From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #163 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Sunday, March 21 1999 Volume 02 : Number 163 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 17:46:07 -0500 From: PAT_HENSLEY@HP-USA-om32.om.hp.com Subject: (klr650) KLR in Dripping Springs I saw a KLR riding with a red ST1000 in Dripping Springs, TX today (Sunday). Was it anyone on the list? Pat Austin, Texas 1997 KLR650 w/11.2K miles ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 15:57:28 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) I dare you... >Kurtmeister, You know I'm a convert, but are you absolutely, >categorically positive part of that 10ozs. Wasn't hiding in the engine >somewhere when you THOUGHT you drained out all the oil? Bogdan Well it is true that I didn't wait all night like Eldon recommends...gently rocking the bike back and forth..(g)...but, then again, I doubt that our good friends at the Kawasaki dealership would give the lullably treatment... >But what about the >10 ounces you haven't added to bring the amount you've added to the >factory recommended 2.5 >liters? I added it after the experiment was offer including the 1+ ounces that our lister with oppositional disorder suggested (g).... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 16:11:45 -0700 From: "Fred Hink" Subject: Re: (klr650) ignition sticking - -----Original Message----- From: Dave Wormmeester To: Lois Eberhart Cc: Sarah Barwig ; KLR650@lists.xmission.com Date: Sunday, March 21, 1999 6:45 AM Subject: Re: (klr650) ignition sticking > > >Lois Eberhart wrote: > >> I repin locks at work all the time that other people have used WD40 in. That >> stuff collects a lot of dust .Graphite works OK but is messy. I use a >> product called LAB LUBE on all the locks I work on. It is a Teflon powder, >> not as messy and very slick in locks. Doesn't take much to do an excellent >> job of lubing any kind of lock. >> > >Where can one find LAB LUBE? > >DW > > > Maybe try your local veterinary? ;<) Sorry, I just woke up from a nap. Fred ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 19:17:55 -0500 From: Chalz Milliken Subject: (klr650) (KLR650) Slick 50 Opinions?? With all this talk of Motorcycle Oil, I wonder what anyone has to say about oil additives like Slick 50. I have always thought most additives to be gimics and sometimes causing more harm than good, but a while back my grandfater changed my mind on that. Ya see, he has owned a car garage for his whole life and he said that he can always tell when someone has used Slick 50 in an engine that he has opened up. The engines are tighter and cleaner. He swears it will keep your engine better lubed and lasting longer. I was planning on running some Slick 50 through my A13 when I get around 2K on the odometer. But after hearing about really slippery oil causing damage by means of slippage to the clutch, I'm not sure about it anymore. Has anyone else out there used Slick 50 before? Comments? Chalz ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Mar 1999 00:24:11 -0000 From: "Stevens, Greig (CALBBAY)" Subject: (klr650) GEAR LEVER POSITIONING My preferred riding style is to change down gears without the need to lift my foot off the peg (especially if I am standing!). However, the current positioning of the gear lever necessitates that I have to lift my foot off the peg, change down gear(s) and reposition my foot back on the peg. Another affect, especially if the bike is still warming, is when changing from 1st to 2nd neutral is engaged. I realise this is because I haven't lifted the lever high enough to engage second, but my left ankle just won't lift my foot any higher. To avoid feeling like a complete ass (as my bike is particularly loud it is hard to cover that it is being revved while in neutral) I lift my foot slightly when changing into second. It annoyed me enough recently to experiment by repositioning the lever down a notch or two on the spline to find the ideal position while sitting on the bike. I took it for a spin down the road to make sure it was comfortable. I slipped it into first (mine clunks into 1st when cold, so does my neighbours KR1) and found that it was easy to change up through the gears but when I got to the first intersection, about 2kms down the road, it wouldn't change down. I pulled over thinking how could I have f******d the gear box by moving the gear lever. Upon inspection, as you probably have already figured, when attempting to changing down, the gear lever was hitting on the frame. How on earth I got it into first gear initially still has me perplexed as I couldn't get it to change down at all. Luckily there is a service station at this intersection. So the net result, the gear lever is back in the same position as when I bought the bike. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I would certainly like to hear how you have overcome it. I suspect that the gear lever may need to be bent downwards but I would rather find out if someone has found another (better) solution. Regards, Greig, RIDE AND BE SEEN! ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 17:20:27 -0800 From: "Rob Gendreau" Subject: (klr650) NKLR Interesting bikes spotted Saw a couple of bikes this PM in the parking lot of my local trailhead in Oakland, CA. One was a Suzuki GP370 with new tires, very good condition. Its owner obviously took very good care of it. Also a Honda NX650; I'd never seen this. Dual sportish suspension, low front fender, bash guards, windscreen, Nonfango hard tail box with side racks. Cool looking bike. Anybody know anything about these bikes? - -- Rob Gendreau Oakland, California gendreau@ccnet.