the cam followers is that @ 150 hours you could be on borrowed time. If I had it to do over again I definitely would have pulled the rocker box at say 130 hours and checked them, or just replaced them. These are definitely worth keeping an eye. As they start to fail, the hardened bits of material from the bearings can and will end up in between the opposite roller and the cam lobes. This cause the wheel to skid on the cam lobe until the piece dislodges itself, and this will leave radial scratches in the cam lobes, thereby compromising the hard facing. This is what happend to me, and I was lucky the damage, while a bit ugly, was not serious enough to replace the cam.
Another thing to keep in mind is the valve lash is normally decreasing due to wear, at the same time the cam follwers are wearing out, kind of canceling each other out to some extent once you get up in the hours. So, you really can't tell how worn they are unless you pull the rocker box and roll them with your finger to see if they're getting gritty, or if there is any yaw type of play in the bearing.
When I pulled the rocker box I also checked the cam chain tensioner and it had about 4 clicks left so I changed the cam chain at that time too.
The cam bearings were still good, but, had just a little bit of noticeable wear so I changed them too. Just to be on the safe side.
And, like you, I change my oil often.
Unless something starts making noise, or I start to see lot' of metal on the drian plug magnet, I figure I will wait till 300 hours to tear it down.
Outstanding!! Just another example of the great reliability of these models.
Like Velosapiens I have a bit more than double that, I'm right at 212 hours and 4650 miles.
At 180 hours I replaced the cam followers, as the exhaust side valve lash started increasing, and I found the exhaust side cam follower was trashed, I was lucky it hadn't failed. I think that the common knowledge on the cam followers is that @ 150 hours you could be on borrowed time. If I had it to do over again I definitely would have pulled the rocker box at say 130 hours and checked them, or just replaced them. These are definitely worth keeping an eye. As they start to fail, the hardened bits of material from the bearings can and will end up in between the opposite roller and the cam lobes. This cause the wheel to skid on the cam lobe until the piece dislodges itself, and this will leave radial scratches in the cam lobes, thereby compromising the hard facing. This is what happend to me, and I was lucky the damage, while a bit ugly, was not serious enough to replace the cam.
Another thing to keep in mind is the valve lash is normally decreasing due to wear, at the same time the cam follwers are wearing out, kind of canceling each other out to some extent once you get up in the hours. So, you really can't tell how worn they are unless you pull the rocker box and roll them with your finger to see if they're getting gritty, or if there is any yaw type of play in the bearing.
When I pulled the rocker box I also checked the cam chain tensioner and it had about 4 clicks left so I changed the cam chain at that time too.
The cam bearings were still good, but, had just a little bit of noticeable wear so I changed them too. Just to be on the safe side.
And, like you, I change my oil often.
Unless something starts making noise, or I start to see lot' of metal on the drian plug magnet, I figure I will wait till 300 hours to tear it down.
I have 135 hours, 3500 miles, and the only thing I have done is change the oil about every 100 miles and change the air filter often.
Oh I did have to replace the rubber intake manifold at about 30 hours.
I still haven’t adjusted the valves since checking them at 500 miles.
This is the most reliable bike I have ever owned. I just last week replaced the original chain and sprockets.
I LOVE THIS BIKE.
Oh I did have to replace the rubber intake manifold at about 30 hours.
I still haven’t adjusted the valves since checking them at 500 miles.
This is the most reliable bike I have ever owned. I just last week replaced the original chain and sprockets.
I LOVE THIS BIKE.
Joined Jun 2008
1K Posts | 98+
Simi Valley Ca.
I don't have that much street time but still have over 1500 miles at 52 hours. What do you think my average speed is? I do ride some fire roads and get bookin. Don't have any motor issues and don't expect any for a while. I keep my valves adjusted every 20 Even if not much I get in there and check.
Joined Jun 2008
1K Posts | 98+
Simi Valley Ca.
Thanks John, I have done a little more dual sport lately though. Within the last few months Ive been doing some 40 mile street/40 mile dirt rides I get it up on the freeway and cruise at 65 while altering the throttle some. The dealer said it's not good to ride too much freeway.. Just fluctuate the throttle.
Joined Oct 2005
687 Posts | 0+
Folsom, CA
yeah 150 hours if you ride fast and hard on open flat trails is good time to open it up. 200 hours for us old men woods trail riders is ok for opening up the motor.
My 06 Fe450 went 140 hours till the water pump seal gave up. My 06 Fe550 is just as realiable, 60 hours now and sweetness like new, valves never move or a tiny bit, all is good. I know an 04 Fe550 woods rider was opened up at 150 hours and that was too early. Riding in woods in the mountains means half the hours are down hill coasting the motor a near idle anyways.
My 06 Fe450 went 140 hours till the water pump seal gave up. My 06 Fe550 is just as realiable, 60 hours now and sweetness like new, valves never move or a tiny bit, all is good. I know an 04 Fe550 woods rider was opened up at 150 hours and that was too early. Riding in woods in the mountains means half the hours are down hill coasting the motor a near idle anyways.
whosahberg said:
no, just clutch shavings, and one issue that i had was the intake boot developed a long crack around the circumference. but other than that happy sailing and only one valve adj needed.
anyway just another happy camper
Joined Mar 2006
39 Posts | 0+
Mojave Desert
Quick question-
I have about 175 hrs/3700 miles on my 05 fe550. I've had metal on my drain plug at EVERY oil change. It's not making allot of noise and keeps running great, but everyone seems to mention the metal-on-the-magnet being a concern. Anyone else have this experience?
Tom
I have about 175 hrs/3700 miles on my 05 fe550. I've had metal on my drain plug at EVERY oil change. It's not making allot of noise and keeps running great, but everyone seems to mention the metal-on-the-magnet being a concern. Anyone else have this experience?
Tom
Tom, when you wipe the drain plug is it powder or shards ? If you've experienced this every time you did an oil change & you had shards...your bike would have gone bang by now I suspect. :wink:
Good reading........i leave on Friday to do a 7 day outback roadbook rallye of about 2500 km's......oil/filter changes every day and it should get me home. Apart from the fact i hate sand and navigation
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