Consequences of NOT replacing a TE449 crankshaft at 70 hours

[Dirtdame]

So, based on your comment (below), I read this as, if you had known about the servicing requirements, you might not have purchased the bike. However, having purchased and used it, you have not adhered to the schedule, yet have not encountered dramatic problems.

If the salesperson had told me that I actually had to service the lower end at 80 hours or something bad would happen, I wouldn't buy the bike. But realistically, if a large number of a certain model and make of motorcycle reportedly blew up with low hours of normal operation on them, the manufacturer would soon be out of business, because nobody would buy their bikes.

 

[glangston]

The references show 10,000 km (6200 miles) for engines (2008) that are not powered up. Powering up the bike doesn't decrease the life of the crank all by itself. I think from listening to some knowledgable people these engines will certainly go several hundred hours before you think of rebuilding them. If you race them, you already have a maintenance program that's different and probably shorter.

 

[jasonmt]

I just sold a KTM 530 with 400+ hours on it that had never had the engine opened further than doing valve checks and the factory intervals on the bearings, con-rod etc. was 90 hours, 45 hours for "Sporting use". If I had kept it I would have freshened up the engine this winter with ~600 hours on it as the last leakdown test I did on it was still in the acceptable range.

 

[Marc Noel]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I will be talking to the dealership tomorrow, and see what vibe I get. When I first expressed interest, the salesman told me they would de-restrict it. I asked about voiding the warranty, and he said they would still honor it. I will ask for that in writing. My main concern is the engine blowing up at 70+ hours, and it not being covered, plus not being able to afford fixing it. This will be the first time I can ride just for fun, vs. also having to commute, so I anticipate less stress and mileage. I've had four Yamaha two-strokes, and never did anything to three out of four. The fourth was a basket case. Where have those days gone?

 

[PALMER84ONE]

If this was the case I would be on my third complete rebuild. 285 hours, 6,780 miles, numerous oil, filter and air filter change/cleanings, and plenty of abuse. Nope, had no idea it needed that type of care. Oh well, I guess I'll keep riding her anyways.

 

[7point62]

I think it's worth remembering that the 449 / 511 range share nothing with the older Cagiva motors (the 250, 450, 510), but are a direct descendent of the BMW G450x motor (that also required crank replacement at 70 hr intervals). That said, we haven't exactly had a deluge of reports of failures.

Marc: when you talk to your dealer pin him down about the warranty implications of not following the 70hr replacement. Also get a price for the work so you can make a judgement call re. whether you can live without the warranty, etc.

 

[Marc Noel]

I looked at the service schedule, and the 70 hrs. is for race/derestricted set-up. For restricted, it's even WORSE. Replace crank, etc., at 1,000 km intervals. That's 20 hours of 50 km/hr. riding, which is the in-town speed limit. Forty days' riding at 30 mins. a day! My observation is that the manufacturer will honor the warranty, as long as you follow the schedule, but anyone that can afford to doesn't need the warranty. It would probably be cheaper over time to fix things as they break.

Upon review, it says, in order, "Check every 1,000 Km", "After the first 1,000 Km", "Every 5,000 Km", and "Every 1,000 Km" again. The mileage goes up then down. It looks like it might be a typo, and should be "Every 10,000 Km." I could be wrong.

 

[glangston]

Sounds like typos. 1000 km is an oil change interval. Like I said, it seems to indicate 10,000 km for the old red heads so there's no reason to think this is a significantly different scenario.

 

[oregonsage]

Everyone:

Please, if possible, answer ASAP the following question: Would you allow this 70-hour crank replacement bit to prevent you from buying? I am awaiting paperwork to do the deal, which is supposed to arrive today. The dealership has said it will de-restrict the bike, but still honor the warranty. I have spoken with another dealership's service and sales, and the service guy said he would talk to the Husky rep and get back to me, while the sales guy said the frequent rebuilds only apply to de-restricted bikes, which this one would be. I really don't want to be put in the position of having to rebuild every three months in order to keep the warranty intact.

HEEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPP!

The short answer is NO. I have a TXC511 and have not spent one minute worrying about the CYA crank replacement recommendation. The last time I had a crank problem was when my '75 Bultaco Pursang sheared the crank in half mid-moto, just outside the left bearing. We pressed a new half on (after waiting weeks for delivery) and went back to racing.

This Husqvarna engine is asked to do Supermoto competition duty, MX racing, Desert and other offroad racing....etc. Honda wont give you any warranty at all on a CFR450X. Husqvarna provides some warranty on a competition level machine, but does so with boilerplate language like that crank replacement recommendation.

 

[Marc Noel]

So, if I am just using it for tooling around occasionally, not really stressing it, I should be fine? I am apprehensive about something going wrong after the warranty expires, not being able to afford repairing it, yet still having to make monthly loan payments.

It appears to me that the warranty is useless, considering the ridiculous maintenance expectations, so now I'm thinking about just waiting and buying a used one for about half price.

 

[mnb]

Upon review, it says, in order, "Check every 1,000 Km", "After the first 1,000 Km", "Every 5,000 Km", and "Every 1,000 Km" again. The mileage goes up then down. It looks like it might be a typo, and should be "Every 10,000 Km." I could be wrong.

Check does NOT mean replace...

FWIW my 2011 TE310 says to replace the piston every 32hours. What's it made out of? Pine?

 

[JasonfromMN]

Ha! If we all didn't buy the bike because of this crank/warranty/derestricted issue we'd never buy any Offroad bike of any brand ever.

 

[Marc Noel]

Check does NOT mean replace...

FWIW my 2011 TE310 says to replace the piston every 32hours. What's it made out of? Pine?

Just to clarify, on the maintenance schedule chart, there is a legend that has different symbols that mean different things. In the column that says "Every 1,000 Km", there is an "S", which means "replace", and it is in the boxes for the crank, crankcase bearings, and the piston. I will post an image of the chart in the next message, as I have to switch computers, and don't want to lose this text.

 

[Marc Noel]

Four screen captures of the 2011 TE449 Workshop Manual. The first two pics are of the top and bottom of the "Full Power" page, showing the columns, the crankshaft line, the entry, and the legend's symbols. The second two pics are similar, except they are about the "Limited Power" version.

 

[Marc Noel]

On top of the foregoing, the owner's manual (vs. workshop) says 70 hrs. or 3,500 Km. Which is it, Husky?

 

[mnb]

Just to clarify, on the maintenance schedule chart, there is a legend that has different symbols that mean different things. In the column that says "Every 1,000 Km", there is an "S", which means "replace", and it is in the boxes for the crank, crankcase bearings, and the piston.

Ok, I was just going off what you said... "Check every 1000km"

 

[glangston]

Typo error in the chart. My 2008 chart is nearly the same except it logically goes to 10000km in that column.

 

[Marc Noel]

Well, that's good to hear.

The "replace crank at 10,000 Km" is for the restricted version. Mine will be derestricted, but I'm not planning to rev it to the moon while pulling a trailer... DRY. Safe to say I should be able to get somewhere between 70 hrs. and 10,000 Km.?

 

[Marc Noel]

Well, I did it. Committed and signed the paperwork. I figure either a new bike has questionable warranty usability - perhaps none - and a used bike may have no warranty at all, so it comes down to whether I want to pay more to enjoy it now and be in charge of its care from the start, or wait and pay less for a used with an unknown history, yet have to wait. So I'm getting it now and will take my chances.

 

[ghte]

Mate just ignore it. It is like using the oil they recommend, well guess what 3 years ago it was a different brand. If used for normal enduro/trail riding the 70 hours would be approaching wear in time. Mate even smokers only change rings every 100 odd hours. So put this behind you and buy a really interesting and inovative piece of machery, look after her and the 70 hours will become 350 plus hours without issue.