'Ere 'ere is the EAR Megathread

[kaivalagi]

Took the bike in for a new chain and front sprocket yesterday (going down one tooth) and had to borrow a bike from the shop to get home, my bike has a front sprocket that is quite hard to get off...fingers crossed it's better news this morning.

As a result I've concluded I really do not get on with the 690 Duke that I was loaned, not even the new one with the "fly by wire" controls, it's very light and nimble but that 690cc single engine sucks to me, maybe the engine is better suited for off-road but it's far from ideal for on the road IMHO...or have I just been spoilt with a big twin?

[maviczap]

Never did have any interest in any big singles, unless it was an XT500, XL500 or XT350 or XL300r, but purely for off roading.

No you've not been spoilt

I like the look of the MT-03 but I don't think it would be up to the 20 mile commute each way.
I fitted a new cluch cable the other day. Mine had stopped sliding in its outer sleeve. It was almost solid but must have been getting worse over a long period as I didn't start to notice until the clutch started slipping the other week. Now it's done it feels like a completely different bike to ride. And it really was only a 10 minute job. All fitted, adjusted, and ready to test. And no further adjustment needed after the test run. I haven't had a job go that well for a long time.

[kaivalagi]

I hope the next things on my bike go right like yours Rich! Next is a minor service with oil/filter/o-ring changes etc which I will do so hopefully will be event-less...then replacing the exhausts after that (September time I think), but I can see some stubborn bolts with that one...

My recent bike issues required 3 hours of labour plus parts to resolve which was a bit much to spend when I was expecting a quick replacement of front sprocket and chain! The sprocket had to come off with the use of a grinder and in bits even then, I have a box of it all, the sprocket had to be destroyed to be removed as it was almost as one on the spline...

I will likely be complaining to KTM in writing as the reason this all happened was thanks to the sprocket being rusted on solid, due in part to having nothing between spline and sprocket when first assembled in the factory. Atleast now I won't have the same issue next time around I need to replace the drive train...

Nightmare!
There was a fella up the road who I used when I first got the bike (as I didn't have a clue) and he said he'd had several new bikes in for a delivery service that had next to no grease on any of the bearings. I guess it saves the factory enough cash to not put much on, and by the time it's had a noticeable effect on any parts the warranty will have expired. A complaint is worth a go but I'm not sure you'll get anything back from them.
You could start easing the bolts in the exhaust now. A squirt of gt85 etc on a not too hot engine/exhaust would work its magic. And if you can get them out in a couple of weeks you can refit them with some copper grease so they are easily removed for the replacement, and the job time will take minutes rather than hours. I'll be doing the same on the Landrover. The drivers side exhaust manifold has rusted through and is blowing a lot. I'll squirt it for a while before attempting to take it off, and hopefully avoid a sheared bolt in the engine. I'm really tight for space with the v8 in the old engine bay so anything to make the job easier is worth a go.

[maviczap]

Met Rekab74 at the Felixstowe Bike Show yesterday, so nice to see some EAR folk.

if this weather would sort its self out, its way overdue for a ride out or even a plain & simple meet up somewhere

The weekend of July 13th will be my first on the road with the RC8, so I'll be looking for any excuse for a ride out!

[kaivalagi]

Yeah it would be good, I am free up until July 7th so any day suits me for a get together, after that any weekend day should be do-able

What about meeting up at Red Lodge for a greasy breakfast then taking a ride to Southwold (smaller A roads) for an ice cream and some sea air? either that or we do the route we would do for the MMR? Anything would be good!

[kaivalagi]

Originally Posted by deltron

The weekend of July 13th will be my first on the road with the RC8, so I'll be looking for any excuse for a ride out!

How have you found the bike then, you've had a whole day on it already no doubt

@All, I am about to get the bike out and head to the coast somewhere for a bit. If anyone if about and fancies meeting let me know, I'll check before setting off..I'll probably head to Cromer then carry on west from there a bit before coming back to Norwich.

After that I'm taking my son to go see Pacific Rim...IMAX 3d now £14 / adult...gonna cost me £25 for 1 adult and child ticket! Crazy prices...Just couldn't go see it in 2D, it should be epic on the big 3D screen...anyone seen it yet?

[Skip]

Went out myself this morning really early though did 120 miles and was back by 10am!