WR400 Stuck my crank!!
John Duffy
With about 7000 miles on her, my '98 WR400 finally broke. I have never
adjusted a single thing on it. Only changed the oil after every ride.
Used Castrol GTX 20w50. The piston looks ok, a little scuffed but not
bad. I'll measure it and let you all know how worn it really is. Never
adjusted the valves. I couldn't check them because the crank was welded
to the rod, but I will and post that also. The exhaust cam bearing
looked like it had spun once or twice too. Every thing else looks
almost brand new.
This bike has NEVER been babied. Everyone and their brother has given
it a thrash test. Spud Walters and Scott Myers thrashed it to second
place at some night race at Glen Helen. Races include the '98 Elsinore
GP, Carlsbad Christmas GP, Rancho Ponderosa GP. Lots of rides with Baja
Bound as chase rider = ("Can I ride your WR for a few hundred miles?")
and plenty of multi day runs around Baja. The NCY customer appreciation
dinner at Ocotillo Wells turned out to be a WR test ride weekend too.
Jim Hurkman from NCY didn't bother to tell me I would be supplying the
test WR. Let two of my buddies ride it out at Ocotillo, All they had
to say was the rev-limiter worked very well.
It started to act up a little about 4 weeks ago. Started right up in
the morning, but then quit a few minutes later. No compression for a
bunch of kicks. Then compression came back and everything was cool.
This trip was a speed run down to Rancho Mikes. Made it there in 2-1/2
hours from Veronicas. "You really put the hurt to it on the highway,
passed me at about 95 mph." Words from the pre-runner truck driver I
blew by near Cerro Colorado.
Last weekend same deal. Starts right up, dies, no compression, kick a
bunch, compression back up, fires up and acts all right. About 30 miles
from Mikes it locked up real good and was done for the weekend.
Fortunately, I had met a few friends with a trailer back about 30 miles
who were heading up to mikes. Waited along side the road until they
showed up and got a ride for me and my bike to Mikes. Thanks to the
local Mexican's who passed buy and said -"You need a beer!!" and gave me
a cold one!!. Mike gave me a ride back up to Tijuana the next day and I
took a cab ride from TJ to Tecate to get my truck. Went back this
weekend to pick up the super-cycle and took it apart today.
I'll be measuring everything and let you all know how worn stuff is. I
guess 7000 miles is ok for the way the thing rev's but I had way more
miles on my XR600 and it ran just fine.
Anyone else have any similar problems?
John Duffy
Jay C
>Long range - ride it hard - little maintenance report .
>
>With about 7000 miles on her, my '98 WR400 finally broke. I have never
>adjusted a single thing on it. Only changed the oil after every ride.
>Used Castrol GTX 20w50. The piston looks ok, a little scuffed but not
>bad. I'll measure it and let you all know how worn it really is. Never
>adjusted the valves. I couldn't check them because the crank was welded
>to the rod, but I will and post that also. The exhaust cam bearing
>looked like it had spun once or twice too. Every thing else looks
>almost brand new.
Almost sounds like you had some kind of top-end lubrication failure - I
wonder if an oil passage was incorrectly formed or got clogged with goo or
something.
Jay
Dave Dude
John Duffy <Jo...@AppliedRace.com> wrote:
> Long range - ride it hard - little maintenance report .
>
> With about 7000 miles on her, my '98 WR400 finally broke. I have
never
> adjusted a single thing on it. Only changed the oil after every ride.
> Used Castrol GTX 20w50. The piston looks ok, a little scuffed but not
> bad. I'll measure it and let you all know how worn it really is.
Never
> adjusted the valves. I couldn't check them because the crank was
welded
> to the rod, but I will and post that also. The exhaust cam bearing
> looked like it had spun once or twice too. Every thing else looks
> almost brand new.
You dez guys sure put on the miles..Hope you get some feedback cause I'd
like to know too...there is a difference in top revs between the WR and
XR and how long are your rides? 200 miles? I have gone 65 miles tops
between oil changes, but of course I got the 2-stroke thing going on and
I do woods here...I biff tested them TAG bars three times yesterday,
strong stuff John. Thanks. Good luck on the WR, maybe try some synthetic
oil perhaps?
