From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #136 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Tuesday, March 16 1999 Volume 02 : Number 136 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 07:25:32 -0800 From: Eric & Jill Dietiker Subject: Re: (klr650) To: "'klr650@lists.xmission.com'" I've heard the best way to straighten clutch levers is to remove them from the bike and pound them back into shape. I have used this technique on a number of special occasions, with no ill consequences. Eric. - -----Original Message----- From: Bogdan Swider Date: Monday, March 15, 1999 2:18 PM Subject: (klr650) To: "'klr650@lists.xmission.com'" Like many others of our fraternity/sorority, I've taken delivery of one of Fred's " bend not brake " shift levers. Is there something analogous in the way of clutch levers? Have any of you had any luck heating & bending back your clutch lever? Eating dainty food is O.K. with my pinky pointing up, but I'd rather pull in my clutch with all fingers. Bogdan ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 10:25:33 -0500 From: Jason Ehler Subject: (klr650) Mime-Version: 1.0 anyone know the number of the Export Sales Department for Acerbis. Thanks Jason KLR 650 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 08:35:27 -0700 From: "Fred Hink" Subject: (klr650) Unbending levers - -----Original Message----- From: Eric & Jill Dietiker To: klr650 Date: Tuesday, March 16, 1999 1:26 AM Subject: Re: (klr650) To: "'klr650@lists.xmission.com'" >I've heard the best way to straighten clutch levers is to remove them from >the bike and pound them back into shape. I have used this technique on a >number of special occasions, with no ill consequences. > >Eric. If you take a block of wood and a plastic mallet and use small blows, you can straighten out most OEM levers once or maybe twice. Take your lever off the bike and lay it on the block of wood with the bent part up. Be careful with aftermarket levers as they will break easier than the OEMs. Fred ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 07:37:14 -0800 From: Eric & Jill Dietiker Subject: Re: (klr650) Gripsters -- tubeless? >Those gripster H tires look nice, but I think theyre radial tires. Would >this affect use on the KLR at all? They will likely be more difficult to >mount, as most radials I've seen have pretty thick sidewalls. anyone here >use the gripster H? Yes. They work wonderfully for street riding, and I've gotten around 20K miles from the rear tire so far (but it is ready for replacement). Eric. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 10:32:47 -0500 From: mjv2@psu.edu (Mark) Subject: (klr650) Clutch levers I staightened one once by heating it to a nice orange glow and quickly sandwiching it in a vice. I also once tried straightening one "cold" with two pairs of pliers and the lever snapped in two. Mark B2 A2 At 7:25 AM 3/16/99, Eric & Jill Dietiker wrote: >I've heard the best way to straighten clutch levers is to remove them from >the bike and pound them back into shape. I have used this technique on a >number of special occasions, with no ill consequences. > SNIP> Have any of you had any luck heating & bending back >your clutch lever? Eating dainty food is O.K. with my pinky pointing up, but >I'd rather pull in my clutch with all fingers. Bogdan ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 07:44:12 -0800 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) Aluminum brush guards >I put the Moose aluminum brush guards with the spoilers on my 98'. I love em'. >They are beefy and tighten up very well. I think that you'll have to modify >your levers no matter what kind you put on, at least most of the people I've >talked have had to either move everything over alot, or cut the balls off of >at least one of their levers. Other than that, they are great. I think most of >the aluminum ones are similiar from MSR/Maier/Moose. You want me to send you a >picture of them mounted on my bike? Let me know, > I have Maier brush guards on my A3, and the levers are intact, with no mods done. But at idle sitting on the side stand, the clutch lever sometimes vibrates and chatters against the aluminum guard. No big deal. I bought the bike this way, so I don't know what model or any other pertenant. Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 07:59:31 -0800 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) Braking Physics >Thanks Tim for the in-depth discussion on braking physics. I was wondering >if you could also explain how and why a floating disc (rotor) such as the >MAP aftermarket item for the KLR is superior to a one-piece disc in braking >power. TIA, Darrel A12 > > I believe its because the disk surface maintains a better alignment with the brake pads during application. When the force applied is exactly orthogonal to the surface, then the max normal force is generated, and therefore a greater frictional force results. Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 08:59:02 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650)Tank Bags Bill, I've absolutely no complaints about the Kawi Tank Bag...I use it with the panniers and also the Dual Star Co-Pilot and think I've got the best of all worlds... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 08:06:45 -0800 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) Walmart (NKLR) >At the time the Walmart discussion was going around I was thinking that the >marketing strategy (small town, Mom & Pop out of business, etc..) didn't >really apply here. Then I got to thinking (yes, I thought I smelled >something burning), that even though we have a population of around 110,000, >there was a store that went out of business shortly after they (Walmart) >arrived. And I remember them saying that they couldn't compete with >Walmart. Now this store that went under (Goslings) was probably doomed to >failure any how. It was a family owned business that had been around since >Abbotsford's population was 100,000 less. And there prices were good - as >low as Walmart's any ways, but where they used to be in the core of the >city, the city was expanding to the point of them being left on the fringes. >I think it was more of a case of Walmart being the straw that broke... > >The upside of this though, was that where this other store probably employed >some 30 people, Walmart probably employees 120+ local people. > From what I understand, they will lose money on selling items just to beat someone else's price, because they win in the end by putting the other guy out of business, and the corporation still makes money elsewhere. I guess more people employed is a good thing though, if their paychecks stay in the local economy. Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 10:50:10 EST From: NILSTIAR@aol.com Subject: (klr650) NKLR unsubscribe unsubscribe please ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 10:09:32 -0600 From: waynef Subject: Re: (klr650) KimpexGrip Heaters I drilled an appropriately sized hole in the black plastic that shrouds the headlight (inside the fairing.) I routed the wiring behind this plastic piece as well. OlZorro@aol.com wrote: > Greetings; > > For those of you who have installed the grip heaters, I have this > question: > where did you install the ON/OFF switch? Thanks in advance for your > time and > help. > > John Paul Gray > Dana Point CA > > 94 ST1100 > 95 KLR650 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 09:33:18 -0800 From: Tom Myers Subject: Re: (klr650) Re: Insurance (WA) I don't mind paying insurance per se. I have three motorcycles/cars, and can only ride/drive one at a time, why does my government require that I insure all three bikes or cars? If my government is going to mandate insurance coverage, I expect them to also mandate consumer protections to prevent rampant abuse, such as the above. >... and she said that they don't make any money >underwriting car policies....yeah right! I'll bet she means that the profit margins are "not as lucrative" as other underwritings..... Tom +------------------------------------+ | CycoActive Products tel (206) 323-2349 | 701 34th Ave fax (206) 325-6016 | Seattle, WA 98122 USA | webpage: http://www.cycoactive.com | e-mail: TomMyers@cycoactive.com +------------------------------------+ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 11:37:53 EST From: VFR754@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Chase Harper Tank Bags In a message dated 3/16/99 4:30:31 AM Pacific Standard Time, bwright2@avana.net writes: << I could not find anyone in the old messages that said they were using a Chase Harper bag. Is there anything wrong with them. ? >> Hi Bill From Bill S., I've been using the Chase Harper (1150) Tank bag for about a year now, and have no complaints whatsoever. I loaded it up for an over 3000 miles round trip last summer with no surprises. The thing piles up nice and high with several compartments, and a removable foam insert, that you can cut pockets into for tools etc. if you want. I carry my tool puch, flashlights, knives, tube rpair kits, etc. in the foam insert. Works out well Does need some type of rain cover though (Wal-Mart again). Fits the KLR fine for my purposes, but to fill the tank, you do have to release the clips, lift the bag up, and then re-attach it after filling. I've had to do this with any non-magnetic tank bag I've owned in some way or another, so no big deal to me. After over a year old, the tank bag still is nearly like new, even with daily use, and the removable map holder has not faded or cracked. I'm satisfied.... Bill Swindle A12 "Moose" montgomery, IL. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 10:44:53 -0700 From: "Pokluda, Gino F" Subject: RE: (klr650) Chase Harper Tank Bags I have been pretty happy with the Kawasaki bag. Has held up well. Touratech now offers an "Enduro" Tank bag that looks keen. Gino ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 12:35:25 +0000 From: Tom Simpson Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR: Windsor, Ontario At 07:11 AM 3/16/99 -0800, Jeff & Lisa Walker wrote: > >> >> >>-Tom >>found out what open-pit mining looks like in Sudbury, and it aint all that >>pretty. >>'96 KLR 650 > > >Ever seen the copper mine south of Salt Lake City? Largest hole in the >world, and that ain't no shit. Its the environmentalists vision of pure >hell. Nope. I have yet to go out west, to tell the truth. In fact, I never saw a mine in Sudbury, either. They were surrounded my mountains of tailings that were hundreds of feet tall. - -Tom '96 KLR 650 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 10:30:41 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) Clutch levers - -----Original Message----- From: Mark To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Tuesday, March 16, 1999 7:42 AM Subject: (klr650) Clutch levers >I staightened one once by heating it to a nice orange glow and quickly >sandwiching it in a vice. I also once tried straightening one "cold" with >two pairs of pliers and the lever snapped in two. >Mark >B2 >A2 Heating it to a nice warm glow is the best way to go. Some metals will "let" you bring them back cold, but the stress on them is