2007 TE-250

[Herb]

Bought this one two weeks ago, on the title it says 2006 but it looks more like a 2007 model. In any case I don't think the differences are significant, maybe some small things and the plastics.

It seems to run fine so far, I put another 200 miles on it running around town. Checked all the fluids, brakes, bolts etc. It has plenty of power and seems to run nicely.

Let me add that I am not a mechanic, I only know how to do basic things like changing oil & filetr and a few more simple things like adjusting chain tension.

Here's a few questions.

(1) It has 3300 miles and about 180 hrs. The service manual says "replace piston at 80 hrs", so that got me slightly worried.

(2) There is a small plastic tank behind the engine /carburator with a black cap that I can't figure out. Do I need to put something in there ?

(3) There is a fuel mixture adjustable screw on the side, no idea what the "right" setting should be. How do I proceed?

(4) The front brake squeaks. I guess I have to take the brake pads out and apply that stuff on the back side. Are the calipers going to fall out.

(5) the carb was leaking through the bleed tube when the petcock was on, but that eventually went away by itself, I guess the bike had been sitting a bit for a while before.

(6) If I have an idle of around 2000 after one minute that I started it cold, it will go up to about 2800 when it warms up nicely (after say 10-20 mins of riding in 80 deg weather).

(7) I am trying to decide whether I should take it over to the husky (now ktm) dealer and have it looked over preventively.

 

[Herb]

A few pics:

 

[Herb]

and a few more

 

[old3]

4. Just ride it hard a bit.

1. Have a leak down test done at dealership or buy the tools and proceed carefully.
2. Rear brake fluid res? Does the hose run to the reat brake master? If yes, brake fluid, DOT 3 or 4 or 5.1.
3. One and a half to two and a half turns out from closed. Read up on adjusting fuel screw on fcr darb. Google.
5.6. Have carb cleaned, soubds kike its running lean or flooding. Nit nirmal what you describe.
7. Prob a good idea to bring it in. Or learn. Better to have a knowledgable friend help.

 

[manu]

Cleanest 2006/2007 I have seen. She looks like out of the shop.

Now about the 7 questions, I personaly would do... nothing. Your bike runs great, do not adjust anything. Just in case, if you have no detailed history about the bike, you could change oil and filter, and clean or replace the air filter. But honestly, that beauty has been babied.

 

[Trenchcoat85]

...
(2) There is a small plastic tank behind the engine /carburator with a black cap that I can't figure out. Do I need to put something in there ?
....

some husky's have the radiator overflow tank in that location (maybe 10oz, 300cc); if it's the brake reservoir it holds about 2 oz (60cc) of brake fluid and has relevant instructions on the cap.

exercise a little caution if you're unsure.

good luck.

 

[Dirtdame]

(1) It has 3300 miles and about 180 hrs. The service manual says "replace piston at 80 hrs", so that got me slightly worried.

Those motors are quite sturdy. The 80 hour replacement interval is for somebody who is competing at a very high level in enduros. This subject has come up for larger engines as well, and my 07 TE 450 has close to 600 hours on it and 11,000 miles with all the original parts in the engine. It didn't even need a valve shim replaced until 8000 miles. I'm sure it will be due for a rebuild one of these fine days, but it has been a very reliable machine over the last 9 years.

 

[rancher1]

I would say your bike is a 2005 or 2006 model that someone has put the red plastic on. The grey tank, grey frame guards and the blue oil line are indicators of this. The little plastic tank is the coolant overflow tank and it does have min and max lines on it for putting in coolant. If you leave it dry it will not work correctly.

 

[Herb]

2. Rear brake fluid res? Does the hose run to the rear brake master? If yes, brake fluid, DOT 3 or 4 or 5.1.

THANKS to all for all the help ! It is really appreciated.

Let me add that it has NEW PLASTICS, mostly from UFO I found NEW on e-bay and such. So it might LOOK better than it is.

Point (2) : It does not seem to be the rear brake fluid reservoir? That would be the small one on the right? I took a few more pics, it is a large plastic tank, seems empty, maybe some California compliance thing?? It has a black rubber tube that goes into it that I can't figure out yet where it's coming from.

