From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #999 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Tuesday, October 12 1999 Volume 02 : Number 999 Re: (klr650) Steel braided brake lines Re: (klr650) RE: Compass Re: (klr650) misc.. Re: (klr650) Fastline install (klr650) NKLR DIGI camera question Re: (klr650) side stand trick Re: (klr650) My KLR Affair Continued (klr650) Panama Red? (klr650) Steel brake lines Re: (klr650) NKLR DIGI camera question ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 22:47:09 -0700 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) Steel braided brake lines > >4. Custom braided brake lines. > >Why bother? Get Fastline's from Fred, they have a very nice clear sheath > >to protect your bike from scuffing. > > Which after about 12 miles yellows, accumulate dirt and dust inside, > allow brake fluid inside if you spill a drop, and generally look > disgusting. > > The "Shrunk-on" tubing on Galfer and Russell lines looks (IMHO) much > superior, but even better, still looks good after a few months or years > when the Fastline looks like a worn-out drain hose. > > Furthermore, Fastline has QC problems- I've gotten several of their lines > that leak. > > Oh, now that I think about it, they are also generally ill-cut (wrong > length), and have the wrong fittings on each end (the bend is incorrect, > making routing difficult or impossible). I bought 8 lines for 3 bikes at > once, then got three more for the leaking ones (which sucked too), so I > have a bit of experience. I ended up sending them almost all back and > buying Galfer and Russell. > > Stay far, far away from them. > Not my experience at all. I didn't get my Fastline from Fred, I had it custom made at the factory. The fitment was perfect, with the correct ends and absolutely no leakage. My sheath is clear blue, which I specially requested. It was a little (2 inches) long, but better too long than too short, and that way I don't have to worry about chafing as much. Also, the sheath very tight fitting at each end, and I really don't see how anything can get in there, water doesn't even get in there after I wash my bike with a pressure washer. The only way I can see this line leaking is if you didn't use new crush washers when you put it on and torqued it properly. The only drawback was that I had to wait two months to get it from the time I ordered it, other than that, its been a real peach, and I would recommend it to anyone. Jeff Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 22:54:43 -0700 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) RE: Compass > > For that matter, so does my wrist compass I wear like a watch. I wear it > > everywhere when I'm in the sticks, and it works at all speeds accurately. > > Of course I have to take my left hand off the bar to read it, but no biggie. > > I also have this other mini compass that goes on the band of my wristwatch. > > > > Jeff > > The wrist compass is definitely cool....the only thing is I can't wear > watches or anything when I'm riding because the gauntlet on my gloves > covers it over. I also mounted a cheapo LCD clock on the back of the > headlight mounting area that I can read at night if I time it right > going under street lights (its velcro attached so I can pull it off for > winter). > Ah, not a problem, my wrist compass comes with an extra long band, for wearing over the outside of your coat sleeve when in the winter. Survival is where its at! I picked it up at the PX at Ft. Benning Georgia, or Military Clothing and Sales, about 8 years ago. I have used it as a back up to my military compass ever since. (Not counting the compass mount that we had that went on the objective lens on our night vision goggles, just push the button on the top and your heading is displayed in front of you, way cool at night!) Jeff Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 23:26:18 -0400 From: "Eric Jasniewicz" Subject: Re: (klr650) misc.. > Eric, > > Don't know about your neighborhood, but in mine, turning left against a red > light on a motorcycle is not a prescription for "living a little." > > -Spike The reference to living a little had absolutely nothing to do with turning left against a red light. It had everything to do with encountering a problem or challenge in life, and figuring out how to deal with it. OK, how about, if a person can't figure out how to deal with such an incredibly complicated problem, they should get some fresh batteries for the remote, and stay at home where they wont be faced with such complex issues, and remain safe in their lazy boy. BTW, if anyone is looking for a real driving thrill, try driving around the Arc de Triumph in Paris during rush hour a la Chevy Chase in European Vacation. I assure you you will have a noticeable increase in your adrenaline levels. At minimum, take a taxi through it, and ask the driver to do a few laps. They don't even give it a second thought. > > Which after about 12 miles yellows, accumulate dirt and dust inside, > allow brake fluid inside if you spill a drop, and generally look > disgusting. > OK, I've had mine on my KLR for 20,000 miles with no problems, and I never met anyone who had a problem with any aftermarket braided lines. Appreciate your comments though, has anyone else had problems with braided lines? Oh, one line on Corbin. A local KLR'ist had the flat version on order for months, was supposed to receive it in June, as of two weeks ago, still no Corbin. He is unable to get a hold of Raul via phone, no call backs from Corbin. Corbin is known everywhere as a hit or miss business for at least 13 years, I have been one of the lucky ones with 3 Corbins for 3 different bikes. Has anyone ever had a problem with Russell or Travelcade? Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 23:04:25 -0700 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) Fastline install > Well Jeff, everything's gone to script- thanks > for the OUTSTANDING DIRECTIONS, by the way- > however, the last step is perplexing me to some > degree. > Progress seems to be painfully slow when it comes > to getting the new fluid in the system. When I > actuate the brake lever with the reservoir cover > off it generates a tiny air bubble (I know your > directions said to re-install the cover prior to > actuating the lever- but I just wanted to see > what I could see). Is this normal? And is it > absolutely necessary for me to have the cover on > while pumping the new fluid in the system (I've > done it both ways thus far)? I don't know, it > just seems to be taking awhile, and I'm wanting > to know if that's normal. Thanks in advance... > > Juan Villarreal > You need the cover on, if for nothing else than to protect you bike from spurting brake fluid! Yes, it can take a long time to bleed the line. It might help if you close the bleeder for a while and just pump the brake lever a couple of dozen times (cover installed) to try and displace those bubbles out of the line. Sometimes when bleeding, you want to use some good force on the brake lever to develop some velocity in the fluid and move the bubbles. It is the part of the line that is horizontal where they are a pain in the ass to get out. You'll know when you do, your brakes will be rock hard. If it feels squishy at all, there is air in there. BTW, the air bubble you see in the reservoir is air coming up the line instead of down and out the bleeder. Once all the air is gone, you might get a mini geyser spurt instead of an air bubble. Jeff Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 01:03:21 -0500 From: "Ron Kolarik" Subject: (klr650) NKLR DIGI camera question I'm in need of a good digital camera to, among other things, document mods to my bike. I think a lot of folks can make more use of a picture than a lengthy description and poor drawings. Any recomendations or comments are welcome. Thanks Ron.....A11-off the sick list and back on the road, waterpump all better Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 23:07:38 -0700 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) side stand trick > I've used the side stand method to raise the bike up and on a crate, but > I was wondering if it was alright for the side stand? After multiple > times, will the side stand just break off? (do not insert gutter humor > here)- I got the center stand, so this is not really a problem anymore, > but just curious. > -MikeD > Been doing it for many years amigo, and on a couple of different bikes, and I have never broken one yet, they are very stout. I think that it would take a really hard impact to break the side stand mount, adding compressive forces steadily with the weight of the bike won't hurt the steel at all, you are still well within the elastic region of the steel. Jeff Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 23:40:31 -0700 From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" Subject: Re: (klr650) My KLR Affair Continued > I got differing responses to my question about the knocking sound of my KLR. > Jeff W. on the list said that I was probably "bogging the engine." What > exactly does this mean? To clarify my original question, this knocking sound > occurs even after I've shifted, gotten moving, released the clutch, and am > cruising in first gear. I don't know about the other gears, I've only been to > second twice (another innuendo for Andrew, hilarious post by the way). The > knocking increases with more throttle. I think it's normal, but I don't know > a thing about motorcycle engines. Maybe all KLRs sound like that and, in my > inexperience, I just don't know what it's supposed to sound like. If you know how to drive a stick shift, then you know what I'm talking about. I'm talking about under revving, or lugging the engine. The difference between stick shift car and motorcycle is that with the car you do it with your feet, gas and the revs climb, car in first, slowly let out the clutch with your left foot. With the bike, you do it with your hands, and shift with the foot. Personally, I think that it is easier to learn how to operate a clutch on a bike than on a car, because the hands are naturally more coordinated. So there you sit, the clutch is pulled in and the bike is shifted down into first gear. You then apply the throttle smoothly to bring the revs up to 2500 to 3000 rpms. Then SLOWLY let out the clutch (count to five backwards, at "one" the clutch lever should be all the way out), while using your right hand to maintain the engine in that 2500-3000 rpm range. Everything should be smooth, no jerks at all. If you apply too much throttle, and let the clutch