From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V1 #215 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 Wednesday, September 2 1998 Volume 01 : Number 215 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 22:26:57 -0600 From: "skip faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) Petcock: installation >Skip, > >The inline valve uses a 1/4" fuel line. That should be big enough for the >cross-over line. > >Fred (wondering what ever happened to all the funny little things in >parenthesis here?) Fred, Sorry to have deprived you. I`ve been working from 6 to 9 or 10 most nights for the past month and do well just to be able to put together a cohesive sentence. We`re having a little bit of an Indian Summer here (30`s to 40`s at night with 80`s and even 90`s at day) and everybody is rushing to get in some last summer trips and want their planes repaired yesterday. I`ll make up for it. Skip ( who`s starting to mix KLR`s and planes in his sleep) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 21:51:24 -0700 (PDT) From: KLR650@webtv.net (Conall O'Brien) Subject: (klr650) New '98 KLR650 for $4099 Saw an ad today with the latest price at Hayward Kawasaki Hayward Ca. Conall -KLR650 A4 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 21:57:00 -0700 From: vesannlewis@juno.com Subject: (klr650) Power of Suggestion I think I'll quit this list. (just joking) The power of suggestion is rampant here. I've been reading about all the headlight fuses blowing...I even made a note of it for my next few minutes of spare time (next March, I think). So, today mine blew but I noticed it in the daylight, continued my ride, and installed an auto-type blade fuse instead. Ha. Hey, if all you guys get the petcock/transfer line problem worked out, I'm sure Gino will print the instructions, pictures or drawings, etc. for the rest of us dunderheads to follow in our spare time (yup, next March). Keep working on it. - -Ves A12 _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 22:27:26 -0700 From: "Eric Rhoads" Subject: Re: (klr650) New '98 KLR650 for $4099 - -----Original Message----- From: Conall O'Brien To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 9:52 PM Subject: (klr650) New '98 KLR650 for $4099 Saw an ad today with the latest price at Hayward Kawasaki Hayward Ca. Conall -KLR650 A4 ****************************** long model run, strong dollar.....good combination ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 22:29:33 -0700 From: Tony Jones Subject: (klr650) Re: klr650-digest V1 #214 > Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 19:18:27 -0600 > From: rkk@mail.utexas.edu (roger kriegel) > Subject: (klr650) newbee again > > as i mentioned before ive narrowed bikes of choice to KLR650 and Triumph > tiger...and have read a bunch of info on both and know triumph is a > i am taking a motorcycle safety class in a few weeks, then take written > test and hopefully ill have decided on bike by then...i could get a triumph > but would take me a year or two to pay it off but could pay for KLR in half > a year or so....and considering this would be my first bike im not sure i > should spend 10k on a nice bike....but if its gonna make the experience > more comfortable it might be worth it. Is this going to be your 1st bike ? I know some folks take the basic MSF after having ridden for a few years. If it is, there is _NO_ way I'd recommend you buy anything but a used bike. A cheap used bike at that. I guess a cheap used KLR would work fine, but something lighter would be better. Expect to drop whatever you get and do 1001 other boneheaded things to it. If it is your 1st bike, that pretty much rules out a new Triumph IMHO. If you have money to blow, send it to: Tony Jones, c/o .... Tony ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 22:36:45 -0700 From: Tony Jones Subject: (klr650) Re: klr650-digest V1 #214 [forgot to reply to the rest ...] > Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 19:18:27 -0600 > From: rkk@mail.utexas.edu (roger kriegel) > Subject: (klr650) newbee again > has anyone rode with a hiking backpack strapped to their back...if so how > was it I'd recommend strongly against this. If you have something sharp in the pack and you go down on your back, you are going to be in serious trouble. DO NOT DO THIS! > my hope is that i can ride from austin, texas to orlando or LA in a day if > need be (which i can do in a car) I think this is a bit optimistic, unless I'm mistaken and you have been riding for a long time. Wind on your chest will tire you like nothing you have experienced in a cage. I've been riding for 6 years and this would be a freaking long trip for me. > to test ride a KLR650 but a triumph dealer gave me the impression most bike > shops in town dont let you test ride bikes, but triumph dealer will let me > test ride his 96 tiger when i get my cycle license. If you are an experienced rider, you'll get a test ride, but you