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 17:51:36 -0800 From: Hugh Stout Subject: Re: (klr650) I dare you... I've been following this thread with interest since I am about due for an oil change before a long summer run. Could it be - independent of anything that Kawasaki says in its various manuals - that the difference in the two schools about when the sight glass if full is whether one holds the bike upright (which is hard to do solo without a center stand) or lets it stand on the side stand? Just an idea...I'll try to do my own measurements when I change the oil and filter to see what I get. I know that the height of the oil in the window is critically sensitive to small angles of lean. Hugh Stout '74 R90/6 '78 CB400T2 '94 KLR650 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 21:15:31 EST From: FTabor231@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR Race Laughs....Long In a message dated 3/20/99 10:38:44 PM Central Standard Time, VFR754@aol.com writes: << Some of the KLR stuff does look pretty cool on video. I'm looking forward to getting into the editing booth and seeing what we can put together for the show on the KLR. >> Bill, I envy you! Frank ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 21:42:14 -0400 From: "chris" Subject: NKLR (klr650) Di-cast model This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - ------=_NextPart_000_00B2_01BE73E3.AEFF7420 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable FYI...Was at Toys-R-Us today and found a 1/18 scale di-cast model of a = KLR650. It's a pre-95 model (blue and white) made by Motormax. It'll = make a nice desk conversation piece! Best of all, it only cost $1.99. = I've really been enjoying the Newsgroup and the info it provides, keep = up the good work. r/ Chris ('95 KLR650, Hampton VA) AMA 410126 =20 - ------=_NextPart_000_00B2_01BE73E3.AEFF7420 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
FYI...Was at Toys-R-Us today and = found a 1/18=20 scale di-cast model of a KLR650.  It's a pre-95 model (blue and = white) made=20 by Motormax.  It'll make a nice desk conversation piece!  Best = of all,=20 it only cost $1.99.  I've really been enjoying the Newsgroup and = the info=20 it provides, keep up the good work.
r/
Chris ('95 KLR650, Hampton = VA)
AMA 410126  =
- ------=_NextPart_000_00B2_01BE73E3.AEFF7420-- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Mar 1999 22:04:44 -0500 From: "Leslie" Subject: Re: (klr650) picked up bike at auction Saw a couple of bikes Oakland, CA. Also a Honda NX650; I'd never seen this. Dual sportish suspension, low front fender, bash guards, windscreen, Nonfango hard tail box with side racks. Cool looking bike. Anybody know anything about these bikes? Rob Gendreau Oakland, California gendreau@ccnet.com I have an NX250 such as the one described above, fun bike,,,can't ride in mud because the front fender is only 2 inches off the tire....good wheelie bike though.... Got lucky at a bike auction this weekend, picked up a wrecked, no title 93' KLR650 for $200.....owner left it in the shop and didn't pick it up after maintenance was done...guess he couldn't afford it....anyhow it will make a great parts bike....only missing seat and all rear plastic, key and gas cap...has new knobbies on it and the front plastic is all good...I'm gonna see if the motor will fit in an old XR frame that I have..make a trick dirt bike...Hopefully, since it looks like it was ridden mostly off road the bike might have the progressive springs in it....find out when the sun decides to show its pretty face again... Enjoy Les 89 KLR650, 93 KLR650 hanger queen.. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 20:11:06 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) I dare you... |oil change before a long summer run. Could it be - independent of anything |that Kawasaki says in its various manuals - that the difference in the two |schools about when the sight glass if full is whether one holds the bike |upright (which is hard to do solo without a center stand) or lets it stand |on the side stand? Just an idea...I'll try to do my own measurements when |I change the oil and filter to see what I get. I know that the height of |the oil in the window is critically sensitive to small angles of lean. I'll go for anything...btw, mine has a centerstand... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 22:41:42 -0500 From: "Steamroller" Subject: (klr650) NKLR water crossings Question: 1-assuming a completely stock bike. 2-about 270 lbs of rider and gear, loaded in a rider backpack and rear bags. 3-shock set a mid point 4- real easy entry and non-splashing forward motion How deep a water crossing can I expect my KLR to ford before I need worry about "drowning". Should I plug the vent tubes prior? And, is there anything I need to do to protect vitals like ignition? If I leave on trips like this, I carry chain wax, so I'm not worried about that. But to access a couple of private land riding areas a couple of hours from home requires river crossings, with a mostly gravel bed. Average depth depends on season and recent rainfall, but is usually less than 20 inches or about 35 cm. and maybe about 25 to 60 feet (7 to 18m?) across. Any thoughts? Thanks much, NY Pete ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 19:40:27 -0800 From: Eberhart Subject: Re: (klr650) ignition sticking - --------------7643EFBF80865D0D87CEA583 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I get mine at the local lock and key shop. Sounds like Fred gets his at the flock and bull shop. Be sure and get the powder form in the tube not the grease like stuff. Bill Eberhart Dave Wormmeester wrote: > Lois Eberhart wrote: > > > I repin locks at work all the time that other people have used WD40 in. That > > stuff collects a lot of dust .Graphite works OK but is messy. I use a > > product called LAB LUBE on all the locks I work on. It is a Teflon powder, > > not as messy and very slick in locks. Doesn't take much to do an excellent > > job of lubing any kind of lock. > > > > Where can one find LAB LUBE? > > DW - --------------7643EFBF80865D0D87CEA583 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I get mine at the local lock and key shop. Sounds like Fred gets his at the flock and bull shop. Be sure and get the powder form in the tube not the grease like stuff.
Bill Eberhart

