From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V1 #297 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 Monday, October 12 1998 Volume 01 : Number 297 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 10:29:12 EDT From: Ztib@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Oil level sense In a message dated 98-10-12 09:12:27 EDT, rclement@thegrid.net writes: << So to keep it simple, I just put in three quarts, and check the glass now and then. Does that make sense? >> NOT TO ME. It does not make sense to ignore the manufacturerers recommendations on something as critical as the oil volume for the engine. They designed, built and tested the engine. They have examined failed engines. They have more knowledge of this engine than all the combined professional and amature mechanics that I know. If the volume recommended conflicts with the sight glass level, then Kawasaki should be ashamed for putting out shabby information, BUT as I consumer, I choose to operate with the level within the sight glass (per the Kaw rep, my dealer, recommendation) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 16:34:20 +0000 From: "Mats Cederblad" Subject: (klr650) engine knocking noise Hi The KLR 650 is notorius known for a very hard engine sound (sad in some MC magazines too), sounds like a devil inside engine, banging with a hammer trying to get out. Specially from low RPM and full throttle,and upphill even worse. I don't think it has anything to do with ignition or octane, it's propably just the hardware that makes it (counterbalancer-weigths? ). I had two KLR both with same hard sound, and I think it's one of it's sharms (strange). MaCe KLR650 Tengai 90+91 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 11:27:09 -0400 From: James Naus Subject: (klr650) Panic stop, Crash Report Well, it finally happened, I got into a one on one with a car and the car won. It happened Friday night around 10:00 PM after our motorcycle club (the Poverty Riders of Tallahassee) meeting. I had just turned left on to a two lane divided road, keeping to the inside left lane. About 200 yards after the intersection I saw a car pulling up to a stop sign on my right. I backed off the throttle until he came to a complete stop and looked right at me, so I proceeded at the same speed I was going ~30 mph. Then the car (Chevy El Camino) started pulling out in front of me. At this time I only had about 30 feet to stop and no way to avoid the car. I hit the brakes hard, the rear locked up and started to move to the right side. I was able to pull/hold the back straight but there was not enough time to even think about letting off and reapplying the rear brake. I was hoping that the driver would see me and gun it to try to get out of the way but instead he stopped and blocked both lanes. Then in about a half second as I was about to hit his front quarter panel I stood on the pegs, hit the car and over the top I went. I did a real nice "Hollywood" type roll/flip over the hood of the car and landed on my feet in a crouched position about a foot past the car. I immediately looked around and saw the car still blocking the road so I did not rush to get out of the road. I started checking myself out for damage and found none except for a sore ankle. Some people stooped and got out to see if I was all right and the driver started to pull out of the road and gave me a few strange looks and I thought he was going to run but he stopped and got out of the car. Right then a Marine Patrol car pulled up and turned on his lights and called the police. The driver of the car was drunk and was trying to tell me not to call the police. To make a long story short he got 4 citations but not a DUI, the officer said he was very close. He said he has insurance but did not have the number, he has a suspended license and no job, so we will see. The forks of my bike got bent about 5 degrees to the right, the headlight glass broke, and the mirrors broke off from my legs hitting them. Later that night I started the bike and was able to ride it the 1 mile back to my house. Tomorrow I will call the bike shops to see about replacing the forks. I have no Idea how much it will cost or if I can even get them any more. The bike may be totaled if it costs too much. Help on the legal side or what to do would be appreciated. I am doing fine now the ankle is sore but no problems. I have a huge bruise on my left thigh where I hit the handle bars on the way over the top. There was no damage to my helmet, jacket, gloves, heavy work boots, or jeans which I was wearing. I attribute my good condition to many get-offs (practice?) I have had off-road while ridding in the sand where I have had to bail over the bars after the front wheel washes out in a sand wash. And to luck. I knew right away I would not be able to stop and that I was going to jump over the top. I braked as long as I could and then bailed. I am very glad came from a side street and was not going straight and traveling at 55 mph. James Tallahassee, FL '95 KLX650C (bent but not dead) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 11:06:44 -0500 From: David