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Fix or Replace?

2K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  millwright98 
#1 ·
I have a 2005 DL1000. I love it however it is starting to burn quite a bit of oil (it has 100,000 miles on it). While I am debating an overhaul to fix this I wondered about buying newer one. My 2 questions are:
1. Is it a difficult to fix the oil burning problem? (There are no leaks below the bike and no excessive white or blue smoke from the exhaust and the bike runs great. I just don't want to carry several quarts of oil on long rides)
2. If I get a newer Vstrom what years would fit my Happy Trails SU rack and Corbin Seat?
 
#4 ·
Your Corbin seat will fit a DL 650 years 2004-2011. The racks are not a bolt on fit, I did put the ones off my '03 vee onto a 2012 Glee. But not without quite a bit of fabrication! Vees are the same years 2002-2012 for that kind of stuff ( windshields are different on 2002-2003).

Quite unusual to hear about a DL 1000 using oil. Do you know if there was an event where it might have been run without an air filter for a while. Maybe a damaged or improperly installed filter ( like forgetting the rubber ring around the outside?). You mention no excessive smoke out the exhaust? If you see any blue smoke out the exhaust ( with maybe the exception of startup ) it is excessive. Without any leaks ( check the front sprocket area, this can leak quite a bit and look like chain lube) it must be bypassing the rings or valve guides. Which means an engine teardown. If you are using 20-50 oil, you could try a lighter oil like 10-40 as this is easier for rings to wipe off the cylinder walls. A very low chance that will help.

I would never attempt to rebuild one of these engines ( unless for performance reasons:grin2:). There are too many good used engines for sale in the $800-1000 range with low mileage. While you might be able to pull the engine, then the complete cylinder package to replace pistons and rings you would still have to check the valve guides. You are getting into serious money when you have to renew cylinder heads. You would quickly be over the cost of a replacement engine......
 
#5 ·
Thats a great idea! I never thought of purchasing a used engine. I am starting to keep a log of how much oil I add between oil changes just in case it's not as bad as it seems. I'm pretty sure it burns a quart every 3000 miles though. I purchased the bike with 30,000 miles on it and it has been well taken care of by me, however I cannot be sure about before that.
 
#6 ·
Well, a quart in 3000 miles is not considered excessive by manufacturers. While most probably don't use quite that much, it is not something that would make me want to rebuild it. Plus you cannot be 100% sure it isn't leaking a small amount. My '04 BMW used near that much from day one, unless you were on a trip running it hard and then it used almost nothing. My Vee and the Wee stroms are all toward the lower end of the sight glass by oil change time at 3500 miles.

While not a fan of oil threads, If I were in your position I think I would try some of the oils branded "high mileage" from Quaker State and Valvoline in 10-40 weight. These should be wet clutch safe as they are not energy conserving and have seal conditioners that might, just maybe, lower oil consumption slightly. Besides, they are available anywhere you go......
 
#9 ·
Make sure you don't keep topping up the oil to the high mark between oil changes, let it run down to the low level, it may find it's own level in between the two marks
 
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#11 ·
Use a suitable oil available in Walmart and buy it anywhere along your long ride. Shell Rotella 15W-40 or 5W-40 is a good choice, and is available everywhere. Or the 20w-50 or 15W-50 of a widely available brand.
 
#12 ·
Open up your airbox and make sure that the sponge above the crank case vent is not plugged with grime and crap....if this is back pressuring the crank you'll use oil.... take is out, clean it with a good grease/oil detergent and hot water until it squeezes out clean, dry, re-install and see if there is still a consuption issue... it can sometimes be that easy :)
 
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