From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #147 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Thursday, March 18 1999 Volume 02 : Number 147 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 23:57:40 EST From: K650dsn@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Re: (dr350) April Moab Rally... In a message dated 3/17/99 9:20:06 PM Mountain Standard Time, ajax@xmission.com writes: << 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. >> Oh that sounds way too tempting. It would have to be a blitz trip for me. I might even, God forbid, tow my bike(DR350)! It would be a great inagural dual sport ride for my bone stock DR350SE. Gino ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 00:12:40 -0500 From: "Stephen Rivett" Subject: Re: (klr650) Bike Breakin Period I believe the oil goes through the pump and gets forced into the centre where it either goes through the paper or relief valve. oh yeah, Wix oil filters are made by Dana, the same company that makes Spicer axles. - -----Original Message----- From: Arne Larsen To: Stephen Rivett ; KLR650-List Date: March 18, 1999 12:02 AM Subject: Re: (klr650) Bike Breakin Period >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: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 22:35:43 -0800 From: "Vik Banerjee" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Its all your fault Well actually I disagree. If we got 20 lister together and gave them bone stock KLR's or whatever and $100,000 to modify them...after the dust settled you'd end up with 20 different bikes. The KTM is a great bike in some respects, but I think the rusty old KLR would still be a better bike for those DS trips where you have to cover a lot of road miles. Of course with a corbin saddle, avon gripsters, wide ratio transmission and some gel grips the KTM might be just as good...=) There is no perfect bike for all people. Just a lot of pretty good bikes and Fred to help you perfect them. Cheers, Vik - -----Original Message----- From: Stephen Rivett To: KLR650-List Date: Wednesday, March 17, 1999 9:09 PM 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 :( ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 22:35:52 -0700 From: "Skip Faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Auto Oils in the Bike >Rotella is now SJ rated. I have been know to use it in my bikes though as I >had the assumption that diesel oils were better due to the higher >compression of diesel engines. I'll typically cut in 1.6qt of Rotella with >1qt Yamalube. >Another thing I use SG motor oil for cars. You can find it on the shelves >at grocery stores because nobody buys motor oil at the grocer. These cans >have been sitting there since 1994-96 and are dusty. Does anyone know if >shelflife is a concern? >Mark >B2 >A2 Rotella T is SJ rated, but has a zinc (phos) %content of .14%, which is higher than the regular automotive SJ oils. You`ll also find the SH`s at the grocery stores. Skip ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 23:32:47 -0700 From: "Skip Faulkner" 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. >Rob Sorry pard`, I don`t know how to kid. Also, she doesn`t like motorcycles, she just doesn`t want me going off and having fun by myself. Skip ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 23:41:22 -0700 From: "Skip Faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR - Oil level repost NO MIME this time! and an NKLR message...;) >2) Anyone EVER hear of a racing team using car oil? (No, except for >Valvoline, but I think they used bike-specific stuff) > Eric J. Yes. Mobil One has been used by several. Also keep in mind that each bike manufacturer has their own oil and will advertise that their teams use it. Do you actually think they`d use someone elses oil, even if it was better? Skip ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 23:43:37 -0700 From: "Skip Faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Mission Failed >At 08:08 AM 3/17/99 -0700, 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. > >This means the title is in her name too? > >Stuart > Are you kidding? I`ll get the bike in the divorce and sell it! Skip ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 01:01:07 From: Guy Cheney Subject: (klr650) Tire/Exhaust Rubbing Yikes! Maybe the lowering links are too good to be true! I've got a Metzler Metronic 55A on the back of my machine and it has apparently been coming in contact with the Cobra ISDE exhaust since the lowering links were installed. Not enough to leave abundant rubber on the pipe but enough to glaze the outside 3/8" of tread on the tire. I've never felt/heard it rub but the clearance can't be much more than 3/4" sitting still with most of my weight (190#) on the saddle. The Metzler is 130/90 as opposed to the stock 130/80 size so by my calculation that means it would be ~26 mm taller than the Dunlop that came on the bike. (I've been told that comparing the aspect ratios of different tire manufacturers is like comparing apples to oranges, but I gotta start somewhere.) I'm thinking my options are: 1) remove lowering links (But I like 'em!) 2) change tire to 130/80 (Will this increase clearance sufficiently?) 