--
Dave Dude
96yz250
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
MRRMX
Don Scurlock
>This bike has NEVER been babied. Everyone and their brother has given
>it a thrash test
Natural wear and tear go up exponentially with heat and rpm. Some pro race
motors get torn down as frequently as every race. When you consider the
extreme number of people have who trashed your bike (thank you very much)
and just as importantly, they did it in the desert, where even a spode like
me could tap it out, it's a tribute to the motor that it lasted as long as it
did. There's probably not a wr400 in the country thats had as much abuse
as yours. Your bike didn't really fail, it's more like someone that just
finished an ultra marathon and crapped there pants when they crossed the
finish line. Yamaha should be proud of what your bike took, and they
should fix it for you for free.
Don Scurlock
Vancouver, B.C.
John Duffy
Oil passage to crank was clear. I'll keep you posted
John
John Duffy
what pressure these should be putting out?
John
MRRMX wrote:
> look at the oil pump.
John Duffy
When I raced MX, I did rebuild every 5 races. Seemed more important when a piece of plastic
was on the line! I'm to unhappy with 7000 hard miles, just like to know what the limit is.
Your welcome for the ride!
John
John Duffy
A "short" ride is 150-200 miles. Most trips are over nighters and are
easily 300 - 400 miles. Try the week long runs at 1100-1500 miles. Filters
usually get cleaned on those runs, but the oil just gets topped off. You
wanna go sometime? It's not all desert. Lots of other stuff too.
Good to hear the bars are holding up to your "testing"
John
Dennis Kennedy
John Duffy <Jo...@AppliedRace.com> wrote:
> Dave -
> A "short" ride is 150-200 miles. Most trips are over nighters and are
> easily 300 - 400 miles. Try the week long runs at 1100-1500 miles.
Filters
> usually get cleaned on those runs, but the oil just gets topped off.
You
> wanna go sometime? It's not all desert. Lots of other stuff too.
>
> Good to hear the bars are holding up to your "testing"
>
> John
>
That's a lot of miles between changes. I typically change the oil in my
XR400 every 100-150 miles. Synthetic is supposed to be able to go a lot
longer between changes. I wonder if that would have made a difference.
Another thing to consider is that 7000 miles is probably 5 to 10 years
of riding for the average dirt bike rider. So, your WR would have
probably been on it's second or third owner before it grenaded.
--
Dennis Kennedy
dennisbk at hotmail dot com
kennedy at NOSPAMrogueNOSPAMwave dot com
'78 GL1000, '96 VFR750, '98 XR400
Wesley Grass
--
I'm also curious to know what the inside of the oil pump looks like. With
the rod bearing siezing, and scoring of the cam bearing, I'm wondering if
the lack of a real oil filter has anything to do with it. I really don't
think the metal screen is adequate. The paper filter that your XR had is
vastly superior, IMO.
Wes
Uwe Hale
> Good to hear the bars are holding up to your "testing"
>
Of course, with Daves wimpy testing.<g> I do the real testing. I just bent my
ProTapers. The left side is down about 2 inches. Now that would have been a
test of the tag bars. If you're looking for anymore testers, let me know.<g>
I've got plenty of sponsorship decal area left on my bike.
Actually I will be replacing them with some TAG2 bars. Although I didn't take
advantage of it at the time, the specials that you offered RMD was great.
Can't help but support the folks that support us.
Also if anyone needs a helmet tester, I'll gladly accept a VFX-R (TC2) to
replace my cracked moto6.
Uwe Hale - 89 YZ250WR, 99 GasGas EC200
http://www.rrdr.org
http://www.smackovermotorsports.com
K. Robinson
11500.
I think peak power is about 6000 and 9000rpm.
Dave Dude wrote in message <7lte7j$jt2$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>...
Dave Dude
>Of course, with Daves wimpy testing.<g>
Those were *solid* loop outs, Uwe. But I know I am not worthy as you
ARE the king of loopouts as evidenced at Spodefest.......
> I do the real testing. I just bent my
>ProTapers. The left side is down about 2 inches.
Whos gonna give away bars to someone stupid enough to bend them?<G>
> Now that would have been a
>test of the tag bars. If you're looking for anymore testers, let me know.<g>
>I've got plenty of sponsorship decal area left on my bike.
>
>Actually I will be replacing them with some TAG2 bars. Although I didn't take
>advantage of it at the time, the specials that you offered RMD was great.
>Can't help but support the folks that support us.