Dave Wormmeester wrote:

Lois Eberhart wrote:

> I repin locks at work all the time that other people have used WD40 in. That
> stuff collects a lot of dust .Graphite works OK but is messy. I use a
> product called LAB LUBE on all the locks I work on. It is a Teflon powder,
> not as messy and very slick in locks. Doesn't take much to do an excellent
> job of lubing any kind of lock.
>

Where can one find LAB LUBE?

DW

- --------------7643EFBF80865D0D87CEA583-- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 20:53:38 -0800 From: Mike Magier Subject: (klr650) Down-under tool storage Hey List - I am feeling unreasonably proud of myself this minute, and I need to share it with you wonderful folks. Several months ago, a few listers were kicking around the idea of mounting a tool box in front of the bash plate. I remember thinking that it would be nice to free up the storage space, and keep that weight low and forward. But I also thought that there probably wasn't any secure way to mount a tool box there that would allow any kind of convenient access to the tools. I promptly forgot all about it - or so I thought. Apparently, in the deep recesses of my puny unconscious, I continued to ponder this idea, because out of the blue, I woke up today with the entire solution in my mind, and I just had to go DO IT! It is fiendish in its simplicity and low cost. A 2-foot length of 4" PVC pipe (I bought black - pricier, but at 2$ a foot, it looks a LOT COOLER), 2 "access plugs" (4" rubber plugs with big wingnuts - tighten the nut, and the rubber expands, sealing the end of the PVC pipe), and 2 sturdy hose clamps. THAT'S IT! The tube fits very neatly in front of the frame member, into a little recess between Obe Wan's hiway pegs and the protruding bolts from the after market bashplate. The hose clamps go around the tube, the hiway pegs, and through the upper of the 2 holes on the front of the bash plate on each side. This way, the hose clamps don't have to make any sharp bends against metal edges, causing a potential failure spot. The sucker is TIGHT! It's going nowhere. The end plugs are awesome - totally tight and waterproof, but a breeze to remove. 2 feet is probably just a little long - it sticks about 1/2" past the foot pegs on each side, and the wingnuts on the end plugs stick out a little further. Still, by my eyeball, there's no way I'm gonna lean enough to drag them. It doesn't interfere with use of the pegs at all. I just loaded my new tool tube with all the tools I could think of: 8 mm - 24 mm combination wrenches spare shift lever spare clutch lever adjustable wrench "6-in-1" screwdriver full set of metric allen wrenches 3/8" ratchet driver, 1/4" adapter, 3" extender needlenose pliers regular pliers circlip pliers (all of the above were rolled together in a towel and cinched together - just barely fit) OEM tool kit set of 6 allen heads on 3/8" drive sockets (6mm - 12mm) 6mm - 16mm sockets (in small tupperware) CO2 tire inflater w/ 4 cartridges We're talking about 15-20 pounds of tools, more or less. It's all real snug - - nothing shakes. Just went for a short test ride, couldn't really even tell it was there. The front end felt a little stiffer on small bumps - that's about it. I know this list of tools is overkill. I don't have a lot of roadside repair experience, and I'm not really sure what I should keep in, what should come out. I would certainly appreciate any input. In particular, I'd like to leave out some of the bigger combination wrenches. That's where most of the weight and length is. If I could leave out the bigger wrenches, I could probably take a couple of inches off the tube. Anyway, I'll quit patting myself on the back now - my arm's nearly broken. It's just that this is my first original idea for a way to make my KLR a better bike. I can get pics - if people are interested, but it's really pretty straightforward. Mike Magier A12 Groundhog 99ST1100 (4 more days . . .) ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #163 ****************************