are normally limited to around 6-10 miles, so it's not that much use. If you are an experienced rider and can prove it, a fellow owner of the bike in your area may give you the chance for a longer ride, proving you agree to their terms in case you crash. > do they make helmets with built in headphones and earphone plug...id > consider buying a SPH military crash helmet since it has this but its > uncompfortable to wear for long periods (i was a copiliot in helicopters > for army so am use to earplugs, and loud noise) Err, you need a DOT approved helmet. Ideally Snell as well. Don't skimp on the helmet, but don't go overboard, as you are going to drop it etc. You really should replace every 5 years. An RF700 would be a good choice. In theory, the police can ticket you if your lid does not have the DOT sticker. In theory. I think you need to seriously revist your expectations here. No offence. Tony ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 03:03:32 -0400 From: "Darren Koepp" Subject: RE: (klr650) Petcock: installation - -----Original Message----- From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com [mailto:owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chris Beasley Sent: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 11:48 AM To: skip faulkner Cc: KLR650 Page Subject: Re: (klr650) Petcock: installation skip faulkner wrote: > >>>I like the idea of adding the 2nd petcock to get full use of the tank. > the supply line just below the stock petcock. You would then feed off of the > right side first with the main petcock turned off. When it ran out, you > would turn the main tank on till you had to switch to reserve. > The only problem with this scenario is if the system will try to suck air > from the right side when it is empty. If it does, I`ll place a valve on it > then. > Any other ideas ? > > Skip How about just a fitting on each side with a crossover tube. Then the stock petcock would work like it used to except that you would get to use ALL the gas in the tank. b Would you not still have the possibility of sucking air? ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 07:18:50 -0500 (CDT) From: Dale Borgeson Subject: (klr650) Re: Petcock: installation > Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 22:07:45 -0600 > From: "skip faulkner" > would prefer to mount just a fitting there because it would be light and not > require much strength. Then run the hose from the fitting and splice it into > the supply line just below the stock petcock. You would then feed off of the > right side first with the main petcock turned off. When it ran out, you > would turn the main tank on till you had to switch to reserve. > The only problem with this scenario is if the system will try to suck air > from the right side when it is empty. If it does, I`ll place a valve on it > then. I would just have a simple balance tube connecting both sides of the tank independent of the stock petcock. This has been done on several stock bikes over the years. THis way the petcock will work the same as before but you'll have a larger reserve and it will use all (or nearly all) the gas in the tank. The only down side I see is that it's a PITA to remove the tank unless you add a couple of valves in the balance tube and you would have to install two fittings. Cheers - -- Dale Borgeson dalebor@tiny.net Minneapolis, MN U.S.A. "Motorcycle Touring For Beginners" at www.visi.com/~dalebor ------------------------------ Date: 02 Sep 1998 07:05:51 -0600 From: "Pokluda, Gino F" Subject: (klr650) Thumper rally Anybody going to the Thumper Rally in Red River, NM next week? Gino ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 02 Sep 1998 09:36:20 -0700 From: omegacolor@sssnet.com Subject: (klr650) Fuel Useage (What ever happened to the Super-Secret Reserve?) I'm gathering from the miriad of recent tank mod posts that most of us no longer want to tip the bike over to access the "super-secret reserve" (Myself included) MY question is... By the "tip" method of fuel utilization, can one get ALL of the gas out? I was under the impression this procedure would drain out the right side completely... Comments? (BTW Tom, that D.I.D. chain is most excellent - thanks for the tip) Scott W. A3 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 11:40:56 EDT From: NEVCO1@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Strange Vibrations After a full service, my KLR immediately had a pulsing, rythmic vibration that was most evident in the fairing and bars. During the service, we noticed some small metal particles in the oil filter and that the cam chain tensioner was worn. We then replaced the cam chain tensioner, tires, chain and both spockets as they were due. Also checked the steering head bearings and they are fine. Still the pulsing vibration remains, but the engine is a lot quieter. The engine has about 22,000 on it and I had the top end rebuilt at 13,000. As it turned out the