With a new KTM 690 Enduro R purchased, my deposit paid and the initial boxes of Jon’s 10th kit on the way, it was time to get to work.
As my mates will confirm, while I’ve improved hugely over the years, I’m definately what you’d call ‘mechanically challenged’. Although I was a bit apprehensive, I was looking forward to pulling all the OEM parts off the bike in preparation for reinstalling the kit. It would be good to get started and finally on the way to building a rally bike.
The KIT690 owners manual was comprehensive but brief and listed the following for removal:
- Seat
- Side spoilers
- Airbox
- Headlight
- Speedo
- Plastic cover, relays and sensors
- Ignition lock
- Plastic frame covers
- Front seat bracket
- Voltage regulator
- Expansion tank
- Lower radiator retaining plates
- Radiator guard
- Exhaust header and silencer
- Rear fender
- Number plate carrier
- Rear fuel tank
It’s funny how easily a bike comes apart – I was getting very concerned about how I was going to get it back together though. As silly as it sounds, I spent a fair bit of time bagging and labelling everything that came off, adding some brief notes in places, taking photos and keeping it all tidy and controlled. As I was to discover later, this turned out to be a seriously good call.
The things that gave me the biggest nightmares (literally) were the myriad of connectors and cables that spewed out of each end of the main wiring harness. The area that had been the headlight binnacle had wires everywhere, as did the space in the body of the rear fuel tank that housed the battery, CPU and other electrical componentary. It was a truly spectacular mess.
All that aside, it was one hell of an experience and lots of fun. Quite cathartic actually. I learned a huge amount about the bike – so much made sense now. I was going to going to have to learn a whole lot more though!
Adventure USA 