2003 525 sx lacks power

Yousef · 05-15-2011, 08:59 AM

So I’m trading my 450 smr for a 525 sx as I’m looking for a dirt bike. So I take the 525 for a quick ride and it didn’t feel any faster than my 450. I couldn’t even lift the front wheel where it’s easy on my 450. I noticed the oil window did not show any oil so I added some and I still can’t lift the front end. My old 520 EXC was a wheelie monster and I was expecting the same out of the sx. Is this normal?

bajadog · 05-15-2011, 09:07 AM

Depends on how many hours are on the engine.

It might need a new top end.

Is it burning oil?

Yousef · 05-15-2011, 01:44 PM

The guy just got this bike and he doesn’t know much about it. I didn’t smell any oil burning while it was running but then it didn’t run long. I wonder if the carb needed to be cleaned, it would not hold idle.

bajadog · 05-16-2011, 07:08 AM

Cleaning the carb, air filter, and adjusting the valves would be
the first thing to do if you do not know the maintenance history on
the bike.

WoodsRiderParts · 05-16-2011, 08:30 AM

It needs some love. That should feel much torquier than your 450 did. I am sure it needs some adjustment, and probably a full service. I would have your friend do that first, then see how it performs before you buy it. The last thing you want is to buy it, and have to rebuild it!

Luke

Yousef · 05-16-2011, 09:50 AM

That’s exactly what I don’t want to do, I just want something that’s ready to ride.

One thing I noticed that when I was kicking the 520 the kick lever didn’t have much of resistance, where my 450 does have good resistance. It take 1 slow kick with decompression lever pulled in and the second kick the bike fires up o matter how long it sat, where the 520 it was taking forever to start. I should have done a compression test.

I think its best to just figure out how to run a 21” front wheel on my SMR and call it done since I know the history of my bike.

bajadog · 05-17-2011, 07:09 AM

What year is your 450 SMR?

Yousef · 05-17-2011, 10:29 AM

It’s an 05.

I heard back from the guy saying the spark arrestor cone was wrapped in the muffler packing so was not able to breath. He fixed it and says the bike is a whole lot better now.

I guess that makes sense?

WoodsRiderParts · 05-17-2011, 02:47 PM

That sounds great, but if you think your 450 had more compression I would get that checked before you buy it because a clogged muffler would not be relative to compression when kicking.

Luke

bajadog · 05-17-2011, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yousef

I think its best to just figure out how to run a 21” front wheel on my SMR and call it done since I know the history of my bike.

Good call.

http://www.warp9racing.com/mx_wheels_KTM.html