Adjusting The Preload Of The Shock Absorber; Breathing The Fork Legs; Cleaning The Dust Sleeves Of The Telescopic Fork; Checking The Chain Tension - KTM 950 Adventure 2005 Owner's Manual

MAINTENANCE WORK ON CHASSIS AND ENGINE
35 ... 40 mm

Adjusting the preload of the shock absorber

The baggage and passenger put the main load on the shock absorber. To guar-
antee maximum handling performance, the preload of the shock absorber must
be adapted to the load.
The preload is hydraulically adjusted by turning the hand wheel [1]. Turning
in a clockwise direction will increase the preload, turning in a counterclock-
wise direction will reduce the preload.
Our pragmatical values are provided in the table "Basic settings for the shock
1
absorber" to help you to make the necessary adjustments.
STANDARD ADJUSTMENT:
– Turn the hand wheel in a counterclockwise direction up to the stop
– Turn the hand wheel 6 turns in a clockwise direction

Breathing the fork legs

Breath the fork legs regularly (see Maintenance Schedule).
To breath, place the motorcycle on the side stand and briefly remove the bleeder
screws [2] to allow any overpressure to escape from the fork.
2
EXCESSIVE PRESSURE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE FORK CAN CAUSE LEAKS IN THE
FORK. IF YOUR FORK IS LEAKING, IT IS RECOMMENDED TO OPEN THE BREATHER
PLUGS BEFORE HAVING THE SEALS REPLACED.

Cleaning the dust sleeves of the telescopic fork

The dust-protection bellows [3] are to remove dust and coarse dirt particles
from the fork tube. However, after some time, dirt may also get in behind the
dust-protection bellows. If this dirt is not removed, the oil sealing rings located
behind it may start to leak.
Use a screwdriver to lever the dust-protection bellows out of the outer tubes
and slide them downward.
3
Clean dust-protection bellows, outer tubes, and fork tubes thoroughly, and oil
them thoroughly with Universal oil spray (Motorex Joker 440) or engine oil.
Then, push dust-protection bellows into the outer tubes by hand.
NO OIL MAY REACH THE FRONT TIRE OR THE BRAKE DISKS SINCE THIS WOULD
CONSIDERABLY REDUCE THE TIRE'S ROAD GRIP AND THE BRAKING EFFECT OF
THE FRONT BRAKE.

Checking the chain tension

Place the motorcycle on the side stand and switch the transmission to idle.
The chain should sag 35...40 mm (1.37 ... 1.57 in) at the lower chainguard
4
screw [4].
– IF CHAIN TENSION IS TOO GREAT, PARTS WITHIN THE SECONDARY POWER
TRANSMISSION (CHAIN, CHAIN SPROCKETS, TRANSMISSION AND REAR WHEEL
BEARINGS) WILL BE SUBJECTED TO UNNECESSARY STRESS, RESULTING IN
PREMATURE WEAR AND EVEN CHAIN BREAKAGE.
– TOO MUCH SLACK IN THE CHAIN, ON THE OTHER HAND, CAN RESULT IN THE
CHAIN JUMPING OFF THE CHAIN WHEELS. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CHAIN COULD
ALSO BLOCK THE REAR WHEEL OR DAMAGE THE ENGINE.
– IN EITHER CASE THE OPERATOR IS LIKELY TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTOR-
CYCLE.
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