From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V1 #3 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Saturday, January 30 1999 Volume 01 : Number 003 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 13:01:51 -0700 From: "Vik Banerjee" Subject: (klr650) NKLR Baja Riding Info Hi all, I am hoping to get down to Baja for some riding this Spring or Winter (hopefully both!). I have Clement Salvadori's book on Baja, a Lonely Planet Guide, and a set of detailled topomaps published by Baja Almanac (excellent maps if you need maps of Baja). I was wondering if anyone who had a lot of Baja experience would mind me asking them some dumb questions about riding there? If so just email me and we can talk of the list. If anyone has URLs for sites that talked about riding in Baja that would be super too. Cheers, Vik ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 13:07:24 -0700 From: "Vik Banerjee" Subject: Re: (klr650) Low mount front fender I was reading a travel story on the web about some guys riding in Alaska. One fellow was crusing down a muddy road when he fell off, he got back up and started riding only to fall off again..this happened several times till it dawned on him that his front wheel was NOT turning! Mud had packed up his low fender and stopped the wheel moving. Personally, I'd never go for the low fender unless my KLR was 100% street or I lived somewhere that rain is not a factor. Part of my love for the KLR is not worrying about road conditions at all. Funny thing is a high fender is a popular Transalp mod for riders who take their Alp off the asphalt. Cheers, Vik - -----Original Message----- From: Ted Palmer To: klr650 ; Polston, Doug Date: Friday, January 29, 1999 12:34 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) Low mount front fender >Polston, Doug wrote: > >[...] >> How much trouble in the low fender when things get muddy? Should you >> stay completely away from the mud when you have low fender on? > >The mud can build up for sure, especially if it is of the sticky >icky variety. >At best, the mud will just add unsprung mass and be harder to clean >out. At worst, the wheel could just seize up in the guard. > >Mister_T > > > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 15:23:11 EST From: K650dsn@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Low mount front fender In a message dated 1/29/99 1:13:43 PM Mountain Standard Time, marbach@nucleus.com writes: << Personally, I'd never go for the low fender unless my KLR was 100% street or I lived somewhere that rain is not a factor. Part of my love for the KLR is not worrying about road conditions at all. >> I wish someone would come up with a mid-high fender which would consist of a fork brace that would accept an Acerbis Baja Fender. The fender would ride about 3 to 4 inches above the wheel. High enough to allow mud to pass through, low enough to actually block splash and reduce some drag. Gino ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 13:26:28 -0700 From: "Vik Banerjee" Subject: Re: (klr650) Low mount front fender Amen, I could go for that. Although I haven't found the high fender of the KLR to be a problem at speeds of 100 - 120Kph. What do others find to be a problem riding the KLR with its stock fender? >fork brace that would accept an Acerbis Baja Fender. The fender would ride >about 3 to 4 inches above the wheel. High enough to allow mud to pass >through, low enough to actually block splash and reduce some drag. > >Gino > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1999 15:09:38 PST From: "Juan Villarreal" Subject: (klr650) Return from Costa Rica Hey folks... Just a short note to let you know I'm back in Panama City. Just rolled into the parking garage about 15 minutes ago. Holy cow man, what a trip it was... I only wish some of you could have been there to take it all in with me. Maybe next time (and believe me, there WILL be a next time). The priority now is to type up my journal entries and get the pictures developed. I hope to scan a few of them for your viewing pleasure. And Kurt, the battery didn't get here on time, so I had to spring for a Yuasa on short notice (desperate circumstances call for desperate measures). I'm happy to say the electrical system is alive and well (with no help from me). By the way, what's the shelf life of a new battery? I may just keep the other one until the Yuasa craps out. Any words of wisdom on this? Will close for now. Gotta start chipping the dirt and grime out of my hair. I went brimming with optimism and confidence, thanks in no small part to the expertise, wisdom, and encouragement this list provides. Take care, Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR "The Happy Hooligan" ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 15:23:55 -0800 From: Jean Philippe Bagel Subject: (klr650) What's the email to get on the GS list? A friend of mine (fellow Frenchman too) had the transmission of his 1980 R-GS 800 let him down. He didn't know about the list system. What does he have to do to get on it? He's on the cc: line. Guys, I already told him to get a KLR.... Thanks in advance. - -JP ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 16:26:33 -0700 From: "Fred Hink" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Baja Riding Info - -----Original Message----- From: Vik Banerjee To: KLR650 List Date: Friday, January 29, 1999 6:11 AM Subject: (klr650) NKLR Baja Riding Info >If anyone has URLs for sites that talked about riding in Baja that would be >super too. > >Cheers, > >Vik Hi Vik, You should talk with Kacey Smith. She is in the process of making a GPS guide of Baja. You can see her site at: http://www.bajagpsguide.com/ Tell her I said hello. Fred Hink ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Arrowhead Motorsports http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/index.html *NEW* 435-259-7356 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > > > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 15:34:54 -0800 From: "Phil Kopp" Subject: RE: (klr650) NKLR Scanners for Slides Patrice Robinet: I have finally decided to do something with all them slides I took on my year and a half journey to Central and South America on my old KLR but I need held/advice on the proper hardware/software to do this. Any ideas? I currently have a UMAX Astra 1200s with a transparency adapter but to date all attempts at scanning slides have been disastrous! Some of these slides are really awesome and I would love to share them! Phil: (I have a Windows PC, if you have a Mac I have no idea what's available) Sound slike you had quite a trip. I look forward to seeing the pictures. I have been using the HP Photosmart Scanner for a little over a year and it works _very_ well. It is priced at about half of the next available slide scanner and HP has a $100 rebate in effect until the end of January. This scanner is 8.5" x 11" x 3" (WDH) and uses a SCSI interface which is provided. While scanning slides and negatives the resolution can be as high as 2400dpi, snapshots (max 5x7) are at 300 dpi. Be sure you have plenty of disk space. A 2400 dpi scan of a negative generates a 20M file. The included software is simple to use and there are even aftermarket choices too. Highly recommended. If you want some more details, email me off list. Two samples of scanned slides are at: http://members.home.net/pckopp/s1.htm http://members.home.net/pckopp/s2.htm - -Phil ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 16:31:15 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) What's the email to get on the GS list? - -----Original Message----- From: Jean Philippe Bagel To: KLR650@lists.xmission.com Cc: 'dokdok@msn.com' Date: Friday, January 29, 1999 4:25 PM Subject: (klr650) What's the email to get on the GS list? >A friend of mine (fellow Frenchman too) had the transmission of his 1980 >R-GS 800 let him down. He didn't know about the list system. What does he >have to do to get on it? He's on the cc: line. > >Guys, I already told him to get a KLR.... > >Thanks in advance. go to www.micapeak.com and look under mailing lists and find the GS list... Kurt > >-JP > > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 17:09:17 -0700 From: "Fred Hink" Subject: Re: (klr650) 70 hp from KLR650?... - -----Original Message----- From: Ted Palmer To: klr650 Date: Friday, January 29, 1999 5:47 AM Subject: Re: (klr650) 70 hp from KLR650?... >Kurt Simpson wrote: > >> Here is a guy who thinks the KLR is good for 70 HP with a White Bros kit.... > >We wish. >Even if it did poke that hard, I think I would be rather peaky and >noisy. >I had a quick look into: >http://www.whitebros.com/Pages/HOME.HTM >but couldn't find this kit. White Bros. doesn't list a "Power Up" performance kit for the KLR. They do list one for the KLX650R that includes a WB Mega 4 silencer kit with SuperTrapp disc kit, a Dynojet kit, a White Power air filter, Arias Piston with 10.5:1 compression 100mm/651cc, WB All Around Cam, RD Valve Spring kit, and Splitfire Sparkplug. That sparkplug will surely make the most difference. ;<\ I think it was Steve Johnson that tried to put in this kit in his bike and had all sorts of problems. Somewhere out there on the internet is a story about all his troubles and fun with White Bros. but I have not been able to find it back. Since I couldn't talk anyone into the Mikuni performance carb, I have "bit the