$1300 KTM 450 Dirt Bike Find 

Love my 2004 KTM 450 EXC but it’s been a long road of little issues, luckily never engine problems. It’s street legal, electric start, 6 speed, digital dash that i prefer over the new ktm pencil thin one, and absolutely rips. Got it August 2020 for $1600 with 2100 miles and 85hrs. It had a GPR steering stabilizer, radiator fan, and everything worked so i felt I got a good deal especially during these times.

I’m so happy for you and your wife…..the new shop looks terrific….you work so hard and I’m glad to see you reap the rewards of your labors. God Bless you both.

Amazing how people dump bikes cheap over a 50 cent rubber gasket

That isn't a weep hole on the side of the head. You can shoot compressed air into there before you remove the spark plug to make sure no dirt gets into the engine

Finally a KTM video, I was waiting for this for so long! Keep up the good work and the videos! Good luck fixing that one-way bearing.

My first real bike was a 2004 KTM 450 EXC that I paid $1500 for off my neighbor. It needed full suspension rebuild but ran great and had no other real issues. Between 2003-2007 they used the RFS engine which is one of the most reliable KTM motors ever made. They have a huge cult following

“Selling for a friend” is always a red flag. People like to use that to remove themselves from the problem. Nice work as always bro!

It'd be interesting to do another compression check to see if the compression issue was due to the leaking fuel. If not then there may still be a low compression problem to solve.

Thanks for the float o ring info instantly made notes in my service manual, I have a 2007 runs great these bikes are known for running a little hot so I added the KTM fan and after market coolant recovery tank ( Rocky Mountain Atv ) no problems with running hot. I ride in the desert with 100 degree Temps.

2Vintage drinking game (applies to all episodes): Take a sip everytime he says "crank is locked up" - take a shot every time he mentions a "woodruff key" ---- I love the channel, for the record.

With the new garage the video pop-up and looks brighter and better 👍

Seems like it might be one of them bike life bikes 💯💯🤣

Coolant doesn’t come out of that hole if the head gaskets blown 😂 do not know where you heard that from but it’s to blow out the spark plug hole if you do to change plug

The rings are definitely fine...zero smoke!

As others have stated, it looks to be an early 2000s model KTM 450 exc to me 👍🏼

There are also two screens in the lower part of the case. Do check the engine chain tensioner and valve clearance is all you need to do. There is a small leaver to decompress the engine to start easier. It’s hooked up to the cylinder head and the leaver is above the clutch leaver. Peace on dirt and thanks for the video,,,,hey Guy Parrett !

I would still be curious of the metal at plug and in stator side… Maybe a ring is broke a bit

It’s really nice to see your doing well but a nice shop still doesn’t make you smart

I fully agree that KTM is overengineered! Still it looks like a nice bike. Nice garage space Joe!

Just a heads up. Even without the plug there's still enough charge from the coil to spark at the cap

Love your videos Joe! I like how your always so positive, and seem to find the fix!

Just got my hands on a 520 exc '02 for 1300 bucks. Basically the same build as this 450. This video will help alot!

Let's see if has spark as u said it ran earlier n sounded fine! The stupid is strong! Which btw has nothing to do with it cranking hard! 🤦

Joe that hole in the cylinder is to fit your blow gun to shoot dirt out of the sparkplug chamber in the head. So dirt doesn't fall into the cylinder

Hey maybe this one won’t catch on fire😂😂

Awsome garage make over. I had the same issue with the seal on the seat on my yz 125 many years ago and straight gas was coimg out the exhaust, it was a quick fix and back to riding in 20 minutes or so

Not gonna start without the tank on lol..

Got my 2003 ktm 450 exc when i was 12 (2 yrs ago) i was big enough and used to power. Bought it off of my neighbours son who barely used it. It used to be my dads before that. Bike is great, i just dont have many people to ride with

It is not the one way bearing that you are hearing... It is the automatic decompression mechanism from the camshaft. If you make de idle low enough it will click at every revolution. That is why you had also a low compression reading.

Missed it by a long shot, went to a flea market love the videos and your new garage looks sick!

New workshop is looking good man!!

I love that KTM 450 hope to see more modern 450 4 strokes on the channel. Love the channel.

You have lots of ambition Joe ! Do it now while young because you wont when your old .

