From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V1 #205 Reply-To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Friday, August 28 1998 Volume 01 : Number 205 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 17:10:13 -0700 From: Dreas Nielsen Subject: (klr650) Insurance? What insurance? Well, my insurance agent tells me, and the State confirms, that motorcycle insurance isn't required in this, the great state of Washington. So I don't have any and never have. Never cracked up a bike either, except that I dropped my JAWA once years ago while doing a 5 mph turn on a patch of ice. If I was *really* daring, I'd ride buck naked every day. Dreas Nielsen (playing chess or poker, I'm just not sure which) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 20:01:39 -0000 From: ericjazz@mindspring.com Subject: (klr650) Cheap-o temporary centerstand I read the article on using 2X4's to create a stand for the rear swingarm. Something I've used over the years on bikes w/o centerstands is car jack stands, used the same way the 2X4's are used. You've probably got a pair in your garage right now. One concern is using them on bikes with steeply sloped swingarms, the rear axle is well below the swingarm pivot. Glueing a rubber sheet to the top of the stands helps prevent slippage. I'm sure someone out there has some rubber sheets we could all use. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 19:14:15 -0500 From: Jim Barthell Subject: Re: (klr650) Insurance? What insurance? For you further consideration... http://www.nanmra.com/ - -- Jim Barthell - TX '97 'C-O-O-O-W'...asaki KiLleR 650 FSSNOC #2421 Dreas Nielsen wrote: > Well, my insurance agent tells me, and the State confirms, that > motorcycle insurance isn't required in this, the great state of > Washington. So I don't have any and never have. Never cracked up a > bike either, except that I dropped my JAWA once years ago while doing a > 5 mph turn on a patch of ice. > > If I was *really* daring, I'd ride buck naked every day. > > Dreas Nielsen (playing chess or poker, I'm just not sure which) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 16:20:48 -0700 From: George Basinet Subject: Re: (klr650) Insurance? What insurance? Dreas Nielsen wrote: > > Well, my insurance agent tells me, and the State confirms, that > motorcycle insurance isn't required in this, the great state of > Washington. So I don't have any and never have. Never cracked up a > bike either, except that I dropped my JAWA once years ago while doing a > 5 mph turn on a patch of ice. > > If I was *really* daring, I'd ride buck naked every day. > > Dreas Nielsen (playing chess or poker, I'm just not sure which) Dreas, your also playing with fate. George Basinet San Jose, CA ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 17:24:21 -0700 (MST) From: Jeffrey P Moorbeck Subject: Re: (klr650) Emissions On Thu, 27 Aug 1998, Jim Sprecker wrote: I simply ran both hoses down to the swing arm where several other drain and vent hoses are routed. I did adjust the air mixture screw 2.5 turns out, though many are turning it out 3 turns. I have also installed a K&N air filter but no other changes. Can't say I've noticed any huge performance differences. I don't get the lean-condition popping on a trailing throttle anymore and possibly a little more snap in the mid to upper rpm range, say 4,000 to 5,500. I've also noticed the engine isn't as smooth when warming up, but is fine after a few minutes. Mostly I find the stumble when I move choke from full on to half. As far as the gas tank hoses it has also been suggested to use vent filters sold for chain saws, but I haven't gotten around to this yet. Hope this helps. Jeff Moorbeck '89 KLR 650 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 20:35:43 EDT From: Krgrife@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Emissions In a message dated 8/27/98 4:42:29 PM Pacific Daylight Time, jsprecker@uswest.net writes: << Now I know someone out there has removed these fine componets from thier KLR. What did you do with the return and vent lines? >> On my 91 California model those tubes are open to the atmosphere, seems to work with no problem. Kurt Grife ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 19:13:57 -0600 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Re: Jackets: Color Coordinated NKLR! >>...ok ok, look, it was late ...I was tired....I wasn't a whole man when I >wrote that....but I was hoping to get a break from everyone and that they'd >see that the word has different meanings....and that can be seen from the >context. > A merciless bunch aren't they? Struth! ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 19:26:31 -0600 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Passenger Pegs and Gas >Also, I'm sick of running out of gas, even on reserve, and then filling up >with >a little over 5 gallons. There is a lot of gas on the right side of the tank >that >is never used. Any experience out there on installing a right side fuel >petcock or crossover tube? > >Thanks, >Pete Dean Any machinist types that can answer this? I suppose we need someone with an extra perhaps banged up tank to offer it to the list for surgery...seems like we could just drill and tap another petcock...let's get creative... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 19:29:05 -0600 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: (klr650) NKLR ...buck naked... > >If I was *really* daring, I'd ride buck naked every day. > >Dreas Nielsen (playing chess or poker, I'm just not sure which) > > > Redondo Ron, why did I think of you when I read this?.... Kurt (looking a lot like the Dude Lebowski these days...no one would want to see this naked) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 22:01:12 EDT From: ARCHINSKI@aol.com Subject: (klr650) oil level Well I just bought a 99 KLR650 and been riding about a week. Most of my questions were answered on this page and not at the local dealer. However one question remains. I seen on the KLR dualsport page under the tech articles about the oil change that it is not uncommon to overfill the engine by 10 to 12 ounces. Does this not cause excessive consumption and leaks past seals and gaskets? I probably won't try this until I hear some response from other owners. Also is a motorcycle oil required ? ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 22:09:17 EDT From: MOTOBEEM@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Maiden voyage on my new KLR! Greetings, As a follow up I thought I'd share my new KLR650 experience. 1999 model picked up Monday for $4500. I had to trailer it home 40 miles because I had no one to take me to get it and it was starting to rain. The next two evenings I wasn't able to get to it until late at night, too late to ride it but I did check it over pretty well. Here's what I found; fork tubes up 2/12" too high, handle bars way too far back, 1/2 qt too much oil, tire pressure 29# front and rear, headlight pointing down, throttle slack about 1/6 turn, but the chain OK! I went out this evening for 60 miles of curvy blacktop, gravel, and dirt roads. WOW this bike is fun! I can't wait for the week end. Thanks to all that offered advice on setting it up correctly. Richard Sanders ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 22:10:20 EDT From: K650dsn@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Cheap-o temporary centerstand In a message dated 98-08-27 20:16:34 EDT, ericjazz@mindspring.com writes: << I'm sure someone out there has some rubber sheets we could all use. >> I'll see if my wife will let me take them off the bed ;-) Seriously, you can also substitute the rough, gritty tape they use on truck bumpers, found at any auto parts store or hardware store. Gino ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 22:13:46 EDT From: K650dsn@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Passenger Pegs and Gas In a message dated 98-08-27 22:02:09 EDT, ajax@xmission.com writes: << Any machinist types that can answer this? I suppose we need someone with an extra perhaps banged up tank to offer it to the list for surgery...seems like we could just drill and tap another petcock...let's get creative... >> Okay, don't quote me on this because things change. But IMS is planning on redesigning their plastic tank for the KLR so that it carries closer to 7 gallans and has dual petcocks. I'll call them tomorrow and get the latest scoop. Gino ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 22:30:57 -0400 From: "Rick Clarke" Subject: Re: (klr650) Insurance > Are you sure about this? I had no idea. In my earlier post to the > list I said they want too much for bike insurance. Now this. Great. If > it's true, I will _immediately_ pull my business! I'm pulling this from an archive. This comes from a very reliable source. I trust this source enough that I haven't bothered to verify all the allegations (and I'm normally a real stickler for references). - ---begin Geico rant--- It is a well documented fact that Geico is the financial and motivating leader in the insurance industry for lobbying Congress and state legislatures for myriad restrictions and regulations which they purport will increase safety, but which in fact increase auto insurers' profits. One example of this is mandatory helmet laws, which have yet to be statistically proven to result in a NET decrease in medical expenditures, but which have been very well documented to result in a decrease of motorcycle riders in every jurisdiction in which they have been passed. Given that ~67% of car-motorcycle crashes are the fault of the car driver, and that the motorcyclist is far more likely to sustain injuries, it is good business for insurers if there are fewer bikers on the road. After all, "a company's profits are not how much they bring in, its how much of [it] they keep." It is a well documented fact that Geico, through the IIHS, actively lobbies AGAINST motorcycle rider training programs such as those sponsored by the MSF, calling them "ineffective," while lobbying FOR every way they can think of to discourage motorcycle use (including age and horsepower restrictions, helmet laws, leg protectors, and a host of "environmental" regulations). What possible reason could they have for convincing legislators not to spend money on rider training, other than to discourage motorcycle use? It is a well documented fact -- not internet rumor or conspiracy theory -- that Geico has a standing offer to provide any law enforcement agency who requests it with free radar guns, on only one condition: that they be used every day to write tickets. That is the fact, as documented by the NMA, as reported by MCN, and as is apparently common knowledge in the insurance industry. It is a well documented fact that Geico is a leading lobbyist supporting the ban of radar detector equipment, both nationally and in each state. The use of radar detectors INCREASE traffic safety by reducing the speed of traffic in areas in which law enforcement operate radar guns, which are either dangerous areas (inherently dangerous, under construction, or which have a history of speeding) or in speed traps. Of course, the use of radar detectors -- even if it does increase traffic safety -- reduces Geico's revenue by denying them the opportunity to increase premiums. A little known example of the zeal with which Geico wants to protect its premium surcharge revenue stream is their battle with DAK, an electronics and gadetry mail-order catalog which sells, among other things, radar detectors. Geico reportedly distributed internal memos offering a cash bonus to each employee who wrote Congress a letter requesting federal regulation of the mail order industry in a targeted attempt to shut down DAK. - ---end Geico rant--- The part about trying to discourage motorcycling by Geico is just scratching the surface. If you need to know more, try rec.moto. Geico's the worst as far as I'm concerned. This doesn't make the other companies angels. - -Rick R.P.Clarke (rpclarke@mindspring.com) "What traffic?" RTP, NC, USA DoD#5811 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 20:02:17 -0700 From: "Eric