From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #151 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 151 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 22:25:47 +0000 From: Tom Simpson Subject: Re: (klr650) bad dealers A good dealer: Capitol Kawasaki in Columbia, SC (recently converted to Columbia Powersports, now selling Yamaha and Suzuki as well). Let me put it this way: When I was on my way out of town to a dual spot rally , they pulled a part off of a KLR on the floor to get me on my way. Aside from this extraordinary service, they commonly treat me pretty good on parts and accessories. And my KLR came with a full tank of gas, too. :) - -Tom '96 KLR 650 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 22:30:57 +0000 From: Tom Simpson Subject: Re: (klr650) Magnet in Oil At 02:41 AM 3/19/99 +0000, Sarah Barwig wrote: >> One problem that I have seen but not lately is the filter cover tends to >> have a problem with the mounting lugs breaking off. Was it because the tube >> inside the filter can only be installed one way? Or just tightening the >> bolts unevenly? I have one of these in stock if anyone needs one. >> > >And here I just thought I'd overtorqued the hell out of the poor things after >witnessing a small family brawl in the street. Too much adrenaline not good for >tightening bolts. Borrowed some extractors from a friend and managed to >retrieve the bolt end from the hole. I picked up a couple of bolts of the >appropriate size in hardened steel from the corner OSH. (Yes, I know they're a >megalomart - they were the only thing open at 8pm on Saturday) So should I >replace 'em with Kaw OEM? Or do you think my fix will be acceptable? It seems >to work, but I'd hate to screw something up... Japanese bike fasteners are of notoriously poor quality. Your dealer probably stocks aftermarket replacement screws of better quality. If not, then even hardware store screws are generaly an improvement. The major reason these covers fail is that people dont make sure that the covers are seated fully agains the case before tighteneing the screws, IMHO. - -Tom '96 KLR 650 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 21:02:16 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Helmet lock - -----Original Message----- From: Juan Villarreal To: cosmo_bojinski@hotmail.com Cc: KLR650@lists.xmission.com Date: Thursday, March 18, 1999 5:34 PM Subject: (klr650) Helmet lock |"Hi Listers, can the factory helmet lock be used to safely carry a spare |brain-bucket at freeway speeds? It doesn't look too strong to |me..." | |"Cosmo," I've riddent with my helmet on the lock twice..both times by mistake...both times put a rather large expensive groove in the faceshield of my helmet within 100 feet. Not a good idea... Kurt | |Exactly! Probably deliberately built that way to discourage people from |using it while "on the go." I thought about doing it once. |Approximately 3.2 seconds later I realized it was a bad idea (at any |speed). Way too much "rattle capability." Even if the lock was strong |and even if the chin strap held do you really want that thing banging |around so close to your rear tire? At highway speeds no less... Please |reconsider,as a bungee net works safely and efficiently for carrying an |extra lid. Happy trails... | |Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR |"The Happy Hooligan" | |______________________________________________________ |Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com | | ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 23:01:35 EST From: K650dsn@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Pelican case alternative In a message dated 3/18/99 7:22:11 PM Mountain Standard Time, KenReither@aol.com writes: << Gino, how would you mount these cases on the KLR? Ken Reither Kingwood, TX >> You have three options. 1 is to call Jake Jakeman at Sagebrush machine shop 435-387-5575. He makes mounting plates for these and has just made one that incorporated a 3 gallon fuel cell. 2. is to call Tim Bernard who is also making a sid mount carrier for any kind of luggage, 3 is very expensive. Call Ride West BMW 1-888-527-7433 and order Hepco Becker racks and the universal quick release kit. This will allow you to remove the bags in about 30 seconds. Gino ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 21:07:19 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) First Shift of the Day |This lurker finally has a question that necessitates exposure. |My A13 with 600 miles (yes, I have obeyed the break-in rules and have |had the valves adjusted and oil changed) does not like the first gear |engagement of the day No more lurking for you...welcome aboard...my experience was similar to yours...I stumbled on Bill's website and saw his KLR and thought "where has this bike been hiding".... About the first shift...I think it is pretty common...I let might warm for a few minutes and then pull the clutch in and blip a couple of times let it out etc. then I upshift into second first...then down into first...still makes an awful racket but it doesn't creep...the clutch plates are sticking together...I use Mobil 1...but after Skip's remarks I may switch to Rotella because I like the name and have a ton of it around to feed my 6.9 Turbo Diesel... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 23:07:13 EST From: K650dsn@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) First Shift of the Day In a message dated 3/18/99 8:58:38 PM Mountain Standard Time, scottblakney@hotmail.com writes: << This lurker finally has a question that necessitates exposure. My A13 with 600 miles (yes, I have obeyed the break-in rules and have had the valves adjusted and oil changed) does not like the first gear engagement of the day. Even with the clutch fully pulled in, with a sufficient pause, when the shift lever is placed into first there is a clunk followed by engine stall, or a minor tooth meshing sound and a jerk. >> Could be clutch cable stretch. Make sure your clutch cable is adjusted as per the manual. Welcome to the list. Now what was that initiation ritual again.... Gino ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 20:10:15 -0800 (PST) From: KLR650@webtv.net (Conall O'Brien) Subject: (klr650) Re: First shift of the day (Top of the morning to you) Scott- If you have trouble getting it into 1st gear, check your gear shifter- it could be loose. It's happened to me and lots others. Get the IMS pro shifter and keep the OEM for a spare. My $0.02 Conall ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 21:11:25 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) First Shift of the Day....NKLR |Could be clutch cable stretch. Make sure your clutch cable is adjusted as per |the manual. Welcome to the list. Now what was that initiation ritual |again.... | |Gino | Had something to do with Fred didn't it... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 21:12:09 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: (klr650) Kate...where are you? NKLR Kate...oh Kate? Can Kate come out to play? Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 23:12:42 EST From: FTabor231@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Mirror Vibration In a message dated 3/18/99 1:07:52 PM Central Standard Time, mjv2@psu.edu writes: << By the way, a KLR friend of mine (Andres) tossed his JC Whitney absorbers in the trash after a few months because they only shifted the vibration to a different RPM range but didn't reduce it. I like the Italian perspective, "What's behind me is not my concern." Mark (faster than your average tailgate >> I am using the older GS series Suzuki mirror vibration dampers, they don't help at all, just raised the mirror 2" which is the only benefit.Frank ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 21:12:10 -0700 From: "Skip Faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Break-in oil >>Arne wrote: >> >>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. >> > >Hey Skip, >Don't aircraft piston engines use "straight mineral" non-detergent oil for >the first 50 or 100hrs? Can you give us the skinny on this? >Thanks, >Mark > Yes, but usually only the first 25 hours or until oil consumption stabilizes. Keep in mind that on an aircraft, 25 hours usually equates to about 2500 miles or more, depending on the aircraft. The use of straight mineral oil with no lubricant and cleaning additives allows more metal to metal contact, which is needed for proper ring and valve seat break-in. Also, keep in mind that you SHOULDN`T baby an engine during break-in. Run it hard and vary the rpms the first several hundred miles. You`ll do more harm by being easy with it. This is true for all piston engines. If you limit the rpms and keep the oil and cylinder temps too low, the engine takes longer to break-in and cylinder glazing can occur . We break in aircraft engines by running them hard, usually nothing below 80% power for the first 4 hours (400 to 500 miles ) and then nothing below 70% power (except when necessary) for the next 20 hours (2000 to 3000 miles). My customers engines, when properly broken in and with strict oil change intervals (50 hours or 5000 miles, with a filter) usually reach their BO ( time between overhauls) of 1800 or 2000 hours, which equates to 200,000 + miles. Skip After the first several hundred miles that you`ve been ranging through the whole rpm range (yes, even to red line) ride it normally. Most synthetics shouldn`t be started till after positive break-in has occurred, which would safely be after a couple of thousand miles or your first oil change. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 23:10:11 EST From: FTabor231@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Mirror Vibration In a message dated 3/18/99 12:38:28 PM Central Standard Time, OlZorro@aol.com writes: << Has anyone had this problem or aware of any simple adapters? Thanks for your help. John Paul Gray Dana Point CA >> John Paul, Yamaha used to use a L/H threaded mirror on the L/H mirror, I think everyone elso used R/H on both sides. maybe a Yammy mirror? frank ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 21:20:48 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: (klr650) Kenda 270 I just turned 5100 miles on my A12 and the rear stock tire is about toast...anyone have any comments about the Kenda 270? I know Kurt Grife runs one and I saw one on the back of Mike Sonzini's TransAlp...I'm looking at a picture and it looks pretty good...and Kenda's are usually inexpensive... Thanks, Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 22:30:24 -0600 From: "J.P.Zucht" Subject: Re: (klr650) First Shift of the Day scott blakney wrote: > This lurker finally has a question that necessitates exposure. > My A13 with 600 miles (yes, I have obeyed the break-in rules and have > had the valves adjusted and oil changed) does not like the first gear > engagement of the day. Even with the clutch fully pulled in, with a > sufficient pause, when the shift lever is placed into first there is a > clunk followed by engine stall, or a minor tooth meshing sound and a > jerk. This has been a problem on many different kinds of bikes for years. I call it 'normal'. How to get around it? One or more of these techniques has worked on various bikes, for me, over the years. 