Thumper Club Forum

Technical => Bike Problems/Questions => Topic started by: guest1963 on March 22, 2015, 09:00:39 PM

Title: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: guest1963 on March 22, 2015, 09:00:39 PM
Hello everyone I am a new member having purchased a SLR 650 for a STREET SCRAMBLER/FLAT TRACK PROJECT the bike is very tired but running THE PROBLEM IS SMOKE FROM EXHAUST ON OVERRUN could this be VALVE STEM SEALS OR OIL RING first time owner of a thumper or any 4 stroke bike any help would be appreciated Cheers BOB
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: themoudie on March 22, 2015, 10:07:02 PM
drbob,
Congratulations and welcome to 'The' club!

As for the bike, I would suspect not just the seals, but potentialy the valves and guides as well. As a "tired" motorcycle, I would lift the head and whilst you are that far into the guts, check the bore, piston and rings, although you usually get smoke on acceleration if the rings are getting tired and it becomes harder to start due to a lack of compression and oiled plug.

I don't have one of these bikes, but any 4stroke single from a C50 through to a DR800 tends to display similar traights when getting "tired"!

Tired club members tend to quaff, tell libellous stories, hanker after early Series Land Rovers, weather ladies and Eastern bloc 2 stroke motorcycles!  ;)

Enjoy your SLR650.

My regards, Bill
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: SteveC#222 on March 22, 2015, 10:16:03 PM
Hi Bob, welcome to the club.

You don't say what mileage the bike has done but I know the 650 singles can wear the bore quite quickly (20K or so) and sometimes need a rebore.  I'd check the barrel/piston is within the wear limits and go from there. you may get away with just rings if you're lucky. Also check top end  cam/followers as they need regular oil changes (1-1500 miles) or they soon start to wear. probably worth doing the valve seals at the same time.

Let us know what you find.
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: timbo on March 23, 2015, 12:28:35 AM
Yes, welcome to the club. That all sounds good advice, so please keep us all informed how you get on. I have the next Dommie reincarnation after the SLR, the Vigor. One thing I found generally is that almost every fastener was seized solid when I stripped the bike for a tidy up. Have a good look at the monoshock linkages, as they seem to be particularly neglected :'(
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: guest1963 on March 23, 2015, 06:42:41 PM
Thank you for your welcomes and all your advice, I will let you know what I find in the future as the bike is still in standard trim Cheers BOB
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: guest1963 on March 26, 2015, 06:31:05 PM
Hello again  started to strip bike most bolts seized as you mentioned mainly rear tailpiece and exhaust but soaked in release agent for a few days and came undone. I will have used spares if anyone needs any drop me a line I will let know whats available and condition they are in Cheers BOB
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: guest1963 on March 27, 2015, 07:44:09 PM
Me again looking for some advice new to oil in frame bikes How do I drain the oil on my SLR 650 sorry if I am boring you but engine ready to come out for rebuild NOT BY ME before you ask BOB
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: themoudie on March 28, 2015, 12:26:45 AM
Aye drbob,

This YouTube should give you the idea of the basics, I DON'T HAVE A SLR650!  :o But, believe them to be similar to the XR650. If I have assumed incorrectly I expect to get a 'Clarkson' from somebody who is better informed than me!  ;)

Ignore the comment about "viscous", round the wrong way! Warming the oil makes it less viscous, so it drains more easily and completely and holds more 'bits' in suspension. Of course your motor won't have any 'bits'.  ::)

XR650_oil_change (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjlfwacvwx4)

Good luck with the rebuild and I hope it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg.

