From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V1 #275 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, October 2 1998 Volume 01 : Number 275 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 18:38:37 -0700 From: "Robert Morgan" Subject: Re: (klr650) socket for my rocket This is for all you slide rule electrical engineer types (I know you're out there). Last weekend I decided to mount a 12v. power socket (cigarette lighters being politically incorrect now) on my bike. I used stainless steel to make a small panel that mounts to the right inside of the fairing where the plastic mounts to the tubular frame, kinda out of the way there but reachable. I then mounted a waterproof marine rated socket in the panel, came out real clean. I wanted a socket for numerous reasons...future GPS, perhaps a portable cb or cell phone, maybe even a 12v blender. One additional motivation stems from a dead battery incident in a parking lot where I had to remove the seat to get at the battery to jump it. Then I had to do it all over again when I got home to charge the battery.Soooo I figured I'd wire the socket direct to the battery and use the plug to charge the battery directly or be able to jump it with a plug/jumper cable connection. Here is the question. I purchased some 8 guage power cable from the local car stereo guys (probably overkill) , do you think 8 guage wire will take the load of a quick jump start from a car battery or a stint on a battery charger? Next question what is the highest cca rated battery that will fit my bike?...A12. Does anyone have any experience with any of the newer more exotic battery types? Has any one used the small rollable photovoltaic panels you see advertised in marine catalogues? thanks in advance Morgan (waiting in a storm of free electrons) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 20:50:55 -0500 From: "Jim Sprecker" Subject: (klr650) what??? Kills Little Rabbits Kills Little Raccoons only joking...... Jim ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 23:13:52 EDT From: OlZorro@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Sheepskin seat cover Greetings; I think I made this post a few weeks back, but I shall give you the info again. There's a guy named Bob at Comfort Line (756/676-9196) who makes standard size seat covers. I got one for my ST and it was excellent, but just covered the pilot's seating area. When I was looking for something for the KLR, I contacted him and he made me one that covered the entire seat (pilot and passenger), and obscurred the God-awful purple, that clashed with my AQUA, and boy am I pleased. Quality is superior and it was onl about $100. Tell him I sent you and you're looking for the same design (if indeed you are). Otherwise, his standard seatcovers run about $45. John Paul Gray Dana Point, CA 94 ST1100 95 KLR650 AMA, STOC, COG, SCMA...and just about every other darn club there is... ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 23:25:04 EDT From: Ztib@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Modification questions A couple questions for the knowledgable KLR owners........ 1. Where can I purchase case guards (crash bars) for a KLR Tengai? 2. Has anyone experience with mounting a auxilliary driving lamp (in addition to the stock headlight) on a KLR? If so, what output and is the KLR electrical system robust enough to handle this added electrical load? 3. Can anyone recommend soft saddlebags, or hard bags, based upon their experience? How do you keep the soft bags away from the exhaust? 4. Can anyone recommend a tank bag that will fit nicely on the funky shaped KLR tank? Will those magnetic bags stay on? I'm an old experienced motorcycle guy, but all my experience is with BMW. Now I made this impulse purchase of a used Tengai and I have to figure out how to best use the machine. Will appreciate your help. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 23:09:38 -0500 (CDT) From: Carlos Yonan Gonzalez Subject: (klr650) Sportbike vs KLR Hey guys, Got a new topic for everyone! Lately I've been riding my KLR pretty hard through the local twisties and have been thouroughly enjoying myself. Ever since I got my Avons at the beginning of this summer I've been pretty impressed at how well this bike can corner (with some practice and caution). But because this is my first and only bike, I can't compare it to a sportbike. I was wondering if anyone out there with the good fortune of owning a KLR and a sportbike can comment on how they compare. Specifically I'm interested in handling rather than acceleration (I assume any