From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #146 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 146 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 20:37:56 EST From: DOUGUR@aol.com Subject: (klr650) rear shock leak I have determined that the oil leak is coming from the rear shock. Enough has leaked out now that the bike is real "spongy" or whatever. Does this require a new shock, if so, is there someone that has experience in changing it out to talk me through it, or is this something better left to the experts? What is the price of a new shock? Thanks, Doug. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 20:03:43 -0700 From: "Fred Hink" Subject: Re: (klr650) rear shock leak - -----Original Message----- From: DOUGUR@aol.com To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Wednesday, March 17, 1999 12:17 PM Subject: (klr650) rear shock leak >I have determined that the oil leak is coming from the rear shock. Enough has >leaked out now that the bike is real "spongy" or whatever. > >Does this require a new shock, if so, is there someone that has experience in >changing it out to talk me through it, or is this something better left to the >experts? > >What is the price of a new shock? > >Thanks, > >Doug. > > I sell Progressive Suspension shocks for $420. You can read about them at: http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page59.html Installing the shock is pretty easy. Almost the same procedure as installing the lowering links and you can read about this at: http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page83.html Good luck. Fred ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 20:51:53 -0000 From: "Eric Jasniewicz" Subject: (klr650) KLR - Oil level repost NO MIME this time! and an NKLR message...;) I have already received responses to my previous posting, although I requested y'all to not do so regarding this posting. My numbered "questions" and "answers" were intended to get everyone to think for themselves about the oil topic. I offer the following to try to keep in mind.... Ask a question Provide an answer. Share your experience. Share your knowledge. Lend a helping hand. Humor is always beneficial. Play nice!!! Anyway, here is a repost of my earlier mime-mess in a much nicer text-mess format. FWIW, I don't have a tech bulletin, but several months ago I wrote to Kawasaki to ask about the oil level discrepancy, thank them for the Kawi KLR luggage, and complain about my dealer. The Kawasaki factory individual stated in writing to use the sight glass. He also basically told me to go fly a kite as far as the dealer complaint :{ 1) Anyone EVER hear of someone seizing a 4-stroke under normal riding conditions? (No, thus supporting Gino's Crisco concept, although I stick with Golden Spectro because my shifting is noticeably smoother, and the engine is quieter (yes I know Tom)) 2) Anyone EVER hear of a racing team using car oil? (No, except for Valvoline, but I think they used bike-specific stuff) 3) Anyone EVER hear of people riding with a steady, slow oil leak, the engine then lasting 60,000 miles+ (fixed oil leak or not)? (Yes, therefore, what is this concern with oil level?) Keep some oil in the engine, try to change the oil and filter as often as you can, and enjoy your bike until it blows up!!! :) Don't reply to me, I'm not here to argue, this is me sharing what I have learned, and my opinion. Eric J ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 22:37:27 +0000 From: mary hupfer Subject: (klr650) Re: (NKLR) DR650 list? - Hiro Does anyone know of a list for the Suzuki DR650, or has anyone ever owned one and how does it compare to the KLR? Hiro - are you the same Hiro Watanabe listed in the credits for Adobe Illustrator? Mary 95 KLR650 92 KLR650 89 NX250 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 19:33:07 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: (klr650) Magnet in Oil I bought a small magnet today measuring approx. 1" round by 1/4" thick. My idea was to slip it in beside the oil filter while I was breaking in the bike. I haven't pulled the filter cover off yet and looked behind there so I thought I'd ask the list if there is enough room to slip the magnet in there, and if so, would there be a danger of the magnet disappearing into some deep, dark place. If this works, I think it would be beneficial as well as neat to see how muck "stuff" ends up being stuck to the magnet at my first oil change. Arne - who believes that a day without sunshine is, well... night. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 22:38:54 -0500 From: Rob Heywood Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Mission Failed Dude, I hope you are kidding. Don't get me wrong, I love my new 99, but a KLR can't keep you warm at night. Well, ah, actually I suppose it could, if you left it running and vented the exhaust properly. Anyway, give the woman some credit, at least she likes motorcycles. Skip Faulkner wrote: > 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) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 20:55:50 -0700 From: "Hirofumi A. Watanabe" Subject: Re: (klr650) (NKLR) - Hiro In a message dated 3/17/99 8:28:32 PM, maryhu@mich.com writes: >Hiro - are you the same Hiro Watanabe listed in the >credits for Adobe Illustrator? Mary, I have lost face. I hang my head in shame. You have exposed my dark family secret. I am Hirofumi Watanabe. My twin brother is Hirosumi Watanabe. He is the evil one who forces the artists of the world into indentured servitude by requiring them to upgrade on a quarterly basis to his latest version. To add insult to injury I am forced to go to strangers as my own brother makes me pay full retail! Hirofumi A. Watanabe A10 'Thunderbolt' "They've summoned up a Thundercloud. They're gonna hear from me." ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 22:24:46 EST From: FTabor231@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Shift lever won't grab onto shift-shaft In a message dated 3/17/99 7:57:33 PM Central Standard Time, ddroger@travel- net.com writes: << Although the "clamp it and resaw the slot" fix may work, I recommend a brand-new shift lever; OEM or aftermarket, your choice: as the wear on the splines of the lever will have rounded them off and made the likelihood of recurrence much stronger than if you go whole hog and spring for a new lever. >> Dear Rodger Dodger, I agree that a new shift lever is the best option, the shaft is a lot harder than the lever, I was just thinking of the times I had to make a reasonably clean repair on shafts where they were really buggered up from vice grip lever mods etc. Frank ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 99 20:05:09 PST From: "Marick Payton" Subject: (klr650) Oil level When you guys speak of filling the oil until it reaches the top of the sight glass (and, for some of you, beyond) are you judging this when the bike/oil are cold or hot? In my experience, the oil level rises significantly when hot. Maybe this only happens in KLX's, but I doubt it. Marick ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 21:20:20 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: (klr650) April Moab Rally... A few of us diehards are thinking of gathering in Moab at the same time as last year's dual sport rally for some spring riding and the way cool car show that parades up and down the main drag on Saturday night April 24th...So, it might be that we would be in the area from April 22-25th. Give me a hey if you're interested... Kurt Salt Lake City ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 21:24:02 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) (NKLR) - Hiro Hiro, long time no "hear" , glad that you are surfacing at about the time of the spring industry announcements. I hope your scoop this year is a little more spot on than last.... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 21:27:36 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Re: (NKLR) DR650 list? - Hiro - -----Original Message----- From: mary hupfer To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Wednesday, March 17, 1999 8:27 PM Subject: (klr650) Re: (NKLR) DR650 list? - Hiro >Does anyone know of a list for the Suzuki DR650, or has anyone ever owned one and how >does it compare to the KLR? > >Hiro - are you the same Hiro Watanabe listed in the credits for Adobe Illustrator? > >Mary >95 KLR650 >92 KLR650 >89 NX250 Mary, no list for the DR650 only its little brother/sister. Gino has done a report on it in DSN, you can write him for the back issue. Basically he said it is a slick bike since its total redesign in '96...don't look at anything earlier. Smooth engine, great transmission, great gearing, good seat height, much better in the dirt...but, not nearly the comfort on the highway in the seat. Also lacking in the fuel tank but there are aftermarket options. Obe Wan has some beautiful new purple side protectors for it... Kurt Salt Lake City ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 21:29:39 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Magnet in Oil >If this works, I think it would be beneficial as well as neat to see how >muck "stuff" ends up being stuck to the magnet at my first oil change. > >Arne - who believes that a day without sunshine is, well... night. How about the magnetic drain plug that Fred has... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 21:31:20 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Oil level >When you guys speak of filling the oil until it reaches the top of >the sight glass (and, for some of you, beyond) are you judging this >when the bike/oil are cold or hot? In my experience, the oil level >rises significantly when hot. Maybe this only happens in KLX's, but >I doubt it. > >Marick I'm so hot for you...I'm so hot for you...I'm so hot for you and you're so cold....! Kurt (always check when cold, cold, cold) > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 23:38:52 -0500 From: "Stephen Rivett" Subject: (klr650) Bike Breakin Period I see Arne is trying to break in his bike...but what is the best way to do it? I've never owned a new vehicle before so I have no idea what is needed to be done. As for putting a magnet on the oil filter, I wouldn't suggest using one strong enough to make any filings tear their way through the paper. Also, is the pressure relief valve metal or plastic? A magnet may pull it open which would be bad news. Stephen Rivett, I may not have the answers but I've definately got the right questions most of the time. