From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #140 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Wednesday, March 17 1999 Volume 02 : Number 140 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 00:53:06 -0500 From: "Stephen Rivett" Subject: Re: (klr650) Pac-Safe Information from Australia I wish they did have beta testers, I want to go after one of those nets with a pair of scissors, I doubt they would hold up to it. I think they are best suited for preventing slashings rather than overnight protection. I will vouch that while you are traveling through Canada anything tied down will be safe from theft if you don't park at a mall. My cars doors do not lock and I've only suffered from "breakins" while parked on a lawn beside a bus stop. It happened two nights in a row and both times nothing was taken...they decided to leave the cell phone. Stephen Rivett - -----Original Message----- From: Tom Meagher To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: March 17, 1999 12:42 AM Subject: (klr650) Pac-Safe Information from Australia > > > >From: Tom Meagher@ICS on 03/16/99 11:36 PM > >Listerinos, >Here's some more follow up on the Pac-Safe stuff from Magnus of Outpac >Designs, >the manufacturer, FYI. > >>I just sent this to him: >Hi Magnus, >I'm out of Houston Texas. >I've owned lots of different types of bikes. Right now I have a Yamaha >V-Max, which I'm selling in order to buy a Kawasaki KLR650 Dual-Sport type >of scoot. > >In fact, I found out about your product was from a posting on the KLR650 >news list. (one of our listers suggested that a suitable substitute might >be made from a piece of rubber-dipped chicken wire (pat. pend.), so beware >of the fierce competition! ;^)). > >I plan on riding the KLR to Alaska this summer, and I was looking for one >of >your security nets for the trip. > >Perhaps I could I be a volunteer to "beta-test" a proto-type product? I'd >write a heck of a glowing testimonial... > >As an interim measure, what about combining two or three of your largest >standard products together to create a virtual XX large size one? > >Thanks! >Tom Meagher ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 22:28:40 -0800 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) [NKLR] Give it a brake >While test riding several hogs/pigs in motorcycle clothing (Suzuki >Intruder 1500, Polaris Victory, etc...) I noticed the fatter front tire >bikes with a single up-front rotor had a tendency to pull the handlebars >to the side of the rotor when the front brake was applied. It seemed >more exagerated on the wider front tire bikes than the other bikes I >rode with more narrow front ends. Anybody else ever notice this >phenomenon? The recent threads have SUFFICIENTLY explained brake theory >(*please don't rehash them, pleeease*) but I found this "seat of the >pants" discovery rather strange. > The answer is in your observation. With the fatter tires, the rotor is further from the centerline of the bike. The straight-line momentum of the bike in motion is affected by applying forces away from this centerline. A torque vector is generated that points away from the direction of travel, and therefore affects the rotational inertia of the front wheel. Try this at home. Take the front wheel off your ten speed and hold it by the axle by both hands. Spin the wheel. Try applying a force with your hands to the axle and note how this affects the wheel. Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 00:28:05 -0600 From: "Douglas Stoutenborough" Subject: Re: (klr650) (NKLR) Is there a Honda GL500 Silver Wing list? yes I had a 650 Turbo. They were Red, White and Blue. only brought 400 of them into the USA. The CX500 Turbo was more common and was the White and Gold colors. Doug 99KLR - -----Original Message----- From: K650dsn@aol.com To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Tuesday, March 16, 1999 10:57 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) (NKLR) Is there a Honda GL500 Silver Wing list? >In a message dated 3/16/99 9:39:40 PM Mountain Standard Time, >ajax@xmission.com writes: > ><< I read that Honda had more new patents on the CX than any manufacturer has >had on any > new introduction (200 some if I remember). >> > >Anyone remember the the Honda Turbo CX650? Drop dead gorgeous bike, >especially the white and gold model. Looked fast just sitting there. > >Gino > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 22:54:34 -0800 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) Braking Physics (NKLR) Increase in contact area will produce a small increase in frictional forces ( I know others do not agree). Why do drag racer have wide tires? Why do we want to have a greater contact patch in a turn so we try to minimize the lean of the bike? I have had this same discussion with a nobel prize winning physicist. The answer was....unsatisfactory. But then again, with a drag race tire, we're dealing with static friction, not kinetic friction. Some have said that with the fatter tire, after the burn off strip, the rubber holds its heat better and thus is more pliable and is able to make more cold welds to the asphalt surface. Consider the molecular stucture of the surfaces. Like the Alps, right? The flatter that they are to each other, the more cold welds, and thus more static coeffecient. I can see the logic in this as larger objects definately cool in proportion to their surface area, and the surface area per volume ratio is smaller with larger objects. I emailed my friend who has a PhD in dynamic/kinematics for a reference on the