Need help with my KTM950 Adventure...won't run properly.

[Christian P.]

The KTM that James refers to in this thread....that would be mine.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...eally-it-s-just-WTHIJ-s-TW200?highlight=tw200

The short version of the story - it seems like it has a leak on the exhaust valve on the front cylinder.

James did a lot of work on it trying to figure out the issue, hopefully he can chip in to give more details. But basically it won't run properly, it backfires on the front cylinder. I know he tried a lot of things, from swapping the carbs/fuel pump, cleaning up all the emissions stuff, removing the pipes, checking for air leaks, checking the jets, etc, etc.

So I guess it's now time to remove the head.

Does anyone have experience or references doing that on a 950?
Any recommendation for a shop in the Bay Area or Reno to bring the head to, once we removed them (we will probably do both).

Now that our house in Tahoe is almost completed, and with the summer coming, I really want to start riding it again soon...

Or maybe I'll just sell it and get a TW200

 

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

Here's the full run-down on Christian's 950 over on ADV. If anyone has an opinion on where to have the heads done, please feel free to chip in!
While I think it'd be awesome if C picked up a T-dub, which by the way would be perfect for rallyin' around Tahoe, I'm pretty sure he'd like to use that katoom a bit this summer too

 

[Cody1771]

cant get on ADV right now but you have done a compression test right? that would the easiest way to check the valves/head. have you called the guys at KTM? they are usually pretty helpfull on things to check.

 

[Clutch]

Seems like the ADV guys have it pretty much covered...anyone mess with the jetting recently, maybe took it too lean?

Or valves need adjusted or it is need of a valve job...sounds like you already checked that though.