Valve clearance check on a 2017 KTM 500 EXC-F after 13,000km and 220 hours!

I check my brother's 500 after a big across-Australia trip. Is it still in spec?
Numpty disclaimer: I am not a mechanic; I have performed this procedure exactly ONCE before. It seems simple enough that anyone could do it, but do your own research on the process before attempting it. It worked for me, that's all I'm saying!
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All my KTM 500 EXC videos:
• KTM 500 EXC-F 2019
All my Ratchet Rider videos:
• Ride videos
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My camera gear:
- Helmet mount: Sony HDR AS300
- Canon G7X II
- iPhone 6
- DJI Spark drone

[@jamesfairmind2247]

One good tip, wrap a towel around the top frame to prevent any dust or dirt falling off all those electrical cables etc and into the cam area. Even kitchen paper will do but real towelling is best.

[@Britishshooter]

Bloody impressive! All that mileage and no adjustment required! These 500's are looking more tempting every time I see a video like this dispelling the myth that these things need so much maintenance. There are quite a few people out there using these for RTW adventure and changing oil between 1000 miles and 1500 miles (thats 2000 to 2400 KMS). One little tip, it is worth taping a couple of sheets of kitchen roll over the top frame tube to cover everything above the open valve area, just to stop little bits of dirt/dust from falling into the rocker box. Quick and easy to do and just a good idea.

[@keithjob]

That's a great tip!

[@peterjones4163]

I have done many many miles on Ktm’s . I’m getting on, But valve clearance checks on Ktm Exc 2012 onwards completely not required. When a shop tells you they have shimmed/adjusted your valves there more then likely chanting bull dust. Anyone who knows the Ktm’s engine well would agree. The Average lad on the trails if maintaining your bike needs to focus on good oils and well cleaned and oiled air filter. That’s the key to this engine. Cooler months 1000klm service. Summer 500klm. Although ai spoke to a experienced well traveled man in NZ who’s pushing the 25000klm mark on his 500 exc and he’s happy with 2000klm oil change when Easy Adv riding is applied. Thankyou kind Sir Regards, PJ.

[@robbo6799]

Sold, I have been tossing up whether to stick with another DRZ or jump in to the KTM500. KTM here I come.

[@4sapphireb]

I’m thinking the same right now

[@skrez5534]

Just took the leap myself!

[@michaelsupple6081]

I've been thinking of going from a 690 Enduro r to the 500. This is also helping me. I'm not a racer and what I'm hearing is that if you are not racing or charging hard the maintenance intervals can be extended quite a bit. Check out Round The World Paul who is doing exactly that on a 500. Thanks so much for the vid!

[@mt1885]

QUALITY of KTM is amazing!!!

[@MotoWorld777]

great vids mate! I just got an EXC 450 and these are helping me acclimate a bit!

[@csm5137]

I like your videos. New owner of a 2020 500 excf. Thumbs up.

[@keithjob]

Enjoy!

[@chrisblanchard4938]

That was great! Leaned a lot thank you.

[@taylorandersen5163]

I'm at roughly 220 hours on my '17 Fe501, haven't checked the valves yet. The dealer I purchased it from new said not to worry about it unless the bike began to have cold start issues. The bike has been great, de-smogged, ejk, uncorked exhaust, upgraded fuel pump and fuel rail and continues to impress me on the trail!

[@luuk4509]

Cool, i have a KTM exc 450 2015 306 hours right now checked valves was good. I ride IT as supermoto

[@burn.501]

My 19 501 is at 369 hours and 20000km. All 4 are still in spec.

[@petemuir3973]

Hi....another brilliant and informative video. Looking forward one day to geting a exc 500 once my wr250r is near the end of its life but still chugging along at 35 k :)

[@Dirtpoorhomesteader]

Your gonna be waiting awhile. That wr is tough! It’s King of the small dual sport.

[@jamesdepaul3410]

The only part that was not clear was finding TDC.

[@wv4life375]

Thanks for the vid. Very informative and takes the fear away. Only think that caught my eye was fully torquing each valve cover bolt one at a time. Could perhaps lead to minor leaks. Finger tighten each then torque in an X pattern. May be fine since the gasket fits over the cover but my old habits die hard.