 

[Herb]

3. One and a half to two and a half turns out from closed. Read up on adjusting fuel screw on fcr darb. Google.

Yes thanks, that was my guess. I have the Husq 2006 shop manual and it says 1.5 turns out on the Kehin carb. Just wanted to make sure I had the right screw & settings.

 

[Herb]

Cleanest 2006/2007 I have seen. She looks like out of the shop.

Now about the 7 questions, I personaly would do... nothing. Your bike runs great, do not adjust anything. Just in case, if you have no detailed history about the bike, you could change oil and filter, and clean or replace the air filter. But honestly, that beauty has been babied.

Thanks ... she sure looks nice with the new plastics. I had the vinyl lettering redone. Here is what she looked like when I bough her, the plastic was a bit beaten up.

 

[Herb]

some husky's have the radiator overflow tank in that location (maybe 10oz, 300cc); if it's the brake reservoir it holds about 2 oz (60cc) of brake fluid and has relevant instructions on the cap.

exercise a little caution if you're unsure.

good luck.

Yes most likely a radiator overflow tank. Will have to research this further by removing again the gas tank and following the various hoses. Radiator fluid (blue tint) is there all the way to the top, as checked by removing front top radiator cap (when cold).

 

[Herb]

Those motors are quite sturdy. The 80 hour replacement interval is for somebody who is competing at a very high level in enduros. This subject has come up for larger engines as well, and my 07 TE 450 has close to 600 hours on it and 11,000 miles with all the original parts in the engine. It didn't even need a valve shim replaced until 8000 miles. I'm sure it will be due for a rebuild one of these fine days, but it has been a very reliable machine over the last 9 years.

Thank you, that is very good to know !!

I am the third owner, the first (unknown) one rode it for ca. 2800 miles 2006-2012, and the second one (I was told a woman, has lowered link) rode it 2012-2016 for ca. 400 miles (mostly baha trails?).

That would show that Italians, when they get down to it, can make engines that are as good as anybody else in the world ! The whole BMW/KTM story is such a pity. Hope SWM will do well in the old Hus factory in Biandronno.

 

[Herb]

I would say your bike is a 2005 or 2006 model that someone has put the red plastic on. The grey tank, grey frame guards and the blue oil line are indicators of this. The little plastic tank is the coolant overflow tank and it does have min and max lines on it for putting in coolant. If you leave it dry it will not work correctly.

Thank you Rancher ! The title definitely says "2006" and so does the mark/plate on the steering column, but the plastics looked like 2007.

I was thinking that this was, maybe, a late 2006 model where the factory switched over to the red/black scheme (from the blue/yellow one).

 

[Herb]

Does anybody have an idea what this connector is for, it hangs unconnected just behind the instrument panel.

Maybe he has some trail tech stuff connected to it?

 

[Herb]

Also, I think this (red alu cylinder) is California emission compliance stuff ??

 

[Herb]

I would say your bike is a 2005 or 2006 model that someone has put the red plastic on. The grey tank, grey frame guards and the blue oil line are indicators of this. The little plastic tank is the coolant overflow tank and it does have min and max lines on it for putting in coolant. If you leave it dry it will not work correctly.

Oh I see what you mean now, you are right ! Good eye !!

When they switched over to the red/black scheme the "grey parts" became black. Yes I think you are right, and that would suggest he already had the plastics replaced once.

 

[old3]

Also, I think this (red alu cylinder) is California emission compliance stuff ??

Im pretty sure thats an aftermarket carb vent filter, Uptite maybe? Should have a foam filter i think and you can clean it out. Keeps grit out of the carb. I had ine ir two, never git them dirty soooo.... More a desert thing I think.

The other tank is rad overflow but I think that might have neen answered already?

Im on my fourth 2006,,, follow my advice on the leakdown and beat it with a rebuild before it demands one. That test will give you a good idea of whats good or bad.

The 250 was the easiest on the internals, and my 450s all ate rod bearings and mains around 100 hours. Two of the three cracked the cases around the mains, so IMO, a leakdiwn is cheap insurance against a total loss.

My current 06 450 will be torn down to a bare crank well before 100 hours if I keep her that long.

 

[manu]

Mine is a 2006 too, but with 2010 plastics. She was beaten up , inside and outside when I got her last September. After a little care -and cash -here she is:

 

[old3]

They are pretty bikes. Manu, were the rear plastics a bolt in job or was there more to it? Thanks.