sportbike worth its salt would blow away the KLR on acceleration). The reason I'm asking is because I am considering parting with a couple of grand for a nice used EX500 (I know, not exactly a high tech sportbike), and I've read various articles describing dual sports as being just as or more capable than sportbikes (in general) in the twisties. Do any of you have first hand experience? What about Steve R. in Florida, how does your new Bandit compare? Comments? Thanks, Carlos ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 02 Oct 1998 00:10:02 -0700 From: Tom Simpson Subject: Re: (klr650) Modification questions At 11:25 PM 10/1/98 EDT, Ztib@aol.com wrote: >A couple questions for the knowledgable KLR owners........ > >1. Where can I purchase case guards (crash bars) for a KLR Tengai? > >2. Has anyone experience with mounting a auxilliary driving lamp (in addition >to the stock headlight) on a KLR? If so, what output and is the KLR >electrical system robust enough to handle this added electrical load? > >3. Can anyone recommend soft saddlebags, or hard bags, based upon their >experience? How do you keep the soft bags away from the exhaust? > >4. Can anyone recommend a tank bag that will fit nicely on the funky shaped >KLR tank? Will those magnetic bags stay on? > >I'm an old experienced motorcycle guy, but all my experience is with BMW. Now >I made this impulse purchase of a used Tengai and I have to figure out how to >best use the machine. Will appreciate your help. > You can look at my web page full of KLR butchery at: http://www.scsn.net/users/bullet/tomsmods.htm The page is past due for an update but still fairly current. I can run one 37.5w running light full time as long as I kepp the revs up pretty good. My soft luggage is made out of ex-DDR ruck sacks at the whopping cost of $7 each. Thank bag is a standard TourMaster TB-12 Works fine, especialy with the addition of a bungy cord to keep it from rolling around. - -Tom '96 KLR 650 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 21:13:36 -0700 From: Rob Gendreau Subject: Re: (klr650) Tires, Seat, Fork tubes and more!! Mike: I had most of the same questions, and dealt with them recently. Here goes.... Tubes: I rode with mine about 3.5" high (i.e. the front end lowered that much) for about a year and got by, not even realizing it was lowered. I raised them up and much prefer it now. Sure, the steering was a bit quicker, but it caused even more dive and the whole bike feels more stable now (I've also made some other mods, see below). It steers a lot easier at low speed now. I'd recommend raising the tubes, then dropping them gradually if you don't like it. Tires: don't know gripsters, but some mountain bike tires are designed with the "arrows" pointing in different directions for the front and rear. Dunno if this applies to your tires. Slip sliding on seat: if you raise the triple clamp, you won't slide down as much. My seat feels more comfortable now. Also, go to a camping store that sells Thermarest inflatable mattresses. They used to make (or somebody did) a spray on product that is used with these mattresses to make them less slippery. It's a kind of spray on sticky rubber. I've used it on my seat and it works great, especially if you ride in nylon pants as I do. It doesn't look real pretty, but it doesn't rub off on clothes. I removed the slinky on my brakelines (I have the same kind you do); no problem yet. But I haven't ridden many miles that way, and none off-road. Progressive springs: GREAT! I feel WAY more confident on the street now. I was surprised at the difference. Maybe they just compensate for my ham-handed riding technique, but I find I can really grab front brake with authority now. With the front end raised to its proper height, a good brake line, and these springs, I feel like I've got a whole new bike. I haven't used them off road yet, but I figure I'll sacrifice comfort offroad for safety on-road. Good luck! Rob Rob Gendreau Oakland, California gendreau@ccnet.