bullet' and ordered one in for my bike. I will let y'all know how it works out. While talking with White Bros. today I did find out that the Mikuni for the KLR is a round slide and the one I have ordered for my XR is a flat slide. They come with all the fittings, cables and the throttle housing, everything you need for a complete installation. The flat slide carb is supposed to be a better carburator than the round slide, and for another $80 it better be. Fred Hink ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Arrowhead Motorsports http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/index.html *NEW* 435-259-7356 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 20:33:58 EST From: DOUGUR@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Fwd: Fw: Virus Warning . . . This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - --part0_917660038_boundary Content-ID: <0_917660038@inet_out.mail.aol.com.1> Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII - --part0_917660038_boundary Content-ID: <0_917660038@inet_out.mail.aol.com.2> Content-type: message/rfc822 Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Content-disposition: inline From: DOUGUR@aol.com Return-path: To: AStrong9@aol.com Subject: Fwd: Fw: Virus Warning . . . Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 20:21:28 EST Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: multipart/mixed; boundary="part1_917660038_boundary" - --part1_917660038_boundary Content-ID: <0_917660038@inet_out.mail.aol.com.3> Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Just in case you haven't seen this one. Doug. - --part1_917660038_boundary Content-ID: <0_917660038@inet_out.mail.aol.com.4> Content-type: message/rfc822 Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Content-disposition: inline From: RCMullens@aol.com Return-path: To: DHappel511@aol.com, DOUGUR@aol.com Subject: Fwd: Fw: Virus Warning . . . Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 13:15:56 EST Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: multipart/mixed; boundary="part2_917660038_boundary" - --part2_917660038_boundary Content-ID: <0_917660038@inet_out.mail.aol.com.5> Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII - --part2_917660038_boundary Content-ID: <0_917660038@inet_out.mail.aol.com.6> Content-type: message/rfc822 Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Content-disposition: inline From: HuntDeer76@aol.com Return-path: To: Kmb471@aol.com, DBrunt2424@aol.com, BMEatSpec@aol.com, Fenoil@aol.com, MFranovich@aol.com, juliegarner5@hotmail.com, ALewis5558@aol.com, RCMullens@aol.com, JMPurvis13@aol.com, JMCGSMITH@aol.com Subject: Fwd: Fw: Virus Warning . . . Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1999 18:28:22 EST Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: multipart/mixed; boundary="part3_917660038_boundary" - --part3_917660038_boundary Content-ID: <0_917660038@inet_out.mail.aol.com.7> Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII - --part3_917660038_boundary Content-ID: <0_917660038@inet_out.mail.meta3.net.8> Content-type: message/rfc822 Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Content-disposition: inline Return-Path: Received: from rly-yc03.mx.aol.com (rly-yc03.mail.aol.com [172.18.149.35]) by air-yc03.mail.aol.com (v56.24) with SMTP; Sun, 24 Jan 1999 17:04:13 -0500 Received: from mailhost.meta3.net (mail.meta3.net [209.12.26.3]) by rly-yc03.mx.aol.com (8.8.8/8.8.5/AOL-4.0.0) with ESMTP id RAA28586; Sun, 24 Jan 1999 17:04:06 -0500 (EST) Received: from mleept ([209.12.18.97]) by mailhost.meta3.net (Post.Office MTA v3.5.3 release 223 ID# 0-57710U53000L800S0V35) with SMTP id net; Sun, 24 Jan 1999 15:34:22 -0800 Message-ID: <016601be47e2$3c948560$98120cd1@mleept> From: "Michelle Lee" To: "Michael L. Cameron" , , "Linda A. Smith" , "Helen Price" , "Hudora Lewman" , "Melita Breeden" , , , "King Baker" , "Kay Dearman" , "J. Max Fenn" , "Justin D. Cameron" , , "Elton Richardson" , "Phyllis Spence" , "Kay Terry" Subject: Fw: Virus Warning . . . Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1999 15:14:31 -0600 X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.5 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable > >VIRUS WARNING !!!!!!! > >If you receive an email titled "It Takes Guts to Say 'Jesus'" DO NOT open >it. It will erase everything on your hard drive. Forward this letter ou= t to >as many people as you can. This is a new, very malicious virus and not >many people know about it. This information was announced yesterday >morning from IBM; please share it with everyone that might access the >Internet. Once again, pass this along to EVERYONE in your address book >so that this may be stopped. Also, do not open or even look at any mail >that says "RETURNED OR UNABLE TO DELIVER." This virus will attach >itself to your computer components and render them useless. >Immediately delete any mail items that say this. AOL has said that this i= s a >very dangerous virus and that there is NO remedy for it at this time. >Please practice cautionary measures and forward this to all your online >friends ASAP. > - --part3_917660038_boundary-- - --part2_917660038_boundary-- - --part1_917660038_boundary-- - --part0_917660038_boundary-- ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 18:01:52 -0800 From: Norm J Subject: (klr650) Horrible Virus Warning . . . There's an even more dangerous virus floating around on the net: it enters your email, then into your eye, then attacks your brain. It will render women infertile, men impotent, your crops will fail, your cat will choke to death on a hairball, your dog will chew its own tail off, your boss will fire you, your mother-in-law will make a pass at you, and your daughter will announce that she is having an operation to become a man. After all that, your teeth will fall out and you will start to poop purple marbles. It's final act of degradation is to convince you beyond a reasonable doubt that Bill Clinton is an honest, decent man whom you would like to see dating your other daughter. Norm PS -- As a consolation, if you have been victimized by this virus, Bill Gates, Walt Disney Jr. and Madonna will personally come to your house and give you cash reward of $4,387.15 for testing out the virus. - -- ========================================================================= Norman M. Jacobowitz mailto:normj@aa.net ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 20:20:27 -0600 From: "J.P.Zucht" Subject: Re: (klr650) Low mount front fender 650dsn@aol.com wrote: > I wish someone would come up with a mid-high fender which would consist of a > fork brace that would accept an Acerbis Baja Fender. The fender would ride > about 3 to 4 inches above the wheel. High enough to allow mud to pass > through, low enough to actually block splash and reduce some drag. Or...how about an adjustable fender? A couple of squeeze'n'move clips of some kind and just click-click-click move the fender up and down. hungree ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 21:45:28 EST From: Krgrife@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Low mount front fender In a message dated 1/29/99 12:13:43 PM Pacific Standard Time, marbach@nucleus.com writes: > I was reading a travel story on the web about some guys riding in Alaska. > One fellow was crusing down a muddy road when he fell off, he got back up > and started riding only to fall off again..this happened several times till > it dawned on him that his front wheel was NOT turning! Mud had packed up > his low fender and stopped the wheel moving. A few years ago a friend and I were in Baja on BMW's, my R80GS and my buddy on a R100GS. I had a high fender and he had the stock low one. We were riding in the rain in some nasty red clay mud and suddenly he went down like the guy on the tricycle on Laugh In. The mud had packed up to the point where it locked up the front wheel. A real mess and very difficult to clean out, the fender could not be removed because the brake line had a junction there. We had to stop several times to clean it and he took several spills. Ever since I have stuck with the high fender. Kurt Grife Avila Beach, Ca ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 23:22:52 EST From: MSchue5938@aol.com Subject: (klr650) this is exactly how a virus could be transfered & fork boots this is how i'd send a virus if i wanted to. hey boys, i'm in the process of buying some fork boots for a '89 klr. but i can't fine the fork tub diameter, in mm- in any of the manuals. so i do't know which boots to buy. who's got the killer boots that will last forever, so i never have to replace my fork seals ever again! finally what other types of boots have you seen or invented? something that can be taken off and on, on demand. sincerely mark schuette "bicycle carriers for motorcycles" ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 15:55:03 +1000 From: Ted Palmer Subject: Re: (klr650) Low mount front fender Vik Banerjee wrote: [...] > What do others find to be a > problem riding the KLR with its stock fender? There is no major problem, just for my occasional "sporting" use, it has more aerodynamic drag than I would like. When you don't have much power to start with, aerodynamics have a more important affect. The ends of the high (stock) guard are the parts that I suspect are causing the most drag. As well, the ends of the guard are the parts of