Newbie servicing question...

Hi Folks,

Finally got meself a Superduke and looking for a bit of advice re servicing...

The bikes a 2007 with 9500 miles on the clock. The info in the service booklet says that it has been serviced by KTM Avuss Superbikes (Paisley) at 584mls (10/8/07), 2822mls (20/8/08) and 5173mls (15/8/09). I'm hoping that at least one of these services included the valves being checked (but not sure whether it would have been done at anything other than the initial 600ml service.) Anyway, I am aware that at 9500 miles the valves are probably due another check but my plan was to put that off for a thousand miles or so as I've not had a chance to ride the thing properly yet! I am, however planning on changing the oil + filter, cleaning the screens and that pesky clutch oil jet tomorrow (Yes, I've done a bit of reading up on the forum allready!) The other thing that I'm wondering if I need to think about is the water pump shaft seal? I wasn't planning on changing the coolant for the time being as it looks new but if the consensus is that flushing the cooling system is worthwhile to prevent wear on the pump shaft/seal then I'll do it. I'm kind of asuming that it's probably a few thousand miles before it should be an issue tho? Anyway, any advice would be most appreciated and thanks in advance!

Chris

hi chris
i take it you bought steph,s bike from coldness
regarding valves leave them a bit longer

It may have had the valves checked at 600 or it may not. If it was done by a KTM dealer you can check what works have been done online through KTM website. Can't remember the exact process now but you will need a code that printed somewhere on the original paperwork from KTM.

First, a note to anyone who intends to do even a little service themselves. Get a factory service manual. They are cheap, and pay for themselves first time you go to it.

While forums can be invaluable for a lot of things, relying on them as one's exclusive source of service information is generally foolhardy. There's a lot of unchecked technical information put forward, and an impressive amount of 'wives tales'. Of course, not here on sd.net AKA "The best damn moto forum of all time anywhere in the universe".

Surprised you couldn't find this stuff ...

Valves: First service (which should have been done), and every 9.5k miles (15000 km). Going another thousand - I wouldn't worry about it a whole lot, especially if it's going to be higher speed mileage (not stop and go in town). These ain't desmos ... valve adjusts are more for optimum performance, than the prevention of self-destruction.

Oil/filters: First service every 4.5K miles (7500 km) or annually if that comes first.

Spark Plugs: Every 9.5k miles (15000 km).

Coolant: I change that about every 2 years, 'need' it or not.

Graphite exhaust gasket: Every 9.5k miles (15000 km).

Water pump shaft, seal, etc.: Any indication these need changing? Coolant overflow tank full of mystery crap? Or is it empty? When you change the coolant, any indication of loss, or oil in it? Does the oil appear to have water it? What's the oil filter (the paper one) look like. Point: Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

My favorite: Brake fluid - when was the last time that was changed? If "I don't know" is the answer - something to consider. IMO, more critical than most of this other stuff. Factory says 9.5k miles (15000 km) or every 2 years. Not often enough IMO - especially if a bike is ridden in the rain regularly.

I bought 08 used with 200 miles. Last year. It was like brand new.I wanted to track it. So the first I did was change oil new everything did not care So now I have extra screens.I had to change out the coolent to the track aprroved liquid.My over flow was so clean and green.When I flushed the system I was surprized at the color that came out.It was very dark and looked dirty.Now this was a bike that was almost 4 years old so who knows how long it sat.The guy who had it before me did not like the way the bike surges.He traded it in for a BMW adventure bike.You have to do a few things to get that sorted and now it runs great. Very little surge.Back to the coolent just because the over flow looks good does not mean the inside coolent is clean at least for me.I am so glad I flushed it.
I have heard stories about the water pump seal so i keep an eye on everything.so far so good. It now has about 2000 +miles I have done the Mods that I have read about on this forum that makes these bike so much more fun to ride.They are a great track bike so much fun in the turns.You will get passed by smaller cc bikes in the straights but this bike will let you catch them in the turns.What you give up in top end speed you get back in the way it handles and comfort.By far this bike is the most fun of all my bikes to ride.I have an RC8 which is fun and very fast. But I know SD Nerd would go by me on his duke even if I was on my RC8 with ease. Enjoy your Duke This bike is really in a class by itself.And the people on this forum are the best.I have a few posts under my belt when I was a FNG they welcomed all my questions.I have made many friends here we track together and here you are part of a family that love the same thing you do. KTM got it right with bike You can make it do more if you want or you can just ride it. Anytime I ride I find myself with a big grin lucky I wear a helmet or people would think I'm nuts.
Welcome brother
Vic

Well said! and being a newbie to this forum as well, I appreciate what you wrote.
E

Cheers guys. Yup, got the bike from a Stevy, but from Wishaw- not sure if it's the same guy? Paid a bit more than I'd planned but the bike seems sweet and has bit's I'd have shelled out for later anyway (Akras, crash bobins, tall screen, seat cowl, guards etc) Keen to get the oil changed get tax and hit the coast road to see what wide bars, proper suspension and big torque is all about! (Just wish the damn roads wern't sub-zero with a ton of salt on them tho.)

As to the servicing: how much does a hardcopy manual go for? Looks like there's no Haynes and much as I love computers I'd like to have a hardcopy when I'm spannering if pos. As to the valves- rekon I'll leave them for a bit. From what I can make out it isn't as bad to do as a lot of bikes (done an R1's with 20 valves and a ton of fairing etc) Figure I'll flush the coolant soon. Don't really want to wait til it starts disapearing into my oil filter (grim!) As for the brakes- wow...fiercest I've used, so if anything reckon I should be putting air into the system, at least til the roads dry out!!

Why be careful of your brake fluid when you ride in the rain? thx

If your putting off doing the valves for a thousand miles I would leave the coolant change until then as the radiator would have to come off for that. If the radiator cap looks OK ie no casting sand and the overflow tank isn't full of sand you will probably be alright.

As SDNerd says if your unsure the age of the brake fluid its worth changing just for peace of mind and the fact its cheap to do.

Regarding spark plugs - I think the manual says check at 9.5k miles but not necessarily change (you might want to check this though). The 2007> SD's have iridium tipped plugs which should last a long time ie alot longer than 9.5k miles. I've got 20k miles on my original plugs (checked at 10k miles) and I am just about to change them, mainly as I have new ones ready, but I'm sure I could get more miles out them. Again as with the coolant, if your not doing the valves I wouldn't bother changing the plugs until then.

Probably worth changing the oil though.

Cheers. Yeah, that makes sense...reckon I'll leave both the valves and the coolant for a bit. Theoreticaly they both should have been done appx 4000 miles ago when the bike had it's 15k/2yr service. Have to say I'm wary of taking it as done, as lots of places seem to claim they've done work that they haven't ( why I like to do my own servicing.) Either way, I can't see it being an issue to leave them for a thousand miles or so. Fact is, my lock up is unheated and I'd probably end up dropping a shim down the cam tunnel or something, due to numb hands! Planning on giving the brakes a once over as I'll be using the bike on salted roads for the next while and am aware that without regular cleaning/greasing the pistons tend to start to stick...(plus those georgeous Brembos are far to nice to neglect!) Was wondering what the best hardcopy manual to get is? I've downloaded copies of the factory manuals for forks, shock and motor but was hoping to get something real to look at without a PC at hand...Any suggestions?
Thanks again.