Consequences of NOT replacing a TE449 crankshaft at 70 hours

[oregonsage]

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.

They are sweet bikes. Hope you enjoy it.

First thing...keep oil level at about 1/4 of sight glass when vertical and doing overoil the air filter. If you see oil running onto the top of the head then one or both of these things are likely the issue.

 

[BignHusky]

I seen this long ago in the manual. Does everyone agree to ignore this and just have fun riding the bike. However if not and you do follow this protocol, your local shop or parts supplier will love you as a customer.

 

[7point62]

Mebbe ask for cashback in return for waiving the warranty!

 

[510te]

I believe it would last more than 70 hours even without ever changing the oil.

 

[Alvsey]

Greetings:

Newbie here, awaiting delivery of a new 2011 TE449. Just found the shop manual on-line, and noted that it's recommended to replace the CRANKSHAFT at 70 hours. This is ridiculous. Who wants to spend $ 10,000.00 on a bike and have to keep rebuilding it every 6 months? Anyway, anyone have any input as to what to expect if the crank isn't replaced every 70 hours?

Greetings:

Newbie here, awaiting delivery of a new 2011 TE449. Just found the shop manual on-line, and noted that it's recommended to replace the CRANKSHAFT at 70 hours. This is ridiculous. Who wants to spend $ 10,000.00 on a bike and have to keep rebuilding it every 6 months? Anyway, anyone have any input as to what to expect if the crank isn't replaced every 70 hours?

Ok peoples, just had a crankshaft bigend failure at 50.8 hrs on my TC 449 2011...I am fastideous with oil, filer and screen changes and normally change oil before 5 hrs is on the hr mt....Always ran the 300 v motul (the good stuffs)...Am a middle aged bloke of only average ability and never started riding dirt bikes until aged 40...I definately am not able to ride the bike above or anywhere near its ability...I entered the Finke desert race on this bike after riding last years on a 09 310.....bike siezed 80 kays from home. motor was not dusted out at all and the oil was changed at the overnight camp.....either way I am looking at basically a full rebuild after only 50 hrs. No waranty as a TC model, just never thought a motor would fail after such a short period of time. Anyone else out there or am I the only lucky one. Recomended crank insp / replacement is 50 hrs according to the importers but, should not fail at 50 hrs I would say. If so makes maintaining the current BMW inspired motors a costly and time consuming habit

 

[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.

I don't pay attention to that stuff. I just pay attention to the oil changes and valve adjustments. I have 500 hours on my engine with all the original top end and bottom end parts still intact. I suspect that some day, something will go boom, but I suspect that I will get a hint from the engine before that, that all is not well.

 

[Marc Noel]

Dirtdame,

Thanks.

Since it is almost 2.5 years since the last post in this thread, I will update things. The only problem I've had was my speedo's magnetic trigger in my front disc came adrift, but I Loctite'd it in, and it's been fine ever since.

I am extremely happy with this bike. Only have about 2,100 Km on it. I have done a bunch of improvements. Smokin' bike! Please see accompanying images.

Marc

 

[Dirtdame]

Dirtdame,

Thanks.

Since it is almost 2.5 years since the last post in this thread, I will update things. The only problem I've had was my speedo's magnetic trigger in my front disc came adrift, but I Loctite'd it in, and it's been fine ever since.

I see that I answered that a long time ago. Very strange that I just got an "alert" to the post, right before I answered it again. Something goofy going on with this website.

 

[Marc Noel]

Dirtdame,

I was wondering why you were replying so much later.

Marc

 

[Dirtdame]

Oh well. I was wondering why you were commenting on it just now, too. Silly computer stuffs.

 

[Jose Carrillo]

I have a 2014 te511 i rode it to the ground 9600 miles in 17 months changed oil every time it would get a little dark finally just blew the connecting rod bearing i just took it all apart the valves were still in tolerance and cam chain nice and snug very clean engine inside not bad im gonna replace the piston and jug since its apart too no sure if im gonna replace the crank shaft still best bike i ever owned.

 

[oregonsage]

So 9600/40 mph (resonable average) is 240 hours...more or less. I may have to pick up another one of these fine beasts before I die.

 

[Jose Carrillo]

 

[Jose Carrillo]

 

[Huskynoobee]

Jose, call up ZipTy and ask about their crank mod. Would be great time to do it. It allows more oil to reach the crank bearings. I haven't done it myself, but would go for it in a heartbeat if I was in your shoes. Good on ya by the way for getting that many miles on a 2014! You must ride almost every day.

 

[Marc Noel]

I have a 2014 te511 i rode it to the ground 9600 miles in 17 months changed oil every time it would get a little dark finally just blew the connecting rod bearing i just took it all apart the valves were still in tolerance and cam chain nice and snug very clean engine inside not bad im gonna replace the piston and jug since its apart too no sure if im gonna replace the crank shaft still best bike i ever owned.

Jose:

Thanks for your message. I have around 2,800 Km on the clock now. I hope I won't encounter problems for a long time.

 

[Jose Carrillo]

Jose, call up ZipTy and ask about their crank mod. Would be great time to do it. It allows more oil to reach the crank bearings. I haven't done it myself, but would go for it in a heartbeat if I was in your shoes. Good on ya by the way for getting that many miles on a 2014! You must ride almost every day.

I didnt even know about a crank mod sounds great ill talk to them thank you. yeah lots of desert out here used to take 15 miles of desert to work one way then hit the trails or gear it for highway speeds for weekend road rides i love this bike.
i forgot to mention the last oil change i did the oil was very silvery with metal i should have tore it apart then but probably would have been the same out come anyways.

 

[Rob578]

Dirtdame,

Thanks.

Since it is almost 2.5 years since the last post in this thread, I will update things. The only problem I've had was my speedo's magnetic trigger in my front disc came adrift, but I Loctite'd it in, and it's been fine ever since.

Hey Marc,
What part of the world do you live where you to wrap a logging chain around your bike in your driveway? California by chance?

I am extremely happy with this bike. Only have about 2,100 Km on it. I have done a bunch of improvements. Smokin' bike! Please see accompanying images.

MarcView attachment 48244 View attachment 48243

 

[Jose Carrillo]

well i know its been awhile but i figured i best post the tear down i lost alot of the pics when my phone was stolen hopefully this helps others though

 

[Jose Carrillo]

some more the connecting rod bearing had a hell of a lot of play and was knocking hard took it to ZIPTY cant wait to finish this ive been riding my wifes xl175 fun bike on forest trails slow on the pavement since im 245lb rider.