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 21:50:42 -0800 From: "Vik Banerjee" Subject: (klr650) NKLR Its all your fault I just want to say I have thought about this a lot and I am very angry [=)]. In my garage is a '99 Suzuki GS500 - in pieces. Parts everywhere - there are note scribbled on bits of paper, catalogues sitting open to shiny bits, a whole white board dedicated to how I am going to pay Fred for the parts I need. Japanese engineers have spent years perfecting this design and am being forced to mess up their hard work. I have no choice this list has made me a tinkering junkie. If I had just bought my KLR and not found the KLR homepage I would be the happy owner of a totally stock KLR650, I wouldn't have a super trapp pipe, acerbis this, MSR that....I wouldn't day dream about aluminum boxes. Now you might ask why I don't just unsubscribe from the list and join a local ten step program? Well I am a forgiving and understanding guy...I realize that you my fellow list members are the ones that need help....yes you need to accept responsibility for your misdeeds in order to start down the road to recovery. How you may ask can you do that? I will tell you - send me a cheque for $50.00US. This small sum can save you. It can bring you back from the brink of doom - not to mention pay off my master card. Since I have that off my chest I was just wondering if anyone has installed HUD night vision setup on their bike?..=) Cheers, Vik ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 21:02:24 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) Magnet in Oil - -----Original Message----- From: Kurt Simpson To: Arne Larsen ; KLR650 List Date: Wednesday, March 17, 1999 8:38 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) Magnet in Oil >>If this works, I think it would be beneficial as well as neat to see how >>muck "stuff" ends up being stuck to the magnet at my first oil change. >> >>Arne - who believes that a day without sunshine is, well... night. > > >How about the magnetic drain plug that Fred has... > >Kurt That would work too of coarse. I used one in my '74 Nova. But I don't think it's as powerful as this one that I have. So are you saying that you don't think it would work? BTW, what kind of oil does Kawasaki put in from the factory? Is it a special kind of break-in oil? I'm thinking of dumping it even though it's new and putting in fresh. I won't use synthetic at this point though - I've heard that you shouldn't use it during the break-in period of a motor. Sorry I can't remember where I heard that from. Arne ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 21:07:51 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) Bike Breakin Period - -----Original Message----- From: Stephen Rivett To: KLR650-List Date: Wednesday, March 17, 1999 8:47 PM Subject: (klr650) Bike Breakin Period >As for putting a magnet on the oil filter, I wouldn't suggest using one >strong enough to make any filings tear their way through the paper. I like this point. I wouldn't like it if it happened, but at this stage I do. Does the oil filter from the inside out, or outside in? I think it is the latter no? If this is the case, then all should be O.K. Arne - "Quantum Mechanics" - the dreams stuff is made of... ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 00:06:46 -0500 From: "Stephen Rivett" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Its all your fault Hate to say it, but it's the nature of a Japanese bike...everything is a compromise. If you wanted a bike that was set up perfectly you would have had to get a KTM 640 Adventure, they are from Austria and cost about the same price as a KLR650 that has every addon possible. I'm torn between that bike and the KLR650 :( Stephen Rivett - -----Original Message----- From: Vik Banerjee To: List KLR Date: March 17, 1999 11:57 PM Subject: (klr650) NKLR Its all your fault >Japanese engineers have spent years perfecting this design and am being >forced to mess up their hard work. I have no choice this list has made me a >tinkering junkie. If I had just bought my KLR and not found the KLR >homepage I would be the happy owner of a totally stock KLR650, I wouldn't >have a super trapp pipe, acerbis this, MSR that....I wouldn't day dream >about aluminum boxes. >Cheers, > >Vik > > > ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #146 ****************************