TE610 - More corroded bolts!?

[BiG DoM]

In my 'going over' of my new TE610 with 10 000km on the clock one of the things I am doing is replacing the iffy OEM chain that I was warned about and fitting new sprockets. The front sprocket had significant wear and angled teeth and the splines were rusty. The rear sprocket also showed wear and when I went to remove it to fit the new Tri-Metal Supersprox I was amazed at the state of the bolts! Now this is a bike that does not see extreme weather conditions, no snow or ice, no salt etc... occassional rain and a few water crossings I guess. Three of the securing bolts were visibly rusted and compromised on what should be a 'sealed in' part of the bolt and three less so (you can see where the nuts capture the bolts). Clearly there has been ingress of water that has had the opportunity to sit and corrode. All the bolts were tight and there was signs of powdery white Locktite. Caveat Emptor.

 

[Xcuvator]

View attachment 13649
In my 'going over' of my new TE610 with 10 000km on the clock one of the things I am doing is replacing the iffy OEM chain that I was warned about and fitting new sprockets. The front sprocket had significant wear and angled teeth and the splines were rusty. The rear sprocket also showed wear and when I went to remove it to fit the new Tri-Metal Supersprox I was amazed at the state of the bolts! Now this is a bike that does not see extreme weather conditions, no snow or ice, no salt etc... occassional rain and a few water crossings I guess. Three of the securing bolts were visibly rusted and compromised on what should be a 'sealed in' part of the bolt and three less so (you can see where the nuts capture the bolts). Clearly there has been ingress of water that has had the opportunity to sit and corrode. All the bolts were tight and there was signs of powdery white Locktite. Caveat Emptor.

Do you feel Husky used inferior bolts on you bike because you see corrosion on the bolts after 10,000km on your "new" 610?

 

[broadwayron]

I haven't tried these yet, but might try them one day. This place sells a SS set of 240 bolts/parts for the TE610. I have no affiliation with them.

http://www.desmoparts.com/products/parts-catalog/husqvarna/husqvarna-te610-stainless-steel-screw-kit

 

[BiG DoM]

Do you feel Husky used inferior bolts on you bike because you see corrosion on the bolts after 10,000km on your "new" 610?

In almost 45 years of riding a variety of bikes I must say yes there is a problem here! Never seen this on my Jap or German bikes. This is corrosion happening on areas of what should be captured thread or bolt. Not necessarily poor quality bolts, maybe some thin plating? But mostly poor assembly.

 

[1lunger]

Could it be the nylon nut is the kind with "strips" of nylon inside instead of having nylon all the way around the inside of the nut. That's what they look like and I have seen these before.

 

[sethro]

Looks pretty normal for a dirt bike

Sethro

 

[TrailPunter]

You might have some dis-similar metal corrosion. There is a product called "Fluid Film" that we used on our Helo's (USN) that really helped keep fasteners and landing gear struts from corroding. If the dirt in your area is alkaline that and moisture can (and will) cause it to happen faster.

R/

Mike

 

[BiG DoM]

Looks pretty normal for a dirt bike

Sethro

Not sure what "pretty normal" is in some books but as I say not normal in my experience as I would not have posted. If you guys are happy with your rear sprocket retaining bolts, footpeg bolts etc rusting away out of vision then so be it. I am also just waiting for the 'this is normal maintenance' chirp!
I do not believe there should be water ingress into these bolts and their threads as they are torque specced and Locktited. Either there are poor thread tolerances or lack of adequate threadlock etc on assembly, or both.

 

[sethro]

Not sure what "pretty normal" is in some books but as I say not normal in my experience as I would not have posted. If you guys are happy with your rear sprocket retaining bolts, footpeg bolts etc rusting away out of vision then so be it. I am also just waiting for the 'this is normal maintenance' chirp!
I do not believe there should be water ingress into these bolts and their threads as they are torque specced and Locktited. Either there are poor thread tolerances or lack of adequate threadlock etc on assembly, or both.

Simple fact is, its a Husky, and quite normal for these bikes that see off road muck etc. I have owned every dirt bike known to this earth for the past 27 years of my short riding career and have ridden and still ride them at near expert levels Well some times that is, he he .