Rhoads" Subject: (klr650) Petcock: installation I like the idea of adding the 2nd petcock to get full use of the tank. But there's one thing..... I believe most all tanks have an addditional bit of steel plate welded inside or outside to allow enough threads for the petcock to screw into. So I doubt there's enough meat on the opposite side of the tank to tap threads into. Does anyone have a bright idea as to how this might be done short of welding (ack!) the additional thickness onto the tank? Skip? ericR ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 22:29:26 -0600 From: "skip faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) Stories? >It's been a while since anyone has posted details of their >experiences on the KLR. Has anyone gone anywhere interesting >lately? Any off road adventures? > >David M. King David, I`ll be going to north Idaho tomorrow afternoon for the weekend, doing a little on and off exploring. I`ll be back Sunday evening. I`m supposed to be packing right now but had to read everybody`s posts. I`ll let you know how it goes if it`s worth telling. Skip ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 22:38:19 -0600 From: "skip faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) (KLR650) fuse alternative >Skip, there are actually two fuses in that holder. One is the main and one is >for the light. How about two aircraft CBs, one for each. Can you get the right >ratings? Can you supply them to the list? If so, count me IN! :-) >Thanks >b > > >skip faulkner wrote: > Chris, Sorry to have scared you. The plan is to relocate and use circuit breakers for BOTH . I checked on prices from my supplier today. Resetable,pullable (you can open the circuit by pulling the trip knob) $12 Combination toggle/circuit breaker(toggle switch that trips)$12 Resetable only $5.95 I ordered the first and last one and will mount them together. Skip ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 22:50:46 -0600 From: "skip faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) (KLR650) fuse alternative > >Skip, > > I've been keeping up with this discussion.....your point about >aircraft worthiness sounds good to me. I really like reliability. > Transient surges appears to be our working assumption now, >although other causes haven't been ruled out. If it is transient >irregularities, does that suggest poor voltage regulation? > > If I wanted to check further into the breakers, should I just >walk into a local privately owned airport and look for a parts desk? > >thanks, >ericR Eric, Yes it does suggest poor regulation, but it`s not uncommon, even on aircraft, but aircraft don`t generally experience symptoms of it because of the use of circuit breakers. CB`s have a millisecond delay which prevent transient surges from tripping the system unnecessarily but not sufficient to cause damage. Remember that a good majority of aircraft have several thousands of dollars of avionics and instruments protected by these same CB`s. I`ll post an 800 number with prices to order them when I get back from Idaho this weekend. If you go to an FBO on the airport and they order them for you, it will probably be twice as much. Skip ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1998 01:14:18 EDT From: OlZorro@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Re: sheepskin Dear Pete; Comfort Line is in Indiana (765/676-9196). The guy's name is Bob and he'll send you a brochure. their standard seat cover is for one seat (cut like a tractor seat), but I got him to make me a double long and I really like it. I've used his standard on my other bike for 20K miles and it takes all the heat out of the sitting. Tell him I sent you. Zap me back if the phone number doesn't work, I know he's got an 800 number, but I can't find it. Good luck. John Paul Gray (DocGray) 94 ST1100 95 KLR650 Dana Point CA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1998 02:10:46 -0400 From: "Darren Koepp" Subject: RE: (klr650) Re: Jackets: Color Coordinated NKLR! How about this word... ExKLRating...eh, eh. I think I am on to something here. As in that trail was very exKLRating or I felt exKLRated riding that trail. That is different from the work accKLRate. Or how about this... It was exKLRating watching him/her dash up that hill. Or while dashing up that hill he/she had to accKLRate. But dashing is not the same as dash and I think it is in the wrong context here from what Eric was saying. Must be the Oregon air got to him, just a dash ;) At any rate my right brain is beginning to ache. Darren / Bracing for Bonnie - -----Original Message----- From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com [mailto:owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Eric Rhoads Sent: Thursday, August 27, 1998 4:08 PM To: KLR List Subject: Re: (klr650) Re: Jackets: Color Coordinated NKLR! - -----Original Message----- From: Jeffrey L. Walker To: Eric Rhoads ; Cloudhid@aol.com ; ajax@xmission.com ; klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Thursday, August 27, 1998 11:03 AM Subject: Re: (klr650) Re: Jackets: Color Coordinated > >>........so tell me, when was the last time you heard anyone use the word >>"dash" in a sentence :) >> >Last week, when I was getting a recipe from my mom. > >Jeff > >...ok ok, look, it was late ...I was tired....I wasn't a whole man when I wrote that....but I was hoping to get a break from everyone and that they'd see that the word has different meanings....and that can be seen from the context. I didn't mean : dash of salt dash to the store hundred yard dash or Dash laundry detergent nor such as: dashed to pieces dashed idiot I'll be dashed etc. I like fooling around with arcane words and 'antique' meanings of words. But I usually limit myself on the list. I know this word has more popular use in England where it's more common. I think I'd about wait two lifetimes to hear something like "My, doesn't he look dashing in that matching jacket!". Which is the meaning I had in mind. yours, ericR ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V1 #205 ****************************