the guard that have the most leverage on the steering. Gusty wind or turbulence will have varying aerodynamic forces acting on the steering through the high guard. The flattish mirrors near the ends of the bars can cause the same varying forces in the steering. The main benefit of a low guard is a more stable feel in the steering at speed. There is a beneift in the high guard. By being mounted to the triple clamp it is reducing the unsprung mass the front suspension has to deal with. Mister_T ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 16:32:46 +1000 From: Ted Palmer Subject: Re: (klr650) this is exactly how a virus could be transfered & fork boots MSchue5938@aol.com wrote: [...] > finally what other types of boots have you seen or invented? something that > can be taken off and on, on demand. Only type that I know of that will do this is are plain boots with a lengthwise cut down the length of one side. install it with the cut to the back of the fork. Pretty cheap mod if you already have a Stanley knife. Mister_T ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 10:04:39 EST From: K650dsn@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Fwd: hey This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - --part0_917708683_boundary Content-ID: <0_917708683@inet_out.mail.aol.com.1> Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Another potential buyer. Gino - --part0_917708683_boundary Content-ID: <0_917708683@inet_out.mail.hotmail.com.2> Content-type: message/rfc822 Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Content-disposition: inline Return-Path: Received: from rly-yd04.mx.aol.com (rly-yd04.mail.aol.com [172.18.150.4]) by air-yd01.mail.aol.com (v56.24) with SMTP; Thu, 28 Jan 1999 22:54:54 -0500 Received: from pop.wsgr.com (pop.wsgr.com [209.97.141.10]) by rly-yd04.mx.aol.com (8.8.8/8.8.5/AOL-4.0.0) with ESMTP id WAA03701 for ; Thu, 28 Jan 1999 22:54:53 -0500 (EST) Received: from wsgr.com (unknown-67-93.wsgr.com [161.82.67.93]) by pop.wsgr.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id VAA26182 for ; Thu, 28 Jan 1999 21:05:17 GMT Message-ID: <36B1314A.AF967201@wsgr.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 19:55:54 -0800 From: Joel Newtson X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.05 [en] (Win95; U) To: k650dsn@aol.com Subject: hey Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Hello Gino, Your KLR650 site's the greatest. Although I don't have one yet, I love reading about them and anticipating. In fact, it was by reading everything I could get my hands on that I first decided on a KLR. There are still a few things I'd like to know, if you have a moment to answer me. First, I don't really care about engine performance, because I like to ride slowly (45-60mph) on backroads. I need a motor big enough to handle leisurely camping/touring in the mountains but I don't expect to ever know the KLR's top speed. Reliability, durability, and low maintenance requirements, however, are enormously important to me. In short, I want the kind of bike that impresses nobody but its owners. Am I on the right track so far with the KLR? Also, I've seen the KLR described as the Swiss Army knife of motorcycles. That sounds fine, but if it is really super-practical and super-versatile, why aren't the other bike makers starving? Another thing, I noticed that Touratech's beautifully-made boxes are available for the KLR. I want to carry a decent amount of fishing and camping gear (or groceries, or laundry), but I'm not going around the world. As with the bike itself, value per dollar is of paramount importance. Are there any good-quality but cheaper brands of hard luggage around for KLR650's? Lastly, I still love to read every KLR650 piece I can get my hands on, especially the reviews. Nothing personal with Ian Smith or anyone else; jackals have to eat, just as men do, but I don't think it's right to pay an arm and a leg for consumer information that should (I feel) be circulated freely among members of a motorcycling community. Do you know anyone who could "lend" me copies of the various magazine reviews listed on the KLR650 FAQ page? Well, Gino, if you've read this far, I thank you for your patience. Please answer if and when you can, and if you lean to the long-winded side as I sometimes do, so much the better. Thanks again for a great website. Best o' luck. Joel - --------------------     Hello Gino,
    Your KLR650 site's the greatest.  Although I don't have one yet, I love reading about them and anticipating.  In fact, it was by reading everything I could get my hands on that I first decided on a KLR.  There are still a few things I'd like to know, if you have a moment to answer me.