area/friction issue. Let me know what he says. I did find out that I was wrong on at least one point. Wet friction will increase with velocity; Wet friction (with lubrication) will increase with an increase in relative velocity of the surfaces. Disc brakes, however, work by dry friction. Yes, wet friction deals with fluid dynamics. Like the drag force of air, it increases with the square of the velocity: Drag force = 1/2 (Coeffecient of Drag) x (the density of the fluid) x (the cross sectional area) x (velocity squared). This equation was the largest reason why the national speed limit was set at 55 mph, because as the velocity increases above that, the drag coeffecient significantly increases, requiring more power from the energy, burning more gas. There was an energy crisis on, you know, but they did a good job of citing safety issues of the lower speeds, didn't they. I suspect that was for reasons of national defense, not wanting to appear vunerable because we couldn't waste the gas to get to work faster..... Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 00:07:11 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) Fw: Rear shock KLR Perfect. I'm going to give the stocker a go for the time being, but when I make the change, you'll be the first one I call! Thanks Fred, Arne - -----Original Message----- From: Fred Hink To: KLR650 List Date: Tuesday, March 16, 1999 5:59 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) Fw: Rear shock KLR > > >>I thought Progressive and White Bros. were two separate and competing >>companies? >> >>Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, >> >>Arne > >Progressive sells wholesale to distributers and White Bros is the retail >seller. White Bros. also sells to dealers like me. I can order you the >shock that you want as I talk with them all the time. The price would be >the same and you would be helping out the little guy and not just the giant >company. > >Fred Hink >^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > Arrowhead Motorsports >http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/index.html *NEW* > 435-259-7356 >^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 03:06:41 EST From: Joes4570@aol.com Subject: (klr650) KLR longevity What do you KLR owners consider the longevity of the engines in your bikes to be? It appears that some of you have racked up significant miles and i have noted the warnings about overtightening chains and so on but I am curious how long one can expect the bikes to last. Also, I noticed the scoops that attach below the tank appear to be somewhat vulnerable in the event of a crash. Is there a way of protecting these or how do you deal with it? Thanks for any help. Joe S. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 00:11:15 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) Blowing headlight fuses - -----Original Message----- From: don roger To: Klr650 Mail List (E-mail) Date: Tuesday, March 16, 1999 6:31 PM Subject: (klr650) Blowing headlight fuses > >I think one thing that contributes to blown headlight fuses is the design of the dimmer switch. As you switch from "low" to "high" there is a point in the dimmer switch lever travel where BOTH the headlight filaments are getting current. With one of my other bikes I used to use this "middle" position to get more light on the road. I used to do the same thing all the time with my 1980 KZ750. Sure lit things up. Had the bike for 11 years. Never replaced the headlight bulb or fuse (no I wasn't driving in the dark - it worked the whole time). Maybe I just got lucky. Arne ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 00:13:56 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) Leaky fork seal -er - "band-aid" >John O. (definitely needing to get more in touch with my feminine side) Arne - who touches his wife's feminine side all the time... SLAP!!! ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 00:46:47 -0800 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR longevity >Also, I noticed the scoops that attach below the tank appear to be somewhat >vulnerable in the event of a crash. Is there a way of protecting these or how >do you deal with it? Well, plastic things break. These break at the attachment points. Nothing that a couple of 5 cent zip ties couldn't handle. The cost of new Kawa plastic is robbery though, hence my cheap fix. Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 00:55:45 -0800 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR: JB Weld >Stephen, clamp your shift lever in a vice so that it is compressed shut as if >a bolt were tight, but don't put the bolt in. Take your hack saw and cut >through the slit that is compressed shut so that you are cutting away the >thickness of the saw blade and try that on the shaft, if it is better, but not >quite perfect, do it again to remove more metal. If that doesn't work, don't >dispair, removing the shaft is not a complex task. >Good luck, Frank > Upon reflection, I think that this is the best fix over any of the others that were suggested, like drilling a hole through the shaft. Good one, Frank! Jeff ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 05:14:56 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) What's in a name? NKLR >Kurt A12 El Poppo >Salt Lake City >********************** > >Kurt- El Poppo? What happened to Oingo Boingo? Did you get a new A12 or >just new suspension? Darrel A12 'avenger' I gave it an additional name after adjusting the pilot screw.... ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 05:34:46 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR longevity >What do you KLR owners consider the longevity of the engines in your bikes to >be? In the latest issue of Dual Sport News (Subscription $15/yr in US...$20/yr outside US, Dual Sport Owners Group, P.O. Box 698, Sandia Park, New Mexico, 87047), Eldon Carl reports on the results of an intensive study of his 54,500 mile engine. Here is a summary: 1. KLR's ridden hard in dirt and on street will need rebuild at 60K. Rebuild may need cam and balancer chains, all balancer sprockets, 4 balancer bearings, balancer/idler shaft and bearing, new rings and hone (or rebore and oversized piston). Eldon believes this figure can be improved if an owner acts on the oil level gauge problem and keeps the oil at optimum level (10 ounces above sight glass). Scott Waxman, engineer studying the same engine thinks it would be possible to make 100K if: 1. Street riding only w/o cruising over 70-75 mph 2. Oil change every 2,500 miles and filter every 5,000 3. Change cam chain, balancer chain, balancer idler shaft and bearing every 33K (very important) 4. Maintain engine oil level above the window (add 10-12 ounces when you see a bubble in the glass) 5. Keep air cleaner clean and oiled Kurt Salt Lake City ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 05:36:53 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: (klr650) Side scoops... >Also, I noticed the scoops that attach below the tank appear to be somewhat >vulnerable in the event of a crash. Is there a way of protecting these or how >do you deal with it? >Thanks for any help. >Joe S. I saw Allan Parker's radiator shroud after he fell sideways on a big boulder..not a pretty sight, also destroyed his fan...Obe Wan's new radiator guard will help that on the left side....otherwise, Aerostitch Tank Panniers may help depending on what is loaded in them... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 05:38:56 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Reno 200...NKLR >The Reno 200 is looking very intriguing to me. I'm thinking of >delaying my Alaska departure to ride it. Anyone thinking of going? > >Cheers, I'll do it with you...Vik and I are also signed up for the Kamloops thing, but I know that you and Stuart will be laughing at us with that one... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 05:41:48 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Blowin' headlight fuses...Dr. Moreau's mod... >BTW, whatever happened to whoever was making his own fusebox for the KLR >(Skip, Kurt???) > >EJ Dr. Moreau forwarded the instructions to Redondo, Jake Taylor and I. I intend on doing a write-up in DSN...Jake has already done the mod. If you can't wait write Doc offlist...we're waiting for the KLR pipeline to clear on Redondo's carb article... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 05:43:09 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Blowing headlight fuses...NKLR >I`m sorry to be the fly in the ointment Kurt, but on the three occasions I >blew fuses, two were in the day, on the hiway, and doing nothing but >watching for idiot cage drivers. I personally think it was transient spikes >or surges ( which is common on D.C. charging systems) coupled with minimum >rated size wire. A perfect combo for blowing a fuse. To give further proof >for that opinion, since installing larger gage wire, I`ve had no blown >breakers. Who knows? Why didn't anyone tell me life was going to be so hard...(Lucy voice...waaaaaaaaahhhhh) Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 08:38:31 +0000 From: Tom Simpson Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR longevity At 05:34 AM 3/17/99 -0700, Kurt Simpson wrote: >1. Street riding only w/o cruising over 70-75 mph I usualy run about 80. Hmmm... >2. Oil change every 2,500 miles and filter every 5,000 I do both oil and filter every 2,500 to 3,000. >3. Change cam chain, balancer chain, balancer idler shaft and bearing every 33K >(very important) ! Have any of you ever priced that balancer chain? AAAUUUGGGGHHH!!! Anybody know of a cheaper source? >4. Maintain engine oil level above the window (add 10-12 ounces when you see a bubble >in the glass) I usualy keep it right at the top of the glass. >5. Keep air cleaner clean and oiled Uh, yeah. At least biannualy. :) - -Tom '96 KLR 650 32,700 miles ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 08:08:58 -0700 From: "Skip Faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Mission Failed Well List, I appreciate the help many of you gave me in trying to find my wife a KLR, but the fates and my wife have conspired against me. She has a red half-breed F650 on order, should be here in two weeks. As much as I tried, I fear a divorce is imminent. Whereas I threatened that I would build another garage to keep my A9 in, before I let that F650 in there, I`ve changed my mind. Why should I have to do anything, so I gift wrapped a nice new blue poly-tarp for her and plan to give it to her when the bike gets here. Wait till she has to clear 3 feet of snow off of it every other day. I`m sure things will work out once she realizes the BIG mistake she`s made, except she`ll have to budget down to one meal a day and no new clothes for 5 years, plus a second job, just to pay for the thing. I will humbly concede that the one thing I am jealous of is the 280 watts the F650 puts out. She`s already ordered driving lights, heated grips and an accessory plug. Skip ( gettin ready for the bike war) ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #140 ****************************