TE450 Bike Rebuild (orignally "Lots of metal last oil change!")

Was it knocking at all during your ride?

I think so...It was hard to tell, but It did sound a lot louder and like it was knocking. The motor is out, and I am taking it to George this afternoon.

Right around 1400. I'll be calling you to get another soon.

Well I really do like it. That natural rubber is great, and super easy to change, but still has a strong carcass to prevent pinch flats.

I ordered the 130, but that was really just too big for my bike. It ate the mud flap and wore a hole through it. I think I'm going with the 110 or 100 next time.

That tire has a lot of miles on it. 2 Baja rides (320mi & 435mi), a CA/NV Dual sport ride 363mi, a ride from my house in Temecula to Idyllwild ~200mi and 3 weekend desert camping trips at about ~100 miles each trip. So it may be closer to 1600 miles on that tire. It has lasted longer than any other tire I have ran, including the Maxxis Desert IT. It feels like it sticks better than the Maxxis. It is not as soft and grippy as some of the Dunlops I have ran, but those didn't last nearly as long. Probably 200 - 300 miles on that tire are pavement.

I am running the HT on the front as well, and that has been through 2 rears, so I would guess 2500 on that one. It has held up pretty well, but I am probably not going to get that front again. I feel like it isn't as stable as the Pirelli MT18 that I had on before, but that has been discontinued and replaced by the Pirelli Scorpion XCMH. I may give that a try. Not sure yet.

-Blake

Dang Blake...just ripped that sucker out in no time! Good on you. It looks like your engine is on an operating table in that picture.

Ya, it wasn't that bad, especially with the way I have my garage set up. I love the new setup. It only took me 2 hours. I started with a clean bike at 6:00 PM and the motor was sitting on the table by 8:00 PM. Here are a few photos of my new garage/shop setup:

Nice set-up...I expected nothing less from you.

Took it to George yesterday. He said that there is more than normal wear, but he won't be able to tell if the bearings are going until he splits it apart.

The oil pump definitely had wear from all the metal floating around, but he says he has seen MUCH worse. He wiggled the flywheel and said that there is some play, but not necessarily too much for the miles I have on the motor. We decided to go ahead and split the case, and replace the bearings and oil pump. He will check the valves, piston, and cylinder. Hopefully all that is in good shape or that's more $$$.

While he is in there I'm going to have him install a counter balancer which will hopefully take some of the vibes out. He is going to findo out how long it will take to order the parts, and let me know what he finds when he splits the case. Hopefully I can a day off work, or go there some afternoon during re-assembly as I want to see all this and learn how to put it all back together.

Also I am thinking about painting the frame white. Possibly powder coat it, but again, that will add to the cost. If powder coating is too much $$, what about rattle cans? Will that just chip off right away? Has anyone painted a frame before? Any tips?

Here are a few photos:

Is appliance paint easy to, well, apply? Seems like a good idea. You can also just slap on some white number plate background to high wear areas after you paint it. Anyway you slice it...go white, for that modern Husky look and while you're at it get some new plastics, grips and tires (just kidding)!

Already getting new plastics (well the rear fender anyway as it broke again), new grips, and definitely new tires. This baby is going to be 100%!

That bike is so dialed in now (CB huh? Nice!)...reminds me of Kelly's TXC 450 (I'm jealous of the lucky guy that got that!) and now his 2009 WR 125 (dialed-in-single-track-ginsu-knife...remember those?).

Already took care of that with George. Got a new slip on from him as well. That slip on that he makes gives the bike significant more HP and sounds GREAT!