    First, I don't really care about engine performance, because I like to ride slowly (45-60mph) on backroads.  I need a motor big enough to handle leisurely camping/touring in the mountains but I don't expect to ever know the KLR's top speed.  Reliability, durability, and low maintenance requirements, however, are enormously important to me.  In short, I want the kind of bike that impresses nobody but its owners.  Am I on the right track so far with the KLR?
    Also, I've seen the KLR described as the Swiss Army knife of motorcycles.  That sounds fine, but if it is really super- practical and super-versatile, why aren't the other bike makers starving?
    Another thing, I noticed that Touratech's beautifully- made boxes are available for the KLR.  I want to carry a decent amount of fishing and camping gear (or groceries, or laundry), but I'm not going around the world.  As with the bike itself, value per dollar is of paramount importance.  Are there any good-quality but cheaper brands of hard luggage around for KLR650's?
    Lastly, I still love to read every KLR650 piece I can get my hands on, especially the reviews.  Nothing personal with Ian Smith or anyone else; jackals have to eat, just as men do, but I don't think it's right to pay an arm and a leg for consumer information that should (I feel) be circulated freely among members of a motorcycling community.  Do you know anyone who could "lend" me copies of the various magazine reviews listed on the KLR650 FAQ page?
    Well, Gino, if you've read this far, I thank you for your patience.  Please answer if and when you can, and if you lean to the long-winded side as I sometimes do, so much the better.  Thanks again for a great website.  Best o' luck.
     Joel
 
      - --part0_917708683_boundary-- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 07:54:23 PST From: "Juan Villarreal" Subject: (klr650) Potential buyer Joel, From the uses you described it sounds like the KLR could very well be not only a suitable bike for your needs, but close to being the perfect bike for your needs. It's super-reliable and very forgiving of erroneous maintenance and neglect, which means with regular maintenance and care it could stay darn near bulletproof forever. There's a guy on this list who has over 30,000 miles on his KLR-- and it's a '96! There are numerous aftermarket mods available, and I'm not talking of the performance type either. Hand guards, side racks, bash plates, centerstands, etc. can all serve to make a KLR even more rugged and reliable when you're far away from home. Your question about its lack of notoriety or fame was a good one, but I think you answered it yourself when you said you were wanting a bike that impressed no one but its owner. I think most of us KLR owners fall into that category. Having said that, I still don't get its lack of popularity as I think it's a beautiful bike that looks like it's ready for anything-- "ruggedly handsome" is how one lister described it (we're crazy about our KLRs!). Dual-sports (and I'm speaking only for the States) just aren't all that popular relative to other types of bikes. Additionally, there's a certain demographic of people who would never buy a bike unless it cost at least $7,500. Go figure... Hope this helps. Take care and good luck... Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR "The Happy Hooligan" ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 08:48:41 -0800 From: "Robert Morgan" Subject: Re: (klr650) MOAB CONCOURSE de ELEGANCE I have made some changes to my 97 in the last few weeks and would like to share the results. First I changed my brake lines to stainless. I took my old lines to Industrial Liquidators Supply, our local "Earls Performance Plumbing" jobber. They made me front and rear lines out of plastic coated braided stainless while I waited, $76 for the pair. I now feel like I have adequate brakes. Yes it did move the "friction point" out further on the lever purchase but I have very large hands and welcomed this. My rear brake actually feels useful now. While I had the brakes apart I changed my handle bars, grips, and guards. I went with Renthall desert high bars (titanium finish) and grey Renthall grips, acerbis rally guards in grey with black spoilers. I love the bars. They are not really much taller than stock but they are about 2 inches wider and the "pullback" is different. They are very comfortable and have reduced vibration some. I had to clearance the rally guard on the rt. side where it shields the brake master reservoir. I used a die grinder and put some of the skills I learned as an apprentice bicycle maker to use, it was easy. When that was done I mounted 2 IMS mirror pivots. I want to thank whoever it was who suggested these to the list. They are cool. My mirrors