From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest)
To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com
Subject: klr650-digest V2 #110
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klr650-digest        Wednesday, March 10 1999        Volume 02 : Number 110




----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 09:22:36 -0600
From: John Tranter <twocomm@bellsouth.net>
Subject: (klr650) wife's first bike (NKLR)

Robert Morgan wrote:
>>I need your advice.  My wife has purchased a motorcycle.

Robert, I have a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, yet for years I could
not find the right combination to make motorcycling fun my wife and I
together. We went through many different bikes and riding styles (e.g.
two-up sport touring, sport touring with two separate bikes, two-up dual
sport, etc.). Nothing worked; we usually just ended up mad and
frustrated. Now we have great times riding, and I think two things
contributed.

First, Sue had to feel comfortable with her own bike. We found a TW200,
a very easy-to-ride and forgiving motorcycle, and she loves it. Also, we
avoid areas that are too challenging and scary for her, whether in the
dirt or highway.

Second, I was so afraid that she was going to get hurt I couldn't enjoy
the trip. I've been riding for over 25 years and have developed a very
defensive riding style. I assume every cager is blind and stupid (and am
rarely disappointed). Sue used to ride a bike like she drove her car,
and it was making me a nervous wreck. As we began to ride together in
the less challenging areas, she began to see things like how I watched
drivers entering from side roads, and moved my foot to the brake,
preparing to stop quickly. Things like watching the driver's eyes and
noticing whether the front tires were rolling. As you know, the list
goes on, but basically, it's understanding that cagers aren't looking
for bikes, so you have to ride for yourself and the other guy. Sue said
she learned by watching what I did, and experiencing it herself (all the
conversations of explanation went nowhere). She slowly started becoming
more aware of what was going on around her and started riding more
defensively. That allowed me to enjoy the trip. 

Now we are in agreement when we ride; (Can two walk <ride> together,
except they be agreed? Amos 3:3). We found a common ground for the types
of environments we ride in, and a common philosophy for riding
defensively. It worked for us. 

Hope you find many years of happy and safe riding as a couple. Sorry for
being so long-winded.

John & Sue Tranter
Montgomery, AL

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 10:33:34 -0500
From: James Naus <James.Naus@atg-tech.com>
Subject: RE: (klr650) UltraII - Darien

I own the Darien and love it.  I would not trade it for anything.  I live in
Tallahassee, FL probably the most humid place in the country, we call it the
armpit of America.  I don't think the coating had any effect on the
breathablity of the jacket, or if you are worried about it, it seems to wear
off after a washing or two.  I have used this suit in several hour long down
pores and have stayed completely dry.  You do have to move all items out of
the outer pockets that you don't want to get wet.  It has a large zipper
across the back, large pit zips and zippers on each sleeve cuff.  The one
thing I hated before I got this suit was worrying about when to stop to put
on my rain gear or putting it on only to have it not rain and then stopping
to take it all off and then the clouds come back and then ... well you get
the idea.  Also how bulky is that jacket liner and pant liner and where do
you store it on a short ride when you don't bring your bags?  I don't know
if the prices in the review below are correct but if they are you can get
the Darien suit for $150 less.

If you get a Darien I would recommend not getting the Polartec inner jacket,
as you can get them from camping store much cheaper.  I bought 3 different
jackets from Campmor for less money and now I can wear the proper weight
jacket for different conditions.  I would also buy the optional back
protector.  Also for Florida get a light color.  I have the blue but if I
were to do it again I would get the Grey or the new Hi-Viz yellow.
James
Tallahassee, FL
'95 KLX650C




> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Stuart Heaslet [SMTP:stuart@heaslet.com]
> 
> >I've been mulling over the choice between the Motoport Ultra II and
> >the Darien.  The Ultra II does sound like the ultimate in protection
> >and better for hot weather.  But, how well does that removable
> >waterprood liner work?  It is a hassle to put on when that sudden shower
> >surprises you?  Does it make the jacket realllllly hot during a summer
> >rain?  What's it like to have the whole outer shell soaked?
> 
	<snip>

> Tom's opinion swayed me, because I wasn't crazy about "sealing myself up"
> in a fabric that could not breathe.  Most Cordura fabrics are coated with
> sealer, and in the case of my Joe Rocket jacket, made hot sweaty spots.
> The Motoport gets hot at a standstill, of course, but the ventilation
> system is adjustable and well designed.  
	 