The KTM rfs engine has the best ratings from pro riders when installed on Polaris predator . It has the best off idle torque with a flat predictable power curve , with extreme reliability . I bought a 04 trx450r that has been swapped to a 520 KTM rfs engine (racing four stroke)

Take the taillight harness off the battery n remove it especially if that is the two wires grounded to fender or any metal because that is where yur battery is getting drained from!!! Had the same problem with my 04 exc as the harness was still connected to battery but the ends were touching the metal and draining the battery quickly!

No decals make for a dull and boring bike..Ktoom time....hey mister, quick tip..use small sockets to gently remove and install carb jets...

8:54 For Pete's sake disconnect the spark this time!!💥😱

Loved my 05 , 6 speed, electric start , it could hit 90mph no problem

When you didnt find the choke, that rly hurt tbh. And talking about that weep hole, its for if water gets around the spark plug. And the bikes have auto decompression, so if you struggled to kick it. Thats either a problem or u cant kick very hard XD. And giving the bike any sort of throttle with the engine off will instantly flood it hahaha. The bikes also will run without a battery

Dayuuum! i was hoping to see some KTM holeshots!

If you wanna know if it's coolant then you can taste it lol. I do it all the time on my bike. Just spit it out immediately so you don't die cause it's not good for you.

Nice to see a KTM in your garage! I’m currently working on a 2005 KTM 625 SXC. I recognize a lot of the things on the bike your working on. KTMs can be a bit of a pain in the ass to own but they make up for it when you ride them…! 😁

Do a leak down.. The cam on that motor has a auto decompression tab on it. So when you kick it with compression tester it will sound low. If its not been run in a while clean it out because FCR. T

Dirty Garage Guy OWENED YOU! LMAO

Looks like an EXC. Great bike! Nice Enduro.

I think it's a exc-f because it has a headlight, the ktms without a headlight are called SX, the exc is street legal

Joe I really enjoy watching your channel especially the older vids you and your brother street racing any and everything out front of your parents house

I have a 2002 453. It is a 525 jug on a 400. Known as the best KTM that KTM didn’t make. Runs great. Most KTM 450’s have a long stroke. Mine has the shorter 400 stroke.

I have a 03 raptor 660 I need a motor gasket set could you recommend a good gasket set. I have antifreeze leaking into the motor any ideas

Weird EXC 450. No rear light, no dashboard. But the electric starter tells it is an EXC. SX at that time does not have an electric starter. Choke is where the big hole on the left side of the gas tank. You have to reach underneath the gas tank to pull it out, to push it you can use the hole. I had in the past a 2004 SX 525. That was a breeze to kickstart. Basically, you find with the kickstarter the compression stroke (the hardest point to push) pull the decompression lever and move over the top dead center a bit, release the lever and kickstart it. You have to use the decompressor lever (that little lever on the top of the clutch reservoir cap) which needs to be connected to around where the camshaft ends (right side), it pushes down one of the exhaust valve levers. The carburetor has a squirt jet, so go easy on the quick throttle before startup, you can fold the intake port easily. The water pump is at the cylinder head lefthand side, attached to the end of the cam gear shaft, seal and the bearing can go wrong without any symptom, or at least on mine it went bad, luckily the bearing stayed together and did not ruin the engine.

I love that garage floor!

The 2 bolts from the battery to the finder for changing or jumper box ???

Love ya bud! Someone just tyin to trade a KTM 505 for a old John deere I fixed up, but dang KTM too many problems for me.

'Stupidity is when you keep doing the same thing expecting a different outcome'..... When something is not sounding/feeling/looking right you just sometimes ignore it! Have you not learnt anything? especially since the KX disaster. Your work ethic has been rewarded through subscriptions, but sometimes l watch with incredulity...so what was that metal swarf on the spark plug?

Choke is by the gas tank. that hole in the gas tank by the carb is where the choke is located

That’s what a BMW Rotax 650 sounds like when you switch off - My Aprilia Peg did exactly the same, even after a new BMW Starter Sprag clutch was fitted (Which it needed) - Starting issue was simply the carb - You got a good buy there, well done. That whining sound after switch off is the sound of a quality engine - Well that’s what I thought 💭

I just noticed you finished the flooring and it looks nice .

New oil when opened always a sign previous owner took a look and said no. I had a similar thing happen with a KTM 250 sprag bearing behind the flywheel, expensive fix.

