Bleeder Screw Front Fork; Checking And Adjusting Steering Head Bearing; Changing The Spring Preload Of The Shock Absorber - KTM 1998 400 R Owner's Handbook Manual

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Bleeder screw front fork

After every 5 hours of use for competitive racing, slacken the bleeder scr-
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ews a few turns in order to relieve excess pressure from the inside of the
fork. To do this, place the motorcycle on a stand with the front wheel lifted
off the ground. When riding the motorcycle mainly on street, it will be
enough to have this job performed in the course of the periodical mainten-
ance service.
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XCESSIVE PRESSURE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE FORK CAN CAUSE LEAKS IN THE FORK
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YOUR FORK IS LEAKING IT IS RECOMMENDED TO OPEN THE BLEEDER SCREWS BEFORE
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HAVING THE SEALS REPLACED

Checking and adjusting steering head bearing*

Check steering head bearing for play periodicaly. To check this put
motorcycle on a stand so that the front wheel is off the ground. Now try to
move the fork forward and backward. To adjust, loosen the five clamp scr-
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ews of the top triple clamp and turn steering stem bolt clockwise
until there is no more play. Don't tighten the steering stem bolt all the
way, otherwise the bearings will be damaged. With a plastic hammer,
lightly rap on the triple clamp to avoid tension. Re-tighten the five clamp
screws with 15 Nm (11 ft.lb).
WARNING
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F THE STEERING HEAD BEARING IS NOT ADJUSTED TO BE FREE OF PLAY
WILL SHOW AN UNSTEADY DRIVING PERFORMANCE AND CAN GET OUT OF CONTROL
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F YOU DRIVE WITH PLAY IN THE STEERING HEAD BEARING FOR LONGER PERIODS
BEARINGS AND THEN THE BEARING SEATS IN THE FRAME WILL BE DESTROYED
At least once a year, the steering head bearings should be greased.

Changing the spring preload of the shock absorber

KTM sets the shock absorber for a driver only, weighing approximately 75
kg (165 lb). If you want to take a passenger with you, of if you weigh con-
siderably more or less than 75 kg (165 lb), you should change the spring
preload accordingly. This is easily done.
NOTE:
– Before changing the spring preload note down the basic setting, e.g.
how many threads are visible above the adjusting ring.
– One rotation of the adjusting ring
approximately 1,75 mm (0,07 in).
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Loosen the locking ring with the hook wrench from the tool set. Change
the spring preload with the adjusting ring
BASIC SETTING – SPRING PRELOAD
A = 23 mm (0,9 in)
CAUTION
CAUTION
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changes the spring preload by
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and re-tighten the locking ring.
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THE MOTORCYCLE
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FIRST THE
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