This video is about Jeff's Top 10 Maintenance Tips for KTM and Husqvarna dirt bikes. Shop www.slavensracing.com for all of your maintenance and upgrade needs!
What a difference between this channel and others. Less bullshit by a factor of 1000%. So many guys are trying to turn fanboy advertisement into an income stream, and Jeff just tells the facts.
Great video. Thanks for taking the time to make it. The only 2 other things I can thing of that is important is power valve maintenance and changing the coolant. Keep up the great work!
In regards to air filters I use filter skins regularly especially in Summer when it's so dusty here in PNW. Easy to change and reduces the filter change interval drastically. Also give another layer of dust protection!
I agree about the spray on oil. I purchased a kit last year for my first bike and when i did my first filter i knew i didn't like what i seen. So i put the filter in a ziplock bag and spray oil into it with the filter inside. I manually massaged the oil into the filter. It did a decent job this way.
Great video thank you very much. Even us old Dogs can learn new stuff. I had 76’ KTM with an insane number of hours on it I never had to replace the clutch, if I have a reason to check my clutch, I measure them individual and then as a stack. You can have them close enough that you will assume they are usable but when measured together they are not. Your right about KTM, this is rarely a problem, I usually check my pinch bolts and all the bolts that hold sprockets and disc.
this is the best info video out there, straight to the point, no bullshit. love it! one thing I would have said though was about sprockets and chains, they get over looked so much.
Let me apologize to Jeff if my previous response seems rude about not mentioning the exhaust tip cleaning trick. Jeff and his staff have been extremely helpful on my bike project a used 2013 ktm 300 xc and I am new to the sport and I've ordered a bunch of parts from slavens racing. I was having trouble getting my bike to run properly even with a lectron carb well come to find out the exhaust tip screen was all clogged up from the previous owner not maintaining the bike properly and being new to the sport I didn't know any better so I was hoping Jeff would have mentioned it in this video but maybe he'll cover it in a future video. So thanks Jeff for all the great videos and your staff for answering all my dumb questions and getting my parts out in lightning fast time !
I been a customer for years. But just recently started watching his videos. I knew there was a reason I liked this company so much. Dudes spot on. No bs. Straight facts. I see most of this stuff daily “I can’t afford new pads, fluid changes multiple air filters and bearings. But could you order me $500 worth of shiny stupid shit and instal it” I ride hard. I change my oil every ride. I usually actually change my air filter almost every ride. Can’t stand spray on filter oil. Every 20-30 hours I basically tear the whole bike apart and change a lot of things or at the least clean and grease Maintenance is cheap compared to rebuilding your engine every 20 hours I agree with everything you said. I want touch someone’s bike if they say. “All I need is rings”. And I just changed a guys clutch today for the second time in two years for absolutely zero reason lol.
Gotta love Jeff. The man tells it straight and has no time for bullshit. This is a dude you can obviously trust. Any time I’ve listened to his advice or bought anything from him it’s top quality. Check out the video on bleeding a KTM shock to understand how much this man only approves the best. Support this dude and his company! On the flip of that Jeff; I’d love to see a better “machine specific” selection on the store website. It’s not an easy fix, I get it, but it would be great to see. Thanks for the hard work man!
With a box full of maintenance stuff arriving the last couple days from Slavens, I decided to revisit this video. I was mostly trying to find Jeff’s, as usual, great rant on people who didn’t know how to adjust their headstock bearings, so I could actually do it, right 😂 Lo and behold, I wind up with a late night trip to the big box store to grab a pressure washer. I’ve always been one of the ride in the rain to get it clean people, but like the great Moto uncle he is, Jeff is convinced me to become part of team clean. 😂😂
3:40 Just now seeing this 3 year old vid after experiencing exactly what Mr. Slaven's talking about right here, and he's exactly right. Bought some used '08 YZ250F forks for my '05 YZ125, and the forks came with MotionPro bleeders which are undoubtedly the most popular button bleeders on the market. I've had great results with many MP branded parts & tools, but their bleeders are not good. These would build up so much pressure that every time I'd go to bleed them (bike on stand, wheel of ground), so much air would come out that it would blow oil out too. I bought the STR bleeders from Slavens Racing and they've been absolutely perfect. Got about 3 months on them and 4 arenacross races with zero issues. Dramatically less pressure in the forks when I go to bleed them, so no oil spit out during the bleeding.
just a few tips for all riders with black rims if you want to save them from scratches when changing tires cut some 2 inch strips from a kitchen placemat the plastic ones work great and you see that hole in your brake tip its for a brake snake start using it
The thing with filters. I use the spray on kind but also use it on top of those maxima one use pre oiled filters (because i dont trust the amount they put on them) 2 light sprays over the top with PJ1 and then i squish the oil into the filter as well.
When the clutch maintenance video comes out I hope it touches on clutch drag which is one of the reasons aside from periodic inspection that people take their clutch apart.
The spray on oil filter oil works great as long as you follow the instructions. You are supposed to spray both sides and massage it into the filter element. I agree that most people don't apply it correctly but if applied correctly there is no reason not to use a good quality spray on oil filter oil.