Heard that man. If only they made an ignition cover for my 96........
>
>Also if anyone needs a helmet tester, I'll gladly accept a VFX-R (TC2) to
>replace my cracked moto6.
Someone help this man..
dave Dude
96yz250
The 'Endo' King
Grass) wrote:
They have a mesh inline filter and a oil filter sim to xr's.
Not paper put v.fine mesg etc.
--
Matt
-Brand Spankin new 99 YZ400F-
Thanks to Jeff at MXSouth
www.mxsouth.com m...@pipeline.com
Rowdy
> John Duffy <Jo...@AppliedRace.com> wrote:
> > Dave -
> > A "short" ride is 150-200 miles. Most trips are over nighters and are
> > easily 300 - 400 miles. Try the week long runs at 1100-1500 miles.
>
Perhaps for the average American Sunday Off-Road Rider. <G>
Over here, anything that comes licensed does get dual purposed,
and the japanese manufacturers DO know that.
Bikes like XR600R, KLX650R or WR400F easily get to see 5000 miles
of commuting and freeway pacing per oil change, let alone valve
clearance check.
> I typically change the oil in my XR400 every 100-150 miles.
Someone *changing* the oil every 150 miles is regarded as crazy
or presumed a previous Husquarna owner (no oil pumps back then).
"If the old oil isn't totally back, one needn't change it."
(with four stroke engines, owning a two stroke bike puts you
into the same category as the pink elephants and flying pigs).
However, due to the speed limits, bikes over here only seldom see
WFO for more than 20 seconds. Thus i guess, they won't get very
hot in their life, compared to dez racers, except maybe in stop
and go traffic jams.
Rowdy
WRZ400F
Drehwurm
>Someone *changing* the oil every 150 miles is regarded as crazy
Thanks, I always felt I'm different - now I know for sure ...
Michael
************************
* nospam....@ibm.net
*
* 98 Yamaha WR400
************************
Wesley Grass
|> In article <FEH0I...@arraycomm.com>, wes...@otis.arraycomm.com (Wesley
|> Grass) wrote:
|>
|> > --
|> > I'm also curious to know what the inside of the oil pump looks like. With
|> > the rod bearing siezing, and scoring of the cam bearing, I'm wondering if
|> > the lack of a real oil filter has anything to do with it. I really don't
|> > think the metal screen is adequate. The paper filter that your XR had is
|> > vastly superior, IMO.
|> >
|>
|> They have a mesh inline filter and a oil filter sim to xr's.
|> Not paper put v.fine mesg etc.
Yeah, but what I was trying to say was that I think the paper filter Honda
uses is a lot better at filtering small particles out of the oil than the
metal mesh filter that Yamaha uses.
|>
|> --
|> Matt
|> -Brand Spankin new 99 YZ400F-
|> Thanks to Jeff at MXSouth
|> www.mxsouth.com m...@pipeline.com
--
Wes
not quite brand spanking new YZ400F, anymore
no thanks to Chaparral
Dennis Kennedy
Rowdy <peter....@gmx.net> wrote:
> Dennis Kennedy wrote:
> > John Duffy <Jo...@AppliedRace.com> wrote:
> > > Dave -
> > > A "short" ride is 150-200 miles. Most trips are over nighters and
are
> > > easily 300 - 400 miles. Try the week long runs at 1100-1500
miles.
> >
> > That's a lot of miles between changes
>
> Perhaps for the average American Sunday Off-Road Rider. <G>
>
> Over here, anything that comes licensed does get dual purposed,
> and the japanese manufacturers DO know that.
>
> Bikes like XR600R, KLX650R or WR400F easily get to see 5000 miles
> of commuting and freeway pacing per oil change, let alone valve
> clearance check.
>
> > I typically change the oil in my XR400 every 100-150 miles.
>
> "If the old oil isn't totally back, one needn't change it."
> (with four stroke engines, owning a two stroke bike puts you
> into the same category as the pink elephants and flying pigs).
>
> However, due to the speed limits, bikes over here only seldom see
> WFO for more than 20 seconds. Thus i guess, they won't get very
> hot in their life, compared to dez racers, except maybe in stop
> and go traffic jams.
