NON VMX 2013 KTM 85

[evo550]

Ok so I'm hoping that there is some other fathers (or mums) out there, that has a son or daughter racing modern's on a 2013 ktm 85.
I'm at my whit's end with the front brakes on this thing (amongst others) and was wondering if anyone else might be suffering along with me, or have found a cure (other that the junk recommendations from my dealer)
HELP!!

[Billet YZ]

What is the problem with them ?

[evo550]

They don't work, and literally defy any bleeding technique known to man.
Lever comes into the knuckles with no resistance then is spongy to the bars.
The dealer has admitted other people with the same problem, but the best advice is "on the night before the race, lay the bike on it's left hand side (so the master cylinder is on the high side), then zip tie the lever to the bars, that should improve it a little"  WTF.
I just paid $8k for a mini that has done a total of 16 hrs, it spent 4 weeks on the sidelines waiting for a recalled throttle assembly. Now this.
Brake system manufacturer is Formulae. Never heard of them.

[tony27]

Formula is a company that makes mountain bike brakes, when the company that made the brake & clutch gear for most trials bikes went under a couple of years ago they turned to formula as well, they aren't well liked & luckily the original company was bought out & restarted
Short answer is that you probably won't get the problem sorted using the parts on the bike

[Slakewell]

I would be ringing the wreckers and retro fitting some earlier bits. I would also ring KTM directly and bitch alot.

[evo550]

Short answer is that you probably won't get the problem sorted using the parts on the bike

That's what I'm beginning to think as KTM are usually very good at rectifying these type prob's.

I would be ringing the wreckers and retro fitting some earlier bits. I would also ring KTM directly and bitch alot.

Problem is nothing retro fits, last years was KTM made with totally different mounts on caliper and different banjo fittings on master cylinder, I would need to do a fork and all change....f$%k that, I'd trade it for a Yamaha before that.

[Ted]

This is why all of my bikes go to ONLY ONE mechanic. Need some suspension work done...no problem. Need motor work done ......no problem. Need something milled up.....no problem, Need a whole bike built...no worries. New stuff or old stuff, doesnt matter. You build up a rapport with him and he always opens his doors late on a Friday night to get you mobile for the weekend. Expensive, not when you add up all of the "Don't worry about it mate, you owe me a schooner"

[Slakewell]

Given that I'm in the middle of fitting and Disc XR 350 front brake to my drum brake upside fork 84 KTM 495 I cant see that many problems. Buy the whole lot caliper,hose,master and make an adaption plate for the caliper. 

[smed]

There are 4 pages on the topic here,  http://ktmtalk.com/index.php?showforum=94      looks like you have to join up to read em but, This sorta shit should not happen with a new bike

[evo550]

Yeah, what's the go with that forum, you can't read anything unless your registered, but it's nearly impossible to register, I've tried a couple of times, but keep getting told "NO". Bloody Nazi administrators.

, This sorta shit should not happen with a new bike

Even tougher, when your 10yr old son works week ends for 12 months stacking shelves to save up $1500 to put towards it, I feel like crating it up and sending it back and buying a Yamaha.

[Paul552]

We have 65

Try filling a big syring and push up the fluid from the bottom .

Then cable tie over night.

It works on the 65

Also if you are in SYD I have vacuum pump if you wanna try that.

[evo550]

Yep tried it, a temp solution, the nipple on the caliper finally gave out this afternoon due to constant abuse, now I've gotta figure out how to get it out      F%^K it

[Paul552]

You have to be careful on the 85 because the nipple is real small m6 from memory and is real close to the edge of the casting. If you stripped it you cannot put a bigger (jap) nipple in because there is no space.
You will be up for a new caliper!!!

And ps KTM talk is a must if you own a mini

[smed]

I signed up Ok, try this link & see if it works for ya evo      http://ktmtalk.com/index.php?showtopic=475579

[smed]

This appears to be the fix   http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/view/121126669790     And a stronger return spring in the master,You shouldn't bloody well have to but Kato should fix it,It's a design fault