considerable. By heating the lever up it becomes pliable (of course you all know this), but then after you've got it to where you want it, heat it again and let it air cool. In this way all the stress is released and the lever will "want" to remain in the shape you've put it in. Whatever you do, don't quench it to cool it - this will only make the lever brittle and weak. Arne - the resident Blacksmith ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 13:38:57 -0500 From: Mike Ratta Subject: RE: (klr650) Clutch levers I can usually get by with boiling hot rags to heat the metal up first. Then I use the vise method. Heating it to the point where it glows can discolor the metal and will certainly burn off any protective covering. >I staightened one once by heating it to a nice orange glow and quickly >sandwiching it in a vice. I also once tried straightening one "cold" with >two pairs of pliers and the lever snapped in two. >Mark >B2 >A2 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 12:04:31 -0700 From: Bogdan Swider Subject: RE: (klr650)Tank Bags Bill I've been using the largest one for over 6 years. I think it's called a Eurosport. It's been to Central America, Mexico, Canada (now there's an exotic place) etc. etc. It's served me for 70k? miles. It would be a good choice for a klr because the rear straps attach to the sides of the tank. It works fine with Aerostich tank panniers. If you get one, I would recommend sewing on the plastic map case which is only held on with velcro. You have to leave the bottom side open to get the maps in & out. There you should sew on a buckle. Why? I of course learned this the hard way in 2 windy places, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec & Nebraska (Another romantic/exotic location). The map case flew off both times and some/all of my maps were "gone with the wind" though I recovered the case. Before I added the buckle the maps would slide out and go adios. These shortcomings should not zap this bag from your consideration; they can be easily & cheaply addressed and most tankbags have hidden faults. (Kind of like spouses.) My BMW bag was a worst pain in the ass. Bogdan > I could not find anyone in the old messages that said they > were using a Chase Harper bag. Is there anything wrong with them. ? > > Bill Wright > Hotlanta, GA. > 98 KLR650 - "Special K" - 22,600 miles > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 11:24:08 -0800 From: Christopher J Beasley Subject: Re: (klr650) Clutch levers I find this pretty hard to believe. The levers are aluminum not steel. Aluminum melts quite a bit before it glows. Steel is the opposite. Chris > > > >I staightened one once by heating it to a nice orange glow and quickly > >sandwiching it in a vice. I also once tried straightening one "cold" with > >two pairs of pliers and the lever snapped in two. > >Mark > >B2 > >A2 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 12:30:17 -0700 From: "Fred Hink" Subject: (klr650) Acerbis disc guard According to my Canadian spy syndicate, Acerbis is going to rerelease the disc guard for the KLR in about six weeks. There will be a limited number produced and the details are few, but it sounds like from high sources that it is a done deal. I will be able to offer a better than retail price if I get enough orders. The latest I have heard is that the guard will fit the 87-93 KLR. Anyone know if these will fit later models? Fred Hink ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Arrowhead Motorsports http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/index.html *NEW* 435-259-7356 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 14:43:04 -0500 From: "Stephen Rivett" Subject: Re: (klr650)NKLR oil changes Here's one amazing thing I learned a few months ago. The new Volvo Highway Tractors get their oil changed every 80000km. They have 2 oil filters on the side of the engine, both about the size of a 2L pop bottle. They also have an oil filter called a "Kleen-Flo" that is changed every 20000km. This filter resembles something like a big toilet paper roll (makes a real mess trying to remove it). Along with that, the engine holds another 30L of oil I believe. Have you been told why they can use the 15w40 for as long as they do? I think it's probably due to the fact that they burn off 4L per trip and because the engine holds a lot more oil than a car can compared to Combustion chamber volume. Stephen Rivett - -----Original Message----- From: Skip Faulkner To: KLR650 Page Date: March 16, 1999 3:23 AM Subject: Re: (klr650)NKLR oil changes > To quickly address the stories of cab companies and others who regularly >run 30 to 100 thousand miles between oil changes, I was told that some of >the oil companies have actually monitored these practices and there were >factors to consider. These vehicles are run every day, all day long. The >conditions are usually not considered "dirty", the vehicles don`t sit cold, >in other words, no condensation and non-particulate contaminants are >regularly burned off. The big factor is that the filters were religiously >changed. Also, these vehicles are regularly maintained and have regular top >end preventive maintenance done. Another factor was, that most of these >engines eventually become highly consumptive of oil, and may use a quart or >two a day. You do the math. Do you really think that at 2 quarts a day, that >by the time they even get 10 miles, that the original oil is even present? > Take this for what it`s worth to you. > > Skip > > > ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #136 ****************************