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 21:50:41 -0700 From: "Rob Clement" Subject: Re: (klr650) socket for my rocket Robery, 8 gauge wire probably won't carry enough current from a booster battery to crank the bike, is my guess. But the bike may crank after a couple of minutes of charging, to give your own battery a little juice. I'm guessing your battery went down because you turned the key too far counterclockwise, leaving the tail light on. That's what I nearly did, several times. That feature (turn key left past lock, leaving the tail light on) is one that may strand me with a dead battery one day. I like your idea, and I may do it myself. Thanks, Rob ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 21:52:07 -0700 From: "Rob Clement" Subject: Re: (klr650) what??? Jim, like I said, the KLR650 is a bike that can be aimed.... Rob ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 22:12:23 -0700 From: "Rob Clement" Subject: Re: (klr650) Sportbike vs KLR Carlos, I own a KLR650/A12, a KLR250, and a Voyager XII. No sportbike. I have ridden a few, and owned a couple. From memory, I can offer the following: Sportbikes are far superior to the KLR650 for speed on the faster mountain twisties, particularly uphill sections, due to greater accelleration at speeds over about 50 mph. Below that, the KLR650 is pretty quick. And the brakes aren't bad, either, (except that the front brake feels "soft," due to brake line expansion under pressure). So the really tight paved roads (which are my favorites, anyway) give you a pretty quick bike for riding with the sportbikes, except that tire-road adhesion is relatively poor on cornering with dual-purpose tires, compared to some of the wide, soft, racing profile near-slicks found on the faster sportbikes. You probably had all this figured out already, and if not, I hope it helps. Rob ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 02:41:22 EDT From: Triphenia@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) socket for my rocket In a message dated 10/1/1998 6:56:21 PM Pacific Daylight Time, robertlmorgan@worldnet.att.net writes: << Here is the question. I purchased some 8 guage power cable from the local car stereo guys (probably overkill) , do you think 8 guage wire will take the load of a quick jump start from a car battery or a stint on a battery charger? >> Here's the answer (an answer) to your question. DON'T consider jumping your bike with current through an 8 gauge wire. Compare the diameter of the wire on your starter, or if you have trouble identifying it, the ground cable to your battery. You are looking for an instant meltdown. Charging should be OK though, as long as it's a clean circuit. Jeff A12 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 02 Oct 1998 07:13:56 -0400 From: Todd Emsley Subject: Re: (klr650) Is it Wobble or Wiggle Lance, This is definately true, a wobble is an oscillation that feeds itself more and more until you end up going over the bars. What my KLR does isn't severe enough to magnify itself. BIG DIFFERENCE. Todd A11 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 07:49:01 -0500 From: "Smith, Ron" Subject: (klr650) Trade? > Anyone out there willing to trade a KLR for an older automobile? > Maybe one of you guys in the cold north? I have an '82 Caddy (land yacht) > in > good condition that I'd like to trade for a KLR. Being > financially-challenged, I cannot afford to swap for a bike worth $4500 as > the car is worth around $2500. > > Ron > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 08:52:27 -0400 From: "Robert frey" Subject: (klr650) Fw: Subject: Land Closure in Texas Some of ya'll don't think this stuff happens, but guess what... R - -----Original Message----- From: David Clemens To: ridenetl@moab.off-road.com Cc: sedirt@lists.mindspring.com Date: Thursday, October 01, 1998 7:48 PM Subject: Subject: Land Closure in Texas >*Find a Riding Partner on RIDNETL: Sponsored by "http://www.off-road.com"* > >Please take the time to read the following letter and respond, at least >by e-mail. The area in question is where many ISDE qualifiers and >National Enduros have been held for many years. If you have an open >area near you, count your blessings (after you respond to this) and be >sure you remain proactive on keeping your riding area open. Letter >starts below. > > >Motorcyclist in District 20 need your help!! >=20 >The Sam Houston National Forest trail system is scheduled to be closed = >to all users beginning September 21, 1998. The Forest Service (F.S.) = >has declared an emergency closure that can stay in place for up to two >= >years while they organize the necessary paperwork to keep it closed for >= >good. The F.S. is not making a public notification and has not held a >= >public hearing on this matter. Their reasons are environmental impact = >of erosion and the fisheries. Please ask any and everyone you know to >= >please email, write or call in and ask then not to close the forest to = >ORV's. > >They say it is temporary, but in my 25 years of working with them, all = >the other temporary closures have been permanent. The Trail Riders of = >Houston just spent $14,658.00 for an environmental assessment, and an = >additional $5,106.00 for stream hardening the first half of this year, >= >because the FS did not have the budget. The plan was to expand the = >trail system, at that time. Now, they are closing the whole forest. > >This is the land we have had many National Enduros, Qualifiers, & = >National Dual Sports on. That may be over!! > >Below you will find the names, addresses, and email of some people to = >send your letters to regarding the trail closure.