3) longer shock (Are the Progressive or DP Works longer than the stocker? Would this neutralize the benefits of the lowering links?) Your assistance in thinking this through would be greatly appreciated as I think this constitutes an unsafe condition and will thereby render me a cager under it's remedied. Yours, Guy ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 00:14:47 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Its all your fault/KTM Adventure - -----Original Message----- From: Vik Banerjee To: Stephen Rivett ; KLR650-List Date: Wednesday, March 17, 1999 9:50 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Its all your fault >Well actually I disagree. If we got 20 lister together and gave them bone >stock KLR's or whatever and $100,000 to modify them...after the dust settled >you'd end up with 20 different bikes. Actually, I think it would be closer to 200 bikes. You can't tell me that you'd just settle for one??? >>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 :( Hey Steven, I have been exactly where you are. Well, not quite, I'm over here... but believe it or not, I too was at a stage where I was trying to decide on which bike to get. The fact that the Adventure is not available and licensable in Canada kinda stroked it off my list. But even if it were available, unless I was going to be riding 60% challenging off-road (what the bike's made for), and only 40% street (what it's not really made for), I believe the better choice to be the KLR. The KTM is a beautiful, imposing, awesome looking machine - but it's a dirt bike under it's shell. This is a good thing if you intend to spend most of your time in the dirt, but the reviews I've read say that any distance on the street is compromised. And for me, being comfortable on the street was important. Like Vik was saying, I'm sure with a corbin saddle, gel grips, and bar-end weights you could improve things - but then you're spending even more money. Happy hunting, Arne - a conclusion is the place where you get tired of thinking ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 19:17:50 +1000 From: Ted Palmer Subject: Re: (klr650) Bike Breakin Period Arne Larsen wrote: [...] > 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. >From outside in. During the running-in period, you'll see bits of metal and stuff on the outside of the filter after you let it drain a bit. I did. Mister_T ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 19:09:18 +1000 From: Ted Palmer Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR - Oil level repost NO MIME this time! and an NKLR message...;) Skip Faulkner wrote: [...] > Do you actually think they`d use someone elses oil, even if it was better? Yes, but they wouldn't tell anyone where it comes from. If the bike companies have their own brand oil, then it will be someone else's inside, maybe to a _slightly_ different spec to the supplier's own brand. I don't expect the bike companines to have their own oil refineries. Mister_T ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 00:29:15 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) Bike Breakin Period Alright, so then based on this, there should not be any metal on the inside of the filter that could get pulled through from the inside out. This is good. Arne - -----Original Message----- From: Ted Palmer To: klr650 ; Arne Larsen Date: Thursday, March 18, 1999 12:28 AM Subject: Re: (klr650) Bike Breakin Period >Arne Larsen wrote: > >[...] >> 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. > >>From outside in. >During the running-in period, you'll see bits of metal and stuff >on the outside of the filter after you let it drain a bit. I did. > >Mister_T > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 19:43:12 +1000 From: Ted Palmer Subject: Re: (klr650) Tire/Exhaust Rubbing Guy Cheney wrote: > Maybe the lowering links are too good to be true! I've got a Metzler > Metronic 55A on the back of my machine and it has apparently been coming in > contact with the Cobra ISDE exhaust since the lowering links were > installed. Sounds like a crap design exhaust to me. If that's what it does with a smooth treaded and slightly taller than stock road tyre, what would it do with a true knobby tyre fitted with a stock link at full bump travel? > The Metzler is 130/90 as opposed to the stock 130/80 size so by my > calculation that means it would be ~26 mm taller than the Dunlop that came > on the bike. (I've been told that comparing the aspect ratios of different > tire manufacturers is like comparing apples to oranges, but I gotta start > somewhere.) True, but why did you get the 130/90 in the first place? > I'm thinking my options are: > > 1) remove lowering links (But I like 'em!) One way, but there still may be some contact at full bump travel. > 2) change tire to 130/80 (Will this increase clearance sufficiently?) With a theoretical 13mm smaller section height, it might be enough. You're in a better position to judge that. > 3) longer