>
> Rowdy
> WRZ400F
>
I change the oil in my street bikes every 3000 miles, but IMHO my dirt
bike oil gets abused far more than my street bikes. I may do under 100
miles for a day ride, but here in the tight trees of Oregon, I may not
have ever gotten out of third gear. Also, the clutch gets abused much
more on a dirt ride than a street ride. I have heard of XRs having
clutch problems if the oil isn't changed frequently enough. I plan on
keeping this bike for a long time. Oil changes are cheap insurance.
DirtCrashr
>uses is a lot better at filtering small particles out of the oil than the
>metal mesh filter that Yamaha uses.
The Honda also has a metal-mesh filter, down at the bottom of the downtube -
but I've never cleaned out or opened it up for fear of loosening up fittings
that might never quite properly re-torque and begin leakage...
>|> --
>|> Matt
>|> -Brand Spankin new 99 YZ400F-
>|> Thanks to Jeff at MXSouth
>|> www.mxsouth.com m...@pipeline.com
>
>--
>Wes
>not quite brand spanking new YZ400F, anymore
>no thanks to Chaparral
I was going to ask you about that sig. line but having read further, I now
understand how much Chaparral really sucks big hairy toe-jam mushrooms ;-)
Keith - '97xr400
Am I ready for a KTM yet?
Wesley Grass
|>
|> > |>
|> > |> They have a mesh inline filter and a oil filter sim to xr's.
|> > |> Not paper put v.fine mesg etc.
|> >
|> > uses is a lot better at filtering small particles out of the oil than the
|> > metal mesh filter that Yamaha uses.
|> >
|> >
|>
|> It also won't tear like the xr filters I've seen
|>
|> --
|> Matt
--
I've seen some metal mesh hydraulic filters that were so fine you can't see
light through them. The Yamaha filter looks like a cheese grater by comparison.
It's pretty fine, and maybe it's good enough, but I still think a paper filter
is superior. I've never seen a Honda filter tear either, and they cost a bit
less than $13 each, although admittedly they can't be cleaned. I guess I'm
just really anal about the oil that's running through my bearings, the cleaner
the better, and no, changing it often won't get all the crap out.
Wes
Wesley Grass
|>
|>
|> The Honda also has a metal-mesh filter, down at the bottom of the downtube -
|> but I've never cleaned out or opened it up for fear of loosening up fittings
|> that might never quite properly re-torque and begin leakage...
OH MY GOD! You haven't cleaned the strainer? For shame!
It's got a nice flair fitting on the bottom, doesn't it? Not the crappy hose
and clamp that Yamaha uses. Get that puppy outa there, and let us know how
much garbage (or not) you find. You might discover things like metal shavings,
weld berries, and paint chips. Maybe even a small rodent or 2.
|> >Wes
|> >not quite brand spanking new YZ400F, anymore
|> >no thanks to Chaparral
|>
|> I was going to ask you about that sig. line but having read further, I now
|> understand how much Chaparral really sucks big hairy toe-jam mushrooms ;-)
Mmmmmmm.
To be fair, I guess I should add that they WERE polite as they bent us over
the counter. And one of the register girls was sorta cute. They gotta lot of
stuff though, I'll give them that. It's almost worth the trip just to see the
size of the place.
|> Keith - '97xr400
|> Am I ready for a KTM yet?
NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not a damn 2-smoke? What's the world coming to, when "thinking" riders start
blowing (blue) smoke.
Speaking of which, how'd it go with Mike W? Strangely, we haven't heard from
him since. Maybe he's working on a ride report with Dan(a) Delaney?
Wes
The 'Endo' King
> |>
> |> They have a mesh inline filter and a oil filter sim to xr's.
> |> Not paper put v.fine mesg etc.
>
> Yeah, but what I was trying to say was that I think the paper filter Honda
> uses is a lot better at filtering small particles out of the oil than the
> metal mesh filter that Yamaha uses.
>
>
The Yamaha filter is something like 300 mesh.. thats awfully fine...
It also won't tear like the xr filters I've seen
--
Matt
Dave Dude
snip
>Someone *changing* the oil every 150 miles is regarded as crazy
>or presumed a previous Husquarna owner (no oil pumps back then).
>"If the old oil isn't totally back, one needn't change it."