I like the jumper wires on the rear fender look under I bet it’s just bolts sticking out lol

Can't wait to see it in action. I've been wanting a KTM 500 EXC. Just can't justify 10k on a 2017/2018 lol. I'll have to stick to my DRZ400 for a bit :D

Also it's impossible to start a thumper cold without the choke. All carbs have a choke

May check your head out, pull inspection cover check Weight springs.

15:49 c'mon quit playin' around... TIME TO GET SERIOUS!!!! 😂😂

1300 was a steal slap some new plastics a rekluse clutch kit and top end and you got a good ripper for years to come

Workshop looks amazing! 👍

2002 RFS engines used the circlip. 2003 on up used a nut like all other bikes.

Nice work , love ktm's, have 4 of them , 03 sx 520 , 04 exc 450 , 96 sx 380 and a 91 mx 500 !! You ever discovered what the metal shavings were ?

Hey where are you still getting the valvoline oil from I can’t find it at any of my parts stores

Dam Joe you definitely got that space now for storage shop came out great 🙏🏻🔥🤟🏻🔥🦅

I'm now watching the videos for this KTM. With the gas pouring in to the cylinder, it's more then likely hydro locking.

I just got a 2006 Honda crf 150f and I went to chase the oil and it had a little smell of gas comin from it. Is that normal? The new oil has a little smell of gas aswell after riding a bit. Anyone know what’s wrong or if anything

Its like one i had. Every time you try to run it you run into a different problem

Wow it's crazy that one o ring can be so important!

Good looking KTM about time you get a 450 cc that bike has some power you better hang on Love the Vids keep up the good work man

You should open up a track on the other land you have and sell permits to people and have a subscriber meet up there that would be sick 💯

Hey man I love your videos. I have a Kx 85 and my connecting rode has a lot of play what should I do?

The is an exc bc of the large clear tank and btw on the left side of the tank is a a hole that is where the choke is and the hav given you the wrong year head light bc it doesn’t sit on the pins on the front fender

Love watching your vids. Congratulations on the house to looks great. Wish you were closer to me in Tennessee we could collaborate bro. I’m always working on small engines

I may have a handy suggestion. If you would glue a magnet to the back of the compression gauge, it would always be easy to put it on the metal frame for showing it ...!? Regards from Sweden.

You can push it out the door and run with it and jump on it and put it in second gear and pop the clutch while going down hill and roll start it should work good on that hill.

Thats what its all about learning on the spot nothing like it keeps you interested

It's the exc they are beasts when running

Had a Ktm 450 exc 6 day 2008. Great bike only sold it as wanted something lighter. Bought a Ktm 200 exc 2 stroke ( bike smile factor)

The crf150r has 70 to 90psi of compression because of the decompression lever in the motor but that seems vary low for a 450

Hi joe my mate has the ktm250 and 450 they fetch good money over hear and they are flying machines mate look forward to your first ride to see what you think take care mate awesome video and don't get that new floor dirty 😂😂😬🔧🔧🔧👌👍

16:34 well its a KTM what did you expect 😂😂

Joe this bike looks ace,sounds mean too,man I'm jealous!👁👀👁🤔👍💪

Love the floor color

Awesome new floor , looks so rad

Don't burn it this time... 🚨🚨

that's a sick bike excited for the ride video

Why keep cranking the engine over when you saw a piece of metal on the spark plug?!?!

Have you try another and new compresion on it after the first one and after you get it started?. And if. What does it say then?. /Patrik

I believe the hole in the side of petrol tank left hand side may have something to do with choke

Keep up the great job Joe love the content, no need to pay attention to all the negative people in the comments.

Did you have any schooling? Or did you just learn by interest, and necessity? I’m a certified auto tech now, But I actually started all my mechanical stuff out of interest, and necessity. You seem extremely knowledgeable. Covering a vast array of different machines, makes, and models. I love the content you create. I’ve been into bikes, and anything with tires really since I was extremely young.

RFS is a good engine. if it has a lot of hours on it it might need valves, they had similar problem as Yamaha on early models. valves are too soft. Starter issues are quite common tough, usually brushes or ground related. Over heating usually a bad waterpump, open up and check wear on impeller and leaky o-rings

Very cool, nice new shop too👍👍👍

The seller knew he was selling you a lemon. You, however, made lemonade.

KTM ,"Keeps taking money"... good luck with the project ! .