[@mxgryan]

Almost heaven....

[@barrymurphy3554]

Thanks Kieth

[@johnbayliss1098]

Verry good RIGHT ON TARGET THANK YOU

[@Smiling_mike]

Nice video. Pretty amazing that no adjustment was necessary & is still in within factory specs. I’m @ 20 hours now on a new 2018 & thinking I will check mine at 30 hours just to see where it’s at.

[@keithjob]

On every forum you will read the same message: that KTM valves rarely go out of spec. That is essentially why I have never bothered to check before now, because chances are good that there's nothing wrong with them.

[@Smiling_mike]

Keith, I just wanted to tell you that you are right about the KTM valves specifications= I have the ‘18 500F and I just hit 32 hours yesterday so today I checked my valve clearances. 1st you were right on how easy it is to check, and 2nd I was pretty confident that I would find the clearances within specifications and sure enough , they were right on the money! Going to enjoy another 30-50 more hours without worrying about those valves. Thanks for your informative videos on the 500!

[@SourceADV]

It's really easy to check the clearance intake and exhaust valves on the right side of the bike from the other side versus having to cross over the left side valves with your feelers. Hope that helps!

[@keithjob]

Good tip!

[@ThisTall]

Getting a lot of good use out of your channel recently!

[@robsonenduro3316]

excellent! I guess now I can check my 500 exc '17 after 285 hours and 6k km :)

[@robsonenduro3316]

now at 400 hours still didn't have a time to do it...

[@Jackemeister]

@@robsonenduro3316 Nice man! I'm looking at a 500 17 with 50 hours on it have you had any problems with yours if I may ask?

[@robsonenduro3316]

now at 600 hours I may actually check my valves LOL - cold start problems...

[@Parakitedude]

Great instruction video! What kind of riding are you doing?

[@stephenlittle8541]

What is your plans with the 500 with 13.000 kms , as you have the new 500 cheers ...

[@shaunbeckhelling4417]

Ktm all the way👍 Also great watch(citizen tough watch)

[@keithjob]

That's a keen eye! Yes I like the Citizen, the solar panel face, waterproofness, it's a great everyday watch.

[@doublex632]

I just picked up a 12.5 KTM 450 SXF with 22 hours on it, ya I was thinking I'm good with the whole valve check for now, but what do you think? thanks

[@rogersiples3335]

I wish the valve adjustment would have been shown.

[@Twistedmetallic]

My WR450F, have 450 hours, no adjust yet

[@C_R_O_M________]

It is recommended to thread the head bolts in a crisscross pattern.

[@kennethfarquhar8518]

Those are valve cover bolts . Not head studs

[@eriknash8783]

Been having starting problems on my 2021 FE501 and at ~80 hours, I can't even fit a .08mm feeler gauge (the smallest in my set)

[@miro_s]

rewatching this as I approach the time I feel the need for a valve check. Never tried before. I suppose the gauge blades are all equally good, or is there a preferable set?

[@JCKloppers]

Did they need adjustment? My 2018 500 had valves checked at 80hours and the exhaust valves need minor shimming

[@keithjob]

No adjustment required as they are all right in the middle of the range.

[@dereckrodriguez9688]

So 220 and valves were good. Did you change or do any other service work before as well? Excluding oil changes. Looking to buy a used 500exc. Some have 2-4k miles

[@keithjob]

Just normal servicing, nothing done to engine. My new 500, just checked valves after 100 hrs, no movement since new. Perfect.

[@dereckrodriguez9688]

@@keithjob thanks that’s great news. Seems like these are extremely reliable. So you sold your 17? How many miles did you end up getting on it? And is 4k miles a lot for a used model?

[@jbain160]

What brand and model torque wrench are you using? Thanks

[@keithjob]

It's a Venzo 1/4" set. Found it at a bicycle shop.

[@colinbergstrom3955]

Off subject, your Baja headlight did you have to do anything to the bike to install?

[@keithjob]

I added the moto-minded supermount at the same time. But this is not an actual requirement for the XL80. BUT the supermount gives you a solid mount for the now much-heavier XL80 unit, which I'd imagine would bounce around like crazy on the standard rubber strap mounts. (However if you add the supermount you can't run the standard headllight.) The two items seem made for each other. Hope that makes sense.