shock (Are the Progressive or DP Works longer than the stocker? > Would this neutralize the benefits of the lowering links?) Yes it would. > Your assistance in thinking this through would be greatly appreciated as I > think this constitutes an unsafe condition and will thereby render me a > cager under it's remedied. Is there some chance to space the exhaust away from the subframe and hence rear wheel without hitting sidecover? Mister_T ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 04:13:22 EST From: LPetty4585@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Tire/Exhaust Rubbing In a message dated 3/18/99 8:42:39 AM !!!First Boot!!!, tedp@replicant.apana.org.au writes: << s there some chance to space the exhaust away from the subframe and hence rear wheel without hitting sidecover? >> That is what I did and I run a Dunlop D905 140/80 no lowering link and no rubs on the exhaust a full compression. Been there done that Larry ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 07:09:34 -0500 From: Bill Wright Subject: Re: (klr650) Side scoops... Kurt Simpson wrote: > 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... > Obe Wan? Is this Obe Wan Ginobe? Bill Wright Hotlanta, GA. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 07:58:34 -0500 From: PAT_HENSLEY@HP-USA-om32.om.hp.com Subject: (klr650) RE: Magnets in Oil For what it is worth, I purchased the magnetic oil filter plug for the KLR and have been very disappointed. The magnet is VERY Very weak. When I change my oil, there is a tiny bit of metal 'dust' on the plug but that's it. Now on the other hand, I also have the stainless steel oil filter. It seems to grab every bit of crud living in the oil (which may be why the magnetic oil plug is so clean). The other plus to the stainless steel oil filter is I don't need any parts to change my oil. Just clean the filter and re-install. My 2 cents: Don't buy the plug. Buy the stainless steel oil filter. And I would also recommend AGAINST putting any 'homebrew' magnets in the oil filter. Tons of motorcycles have run zillions of miles without taking in added risk of the magnet falling into the motor. Arne, your bike will not be an exception and will run forever without the filter magnet. As the other lister said, "Ride it 'till it blows up". Pat Austin, Texas 1997 KLR650 w/11K miles ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 08:34:42 -0600 From: "Al Silberstein" Subject: (klr650) unsubsribe unsubsribe ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 09:40:37 EST From: MCStuffCO@aol.com Subject: (klr650) unsubscribe unsubscribe ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 07:47:59 -0700 From: "Fred Hink" Subject: Re: (klr650) RE: Magnets in Oil - -----Original Message----- From: PAT_HENSLEY@HP-USA-om32.om.hp.com To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Wednesday, March 17, 1999 11:04 PM Subject: (klr650) RE: Magnets in Oil >For what it is worth, I purchased the magnetic oil filter plug for the KLR and >have been very disappointed. The magnet is VERY Very weak. When I change my >oil, there is a tiny bit of metal 'dust' on the plug but that's it. > >Now on the other hand, I also have the stainless steel oil filter. It seems to >grab every bit of crud living in the oil (which may be why the magnetic oil >plug is so clean). The other plus to the stainless steel oil filter is I don't >need any parts to change my oil. Just clean the filter and re-install. > >My 2 cents: Don't buy the plug. Buy the stainless steel oil filter. > >And I would also recommend AGAINST putting any 'homebrew' magnets in the oil >filter. Tons of motorcycles have run zillions of miles without taking in added >risk of the magnet falling into the motor. Arne, your bike will not be an >exception and will run forever without the filter magnet. > >As the other lister said, "Ride it 'till it blows up". >Pat >Austin, Texas >1997 KLR650 w/11K miles > > > Pat, I fear to tell you that your magnetic drain plug is doing it's job. You should only see metal bits in your filter that are left over from the machining of your new engine. The only shiney metal bits that you will see in your filter are hopefully aluminum and not able to be trapped by the magnet. After the first original oil change and maybe the second, you should not see any larger shiney bits. The gray or black dust is the iron particles that have worn away from bearings and rings, etc. If you were to see larger bits held by the magnet then I would say you are on your way to a serious major melt down. I don't know why they don't put in a stronger magnet in the drain plug, but every one I have ever changed has the same dark dust stuck to it so they must be doing their job. Did you really want to see parts of springs, bits of rings and bearings stuck to your magnet? I wouldn't put a magnet in with the oil filter either. You take a chance of wearing a hole through the element and we all know what that means. Fred (and of course this is all just my opinion like always) ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #147 ****************************