Author Topic: I have to change the signature - 08 KTM SX144 added to the Garage (Read 2775 times)

VintageBlueSmoke · « **on:** April 22, 2012, 01:38:35 PM »

Well, I've killed two birds with one stone this weekend.

Bird #1: The crap I get for racing antique motorcycles against the kids on new high tech 4-strokes.
Bird #2: To get rid of the unused high tech 4-stroke

Over the weekend, I traded my 2006 Honda CRF250X for an 2008 KTM SX144 - even. The Honda had all new internals but the plastic and aluminum looked bad. The KTM needs a ring and water pump seal but has all new plastic (and stupid Red Bull graphics).

Looks like I will race it for the first time at the Portugues National MX in May in MX2.

If you know of any fixes ro modifications I should do, please share.

I won't bother with photos. All these new bikes look alike.

Recovered · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2012, 01:48:03 PM »

That was the year that the ring catches the powervalve. Research it, because KTM has a fix for it.

eprovenzano · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2012, 01:57:48 PM »

Quote from: VintageBlueSmoke on April 22, 2012, 08:38:35 PM

I won't bother with photos. All these new bikes look alike.

Now that is a classic line... Welcome to the 20th century.

Do some research on the 144 on KTMtalk. I seem to recall with the earlier bikes there were some issues with the ring catching the port opening, causing major damage. KTM did have a fix for that. I also remember something with different ignitions. And there have been lots of discussions over proper jetting.

I did tryout a 144 when they were 1st introduced at a KTM track day. My 300 is old tech compared to the bikes of today, and the 144 fest like a mountain bike, but with BALLS... It was so much fun that I ended my ride early... when asked what's wrong, I explained If I didn't get off the bike as fast as I could, I would ne forced to buy one to which my wife would kill me... yes she would have killed me... so to keep her out of jail, I did the honorable thing and gave the bike back...

" title="Angry" class="smiley">

But damn that little rocket was fun..

Recovered · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2012, 02:14:42 PM »

199lbs, 40hp, no linkage to rebuild.

VintageBlueSmoke · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2012, 09:28:34 AM »

I'm signed up for KTMTalk (119Kurt) and there is a lot of information there with what looks like a pretty good community. I am about 3/4 of th eway through it and I'll post there soon. I got the motor apart last night, it doen't have the gouges from the ring sticking but the top of the piston all around the edge is ...chipping? I'm not quite sure if that is the right description. Will be replacing the piston and rings and look at the jetting to get some baseline numbers. I'll also be noting the part numbers to identify 07-08-09 parts.

When I was negotiating for this, I asked if this was a true 144 or if was a 125 kitted and they said it was a 144. However, when I look at the head, the part number has 3 numbers x'ed out and 144 stanped below it. Is that normal?

eprovenzano · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2012, 01:09:41 PM »

Quote from: VintageBlueSmoke on April 23, 2012, 04:28:34 PM

I'm signed up for KTMTalk (119Kurt) and there is a lot of information there with what looks like a pretty good community. I am about 3/4 of th eway through it and I'll post there soon. I got the motor apart last night, it doen't have the gouges from the ring sticking but the top of the piston all around the edge is ...chipping? I'm not quite sure if that is the right description. Will be replacing the piston and rings and look at the jetting to get some baseline numbers. I'll also be noting the part numbers to identify 07-08-09 parts.

When I was negotiating for this, I asked if this was a true 144 or if was a 125 kitted and they said it was a 144. However, when I look at the head, the part number has 3 numbers x'ed out and 144 stanped below it. Is that normal?

I'll bet a quarter... that the chipping on the piston is caused by premature detonation. I believe that's where the different ignition solved some of the issues. I can't comment on the part numbers as I'm not familiar enough. I'm passing along what I remember reading as it was interesting to me to watch the evolution of the bike. It was very unstable in the beginning, but over time, the issues were sorted out.

Recovered · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2012, 01:15:32 PM »

it's not detonation.

here is the ktm problem

see how the cylinder is angled forward? the thing combusts at the bottom of the stroke and you get an upward dry stroke with an abnormal amount of forward thrust. combine the lack of lube with the fact that the piston is literally being pushed into the powervalve orifice, and you have problems.

the fix? not completely sure, but i am sure fresh nikasil, a coated piston helps.