1. Before you start it, put it in gear and rock the bike back and forth, with the clutch lever squeezed. Then put it back in neutral and start it. 2. As it is warming up, 'pump' the clutch lever a few times. 3. Let it warm up a bit longer. Any others, fellow listers? phil ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 23:22:22 EST From: FTabor231@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR - bad dealer stories. In a message dated 3/18/99 7:30:54 PM Central Standard Time, S2Mumford@aol.com writes: << The sales dept. treated me fair, but I forced them to do it. The service dept. at my local dealer stinks... I should say at least 2 guys in the place are lazy, incompetent jerks. So I guess the ratio is now 31-1? >> Stu, thats what makes a list like this so valuable! frank ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 22:41:22 -0600 From: "J.P.Zucht" Subject: Re: (klr650) First Shift of the Day ... when the shift lever is placed into first there is a > clunk followed by engine stall, or a minor tooth meshing sound and a > jerk. >> > Could be clutch cable stretch. Make sure your clutch cable is adjusted as per > the manual. Welcome to the list. Now what was that initiation ritual > again.... My '92 1500A Vulcan was a BEAR for 'sticking clutch plates' almost every day. (It had a hydraulic clutch.) Initiation Ritual? How about get naked, in a cornfield, at midnight, under a full moon, and dance with an (oven-ready) chicken... ...and speaking of naked...anyone seen that site for nude motorcycling? Looks like most of the pictures were taken on a lonely country road, at midnight, and any that were reasonably well-lit by flash...shouldn't have been ! phil in SK ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 21:43:17 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: (klr650) NKLR...nude motorcycling.. |...and speaking of naked...anyone seen that site for nude motorcycling? | |Looks like most of the pictures were taken on a lonely country road, at |midnight, and any that were reasonably well-lit by flash...shouldn't |have been ! Our resident expert on this aspect of cycling has been very quiet as of late... Redondo? Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 20:50:01 -0800 (PST) From: Alex Jomarron Subject: (klr650) Re: hanging the helmet When I rode the KLR on its first tour to Mid Ohio for the Vintage Bike Races, I ran out of gas. I pushed the KLR a bit and hung the helmet on the lock. Needless to say my White Shoei Duotech suffered from "skidmarks" as it rubbed against the tire. To do it at speed would be, well, not good...... == Alex Jomarron Oak Park, IL USA _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 23:51:40 EST From: FTabor231@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) First Shift of the Day In a message dated 3/18/99 9:58:38 PM Central Standard Time, scottblakney@hotmail.com writes: << Even with the clutch fully pulled in, with a sufficient pause, when the shift lever is placed into first there is a clunk followed by engine stall, or a minor tooth meshing sound and a jerk. >> Scott, cold weather starts can cause the clutch clunk, using too heavy of oil can(although you said that you use 10w40) which should be ok, and loosly adjusted clutch which is probably the problem, or your not pulling the lever all the way. Also, adjusting the clutch lever at the engine puts less stress on the cable. Frank ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 22:02:09 -0700 From: "Skip Faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Mission Failed (his, not mine) >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 Rob, I normally don't get involved in Skip's evening entertainment, but I couldn't pass this one up. He doesn't know that I occasionally keep tabs with the discussions, so this may come as a surprise (nice one, I'm sure). I like your thinking (the exhaust idea, that is) , however, I would suggest no ventilation. I'm suggesting a survey with Skip as the first respondent: " How cozy is your KLR650??? This survey would best be conducted on a nice 15 degree Montana night (like tonight), don't you think? Anyway, I didn't want to be a sheep and follow the KLR shepherd, thus my choice of the red "half-breed" F650. If Skip weren't color-blind to begin with, he probably would not have chosen a '95 model. Yeah, "half-breed" red just can't compare with the "Caribbean-Splash" color scheme. I think that this little bike competition is gonna be quite interesting - give our riding a little feisty edge. Looking forward to riding and not asking for forgiveness, Mollye Faulkner ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #151 ****************************