	<snip>

> Stuart
> KLR A12
> Juno Beach, FL
>       

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 15:39:30 +0000 (GMT)
From: Yusseri Yusoff <eep2yy@ee.surrey.ac.uk>
Subject: (klr650) O-ring, Heavy/Duty O-ring, X-ring or bog standard chains?

List,

It's time for me to change the sprocket and chains. So, I went to my
friendly local dealer to ask him of price and availability. Anyhow, he
quoted 110 pounds for a H/D O-ring with sprockets. He'll fit it for me as
well at that price.

The rub is, I can get those H/D O-rings or one of those spiffy DiD/Regina
X-rings with sprockets for about 80 pounds or less from M&P (mail-order).
I've looked through some of the mails from the archives (614 matches for
chain...) and it seems that the general concensus in the list (Tom, Fred,
Kurt, etc.) is to go for the spiffy X-ring ones. My questions are:

1. How long would a bog standard cheapo chain last? I'm asking this
because I'm probably finishing my studies (<-- read as loafing) by the end
of the year and I'd probably flog off my machine then and get another KLR
at whichever country I'm heading off to next. So, maybe it'd be a good
idea to not splash out? Having said that, I'm hoping to get the bike to
carry me to Florence (and back) in June (~2400 miles round trip). So maybe
I should splash out?

2(a) How hard is it for a relative novice to fit the chain him/her self?
It's just that I could get 'em mail-order cheaper, as explained. 

2(b) What special tools do I need? Chain breaker? Any special tools to fit
the master link?

3. Am I right to say that if I were to get an endless chain, the swing-arm
has to be removed? Long operation? Not advised for butter fingers? How
great are the risks of cocking it up? I'd like to take the swingarm off
anyway, to clean the crud (as mentioned by another lister too, once).

Just thinking of the options.

As an aside, some demented spawn of the devil punched a neat little hole
on my tail light lens and blew the bulb. I was riding home from campus one
night totally oblivious to the fact that nobody could see me from
behind... Ended up contributing 13 pounds to Kawasaki for a new lens. In
the past year, I've had vomit spewed over the clocks, gear lever stomped
on til it bent, washing up liquid poured over the brake disks twice and
top box broken into and tool bag stolen. Acts of vandalism in the UK, eh?
How bad is it across the pond?

Thanks. I'll shut up now.

Yus

- -- 
Yusseri Yusoff / y.yusoff@ee.surrey.ac.uk
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/showstaff?Yusoff 
Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing
University of Surrey
Guildford GU2 5XH

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 08:55:03
From: Guy Cheney <guycheney@mindspring.com>
Subject: (klr650) Lock/Fork Air 

Hey all,

Regarding two recent List topics, I referred to the instruction sheets from
the manufacturers for my disk lock and the fork springs and came up with
this info:

1) Disk lock - put the lock on the disk and then roll the motorcycle
forward until the lock contacts the fork/brake assembly.  If one fails the
memory test there will be less dire consequences as the bike won't roll
forward. 

2) Progressive fork springs - air pressure in the forks increases
"stiction" (which I believe is the less than smooth travel of the forks
throught the seals).

I liked the way the Progressives helped the front end but I'd still like to
reduce the braking dive a bit more.  As I ride exclusively on the street
and am not worried about soaking up really big bumps, I intend to lengthen
the spring spacers from the current 4.75" to about 5.25".  I think this
will get me more of what I'm looking for rather than changing from 10w to
15w fork oil.  If you've played around with fork oil weight or spring
spacer length before please share your experience with me.

Thanks,

Guy Cheny 

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 09:09:59 -0700
From: "Pokluda, Gino F" <efpoklu@sandia.gov>
Subject: RE: (klr650) RE: Dare I ask (no KLR content)

>>While we're on sensitive subjects, where's my issue of DSN? Did
anybody else get theirs? Gino, did you get my renewal check? Should I take
this personally?<<

They went out on Thursday.  I'll make sure you are on the mailed list.

Gino

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 03:23:29 +1000
From: Ted Palmer <tedp@replicant.apana.org.au>
Subject: (klr650) Dynojet kit in a 600 and jetlist

Yo Listers,
Now that I've lashed out and bought a Dynojet kit in anticipation of
some mixture correction on Big Red, I'm wondering if there are any
600-mounted users of DJ kits out there who might want to share jet
settings?

Which reminds me, the crowd in the minilist (cars, I know) have created
a user submitted list of mods and SU carby needle settings that owners
have successfully used.