VintageBlueSmoke · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2012, 01:27:18 PM »

Sorry Premixed, I don't see any pictures. Can you direct me to a link?

Recovered · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2012, 01:30:14 PM »

i didnt post any photos, and there is no link. That is just my analysis of that engine. i've had it open on the work bench now for 2 weeks looking at it. looking at the wear patterns on the jug, the ring, the piston, the crank configuration.

google Chip Munn racing in texas. call him. ask him. he is the most knowledgable guy i have ever heard of on the KTM motors and he is super friendly, always answers the phone, and doesnt mind being bugged for stupid questions. i have not asked him about this, but i would be willing to bet a paycheck he says the same thing i do in regards to why the front of the jug ****s itself on these 125/144 motors.

eprovenzano · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2012, 08:21:41 PM »

Premix, I haven't heard of any issues with the 125, not saying there isn't, but I just haven't heard of them. I do know when the 144 1st came out there were a lot of issues, the rings were catching the port opening, jetting was a huge problem, and then KTM replaced the jug and pistons, then it was electricial, and on and on. I thought the issues were correted on the newer models, again I could be mistaken

(its been known to happen, just ask the wife

)

Vintage, keep reading the saga on KTMtalk. Then check the cylinder # and then check the ignition to see if they've been upgraded. Good luck with the project, the 144/150's really are fun bikes. Looking forward to seeing and hearing how this turns out.

Super Trucker · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2012, 01:05:12 AM »

The 1st year had the inner clutch hub gear break, or was it something in the trans. I think they fixed that on the newer 144,s. The 2011 150 still blows up, with a fast rider, under 3 tanks of vp112, under 4 hours riding in deep sand, under 4 hrs on the piston, shattered head, blew the dome on the piston off, cylinder and cases junk. The 144 and 250,s heads are very thin, so they go boom. The faster riders that take them in the deep sand, are blowing them up. The riders that don,t ride pinned everywhere have better luck. The older 125,s are pretty sound tho. The ktm piston is a vertex coated piston, the cylinder doesn,t lean as far forward as a YZ, scratch that theory. KTM is all about hp, that is there goal. If you install a icat on a ktm, it makes no diff, because there ignition is already as hot as it can be.

Dirt Addict · « **Reply #11 on:** April 24, 2012, 02:47:05 AM »

the 07/08 ktm 144's had pre detonation problems. the fix was swapping to a 09 head and cdi. This is most likely why ktm renamed the bike the ''150sx''in 2009, from the previous ''144sx''. You can jet it with a fat main jet like a 198 I think and use race fuel, but it's a bandaid fix. you will need to get it re-nikasiled. (guys have gone as fat as a 210 mj over on ktmtalk) there are lots of threads on it in the jetting section...
I had an 09 150sx. It ran great. Really fun bike.

2T Institute · « **Reply #12 on:** April 24, 2012, 08:49:52 AM »

Quote from: Premixed on April 23, 2012, 08:15:32 PM

it's not detonation.

here is the ktm problem

see how the cylinder is angled forward? the thing combusts at the bottom of the stroke and you get an upward dry stroke with an abnormal amount of forward thrust. combine the lack of lube with the fact that the piston is literally being pushed into the powervalve orifice, and you have problems.

the fix? not completely sure, but i am sure fresh nikasil, a coated piston helps.

Run that by me again?

VintageBlueSmoke · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2012, 10:55:56 AM »

OK, so from what I gather at KTMTalk, I'll need an 09 Head, Piston and rings, and CDI. They also recommend the smaller carb but I don't really understand why since you can just jet richer, right?

This bike is from here in the islands. There were no updates done to it. It has the 08 #II piston on it as well as the 08 CDI and 39mm carb. I know they drilled the jet but I don't know the size so I'll buy a jet kit from JDJetting. I'll call Munn and order the rest of the parts.

I am kind of excited to ride a modern bike. The last two races (on vintage Husky's) have left me with wasted clutches and blown forks.

VintageBlueSmoke · « **Reply #14 on:** April 26, 2012, 12:10:51 PM »

Jet Kit on order from JD Jetting.
Piston et al. on the way from Munn racing.

I'll hold off on the CDI, Head, carb etc until I've checked the squish and decking and played with the jetting. I'd like to spend the money for that on a Rekluse.

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Author Topic: I have to change the signature - 08 KTM SX144 added to the Garage (Read 2775 times)

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