Is motorcycling allowed?

[Hairy]

So some feedback from the New Mechanic ..... 

1. There are still traces of copper in the motor
2. Bottom end has not been opened up and replaced, as the gaskets are all old
3. Starter that was meant to have been replaced ... never been opened and toast
4. Sprag clutch that was replaced is MISSING along with the bracket / fixing thingie
5. At least the motor feels good when cycled by hand
6. The keyway on the crank arm has never been repaired or worked on. This will need to be welded up and machined for a new slot and woodruff key.

Now for him to open her up, clear her out, replace gaskets, fix crank/slot/woodruf key, and fit items I am to supply (Stator cover, stator, sprag clutch and bracket), and new oil, filters, etc we are looking at his cost of 12 to 13K.

I have isolated those items that I am trying to get back from Wynand for now, stage 2 means that the New Mechanic would cost on these items too.

My concern is that I do not know what else is missing or what we can find when opening up the motor. He can open and check, and then charge a minor rate for this service.

Then in the background.

After finding out that Wynand has really done nothing, that more parts are missing, etc I reached out to his wife asking if the parts were dropped off by her last night. He had an excuse again and did not do this.

I told her about the additional missing items and the work not done that was paid for. Noted that he has gone to far and I am going to report him for theft.

She said she will get hold of him.

Another lady calls, she notes that she is getting the parts together and will bring it to me. She also asked for my banking details as "they" will refund me. I asked her to what monetary value, and she noted she would have to check with Wynand.

And that is how yesterday and today has gone.

Now a personal decision I need to make, is it worth it saving the 625 SXC, or just sell her for scrap, take my losses and then have to slowly save up for something again.

 

[Hairy]

The dirty old toasted starter

 

The damaged slot to the crank where you can see how the wood ruff key runs out in the slot. Some chisel marks on the nut where some cowboy got a hold of it before.

I suspect that a previous person worked in this area, and did not use the prescribed locktite and torque values when putting the stator back on and this eventually caused the stator failure.

[Hairy]

He was given a refurbished starter motor, that was checked and tested ..... yet this never found it's way to my bike.

He was also given a new sprag clutch. Also never found it's way to the bike

A nearly new stator that also did not find it's way to my bike.

[IceCreamMan]

My opinion is to cut your losses and be shot of it. 
 

think this bike gonna give you heartache further down the line. 

[i24]

1 hour ago, IceCreamMan said:

My opinion is to cut your losses and be shot of it. 
 

think this bike gonna give you heartache further down the line. 

I fear this is not the best example to invest the required time/money.

I bought an old Yamaha 180 2-stroke when I was in 1st year varsity. It was complete and could run for a while on a good day but it had a list of ailments, not quite as long as the list above. I was late for an exam once when it took 20 minutes of pushing to get it started. 

In 2nd year I scrapped it and I invested my end of year vac earnings in a slightly bent Honda XL 250 4-stroke - which I rode for another 5 years.

The 180 2-stroke might be quite valuable if it were still around today, so would the XL 250. Would the KTM ever yield some collector interest?

 

[IceCreamMan]

https://www.zabikers.co.za/2026/02/04/wakkerstroom-wanderlust-on-a-suzuki-dl800/

[Andymann]

Unless you have some sort of sentimental attachment to that bike and want to keep it for the next 15 years it's not worth repairing.  You're probably in for R20k to get it to a point where it might just be reliable.  

That 20k is better spent elsewhere.

And I'm sorry - but if you think Wynand is ever going to refund you or give you those lost spares I'm going to quote the words of our favorite Vegan Hubber who was going to do a whole bunch of Everesting (some might remember that thread!) "Not going to F-ing happen....."

You need to lay charges against this guy - not because you will ever see anything from him, but to prevent him from ever doing anything like this to anyone else again.

 

[Stoffel76]

On 2/2/2026 at 9:56 AM, Hairy said:

And she is off to the Dr. to see if she can be saved.

 

To continue your Dr analogy... I think it's time to turn off the life support and let her go... 

 😢

[Hairy]

16 hours ago, i24 said:

I fear this is not the best example to invest the required time/money.

I bought an old Yamaha 180 2-stroke when I was in 1st year varsity. It was complete and could run for a while on a good day but it had a list of ailments, not quite as long as the list above. I was late for an exam once when it took 20 minutes of pushing to get it started. 

In 2nd year I scrapped it and I invested my end of year vac earnings in a slightly bent Honda XL 250 4-stroke - which I rode for another 5 years.

The 180 2-stroke might be quite valuable if it were still around today, so would the XL 250. Would the KTM ever yield some collector interest?

 

I am not certain, but the 625 was a shorter production run vs the 640's ....even though they are essentially the same other than the 625 is lighter, has the hyflow top end and better exhaust / performance ..... so it is at least more fun than a std 640.

[Hairy]

15 hours ago, IceCreamMan said:

https://www.zabikers.co.za/2026/02/04/wakkerstroom-wanderlust-on-a-suzuki-dl800/

good looking bike that

[Hairy]

Someone suggested looking at the Honda Transalp 650's as a good option?

[WaynejG]

I would look at the Vstrom 650

[IceCreamMan]

1 hour ago, Hairy said:

good looking bike that

I like the DL800. Great looking bikes and will do what you need it to do. 
 

it’s not a KTM off road and neither is the transalp or Vstrom650. 
 

I had the 2002 DL1000. Vin was 33rd one made. It was brought out to ZA for the launch. Bought it from Arrie Strauss ( if I remember name right.) got a great deal on it cos Suzuki was keen to get these out and Simon arranged a sweet deal.

it was the GS competitor really. Had a few problems with the clutch basket but what a stonking bike. We did trips all over sub Saharan Africa and it held its own. But it was heavy and on the Lekker sand of Mozambique I struggled. Ran like a Swiss clock. Great fuel consumption too which is important in some locations. 

[Hairy]

Just now, IceCreamMan said:

I like the DL800. Great looking bikes and will do what you need it to do. 
 

it’s not a KTM off road and neither is the transalp or Vstrom650. 
 

I had the 2002 DL1000. Vin was 33rd one made. It was brought out to ZA for the launch. Bought it from Arrie Strauss ( if I remember name right.) got a great deal on it cos Suzuki was keen to get these out and Simon arranged a sweet deal.

it was the GS competitor really. Had a few problems with the clutch basket but what a stonking bike. We did trips all over sub Saharan Africa and it held its own. But it was heavy and on the Lekker sand of Mozambique I struggled. Ran like a Swiss clock. Great fuel consumption too which is important in some locations. 

Adam Reiman did an event in the UK last year, and a friend of his had a few of those in their race team.

Adam gave it a spin and had some really good things to say about it .... if I dig deeper into my memory banks, I think good old FortNine also rode the bike with him on he trails.

[RocknRolla]

Damn Hairy, I was hoping for the better, but I would agree with the others to part (pun intended) ways with that KTM and move onto other things. 

I understand people go through personal things, but when it starts affecting business dealings, He should have manned up earlier and said, Sorry, My life is a trainwreck, please collect your bike, and I will pay back your money. 

 

It's been painful following this, must have been 10 times worse for you.

[i24]

5 hours ago, Hairy said:

Someone suggested looking at the Honda Transalp 650's as a good option?

My son rides a Transalp 750. He uses it for commuting and it has over 120k km on the clock and counting. It is a nice bike and very reliable. But a bit heavy if you thinking of "enduro" style action.