[@colinbergstrom3955]

@@keithjob Thank you for the response, a lot of times I will read this statement Some electric-start bikes require the stator to be modified or rewound as well as the addition of a new rectifier/regulator to run LED lights. did you need to modify or rewound the stator?

[@keithjob]

@@colinbergstrom3955 No. The bike's electrical system seems up to the task. Check out kzbin.info/www/bejne/pauTh56ifK-Nras where I run these lights, heated gloves and heated grips, and the bike still putting out 13.1V

[@sandrider1406]

Hey Keith when did you do the very first valve check?

[@keithjob]

About an hour before this video 😉

[@sandrider1406]

Keith Jobson that’s incredible , KTM 500 seems to be able to run way longer than its recommended valve clearance time. Was there ever a time when you felt that you had over run the time or was the engine always performing well?

[@TeaIP]

🤨 did the First Check on my 2022 500 at 6000km 140h and its so thight even .05 wont Go in

[@6Twisted]

This is almost my dream bike. I'd be using it on the road so no front ABS is a deal breaker for me sadly.

[@CumminsTurbo4]

Hilarious. ABS onthe front almost killed me on my 2017 Zero, I removed entire pump assembly and remade new lines for it 🤣

[@booger65man]

You should probably evenly snuck up valve cover bolts before giving them the final torque

[@mxgryan]

What is the most miles you have heard of on a 17 or newer KTM 450 / 500

[@Britishshooter]

I met a guy in the USA who had set off on the Great Continental Divide trail with 12,500 miles on the same piston. He said that he changed the oil every 1500 miles and never had a problem. Said he rode at 80 mph on the freeway no problem either. There will be bikes out there with 20,000 miles on the same piston I reckon. Obviously not enduro or desert racers, just dual sport road/trail use.

[@mxgryan]

@@Britishshooter I'm sold!

[@Britishshooter]

@@mxgryan Yeah, after watching this video, so am I ! Why bother with all that extra weight on other bikes? As long as you warm a 500 carefully before riding hard and treat it with mechanical consideration, I reckon it is a perfect lightweight adventure bike!

[@WS-gs6sf]

What cha gotta do when the maths don't add up? Is there a button to push?

[@alanrogers1526]

My

[@MrEtnorb]

Excellent site for 500 owners. Like you, I have been building my 500 into an ADV bike this year; cush drive hub, big tank, pannier frame and rack system, small screen, heated grips,larger pegs. I will be fitting an MSC moto stabiliser this week and will reference your recent fitting video. I just checked my valves at 40 hrs and they were right at the loose end of the specs. Have you been following round the world Kiwi Aaron on his 500exc? advrider.com/f/threads/new-zealand-rtw-and-back-on-a-ktm500exc.1181912/page-107 He just passed 1,600 hrs/ 122,000km this week! That and other web sites certainly puts to bed any negative stories re this bike's reliability

[@cody-jn7np]

What brand of heated grips did you use? Thanks.

[@MrEtnorb]

@@cody-jn7np Oxford heated grips. Excellent products,the only thing I don't like is that they are relatively smooth

[@CumminsTurbo4]

Where did you find the cush drive hub? Local dealer claimed he's seen people use a rubber mounted front sprocket but I've never been able to find one. Also, what pegs did you go with? These engine vibes make me wanna find rubber pad pegs and lower ones for my knees....

[@mattm12124]

the sound of that sharpie was unbearable

[@keithjob]

I'll include a trigger warning next time... 😉

[@texasmuddslingers]

Bike should have been washed better.

[@NietJeffrey]

So what's the point of this video really? I mean, yes you showed us how to check. But what if you need adjustment? This is like making a video of removing a car engine, but then realizing the car doesn't need a new engine so you close the hood and call it a day..

[@drfeelgood5870]

Why don't they use hydraulic followers instead of mechanical. Every engine on the planet runs hydraulic tappets!.

[@CumminsTurbo4]

You dont dirtbike much, do you lol

[@sumporfuk]

Please don’t use that marker on paper anymore the screeching was very unpleasant

[@keithjob]

I'll try to find a proper chalkboard for next time... ;-)