My regards, Bill
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: guest1963 on March 28, 2015, 11:11:56 AM
Thanks for the info watched the vid seems to be some opinions of what oil to use hopefully my engine builder will have an idea. He is a friend who builds KTM +HONDA Motocross engines in his shed as a hobby not the fastest builder has O.C.D but brilliant at it.  As for costs where I work Paint Shop next door fellow biker no cost only the paint, Fabricator over the road hand made Classic Car panels and ally welding also biker Races GSXR 750 TURBO DRAG BIKE, He will be doing the fabrication work minimal cost I just need to come up with a look Strip +Rebuild Cheers BOB   P.S. How do I upload PHOTOS from my phone onto this site pretty new to computers so need a bit of HELP.
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: Moto63 on March 28, 2015, 03:29:16 PM
Gordon Bennett. Drbob with all those associates so close to hand and with minimal costs involved you must av a garage full of "specials" ??  Ps welcome to the club. Regards Michael
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: guest1963 on March 28, 2015, 07:59:34 PM
I WISH I live in a flat I have a good employer who is also a biker he owns a SUPER TENNERE,YAMAHA 800 AND A VMAX TRIKE I will try and upload some pics in the project section the workshop you will see if succesfull is where I work not at home Cheers BOB
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: Oldtimer on March 29, 2015, 01:18:35 AM
So! Where do you work. Sounds an interesting place to work[play]
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: guest1963 on March 29, 2015, 10:25:37 AM
I work for a plant and tool hire company in the Nuneaton Warwickshire If theres any fellow members nearby drop me a line BOB
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: Moto63 on March 29, 2015, 11:15:45 AM
Morning drbob, yes I too av tried in vain to upload pics of my XBR cafe racer but without success, I think there shud be a thread started by someone with the knowledge just to explain the basics, lol. I think it,s a sign of old age creepin in, certainly on my part any road , timbo kindly offered to up load some for me as I pm,d him a couple a while back. He,s clearly smarter than I am. I,m just in the process of sorting out a new stainless exhaust system so once that's done I may ask him if he would,nt mind puttin a couple up in the "project " section. Anyway keep us posted of developments on the old 650 hopefully with photo,s included. Cheers Michael
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: guest1963 on March 29, 2015, 07:05:39 PM
I think I will just keep updating on the project in this section as cant upload photos BOB
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: timbo on March 31, 2015, 08:54:17 PM
Hi again. To drain oil, there are two drain bolts, one on the left hand side of the the front down tube, and the other on the left hand side of engine, near the gear change. I have always used 10/40 semi synthetic oil in any bikes of this ilk. Currently im using Motul. Change oil every thou to fifteen hundred miles.
To remove oil filter, its the small cover held on by three bolts on right hand side of engine. Be aware of spring behind filter, and small protrusion on cover that lines up with same on engine when replacing filter.
The bit that always gets me is how to properly check the oil level on any of these bikes, eg xbr, dommie, SLR, vigor. You must take the bike for a short run first, maybe a couple of miles say, then let it sit at tickover for two to three minutes. Switch off, then check oil immediately using dipstick in top of frame. Using any other method, I have found, gives vast variations in oil level  :-\
As for uploading pics, I have to get my PA/wife/brains of the outfit, to do that. She's tried to show me, but I'm afraid that tech talk has transformed into white noise when it reaches my few remaining braincells   :-\
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: Oldtimer on April 01, 2015, 12:22:01 AM
Uploaded a picture of my bike by the attachment below the message panel. So if you see a picture that is how I have uploaded it.
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: Oldtimer on April 01, 2015, 12:24:05 AM
Uploaded a picture of my bike by the attachment below the message panel. So if you see a picture that is how I have uploaded it.
Well that didn't work so now I am as befuddled as everyone else!
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: guest1963 on April 01, 2015, 06:53:34 PM
Thanks for the info on the  oil change found the bolts one on the frame came undone with a good soak in w/d but the one on the engine is rounder than a round thing have to wait till engine is out to get that one makes me think no oil change for a while.  BOB
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: Propellor on April 02, 2015, 06:00:24 AM
Thanks for the info on the  oil change found the bolts one on the frame came undone with a good soak in w/d but the one on the engine is rounder than a round thing have to wait till engine is out to get that one makes me think no oil change for a while.  BOB

Mole grips? Or plumbers pipe grips? Of a manly size.

Once out it can be renewed.
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: SteveC#222 on April 02, 2015, 07:31:04 AM
You use to be able to get a socket spanner with lots of small spring loaded pins in it which would deform around the shape of a rounded bolt and would often get them out - I can't remember who made them. Failing that is there enough room to cut a couple of flats on the bolt head to get an adjustable on?  Oh and heat works if you can use it.
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: timbo on April 02, 2015, 12:12:51 PM
Hi Bob, another thing I just thought of. There is another oil filter. If you take the right hand engine casing off, there is a wee horizontal gauze filter, held in place by a single bolt. Undo bolt and pull out filter with pliers. Maybe worth checking ;)
Title: Re: 1997 SLR 650
Post by: guest1963 on April 02, 2015, 08:15:34 PM
Thanks for all the info and ideas got it of today used a dremill with a very small disc on it cut two slots used a flat bit in a impact driver after plenty of good old wd of it came. P.S back to where I work its like going to school and getting paid.   BOB.