rebuild was quite premature as the problem turned out to be a collapsed muffler which prevented the engine from exceeding 4,000 rpm. We feel the new vibration has something to do with the balancer mechanism. Note, doing the tension adjustment does not help. However, it has been done both with the engine off and at idle. Any and all advice, comments and I am sure some teasing will be greatly appreciated before I commence with the exploratory surgery. Thanks in advance for your assistance. Bill 1989 KLR 650 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 08:43:23 -0700 (PDT) From: Rex Hefferan Subject: (klr650) Re:(NKLR) newbee again Roger Dodger wrote; Check this site for a source for helmet audio systems: http://www.jmcorp.com There may be others. == Rex (93 KLR650) For the Colorado Springs Get-together info see http://shell.rmi.net/~avbb/cos.htm (please remember to reload/refresh the page) _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 02 Sep 1998 09:00:15 -0700 From: Chris Beasley Subject: Re: (klr650) Petcock: installation You won't 'draw' air from the empty side. The fuel system is gravity fed. b skip faulkner wrote: > > > ><< I checked out the inside of the tank at work today with a borescope > and > > think I don`t want to mount a whole petcock on the tank. There is no > > reinforcements on that side of the tank as Eric was talking about. I think > I > > would prefer to mount just a fitting there because it would be light and > not > > require much strength. Then run the hose from the fitting and splice it > into > > the supply line just below the stock petcock. You would then feed off of > the > > right side first with the main petcock turned off. When it ran out, you > > would turn the main tank on till you had to switch to reserve. > > The only problem with this scenario is if the system will try to suck > air > > from the right side when it is empty. If it does, I`ll place a valve on it > > then. > > Any other ideas ? > > > > Skip > > >> > > > >The only problem I see is: What if you need to remove the tank before it > runs > >out of gas? I guess you could pinch the hose, but maybe a valve of some > sort > >in the line? Just my $.02 worth > > > >MN Ron > > > > Ron, > The idea is to use an inline valve so I could feed off of whichever side I > want without drawing air from the empty side. Fred says he has just the > valve to work. > > Skip ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 02 Sep 1998 12:32:05 -0400 From: Stuart Heaslet Subject: (klr650) Height of new windscreen All: What size Clearview windscreen should I buy to move airflow above my head? I'm 6 feet tall, and the factory windshield seems to direct air to my nose and above at highway speeds. Also, does the taller windscreen interfere with visibility while it rains? I wear a full face shield. TIA... Stuart 1998 KLR650 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 11:05:57 -0600 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) newbee again >has anyone rode with a hiking backpack strapped to their back...if so how >was it This is unnecessary on the KLR considering the vast number of choices we have for soft and hard bags fwd, tank, and aft. It will cause terrible strain on your shoulders for any distance. For commuting the very best is the bike used by bicycle couriers...the Timbuk2 (www.timbuk2.com) in San Francisco. I just bought one for my daughter, they are outstanding.... Kurt A12 > >my hope is that i can ride from austin, texas to orlando or LA in a day if >need be (which i can do in a car)...guess it depends on how tough i >am...thats why the vibration issue is big deal for me...i know going from a >truck to a bike will require me to give up some comforts but im trying to >keep my favorites....listening to music and smooth ride > >as i mentioned before ive narrowed bikes of choice to KLR650 and Triumph >tiger...and have read a bunch of info on both and know triumph is a >smoother ride, but if KLR650 is smooth enough or can add on to it to make >it smoother without spending a ton of money, then its a great deal ..need >to test ride a KLR650 but a triumph dealer gave me the impression most bike >shops in town dont let you test ride bikes, but triumph dealer will let me >test ride his 96 tiger when i get my cycle license. > >do they make helmets with built in headphones and earphone plug...id >consider buying a SPH military crash helmet since it has this but its >uncompfortable to wear for long periods (i was a copiliot in helicopters >for army so am use to earplugs, and loud noise) > >i am taking a motorcycle safety class in a few weeks, then take written >test and hopefully ill have decided on bike by then...i could get a triumph >but would take me a year or two to pay it off but could pay for KLR in half >a year or so....and considering this would be my first bike im not sure i >should spend 10k on a nice bike....but if its gonna make the experience >more comfortable