Is there a place for a similar list here somewhere?
Considering the comparitively few internal engine mods we make, we're
not as much into different cams and head mods, such a list could be
a simple tabulation of carby jet settings along with some basic info on
airbox and exhaust mods or brands, even altitiude if it's significant.

Mister_T

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 11:25:48 -0500
From: mjv2@psu.edu (Mark)
Subject: Re: (klr650) Harley question

I have nothing against Harleys. In fact, I kinda like my friend's '98
Sportster (not bad at $7,200). But I just wanna add that in general, Harley
riders are the biggest bunch of conformist non-conformists I've ever seen.
Mark
B2
A2

At 1:53 AM 3/10/99, Jeff & Lisa Walker wrote:
>><< Exactly.  And I want to know, if the image is to be this "rebel" type,
>then
>> why do they all wear the same uniform? >>
>>
>>You mean like sport bike riders or like us dirt bikers?
>
>
>There is a difference between gear that is going to save your bacon from
>getting fried on the pavement and melon from getting squashed and fashion
>just to look cool.
>
>><<My thinking is that engineering should always be progressing and
>improving.
>>In design and manufacturing processes.  It shouldn't remain static...>>
>>
>>How many years is it now they've been making the KLR?
>>
>I didn't pay an large chunk of change for my KLR though.  Besides that,
>compare the KLR to HD's single dual sport, when they made it, and compare
>the engineering.
>
>>It's amazing to me that just mentioning  Harley Davidson brings out the
>bike
>>bigots.
>
>Hey, I've got a biker for a brother in law, and him and I have gotten to
>blows more than a few times over my "Jap trash rice burner, made by workers
>for fish heads and rice for pay"  His words, not mine.  I had no
>preconceived notions about his Harley, until I rode it and hated it.
>
>>Ranaldo
>>                By the way, Jeff, I hope that test  you were studying for
>>wasn't one for sanity. :)
>>
>Tell you the truth, I have been a little unbalanced ever since 93 in
>Somalia, but I'm much better now!
>
>Jeff

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 12:00:26 -0500
From: Mike Ratta <MRatta@ADE.com>
Subject: RE: (klr650) Dynojet kit in a 600 and jetlist

The dynojet kit should bolt right up and create good results. If you remove
your aibox lid, replace the silencer / pipe or add an aftermarket air filter
the dynojet kit will usually cover those changes. Your idle circuit is
untouched by the dynojet kit, so you'll have to adjust the pilot screw or
even change out the pilot jet for one 2-5 numbers higher. I've ditched my
CVK carb in favor of a keihin FCR41, so I'm sure I'll have some similar
headaches soon.

Yo Listers,
Now that I've lashed out and bought a Dynojet kit in anticipation of
some mixture correction on Big Red, I'm wondering if there are any
600-mounted users of DJ kits out there who might want to share jet
settings?

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 10:07:25 -0700
From: "Kurt Simpson" <ajax@xmission.com>
Subject: Re: (klr650) re. NKLR ....line-up

>In your Jan 26 posting of bikes from dirt to street, I noticed that you had
>the BMW R-80GS and the Honda Africa Twin listed as more dirt-worthy than the
>Honda Transalp.  While I haven't ridden many of these bikes either, I would
>have thought that the weight of the BMW and the Africa Twin would put them
>on the more street side of the Transalp (which I've seen and sat on)?  Are
>they not heavier bikes?


First, it must be said that this was one of those "lets have some fun" posts in the
middle of winter...and I'm not one to want to offend anyone...it was a first
shot...I'd stay with the BMW from what people have told me (I've never ridden) and I'm
inclined to stay with the Africa Twin as well..I would suspect they are all within 50
lbs of each other...but the R-80GS has less plastic than the TransAlp and a proven
track record off-road if for no other reason than Helge's legendary accomplishments on
his...what do the rest of you think?