out too fast (pop it), the rear tire breaks free and spins, or your front tire leaves the ground. Once you master getting started smoothly, you then refine it, like say the starting rpms at no higher than 2500 rpm and everything is so buttery smooth, that all you feel is constant acceleration through first gear. So you rev first gear up to say 4000 rpm, or whatever the break in recommended limit is, and switch to second gear. Close the throttle at the same time as you pull in the clutch all the way, with a deliberate upward pull on your left foot shift into second gear, then let the clutch back out and apply the gas, smoothly. Practice makes perfect. Once you get good at it, you can hear and feel it, you don't even need to check the tachometer at all. If you ever run the motor in gear lower than 2000 rpm, make sure you are coming up to a stop and pull that clutch in. Don't apply any power below 2000. If you need to, then down shift a gear first. Another pointer, and most importantly. Slow down before you come to a corner or a curve. Down shift, then accelerate through the curve, all the time keeping your eyes well ahead of the turn, looking through the curve, not straight in front of the bike. Second leading cause of motorcycle accidents is from riders failing to negotiate a curve, meaning that they were either going too fast, or weren't looking ahead and anticipating the curve. I really can't emphasize enough the importance of the MSF class. I learned how to ride at the age of ten on a friends bike, and have been riding in the dirt for years, long before I ever went on the street. So now I'm 30 as of October 1st, and I've been riding for nearly 20 years. Experience is everything. The only way to gain experience is to practice. Balance is key. I still occasionally go out and find abandoned parking lots and putter around in them to practice. I find that low speed maneuvers are the hardest, require the most balance, and are great practice. Practice going around in small circles as slow as you can, weave in and out between obstacles. Get up some speed in a straight line, stand up and hang your butt over your back fender and apply your brakes as hard as you can. If your tires lock up, quickly let off the brakes and reapply them. Practice these panic stops at different speeds, from 10-15 mph, to 45-50 mph. Once you get good at these things, you are ready to practice counter-steering. This is when you have to make a quick direction change, like to avoid a cow in the road or something. The best thing to practice on is a straight line about 6-8 feet long. Ride straight for it at around 20-30 mph, then turn hard by forcibly turning your handle bars towards it, so the bike turns around it and goes around the end of the line. I use parking lot dividers for this too. BTW, you read me right. The way to get your bike to quickly change directions at speed is to force the handlebars towards the object you want to steer around. This forces your bike to lean the opposite way, and its the lean that causes the bike to turn. This maneuver has saved my life twice. Don't you have a friend or know anyone who rides? Self taught also means you'll learn bad habits, but thankfully, you will only have until spring to learn these bad habits, and the MSF course will break you of them. Hope this was instructive! Jeff Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 23:51:58 -0700 From: Tobin Lampson Subject: (klr650) Panama Red? Hello- Two questions...... One- Has anyone just put the variable rate spring on the stock cartriddge(rear-no other mods)? and how does is perform? Two-Anyone with any new variable rate shock/wspring got any feedback on the ways the new setup compares to stock one? (Most interested in long hiway comfort and in dirt performance) thank you guys..... toby Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 23:55:26 -0700 From: Tobin Lampson Subject: (klr650) Steel brake lines Yo everyone! Who makes the best, with outer protective sleeve, that your aware of??? Thanks Toby Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 03:39:38 -0400 From: "Mark Wilson" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR DIGI camera question Hi Ron, I have bought two digi cams from http://www.surplusauction.com/wc.dll?Halls~List~HARDWARE~DC~OPEN&UID=YH41 and have gotten them for alot less than from the local stores around here. They have different stuff everyday. I just keep waiting for a price thats right, and bid. Mark Wilson http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/track/6419 http://www.angelfire.com/mo/motormark/index.html KLR-650 A-13 " Warthogg" Stone Mountain, Ga. - ----- Original Message ----- From: Ron Kolarik To: Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 1999 2:03 AM Subject: (klr650) NKLR DIGI camera question > I'm in need of a good digital camera to, among other things, > document mods to my bike. I think a lot of folks can make more > use of a picture than a lengthy description and poor drawings. > Any recomendations or comments are welcome. > > Thanks > Ron.....A11-off the sick list and back on the road, waterpump all better > Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to dsneditor@softhome.net for info. ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #999 ****************************