it might be worth it. > >i do like that there is a bunch of KLR650 info and newsgroup that you can >ask any questions and get answers...havent found anything like this on >triumph yet...except private clubs you have to pay. > >for those who have owned or ridden a triumph tiger....it has a 6 gal tank >too but i cant find any info on how many miles per gallon it gets and >triumph hasnt responded to my requests for this info....so if ya know >please tell me. > >thanks > >Roger the Artful Dodger >hm (512) 416-9997 >wk (512) 444-0716 >rkk@mail.utexas.edu >2809 west william cannon dr#d101 >Austin, TX 78745 > > > > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 10:58:16 -0600 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR Iron Butt'er! - -----Original Message----- From: ericjazz@mindspring.com To: KLR List Date: Tuesday, September 01, 1998 7:04 PM Subject: (klr650) KLR Iron Butt'er! >I'm poking around the Iron Butt web pages, when, I see a KLR listed, several >times! Is there a Peter Dean in our midst? The guy pulled 1500 miles in a >day, 1000 miles in a day, etc.. I'm reaching here, but my guess is he had >an aftermarket seat! Peter is on the list as is Jim Barthell. You'll find Jim's name mentioned as well. Alex Jomarron from Chicago is also a long distance biker but has beeen using his K75 to this point. Jim and Peter use Corbin's. Alex is going to get a Corbin next year. Kurt A12 Here is one of Pete's earlier posts from the archives: Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 13:56:29 -0500 (CDT) From: "Peter M. Dean" Subject: (klr650) KLR abuse and long distance riding I'm going to post responses to a few items here, long distance riding seats dead batteries speedo failure other KLR abuses There was a question posted a while back about what kind of seat I had when I did those BunBurner and SaddleSore rides; a Corbin. I got it four years ago. It must have been the pre-dip days because mine doesn't have one. Its kind of hard, not at all cushy, but provides a wide flat surface that supports my 210 pounds over a wide area and allows me to scoot about and sit in different positions. I think the ability to change positions is the key to my long distance endurance. If I was on a seat that saddled me to one spot my butt might survive but the rest of my body would suffer. Last fall I tried to do a BunBurner Gold (1500 miles in 24 hours) and got stranded in the middle of South Dakota with a dead battery. It turned out to be my fault. There was a short in the wiring I had added for an accessory. It took me an hour to get restarted. I tried replacing fuses and bump starting. Finally I used a battery charger at the gas station where I was stuck. Once the bike was running, with a totally dead battery, it ticked over without a stumble or a surge. It idled fine while I put the pieces back on the bike and also at the two gas stops I made getting home. Don't forget to bring your spare key. It allowed me to keep the engine running at the gas stops. Except for very dim lights the bike was running perfectly. One week before my first long distance rally my speedo stopped working. I was in a panic. Local shops would have to special order it. Bike salvage yards in the area had never seen a KLR (guess they never break). Then I asked myself what was the last thing I had done to the bike; mounted a new front tire. I took the front tire off and found two mistakes. I had misaligned the spedo drive unit so it was at the wrong angle (something that would have caused the cable to break eventually), and I had misaligned the wheel hub, bending back the speedo drive tabs. They had been grabbing just enough to work for a few days after I changed the tire, but started slipping after that. I bent the tabs back, aligned averything correctly, and it has been working fine ever since. To demonstrate the resilience of the KLR, here are a couple more abuses my bike has survived. After returning from a 5400 mile trip I decided to check the valve clearance and found ZERO clearnace. Prior to that a local shop had done all the work on my bike (the local shop was in Florida at that time). I decided that I couldn't do any worse, so I have done all the work since. During my second SaddleSore ride my bike was making a lot of noise at the 200 mile point. I found both nuts had vibrated off the exhaust flange and it was just hanging there loose on the angle of the pipe. It was 2 AM Sunday morning, no 24 hour hardware stores in sight, so I kept on riding. At the 700 mile point I found a hardware store open and snugged up the flange with some new nuts, but the gasket was long gone and it started backfiring and running really ragged. 400 miles later I was home again. After installing a new gasket the bike has been running fine. By the way, when nothing vibrates off, my engine and exhaust are stock. Pete Dean Minnetoanka MN ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V1 #215 ****************************