Used 2003 KLX300R is getting harder to start and lower end power seems to be falling off. Assume it the valves as rattling sounds seems to get louder over time. Have been religous about oil & air filter change every 2-3 rides. If valves, is it something a newbie wants to tackle. Any tips I can use.

Tks,
Brian

 

Valves would be my first guess. Thereare some very informative threads on valve adjustments...just do a search. The service manual is almost a 'must have' for that type of work though.

 

I just picked up my second 1999 300R, and it's much more difficult to start than my other 99 model. Also seems to have more valve noise, and the PO had owned it since 2003 and said he'd never adjusted them, so I'm sure it's past due. This will be new to me as well, but I did see a very informative step-by-step instruction sheet over on Planet KLX I think. I need to order the shim kit too. I'll post a link if I find it.

 

Here ya go!

http://www.planetklx.com/techtips/valves.shtml

 

Note that the first line mentions having the service manual at hand! Looks like there are a few good tips here, but we're really gonna need that service manual.

 

I know that the valves being out will make it hard to start and wont even run right.... thats what my bike was doing and took it to the shop and they adjusted them and was good to go.