2005 LC4 640 ADV Purchase Advice

[WestCoast Rider]

Hi All,

I've been contacted by a rider interested in trading his 2005 640 ADV for my 2004 Yamaha FZ6.

Both bikes are well maintained (as far as we both testify), both around 45,000km, the KTM owner is looking for something more highway oriented that can do 2-up, and I've been looking for a decent midsized light adventure bike.

I've been reading the ADV threads, and the what-to-look-for's, but I wanted an honest opinion on an LC4 with 45,000km on it. Even if it is well maintained, (apparently the KTM was owned by an aircraft mechanic before, and current owner was particular about dealer service intervals), what are my risk factors for buying that bike?

By comparison, the FZ6 is a pretty hands-off bike... I'm fine with the frequent service and dirt-bike like services, I just don't want to trade these bikes, and find out I need to rebuild that LC4 before the end of the season.

Thoughts?

[shevthump914]

DUUUUUUUUDDDDDDEEEEE....awesome bike....me jealous, then again I have a 640E....not the ADV...its same all around though less the bigger tank...Seriously mine had 35000Km when I GOT IT ...almost at 40 k now...I can tell you for one thing go try it an hear it run ...AN just so you know IT IS AN.... AMAZING BIKE .Risk factor will be same as lots of used bikes.Best advice is TRY it an hear it RUN..oh an ask what parts or stuff done ....like valves checked,Oil changes ...GOOD LUCK..
Paul.S

[Island Hopper]

Here is the best source for info on the 640: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86958

If it were me the deal would be done in a heartbeat....

[WestCoast Rider]

Here is the best source for info on the 640: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86958

Thanks for the link Hopper, I have read quite a bit of that thread, and I read about your 640 hitting 125,000 km with a bit of work here and there... are you still riding the same bike you had rebuilt?

[Wick-Trimmer]

Picked up a 07-640 Adv at the end of last season with only 1200 km on it. So very excited for the new season. No regrets here. Go for it.

[caribooster]

I own a 2003 640 LC4E, virtually the same bike as an adventure but a smaller tank and front end goodies and I love it. The LC4 engine is a tried and true motor and has a much background as an XR650. There are lots of parts available and lots of riders to discuss any issues that you may have. At 45,000km you may have a few things to consider such as valves and the water pump. The link that Island Hopper provided you is better than any manual you will ever find and there are always guys willing to assist you on Adventure Rider. Be sure you lie down underneath it and that will tell you how many off-road miles it has seen. Ask a lot of questions and if the seller is honest you should know what you are getting. Let us know how you make out.

[Island Hopper]

Thanks for the link Hopper, I have read quite a bit of that thread, and I read about your 640 hitting 125,000 km with a bit of work here and there... are you still riding the same bike you had rebuilt?

Yep, same bike, getting close to 130,000 now...

[broxy]

Maybe Island Hopper would be kind enough to enlighten us on what sort of things should be addressed at this point in the bikes life. A few to look for or inquire about that I can think of. . . cylinder base gasket leak, clutch slave cylinder (is it still holding pressure), countershaft seal (O-ring and seal), leaking rocker cover from the top left front corner, leaking rocker shaft O-rings, but the one I would have tended to for sure is the cam follower bearing replacement. I did mine proactively in December, and it was cheap, easy piece of mind. I'm very confident my bike has another 30K in it before anything else needs to be done to it.

In 30K, mine has had a countershaft O-ring replaced, another countershaft O-ring to rebuild the clutch slave (there was really nothing wrong with it, it just needed to be bled. It never gets used anymore since installing a Rekluse), and the cam follower bearings. Not much more than your FZ6 required I would imagine. Enjoy it!

[Island Hopper]

At 45,000 KM I can think of a few things that should be addressed:

If not already done it wouldn't hurt to replace a few parts in the carb like the needle jet/jet needle, the float needle and a few of the associated rubber O-rings ... These are the parts that tend to have wear cycle of 20-25k and could cause tuning problems as they deteriorate...


Like broxy suggested, the cam rollers as well as a rebuild to the water pump as a preventative measure...

It would be nice to know the valve adjustment history to see how much actual adjustment has been required over the 45 k period... I usually have a valve job done at 40-45 k but know of one fellow who ran his to 95,000 km with no valvework and a couple that let there bikes go well over 100 k before service...
Today we did a 40,000 km service on Pauls bike and had to adjust the intake valves a fair bit to get them back to spec... Even at that the engine still pulls strong and seems to holds compression well so the valves still must be sealing good enough...

I would recommend to have a spare set of fork seals handy as well..

[broxy]

At 45,000 KM I can think of a few things that should be addressed:

If not already done it wouldn't hurt to replace a few parts in the carb like the needle jet/jet needle, the float needle and a few of the associated rubber O-rings ... These are the parts that tend to have wear cycle of 20-25k and could cause tuning problems as they deteriorate...


Like broxy suggested, the cam rollers as well as a rebuild to the water pump as a preventative measure...

See, this is why I figured you should chime in with specifics. I regularly check my needle, and rebuilt my water pump when I did the follower bearing service. It's also a good idea to remove the swing arm and check/ grease the pivot and shock linkage bearings. Some people have experience problems with the swing arm shaft seizing due to lack of attention. These simple things are actually fun to do, and don't take very long, and often cost nothing, or close to it. Grease the steering head bearings while you're at it as well.

[Island Hopper]

Yep, good point about greasing the link bearings.... The one pivot point that has needed the most attention on my bike by being dry of grease is where the link arms join to the frame... The link maintenance should be performed at least every 2 yrs.. The last time I serviced them I ended up replacing the needles and seals in the frame link....

[rz35027]

It's got quite a few miles on it.
Island Hopper seems to know these things inside out... listen to what he's telling you
The bike is totally rebuildable... and worth rebuilding...
Great bike!
Straight trade 05 Adv for an 04 R6?.... Go for it! If you want a really good dual purpose bike it's almost a no brainer...

[Tree]

i had one. bike is amazing. traded up for a 950. only thing you will regret is getting rid of the 640 if you ever do.

[fastlane]

hmmm seems like I bought this very bike Good to read all the +ve comments. It runs well is anxious to hit the trails soon.

[WestCoast Rider]

hmmm seems like I bought this very bike Good to read all the +ve comments. It runs well is anxious to hit the trails soon.

eff. I was going to call him this week and see if he was still interested. I was away and hadn't heard anything further.