Hi Jeff, brilliant video once again. If you get a chance could you please do a video on how to adjust the throttle play on these. I have read the manual but find the wording quite vague. My play is more towards the 5mm mark and it's too much for my liking too. Kind regards
Taylor B yeah my 2016 was single cable and the TPI has two. My workshop manual doesn't explain it very well (or I'm just more useless than my mates tell me). Hope Jeff can do a video on it, his knowledge is 100% reliable 👍🏻
GREASE... I've never bought a new bike that came PROPERLY greased from factory. I've owned only new bikes since 1980. Over 50 bikes including my kids bikes. Not one came with grease in the steering headset. Not one had enough grease in the swingarm or linkage or shock bearings.
I'm one of those newbies , I use spray oil and I just got a KTM 350 EXC - F 6 Days 2019. I don't want to damage my engine :( . I'm looking forward for the air filter maintenance :D
Welcome newB! I'll be making a filter video soon but another great option are the one use filters >>> slavensracing.com/shop/ready-use-air-filter-ktm-husqvarna-profilter/
I am installing the new style large cycra hand guards and I see your very strong looking handlebar clamp that holds the hand guards, could you tell me what brand that is or where to get a similar product that fits the larger cycras, thank you
Use these if you are not running a Scott's damper. slavensracing.com/shop/brp-hand-guard-mounts/ Or these if you are running a damper. slavensracing.com/shop/scotts-damper-mounthandguard-mount-for-ktmhusaberghusqvarnabeta-by-brp/
spoke to jeff about this he says leave screen on bike torch the screen about every two or three rides and start the bike after torching screen and blow out the carbon
good tips, quick question how do you go about sealing the pv covers mine constantly leak no matter if its a new gasket or a gasket with sealant ect its driving me nuts!! seems like alot of people who own ktms have this issue
Apologies if this has been answered already but how do you feel about tpi injector relocation kits? Snakeoil or worth investing in? Concerned with engine longevity.
Hello: No, they are not snakeoil but they only give a small performance gain and are a big pain in the butt to install. Your money would be much better spent on the TSP ERM slavensracing.com/shop/ecu-reflash-module-erm-by-two-stroke-performance/. It will totally transform your engine and give it more torque and HP from bottom to top.
Hm.. the air filter section has me worried. Just got a KTM 500 (yeah, I’m that guy for now) and at the 1st maintenance interval (31 miles) I take off the barely oiled air filter and see dust in the boot behind it… is this going to be an issue?
if you use Air Pro auto fork bleeders you no longer have to deal with bleeding your forks harshness in the forks from pressure buildup is a thing of the past and fork seals seem to last forever.
Torqueaholic?Its not a bad thing to want things torqued to a spec.In fact if you don’t tighten some components to spec your liable to damage them.But you know that.
Why would you introduce water if you don't need to? How do you break down the grease - do you use soap? I didn't even realize this was a thing. Why not just use gasoline?
Lol I have used different products before that can be used with water... gas is better. But I just buy new ones now and never clean em. It was almost 10yrs ago now when I was under 15yrs old, so I can’t remember specifics. I just know it wasn’t fully dry when I put it back in my 06’ KTM 85sx and it wouldn’t hardly run, smoked like hell. It was day before a race and just washed it all, and put back together. I was freaking out. Sure enough after I realized what was going on, I raised the corner up of the still wet air filter and it ran fine (got more air). Once I figured that out, it will never be a mistake you make twice lol now for the $20 I’d rather just buy a couple twin air pre lubed ones, and change them when needed
Yes, if you are riding tight trails with high summer time temps. There are only 2 fans available, Trailtech (they also provide them for KTM, HQV, GG) and the cheap Chinese junk one.
As a guy who grew up on two stroke dirt bikes, racing YZ125's/250's (AMA Expert license in 125cc Motocross in Florida, ranked in the Top 10 in ''74, and AMA Expert/Pro license in 250/350cc Road Race, racing in the '75 Daytona 200 on a privateer fully sponsored to me TZ350 (D) as an 18 year old Sr. in H.S. ), I don't think I could ride a two stroke with a silencer on it...that would have to come off and be tuned accordingly.
Jeff you forgot the exhaust tip cleaning remember I mentioned it to you the other day ? your bike will run like crap if that mesh screen gets clogged with carbon fouling. I'll bet a lot of guys don't know to do that and have issues getting their bikes to run properly.
100% on this! I trouble shot my whole bike and replaced the coil and tore the whole thing apart for a month... only to finally realize my mesh screen was clogged... yanked out the mesh screen and the bike was a fire breathing monster again. Unreal.
