Project KTM 690 SMC number 2

[stan23]

I decided I wanted another one of these bikes. I found a great running one - but cosmetically challenged one in SF. Sorry, as this is the only pic I took when I bought the bike.

Took it home and started to tear into it. I'm not a fan of aftermarket fender eliminators, or tiny tail ligths, especially when they are crimped together like this.

Day 1 of taking it apart

Old plastics in decent shape, but no decals. My favorite color scheme on the 690 SMC is the white/black version on the 2010 bike. More on that later.

Initial inspection was good. Everything was there and straight.

Starting to clean it. My daughter helped.

 

[stan23]

First shipments of parts.

Old UNI air filter. Was a bit dirty.

That's better!

All new OEM KTM Axle sliders and swingarm spools

New OEM KTM hanguards, new grips (i've been running these same renthal grips on all my bikes forever... Aprilia mirrors.

Bolted on the new KTM black/white plastics. Rear fender was a pain to attach, more on that later.

Scrapped that tiny LED tail light the PO installed and put on an OEM tail light with OEM turn signals.

Applied the decal kit from the 2010 bike.

 

[stan23]

Cosmetics were done, so time for some modifications to suit my needs. Put on a 44t rear sprocket for more low end action.

CJ designs aluminum cap. I put on a new OEM cap O-ring.

I installed an EVO1 airbox lid, and along with the cat less wings exhaust, the bike needed a remap. I pulled out my trusty Tune ECU cable. Reset adaptations, clear some minor fault codes and we're ready to go!

Back to more cleaning. Removing old wheel weight adhesive is a snap with this.

 

[stan23]

As mentioned earlier, when I put on the new tail plastic with the OEM tail light, it was a real tight fit. Looked into it, and it looks like my tank had minor swelling. I found a used tank off a '12 bike on ebay, so off we go... Test check of the new ebay tank showed zero swelling.

On the SMC, the tank is also the subframe. Great design for weight distribution, but a pain to just do a simple tank swap as with most bikes. The only other Pain in the ass bike to swap tanks were the first gen multistradas.

A look on the bright side. Great time to clean/inspect the rear shock and set preload easily.

Removing fuel pump and attache fuel regulator. The SMCs have a serviceable internal fuel filter. This one didn't look too bad (compared to what i've seen in the past)

Also checked the filter on the CA Cycleworks fuel pump - perfect! These bikes shipped with weak OEM pumps. An aftermarket pump is a must!

Fresh filter installed. Also used oetiker clamps because OEM. When reinstalling the pump, make sure there is NO kink on the fuel line, or the bike will decide to stop running at the worse possible time.

The rear tail light and bracket were old looking, so I ordered new OEM parts.

 

[stan23]

With the remap done, the tank swelling issues sorted, and new plastics, time to make the bike stop better.

New OEM Brembo pads. Just enough bite for me. Pistons cleaned, and checked.

Fresh fluid. I still have a secret stash of ATE superblue. Love this stuff.

New tank installed. It has some scratches, but i'll gladly take scratches over swelling.

New enduro R skid plate installed.

New DID gold O-ring chain arrived. But eff it. I'm done, don't want to install it.

Shake down run. Bike flat out rips. Fueling is perfect, no flat spots, just smooth fueling from off idle to redline. This is the 3rd SMC I had the pleasure of tuning, I think i'm getting OK at it. All electronics work, including low fuel light. Stops fantastic too.

Every non OEM bolt I came across, I looked up the microfiche and replaced it with an OEM one. KTMtwins.com must think i'm crazy for ordering OEM washers and nuts There are a lot of other odds and ends I did to the bike, but nothing worth mentioning. I replaced a lot of functioning OEM parts with new ones because I am OCD like that. I spent about a week working on this bike. With 2 kids, it's hard to find time!

 

[Kestrel]

Very clean 'restoration'!

On the brake bleeder - I've heard great things about those, and not so great things with respect to quality control. Seems like just a simple spring loaded check valve.

Is it a worthwhile purchase in your experience? Clamp on, and squeeze the caliper until it bleeds itself out?

 

[stan23]

Very clean 'restoration'!

On the brake bleeder - I've heard great things about those, and not so great things with respect to quality control. Seems like just a simple spring loaded check valve.

Is it a worthwhile purchase in your experience? Clamp on, and squeeze the caliper until it bleeds itself out?

That's exactly what it is, and what it does. I've had this for 10 years has been working well. One thing I do is just 'crack' the bleeder, I don't open completely, and I pump the handle slowly.

After bleeding, I zip tie the lever to the bars overnight. I never had any issues.

 

[jumph4x]

Minty fresh. Would never hesitate for a minute to buy a bike from you.

 

[stan23]

Minty fresh. Would never hesitate for a minute to buy a bike from you.

Thanks man! I have been following your E63 drift build. I love it!

 

[Seduction]

Good stuff

 

[jumph4x]

Thanks man! I have been following your E63 drift build. I love it!

E55 I'm mucho excited for these last couple of stages of that project.

 

[oobus]

Original Head Light? Switched mine to Baja Designs and it now is drivable at night.

I have a 2010 Enduro R with supermoto spare set.

 

[stan23]

Original Head Light? Switched mine to Baja Designs and it now is drivable at night.

I have a 2010 Enduro R with supermoto spare set.

Yeah, stock headlight, I don't mind it. Works well enough for me.

Something like this would be awesome, but not $450 awesome!

Also:

- Rocker arm bearings - good, no scoring.
- top and bottom tank bushings - tight and fresh.
- Front forks, straight and good. Rebuilt by Superplush with fresh oil - Set 8mm above top triple for nice turn-in and still very highway stable.
- Low temp thermostat checked and good.
- Everything greased.

 

[stan23]

New custom swingarm stickers from dripping wet. Great quality!

 

[ttsang91]

This was an awesome thread to read and just saw it's not for sale anymore.

If you do want to sell it, I am interested but I won't be able to buy until winter. I've been after one of these for a long time and seeing how well you take care of your bikes, I want to buy one from you.

 

[stan23]

This was an awesome thread to read and just saw it's not for sale anymore.

If you do want to sell it, I am interested but I won't be able to buy until winter. I've been after one of these for a long time and seeing how well you take care of your bikes, I want to buy one from you.

I actually had 2 guys wanting to buy right now, but I decided to keep it since it rides so well.

I can put your name on the waitlist to buy should I decide to sell later.

 

[ttsang91]

I actually had 2 guys wanting to buy right now, but I decided to keep it since it rides so well.

I can put your name on the waitlist to buy should I decide to sell later.

Oh damn, well definitely add me to the list lol.

Keep up the awesome work and ride safe :thumbup

 

[Sharky]

I actually had 2 guys wanting to buy right now, but I decided to keep it since it rides so well.

I can put your name on the waitlist to buy should I decide to sell later.

So is there an over/under on how long you keep this one?
:laughing

 

[stan23]

So is there an over/under on how long you keep this one?
:laughing

There's a list for that too.

I have a guy at the office who will hand me a crisp $100 bill if I don't sell my new truck (purchased new 3 weeks ago) by the end of the year. I told him i'll take his hundred bucks and sell my truck on the first of the year.

 

[stan23]

Butt shot.