690 valve clearance check

Since the weather has been cool, damp and gloomy, I decided I should take a few minutes to check the valves in the 690.  It's got 7,500 Kms on the odometer now and they've never been checked.

Airbox removed. A few hoses and electrical connectors in the way.

That round silver thing with the brake lines attached is the ABS sending unit.

5 minutes later, valve cover removed.

I also decided I would pull the coils and remove 

the spark plugs to have a look.

The ignition coils are built-into the spark plug boots.

This is my 30-year old feeler gauge.

KTM service manual says my valves should be 

somewhere between 0.07mm and 0.13mm (0.0028" and 0.0051"). 

While I don't have those exact gauges, I should be fine. If I really had to, 

I could whip out my calculator and add a couple of thinner ones together 

to achieve the desired thickness but I should be fine with these. 

Both intake valves were 0.076mm 

Exhausts were 0.102mm (left) and 0.127mm (right)

All four need to be 0.07mm and 0.13mm, so the intake valves 

are just within spec but at the tight end, while the exhausts are at 

the loose end of the spec range.  Fine for now, but I'll think about some 

shims for the next time --probably later this summer.

Removed the rocker arms to have a closer look at the rollers. 

All good there.

Might was well inspect the teeny tiny inline fuel filter 

(inside the fuel hose coupler just behind the injector).

Shoulda just bought a new one, but 

a quick squirt of WD-40 and it's clean again.

filer re-inserted

Gave the plugs a quick cleaning with a wire brush, and checked the gap.

Interesting to note that they are different thread sizes.

Inner plug: NGK LKAR8BI-9

Outer plug: NGK LMAR7A-9

Gap: 0.9 mm (0.035")

Cleaned the valve cover before reinstalling it.

FOR SALE: KTM 1190 Adventure R

Selling the 1190. Since it's a Euro-spec bike, I cannot bring it back to Canada with me when my posting is finished. And while I still have 2 years before my posting will end, I already know that I won't be taking this bike on any big trips in that time, so it makes sense to sell it now while it's still worth something.

I will keep the 690, because that bike is a North American-specification motorcycle. It's more than capable for short trips lasting only a few days, and that is all I will be able to manage over the next two years.

The 1190 has been an awesome machine but if I can't travel with it, then there's no point in keeping it around. Here are the photos I used in the ad.

I cleaned it up nicely, and removed all of the upgrade goodies, having returned the bike to original condition. I've already sold the luggage racks, aluminium pannier boxes, and Akrapovic slip-on. The buyer got a package deal bargain for all of those parts @ €1,200. I should have no trouble collecting another €500 for the skid plate and Touratech seat. I hope to sell the bike for €10,500. If so, then that brings me within €300 of what I paid for the bike with the upgrades last year.

Chicago International Motorcycle Show - Feb. 2016

A few weeks ago, I flew from Berlin to Chicago to meet up with my favourite riding buddies for a weekend of cars, motorcycles, eating and drinking.  Good times. A long way to go for just 3 days but it was a direct flight (~9 hours).

All seven of us had arrived by noon hour on the Friday. By 13:00 we were eating like pigs and sucking back some beverages. By 14:00 we were on our way to the motorcycle show, just a short walk from the Rosemont Hilton (next to O'Hare Airport).

All the usual suspect bikes, and a couple of anticipated models (ex: we were all keen to see the new Honda Africa Twin).

We spent a few hours looking at the bikes, then it was off to Gibson's Steak House down the street. Massive slabs of red meat. And beer. A real feast.

With our bellies full and our digestive systems hard at work, we went back to the hotel and drank a bunch of beer and booze before passing out.  Saturday morning, we ate the Hilton's hearty buffet breakfast before hopping in a couple of taxi's to take us downtown to take us to the Chicago International Auto Show.

No guns allowed at the Auto Show.

Old vs. New

No Smoking Guns here ??

After spending Saturday afternoon at the Auto Show, we ended up here for supper. 

Fantastic food !

Back to the hotel for more beer and booze.

The 2 stroke scented candle Paul brought for me.

Love that smell.