KTM Dirtbike Shift Drum Failure

The shift drum broke on my 2021 KTM 300 XC-W TPI after only 80 hours.

[@painsrides3616]

Sorry it happened, but great diagnosis and fix 👍 and glad to have you back in action 😎

[@EricGrieco]

Thanks man!! It was my first time tearing into the bottom end of an engine. Definitely a learning experience and now I have the tools and a little confidence for later on when the crank will need to be rebuilt/replaced… hopefully much later on 🤞🏻😄

[@keithpeterson6108]

The Austrian bikes use an aluminum shift drum vs steel of all the other brands. Using aluminum for the shift drums is a horrible choice. They do this to try & save a little weight. These aluminum drums wear as the hard anodizing wears off & exposes the bare aluminum. This is the only reason I won't buy an Austrian bike. I wish an aftermarket company offered a steel drum.

[@EricGrieco]

I don’t blame you. When I changed out the faulty shift drum, the first thing I noticed was how light and cheap it felt. I wonder when they made this change? I used to have a 2008 KTM 250 EXC 2-stroke (I lived in Europe back then) and that bike was practically indestructible 😊 Thanks for watching!

[@keithpeterson6108]

@Eric Grieco Yeah, my buddy had a 2014 ktm 250sx & it developed shifting problems the same summer it was new. The shift drum was worn. It was a bummer because otherwise it was a really sweet bike. The fork performance wash also atrocious but once revalved, it was a great bike. We put a new drum in it & he sold it. He won't buy one again. I really, really want a 350 4stroke, but again, the drum has me completely turned off the bike.

[@robertbradley1133]

I think locking lever with roller is in the wrong place factory manual shows it pushed all the way over to the right 3o clock yours was at 10 o clock when you go through the gears might be worth checking next time your in

[@EricGrieco]

Thanks for the comment. Not sure if we have the same factory manual, but in mine, diagram 18.6.16 shows the locking lever in the 10/11 o’clock position… in diagram 18.6.18 it shows it in the 3 o’clock position, but that’s with the shift star removed. For what it’s worth.. I have two rides on the bike after the rebuild and it’s shifting great 😊

[@robertbradley1133]

@@EricGrieco glad it’s all ok Eric 👍

[@EricGrieco]

@@robertbradley1133 thanks for watching with such detail 😊

[@nathan-n14nismo12]

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️. Remember when dirt bikes were robust and reliable……. lol. Good vid mate. 👍🏻

[@EricGrieco]

@@nathan-n14nismo12 thanks man! 😊

[@brendonchase9460]

This is very kool 👌thanks for sharing

[@EricGrieco]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@ryanhenry21]

Than motor is clean!

[@Dillonpickle]

I fear this is waiting inside my 200exc 😢

[@EricGrieco]

Oh man I sure hope not! 🤞🏻