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]

Originally Posted by noobi

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]

Originally Posted by stuart

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.