are a couple of inches taller now and have given me greater visibility as well as the ability to fold them out of the way. These pivots did not make the mirror shake any worse. Some time back I installed some of Tim Bernards side racks and foot pegs. I removed the helmet lock from the frame and made a bracket that attaches there. From this, just aft of the side rack I suspended a small Pelican case. This gives me a nice lockable toolbox. It is waterproof and does not stick out any further than the stock muffler on the other side, actually it makes the bike look more balanced and symmetric from the rear. Redondo Ron has promised to take a picture of this and post it for me. He has also experimented with Pelican attachments. I removed the stock air cleaner and replaced it with a K&N. The jetting remains stock for now. I do intend to drill out the pilot plug soon however. Two days ago I removed the air box baffle under the left side plastic. WOW. Big improvement. Considerably better throttle response, runs way stronger. This simple thing has made the single most noticeable improvement in my bike and it did not cost a nickel. While I had it apart I replaced the stock fuse block with sealable blade type holders from Pep Boys. I then replaced all of the handlebar nuts and bolts and most other small bolts with stainless hardware from West Marine. Today I am going to replace my engine coolant with Honda coolant and change my oil. I will install a stainless oil filter and magnetic plug at the same time. I will wait a couple of months before I mount the Pirelli mt 21s I have sitting in the garage, I don't want to chew them up on the pavement till June. So I am almost ready for MOAB. By the way who will be judging the concourse competition and will those chicks from Sturgis be there? Morgan Guerrage Productions Carlsbad, Ca. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1999 21:34:37 -0800 From: "Darrel & Deanna" Subject: (klr650) Master Cylinder Cover From: PAT_HENSLEY@HP-USA-om32.om.hp.com I noticed in Juan Villarreal's pics that he installed the brake cover on his rear master cylinder (BTW- Nice pics, Juan). Anyway, since I was the 'founder' of this cover gerry rig I was wondering how many have installed it. ***************** Pat- You can count me as one who installed the cover. Don't know if it has a function, but it sure does have form. Can't imagine "Avenger" without it now. Thanks for the tip! Darrel A12 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 14:05:49 -0500 From: "Alan D. DeCoff" Subject: (klr650) Backfire after coasting I recently purchased an 87KLR650 w/7400mi. on it. It was a 110mi. ride home from where I picked it up. The temperature was about 35 degrees F. The bike runs great, seams all stock to me(very quiet pipe). The ride was mostly highway and I was really getting on it, to get home quickly 80 - 90 MPH No the speedo is accurate, my girl was following me in my Mustang and got pretty pissed at keeping up. Anyway, whenever I would coast even after I got off the highway I would get a backfire(loud POP) out the exhaust. At least I hope it was the exhaust and not the the airbox. Is this the nature of the beast? I can't believe there could be a bad valve or anything and have it run so well. Does anyone else experience this? I'm mechanically OK when it comes to bikes, but my last thumper was an 85SP600. I just don't know if this is a real problem, or if gas is somhow pooling in the exhaust system and igniting. I've had alot of street bike over the years and never experienced this type of problem. On another note, I love the new bike for shear ground clearance alone(still has stock plastic bash plate). I've ruined every exhaust I've had exploring in the woods with my road warriors. I tend to lay my bikes down from time to time and the KLR looks like it'll be a mess when I do. Is there any other armor other than panniers and saddlebags that'll help cushion the blow? I would have bought an on/off sooner if I had known they can haul so well on the highway. I also really rack up the miles, how long can the thumper last before needing rings? ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 11:38:26 -0800 (PST) From: fred w smith Subject: (klr650) klr650 info jackals Joel N mentioned jackals. Is this something we should all know about? fred == fred w smith mt shasta californy _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 14:46:43 EST From: Krgrife@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Backfire after coasting In a message dated 1/30/99 11:12:22 AM Pacific Standard Time, adecoff@ma.ultranet.com writes: > Anyway, whenever I would coast even after I got off the highway I would get > a backfire(loud POP) out the exhaust. This is ususally a sign that you are sucking air around the exhaust header flange gasket, the exhaust flange nuts tend to loosen causing this problem. I finally put some red Loktite on the exhaust studs which solved the problem for the last 5000 miles. I am in denial about how hard its going to be to remove those nuts if ever necessary. Kurt Grife ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 11:57:18 PST From: "Juan Villarreal" Subject: (klr650) Air box baffle removal "Two days ago I removed the air box baffle under the left side plastic. WOW. Big improvement. Considerably better throttle response, runs way stronger. This simple thing has made the single most noticeable improvement in my bike and it did not cost a nickel." Robert, first of all, congrats, it sounds like you're well on your way to one trick machine. Can you (or anyone else) clarify on the location, appearance, and process for removing the air box baffle? Any possible "gotchas" or negatives associated with this mod? What do you listers think? The carb, exhaust, and air filter on my '97 are all bone stock, and I've been happy with it that way, but if this mod povides the improvement you say it does (without any drawbacks) I might consider doing it. Thanks in advance... Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR "The Happy Hooligan" ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 15:26:34 -0500 From: "Alan D. DeCoff" Subject: (klr650) Backfire solved This list is the BEST I looked and sure enough I'm missing a nut on the exhaust stud! I never even heard it leaking, now I can sleep tonight. Thanks to all, Al ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 15:52:34 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) MOAB CONCOURSE de ELEGANCE NKLR |So I am almost ready for MOAB. By the way who will be judging the concourse |competition and will those chicks from Sturgis be there? |Morgan |Guerrage Productions |Carlsbad, Ca. Two people whose integrity is beyond question: Hiro and Kathleen...after they give their seminars... ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 16:36:47 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Fw: (klr650) Potential buyer I'm reposting Juan's response now that Joel has signed up on the list... |Joel, | |>From the uses you described it sounds like the KLR could very well be |not only a suitable bike for your needs, but close to being the perfect |bike for your needs. It's super-reliable and very forgiving of |erroneous maintenance and neglect, which means with regular maintenance |and care it could stay darn near bulletproof forever. There's a guy on |this list who has over 30,000 miles on his KLR-- and it's a '96! There |are numerous aftermarket mods available, and I'm not talking of the |performance type either. Hand guards, side racks, bash plates, |centerstands, etc. can all serve to make a KLR even more rugged and |reliable when you're far away from home. | |Your question about its lack of notoriety or fame was a good one, but I |think you answered it yourself when you said you were wanting a bike |that impressed no one but its owner. I think most of us KLR owners fall |into that category. Having said that, I still don't get its lack of |popularity as I think it's a beautiful bike that looks like it's ready |for anything-- "ruggedly handsome" is how one lister described it (we're |crazy about our KLRs!). Dual-sports (and I'm speaking only for the |States) just aren't all that popular relative to other types of bikes. |Additionally, there's a certain demographic of people who would never |buy a bike unless it cost at least $7,500. Go figure... | |Hope this helps. Take care and good luck... | |Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR |"The Happy Hooligan" | | | | |______________________________________________________ |Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com | | ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 16:41:26 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Air box baffle removal |Robert, first of all, congrats, it sounds like you're well on your way |to one trick machine. Can you (or anyone else) clarify on the location, |appearance, and process for removing the air box baffle? Any possible |"gotchas" or negatives associated with this mod? What do you listers |think? The carb, exhaust, and air filter on my '97 are all bone stock, |and I've been happy with it that way, but if this mod povides the |improvement you say it does (without any drawbacks) I might consider |doing it. Thanks in advance... | Juan, I think Robert is just talking about taking of the airbox cover. You have to take off the rightside plastic to get full access...If you are happy with the bike the way it is I wouldn't change it... Kurt ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V1 #3 **************************