1997 SLR 650

[guest1963]

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

[themoudie]

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

[SteveC#222]

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.

[timbo]

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

[guest1963]

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

[guest1963]

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

[guest1963]

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

[themoudie]

Aye drbob,

This YouTube should give you the idea of the basics, I DON'T HAVE A SLR650!  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

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

My regards, Bill

[guest1963]

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.

[Moto63]

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

[guest1963]

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

[Oldtimer]

So! Where do you work. Sounds an interesting place to work[play]

[guest1963]

I work for a plant and tool hire company in the Nuneaton Warwickshire If theres any fellow members nearby drop me a line BOB

[Moto63]

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

[guest1963]

I think I will just keep updating on the project in this section as cant upload photos BOB