Kurt

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 11:02:14 -0800
From: "=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Carlos_Y._Gonz=E1lez?=" <aviator@csd.uwm.edu>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Oil leak

- ----------
> From: LPetty4585@aol.com
> My trusty 1990 KLR650 has decided to leak oil out of the rubber plug on
the
> engine casing above the sidestand.  Reinstalled the plug still leaking,
is
> there anything internal that may have gone south to cause this, any
> suggestions.
> It's starting to remind me of my old Norton with the oil puddle under the
> bike.
> 
> Larry

Larry,
Is this the plug that has wires coming out of it?  If it is, I also had a
leak develop here.  I pulled the side case (stator cover) and noticed that
the rubber piece was all ripped up in some spots.  I thought of replacing
it, but it was attached to the wires that were attached to the stator.  It
looked like the only way to replace the wire was to pull the stator, so I
decided to just smother the rubber plug with that black gasket maker stuff,
and put on new a stator cover gasket.  I let it set for 24 hours, and it
hasn't leaked in about a thousand miles.
Carlos 

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 12:00:38 +0000
From: Tom Simpson <bullet45@usit.net>
Subject: Re: (klr650) O-ring, Heavy/Duty O-ring, X-ring or bog standard chains?

At 03:39 PM 3/10/99 +0000, Yusseri Yusoff wrote:
>
>List,
>
>It's time for me to change the sprocket and chains. So, I went to my
>friendly local dealer to ask him of price and availability. Anyhow, he
>quoted 110 pounds for a H/D O-ring with sprockets. He'll fit it for me as
>well at that price.
>
>The rub is, I can get those H/D O-rings or one of those spiffy DiD/Regina
>X-rings with sprockets for about 80 pounds or less from M&P (mail-order).
>I've looked through some of the mails from the archives (614 matches for
>chain...) and it seems that the general concensus in the list (Tom, Fred,
>Kurt, etc.) is to go for the spiffy X-ring ones. My questions are:
>
>1. How long would a bog standard cheapo chain last? I'm asking this
>because I'm probably finishing my studies (<-- read as loafing) by the end
>of the year and I'd probably flog off my machine then and get another KLR
>at whichever country I'm heading off to next. So, maybe it'd be a good
>idea to not splash out? Having said that, I'm hoping to get the bike to
>carry me to Florence (and back) in June (~2400 miles round trip). So maybe
>I should splash out?



	KLRs are hard on chains. Personaly I have been running a DID X-Ring and
OEM sprockets for about 14,000 miles now. I have had to replace the front
sprocket once and it took up a lot of apparent slack in the chain. The
chain itself is holding up remarkably well. I killed a standard HD O-ring
chain in 8,000 miles. I'll stick with the DID X-Ring .



>
>2(a) How hard is it for a relative novice to fit the chain him/her self?
>It's just that I could get 'em mail-order cheaper, as explained. 



	Not very hard. We can certainly help you there.



>2(b) What special tools do I need? Chain breaker? Any special tools to fit
>the master link?


	If you are still running the factory chain, you will probably find that it
is "solid", with no master link. I cut mine off with a side grinder.
Replacement chains h\can be had with either a clip-type master link or with
a rivet type. With the latter you would need a special tool, with the
former you would just need pliars and a few basic hand tools. Again, we can
help there.



>3. Am I right to say that if I were to get an endless chain, the swing-arm
>has to be removed? Long operation? Not advised for butter fingers? How
>great are the risks of cocking it up? I'd like to take the swingarm off
>anyway, to clean the crud (as mentioned by another lister too, once).


	Yup, you would have to pull the rear swing arm (hence my cutting the
factory chain with a side grinder). I have done this twice. Its not
especialy complicated or mentaly challenging, but *is* a lot of work and
trouble. However, if you are coming due to lube the swing arm bearings the
two jobs can be performed at once so it wouldnt be so bad.



>As an aside, some demented spawn of the devil punched a neat little hole
>on my tail light lens and blew the bulb. I was riding home from campus one
>night totally oblivious to the fact that nobody could see me from
>behind... Ended up contributing 13 pounds to Kawasaki for a new lens. In
>the past year, I've had vomit spewed over the clocks, gear lever stomped
>on til it bent, washing up liquid poured over the brake disks twice and
>top box broken into and tool bag stolen. Acts of vandalism in the UK, eh?
>How bad is it across the pond?


	I dunnow. In reasonably quiet Columbia SC (a relativly small regional
government center and college town) things arent so bad. In one of Americas
urban megalopolistic shitholes, its probably worse. 

	Then again, from my perspecive is seems that the UK has at least its fair
share of general purpose hooligans, vandals, thieves and other miscreants.
Y'all may not shoot each other very much but it aint exactly paradise,
either. Thats my take from reading the UK moto press, anyway.

- -Tom
'96 KLR 650 

------------------------------

End of klr650-digest V2 #110
****************************