=20 > >Some things to keep in mind: > >When sending an email do not put anything in the subject or reference = >field regarding trail closure. You want them to have to open and read = >the email to see what it is about. Otherwise they may just delete it. > >Follow up any emails with a written letter. A typed one is good. Hand >= >written is better. Form letters are no good. > >Feel free to call them if you like. > >Do not get belligerent, that's my job. Don't make it out as a bitch = >letter. Be civil. Tell them of your disappointment. We have to work = >with these people. We have no other choice. Help them understand your >= >grievances. The money you spend in the local community. The people = >that they are denying weekend pleasure to. Ask them to please = >reconsider.=20 > >When you email them send a blank email to me at mcrider@prodigy.net so = >we can count. > >Please forward this email to anyone not on the "To" list. Feel free to >= >post on M/C web pages. > >Thanks for your Help, > Chris Hardy, AMA District 20 = >Congressman > > > > >Ronnie Raum, rraum/r8_tx@fs.fed.us > >Forest Supervisor >U. S. Forest Service >701 N. First >Lufkin, Texas 75901 > >Lufkin - mailroom/r8_tx@fs.fed.us > Main # 409/639-8501 > Fax # 409/639-8513 > > >Tim Bigler, tbigler/r8_@fs.fed.us & Bigler_Tim/r8_tx@fs.fed.us > >District Ranger >U. S. Forest Service >394 FM 1375 West >New Waverly, Texas 77358 > >Phone # 409/344-6205 >Fax # 409/344-2123 > >Recreation Officer in New Waverly >Chip Ernst, cernst/r8_@fs.fed.us > > > > >-- >David Clemens >dclemens@execpc.com > > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 05:56:52 -0700 (PDT) From: KLR650@webtv.net (Conall O'Brien) Subject: Re: (klr650) Re:1st gear shifting difficulty - --WebTV-Mail-328598649-606 Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7Bit Rob- Yes, that's what I was trying to say, I widened the slot of the gear shifter. Thanks for the clarification. Conall KLR 650 A4 54k mi. - --WebTV-Mail-328598649-606 Content-Disposition: Inline Content-Type: Message/RFC822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7Bit Received: from mailsorter-101.iap.bryant.webtv.net (mailsorter-101.iap.bryant.webtv.net [207.79.35.91]) by postoffice-101.iap.bryant.webtv.net (8.8.8/po.gso.24Feb98) with ESMTP id EAA02184; Fri, 2 Oct 1998 04:53:13 -0700 (PDT) Received: from mail.binghamton.edu (bingnet2.cc.binghamton.edu [128.226.1.18]) by mailsorter-101.iap.bryant.webtv.net (8.8.8/ms.graham.14Aug97) with ESMTP id EAA05456; Fri, 2 Oct 1998 04:53:12 -0700 (PDT) Received: from kaub ([128.226.15.27]) by mail.binghamton.edu (8.8.7/8.6.12) with SMTP id HAA04577 for ; Fri, 2 Oct 1998 07:53:11 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <3.0.2.16.19981002075218.26f77330@mailbox.cc.binghamton.edu> X-Sender: rkaub@mailbox.cc.binghamton.edu X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.2 (16) Date: Fri, 02 Oct 1998 07:52:18 To: KLR650@webtv.net (Conall O'Brien) From: "R. Kaub" Subject: Re: (klr650) Re:1st gear shifting difficulty In-Reply-To: <8603-361412E3-3351@mailtod-102.iap.bryant.webtv.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 04:40 PM 10/1/98 -0700, you wrote: >Yus- > >I have had the same problem with downshifting into first gear , getting >the tick-tick sound. >Loose gear shifter. >Gravy from the chain will collect on the gear shifter bolt if you don't >keep it degreased. I use a toothbrush and some heavyduty organic >degreaser, no pressure washers please. >I had a reoccuring problem keeping the gear shifter tight , even though >the bolt was torqued to the limit. have your mechanic take the shifter >off and then remove some of the metal (increasing the gap) of the gear >shifter mounting hole. Conall: Do you mean that you widened the SLOT on the shifter rather than the hole? I think that if you make the hole bigger, the shifter won't fit at all as the splines would be removed. Thanks. Bob Kaub State University of New York PO Box 6000 Binghamton, NY 13902 607-777-2715 - --WebTV-Mail-328598649-606-- ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V1 #275 ****************************