changing the connecting rod

[stuart]

hi , i was just reading the service schedule for my bike ec 300 r & it says the connecting rod should be changed every 40 hours .

my bike is now 7 months old & has done 78 hours - 1900 miles .

does it really need to be changed every 40 hours ?

my bike sounds & runs the same as it did when it was new .

all i have done is change the oil twice & clean the air filter twice .

would i be right in thinking if the bike sounds & runs ok there's no need to take the engine apart ?

 

[Jakobi]

Which document did you read that in?

Assuming the engine hasn't been drowned in a bog hole or seized in a big way you should get an easy 200+hrs out of the bottom end. I did my last one at 260hrs and it was still within spec. The main bearings were due to be replaced though.

 

[noobi]

You've done 78 hours and only changed the oil and cleaned the air filter twice???

Woah.

 

[Jakobi]

You've done 78 hours and only changed the oil and cleaned the air filter twice???

Woah.

Missed that bit..

On 2nd thoughts, maybe it is time to replace the whole engine.

Oil every 1000km at most - usually sooner. When it starts to feel notchy. Air filters are like undies. Change them regularly! (or at least when dirty).

 

[Dirt Dud]

Well put Jacobi air filters are like undies ! They need to be kept clean always !

 

[stuart]

if i mind right the dealer said change the oil after 600 miles then every 1000 miles .

i read the bit about the connecting rod on the cd i got with the bike .

so far most of the time the bike has only been on the road , the bike got badly stuck once in a soft bit of ground & i washed the filter after as it was filthy .

 

[Zman]

Do regular proper maintenance and fix it when it is broken. Run good premix oil in an appropriate ratio and that rod should last a long time. I ride the hell out of my 2000 XC300 and it still has the original rod.

 

[stuart]

ok thanks for the advice , i use motul 710 , i'll change the gearbox oil more often

 

[desertgasser300]

ok thanks for the advice , i use motul 710 , i'll change the gearbox oil more often

And the air filter! I do every ride, which might seem excessive, but it is cheap insurance. 300+ hrs on my 12' and the crank is still in spec. Oil every 15 to 20 hrs.

 

[Jakobi]

This is one ride on mine..

In the muddy months I might get 2 rides out of a filter. Definitely wouldn't be trying to max the hours out. I have about 5 or 6 filters here I cycle through between the 2 bikes. Making sure the filter is clean, oiled, and seated correctly is up on my pre ride check list with other things as coolant level, brake pads, and tyre pressures.

 

[barossi73]

that's one ride!? hope you threw the undies out!
I just visually inspect often and clean filter when necessary,depends entirely on riding conditions.its pretty obvious when it needs attention.(see above pic!)
In my opinion there is no point risking crud in the intake,damage to the filter,or incorrect reseating if the filter is basically clean.have a good LOOK AT THE FILTER FIRST especially down low(torch).pay attention also to the bottom of airbox for water and debris/dust collecting.clear drain and clean out.the gg airbox lets water in easily and out mostly but some often sits in bottom.drain rubber blocks easily(this I check every ride!and often remove when I wash bike)
oil 15-20hrs.again visually inspect oil in glass.when I change oil I pull the check window and clean the inside of glass.that way you can see how the oil looks until next service.

 

[Wimpy525]

I change my filter about every other ride pretty cheap insurance. I also had problems with the drain getting plugged up, I have found a piece of Moose skid plate foam cut to size above the drain keeps it from getting plugged.

 

[Jakobi]

mm yeah that plug thing. After a decent crossing I just rip it out and watch the water flow. Bung it back in and off we go again.

 

[SS109]

This is one ride on mine..

In the muddy months I might get 2 rides out of a filter. Definitely wouldn't be trying to max the hours out. I have about 5 or 6 filters here I cycle through between the 2 bikes. Making sure the filter is clean, oiled, and seated correctly is up on my pre ride check list with other things as coolant level, brake pads, and tyre pressures.

Wow, and I thought we had it bad in AZ! Admittedly, 2 rides and I clean mine, but mine probably wouldn't look that bad until 4-5 rides. Like you, I keep filters at the ready.

 

[desertgasser300]

Wow, and I thought we had it bad in AZ! Admittedly, 2 rides and I clean mine, but mine probably wouldn't look that bad until 4-5 rides. Like you, I keep filters at the ready.

Where in AZ do you ride?

 

[Jakobi]

I did another ride on Friday, not so bad.. and another one Sunday.. probably worse.

What is interesting, is that the 2013 airbox dusts filters so much worse than the 2010 model. I took both models for the same 2 day ride. I spent most the time up the front on the 2013 while the old man puttered around down the back in the dust, yet his air filter looked worlds cleaner. Go figure..