>(with four stroke engines, owning a two stroke bike puts you
>into the same category as the pink elephants and flying pigs).
snip
Do they got wet clutches? Do all particles of clutch "friction"
material get caught in a paper or metal mesh filter? We're not talking
about total filtration here, pore size on your "filters" just catches
the big chunks. Once you get an oil good enough to go the distance,
its not breakdown of the oil thats a concern, its particles suspended
in oil that are the problem. And not just clutch material, theres
metal in there too.. Yeah so we are not talking about much here but
still the various paticulates you leave circulating in your engine for
5000 units of distance don't have a chance to get started in my once a
ride oil changed 2-stroke. Could make a difference. If you can afford
to change oil frequently it is not crazy to do so.
dave "oily" dude
96yz250
Rowdy
>
> Rowdy <peter....@gmx.net> wrote:
> >
> > Someone *changing* the oil every 150 miles is regarded as crazy
> > or presumed a previous Husquarna owner (no oil pumps back then).
> > "If the old oil isn't totally back, one needn't change it."
> have ever gotten out of third gear. Also, the clutch gets abused much
> more on a dirt ride than a street ride. I have heard of XRs having
> clutch problems if the oil isn't changed frequently enough. I plan on
> keeping this bike for a long time. Oil changes are cheap insurance.
As long as the oil prices are American Style low. Using some synthetic
Castrol 4 stroke Racing oil will cost me 35 $ per change (the
super cheapo type comes at 5 $ per oil change). Doing so every 200
miles
i'd spend 1050 $ on synthetic engine oil per year.
I'd say it all depends on bike usage. You guys running two stroke
bikes
and fanning clutches one WFO race after the other, definitely have
to change oil more frequently than the street licensed, +5000 miles
a year, four stroke off road bikes over here.
Rowdy
WRZ400F
"no, i don't think 4s bikes have a clutch, there's just that
lever you release to get running after coming to a stop"
Rowdy
>
> On Wed, 07 Jul 1999 17:09:10 GMT, Rowdy <peter....@gmx.net> wrote:
>
> >Someone *changing* the oil every 150 miles is regarded as crazy
>
Well, the first symptoms were the IMS tank and the WB E-Series,
but the revalved forks revealed it to everybone. <G>
Rowdy
WRZ400F
Rowdy
> ride oil changed 2-stroke. Could make a difference. If you can afford
> to change oil frequently it is not crazy to do so.
>
> dave "oily" dude
> 96yz250
Somehow i feel, one cannot compare a WR400F to the KLX650R or TT600 i
had before as far as oil cleanness is regarded. That's why i did four
oil changes in twelve months!
However, 35$ per change using top synthetic stuff is wasted money
IMHO, i normally go with the "standard" quality at 6$ per charge, and
yes, the old oil was still a little transparent!
Rowdy, the Caretaker
WRZ400F'92
DirtCrashr
>OH MY GOD! You haven't cleaned the strainer? For shame!
Too damn lazy
>It's got a nice flair fitting on the bottom, doesn't it? Not the crappy hose
>and clamp that Yamaha uses.
Still it looks real strippable...Especilly with these old Vise-Grips I got with
the rounded-off teeth...Hmm...that kinda reminds me of a gal...
>> Keith - '97xr400
>> Am I ready for a KTM yet?
>NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
>Not a damn 2-smoke? What's the world coming to, when "thinking" riders start
>blowing (blue) smoke.
>
>Speaking of which, how'd it go with Mike W? Strangely, we haven't heard from
>him since. Maybe he's working on a ride report with Dan(a) Delaney?
>
>Wes
Ah I was just kidding!! I don't know enough about two-strokes or
digital/binary whoosits - let alone what 011110101means and stuff like
powerbands...
-k
will pattison
cool.
will "clean oil" pattison
yz400s
Wesley Grass wrote:
> In article <fuct-08079...@p20-max6.wlg.ihug.co.nz>, fu...@mindless.com (The 'Endo' King) writes:
> |>
> |> > |>
> |> > |> They have a mesh inline filter and a oil filter sim to xr's.
> |> > |> Not paper put v.fine mesg etc.
> |> >
> |> > Yeah, but what I was trying to say was that I think the paper filter Honda
> |> > uses is a lot better at filtering small particles out of the oil than the
> |> > metal mesh filter that Yamaha uses.
> |> >
> |> >
> |>
> |> The Yamaha filter is something like 300 mesh.. thats awfully fine...
> |> It also won't tear like the xr filters I've seen
> |>
> |> --
> |> Matt
>