Comments Add a public comment... dznnf7 What a difference between this channel and others. Less bullshit by a factor of 1000%. So many guys are trying to turn fanboy advertisement into an income stream, and Jeff just tells the facts. 2 years ago36 Brandon Aga Listen up here guys this is the BEST video on maintenance I have seen. No BS. Thank you JEFF 🤘🤘 2 years ago302 M W If Jeff is giving free advice, you listen 2 years ago7 Jeff Slavens Thank you. 1 year ago jotacalvo "Orange bling... You might wanna reconsider your priorities" Lol 2 years ago23 Rajkiran Natarajan Whoa that front wheel. Looks like a giant crown gear ⚙️ 2 years ago8 enduro trucker Ernie Desjardins GREASE... I've never bought a new bike that came PROPERLY greased from factory. I've owned only new bikes since 1980. Over 50 bikes including my kids bikes. Not one came with grease in the steering headset. Not one had enough grease in the swingarm or linkage or shock bearings. 2 years ago7 carl atamanczyk I like the way you chastise useless items some riders put on their bikes when the money should be spent on more useful items. 2 years ago9 John Howerton "A good fresh bike is much better than having a bunch of garbage on it." Hallelujah! I despise riding people's roached out bikes with a bunch of Chinese anodized aluminum crap. You can't polish a turd with Chinese parts 🤣 1 year ago3 Oli M Thanks Jeff. If you could do a video how to change the fuel filter inside the tank please 🙏🏽👍🏽 2 years ago71 Jeff Slavens I think that is basically covered in my video about installing a fuel pump. 2 years ago4 Aris Torm Steering head is HUGE deal the way it handles and it makes it FEEL heavy. 2 years ago3 motograce love you, jeff. and, you're such a curmudgeon. lol. great stuff. 1 year ago21 Jeff Slavens I can't stand the fluffy dudes and their whimpy ass YT channels with crap content. 1 year ago9 BrookJ88 Any chance you will be doing a video on servicing the starter on the 17-19’s? 2 years ago4 lou puleff Jeff you forgot the exhaust tip cleaning remember I mentioned it to you the other day ? your bike will run like crap if that mesh screen gets clogged with carbon fouling. I'll bet a lot of guys don't know to do that and have issues getting their bikes to run properly. 2 years ago64 carl atamanczyk Right on.. The mesh screen exhaust tip clogs pretty fast. 2 years ago Zachary Dahlke 100% on this! I trouble shot my whole bike and replaced the coil and tore the whole thing apart for a month... only to finally realize my mesh screen was clogged... yanked out the mesh screen and the bike was a fire breathing monster again. Unreal. 2 years ago2 Mec Alpsha What is the screen you are referring to? Can you point a link or image? 1 year ago1 2StrokeRippin Mec Alpsha it’s the spark arrestor screen inside aftermarket silencers. The Factory silencer that the bike comes with new will not have one. 1 year ago lboughto Talk about useless items on your bike. Get out of here with your screen mesh as a getto spark arrestor! Buy a forest service approved muffler like the FMF Turbine Core 2. Two of my riding buddies bikes have been fixed by me noticing right away they went screen filter on the muffler pipe. WTF its a 2-Stroke that burns oil in the fuel, yeah its going to clog a mesh screen! If the air can't get out it can't let anymore air in to ignite the fuel charge don't ride with a clogged pipe!
The main way a foam air filter works is because the oil is sticky and fine particles stick to it. Once the oil is no longer sticky, the filter loses its effectiveness. So, clean and oil your filter often.
Sean Kulstad when I talked to Jeff over at Tubliss he mentioned his tire, that’s he’s been working on for 6 or 8 years, is releasing soon. I sent a picture over asking if it was his 😜👍🏻
noControl yessir, I don’t n know much about it just that it gets released this year after 6 or 8 years of development and stoked to see what Jeff has in store for us. This one in the video looks like a heavy duty sidewall which would protect pinching punctures for tubliss. Now if only they would drop the price back down for the M59 🤣
Always love Jeff's Torque-a-holics reference. If it doesn't make a video I am disappointed. In this video he did say to torque the triple clamps. Good thing the torque spec is etched right in the anodizing.
"A good fresh bike is much better than having a bunch of garbage on it." Hallelujah! I despise riding people's roached out bikes with a bunch of Chinese anodized aluminum crap. You can't polish a turd with Chinese parts 🤣
No disrespect, but I won't take a power washer to any bike I own. Far too easy to drive water into electrical connections, bearings, ignition, pretty much anywhere you don't want it.
@@Rangerglx Or just use a hose and your thumb? Edit to add - not really arguing here, maybe it's just my lack of control with a powerwasher - once I fire it up all hell breaks loose....
so are the 1,000s of other people who say to never ever bleed the forks while on the ground wrong? never in my life heard someone say to bleed the forks while sitting on the bike.
There is no right or wrong here. It's not rocket science. I bleed my forks fully extended because I want the forks to perform the way I built them (springs and valving). Guys with stock harsh forks or forks revalved for racing might want a temporary Bandaid if they ride a rocky rooty trail. For those guys they can bleed them while sitting on the bike and the forks will be softer for several miles until the pressure builds up again. Suspension shops are always going to recommend bleeding them extended because they want them to perform as built. Bleeding them while seated is just another little tool for the toolbox if your bike is beating you up.