For example ,My Husaberg FE570 did not corrode like this, and probably won't. The build quality is not even in the same ball park what so ever. Husaberg blows my 630 out of the water as fit and finish is not even close. But I love my 630 because of its extremely durable platform and is a absolute blast to ride. Kinda cool passing other less experianced riders on full fledged dirt bikes and using my blinker and then turning up the heated vest I had stowed in my saddle bags next to my lunch and tools that I carry

My 630 is a fun bike that I really, really enjoy, all bikes have litte quirks and the 630 does have a few but I just accept it for what it is and do not expect the higher level of performance and workmanship that my 570 has or other more expensive bikes I have owned. Don't get me wrong I would accept this with open arms but on the other hand Huskys don't cost as much as the premere exotic stuff does.

Compared to a KLR of DR the Husky is an amazing gem of a bike. Actually the overall end result and riding experience is very rewarding compared to many bikes that I paid much more for that I have owned and ridden.

This is only my 3rd Husky so I am not considered knowing all that much like some here that have been riding Husky's forever. But the 630 is a very fun/cool ride that I truly admire and love A true swiss army knife of a machine. There is just something about them that I like, they just work.

My sprocket bolts are perfect on my 630 but my bike is not as old as yours and I live out here in DRY Arizona so we don't see allot of that rust/corrosion here.

Maybe you are more suited to a Jap or German bike that do not have these traits.

Sethro

 

[sethro]

I don't know why my text changed size in my above post. Wierd

Sethro

 

[alanB]

Howzit Dom

Cant say I'm overly concerned about this myself. I've also been riding dirt bikes a long time ago (all Jap bikes until the Husky) and sometimes bolts rust , sometimes they dont, but generally given time they do, especially if you are riding in dirt/mud etc and washing your bike frequently.

And I would say its not that abnormal for bolts to corrode, especially for bolts that seldom get removed. For eg just do a search on the trouble people have getting swing arm bolts out in all brands of bikes that have corroded in place etc.

If it really worries you, just spend some time putting water proof grease or copperslip on all the major bolts and nuts - a good practice that many people do as a matter of course on new bikes even.

I agree though that Husky quality control isnt what it should be which is a niggle. But thankfully the few issues they have as a result tend to be irritations rather than anything serious.

Every brand has its character!

At the end of the day its how the bike rides thats important, not whether the odd bolt corrodes IMO, and then the 610 has few if any peers! The Husky is my favourite dirt bike so far, it may not have near perfect quality control like my Honda's or BMW (some of which had rusted bits if I remember), but its one of the nicest bikes to ride (my CR250 was designed for flat out racing, had rock hard suspension which just made everything difficult for example, you just bounced all over the show, and the Dakar was a heavy road bike pretending to be a dirt bike).

My 2c's

So what rides have you been on lately on the bike? Hows the JD kit installation going? (very interested in your comments).

 

[zoomdude57]

Assembly grease or an anti-corrosive to prevent this?

 

[BiG DoM]

Guys - do not get me wrong I am in love with this bike and am learning about these specific character traits. I am not brand bashing - Listen I have also owned Alfa Romeo's so I know about these kind of traits and am not that fazed by a few corroded bolts, just intrigued I guess! Certainly nuts and bolts do rust and I do copperslip many - just a problem with some like these that in fact need locktiting not slipping. I have in fact just sold my CRF250 because this Husky can do pretty much what I was doing with it - and as you say Sethro do it with nonchalance. I certainly have no intention at this stage of selling the bike.

Anyway I agree that these bikes are impressive. I have just set the valves (which were very very tight), new chain and sprockets, new T63 up front and fitted the JDT (having done the airbox and PU) = took it for a blast and f&*k it was like a completely new bike! I mean I had already fallen in love with the bike and thought it was capable and had tracktable power etc but I was now gobsmacked. I think the combination of setting the valves and the JDT have just put the cherry on the top. Power is right there and curve is smooth and urgent - I have not played with the settings yet and they are still at the preset ones for a 510 as I bought it second hand (but like new in original packaging etc). JD told me the standard settings for the 510 are almost the same for the 610. I must also say that the JDT is very good value for money as I have run the Techlusion ones on my BMW's for a number of years and this is virtually identical and a lot cheaper. Also easy to insatal - plug and play.