M. King Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Panic stop, Crash Report James wrote: > Well, it finally happened, I got into a one on one with a car and the > car won. It happened Friday night around 10:00 PM after our motorcycle Wow that really sucks! Glad to hear you are okay! > tell me not to call the police. To make a long story short he got 4 > citations but not a DUI, the officer said he was very close. He said he > has insurance but did not have the number, he has a suspended license > and no job, so we will see. I can't believe he didn't get arrested for no license. Did they impound his car at least? Too bad we just can't start whacking people upside the head! :-) > Help on the legal side or what to do would be appreciated. I would consult a lawyer right away. If the guy has insurance then you will probably come out okay. If not then the laws of Florida are going to determine what you can get and a lawyer will really help here. Resist the urge to be nice. This guy almost took you out. Make sure he remembers it. David M. King ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 10:26:54 -0600 From: Bogdan Swider Subject: (klr650) To: "'klr650@lists.xmission.com'" 1. Question (No complaining yet). Does using an universal joint adapter and thus turning at an angle effect torque reading? I couldn't get the torque wrench onto the inhale side cam cap bolts after changing a shim. 2. Lament...... 18.5K, Time for a valve clearance check. Had a feeling this time I'll need to change a shim or two. Last two inspections (4K & 11K) everything within tolerance. After being burnt in the past (me not the valves though it was close) I prefer to do this job myself. However, I was strapped for time + I'd never done shims before therefore so I had these checks done by a mechanic favored by the BMW & Ducati set around town. He didn't use a torque wrench to close up the cover but what the hell I never used one to snug the covers on my Beemer airhead besides the man's a pro. This time I do the job. I consult Elton's article in an old copy of klrds news and even pester Gino for clarification. Rex Heffernan kindly provides a needed tool or two, I beg the service dept. at Apex for some shims (parts doesn't carry any) and the work's about done, Just need to bolt on the valve cover. The bolts seemed tight when I removed them. I apply the anti-seize and happily proceed to finish up. Gently tighten (No fool am I.) Dam ! the bolt won't snug ! It's stripped. Consult Rex, Try "Mr Grip". After two applications the bolt will tighten but nowhere near the proper torque. Go on, The next bolt hole is also stripped but not completely also won't hold torque. Now the clincher on bolt # 3 I'm turning gingerly, I swear ! The bolt breaks off !! I call it a day. I plan to find a machine shop, have the bolt removed and have the holes retapped. Who knows how long It'll take to get another bolt. Any analysis or advice? Dejected and whipped, Bogdan ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 09:35:08 -0700 (PDT) From: Rex Hefferan Subject: (klr650) Oil level and bike level Listmates, I wonder if anyone has determined where you could reference a level on the bike. What I mean is, a way to determine if the engine is positioned so that you can get the most accurate oil level reading through the sight glass. Given that there are many changes that many of us make to the suspension which can have some effect on the oil level indication. This may be a nitpicking point and getting a oil level reading somewhere between the lines if the bike is in some sort of upright position is probably all that is required to satisfy Kawasaki. But since some of us are not satisfied with that method..... Just trying to throw a little more fuel on the oil level fire. Rex '93KLR650 (heh heh) BTW, I have coverage of the Colorado Springs Get-together at: http://shell.rmi.net/~avbb/cos01.htm _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 12:50:57 -0700 From: Tom Simpson Subject: Re: (klr650) Panic stop, Crash Report At 11:27 AM 10/12/98 -0400, James Naus wrote: > >Well, it finally happened, I got into a one on one with a car and the >car won. Holy moley, man. Glad you didnt get banged up worse. Sorry that the bike did. :( Like someone else said, be preparied to become unnice if needed. Make sure your interests are protected. - -Tom '96 KLR 650 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 14:33:17 EDT From: Cloudhid@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Torqueing about valve check On 10/12/98, BSwider@ColoradoCollege.edu wrote: snip >1. Question (No complaining yet). Does using an universal joint adapter >and thus turning at an angle effect torque reading?..... Any time you add an adapter you increase the actual torque from the indicated torque. Adding a 6" extender to my 3/8" wrench increases the actual torque to 90 ft.lbs. when it only shows 60 ft.lbs on the dial. >2. Lament...... 18.5K, Time for a valve clearance check.... >The bolts seemed tight when I removed them.... >Gently tighten (No fool am I.) Dam ! the bolt won't snug ! It's stripped..... >Now the clincher on bolt # 3 I'm turning gingerly, I swear ! The bolt >breaks off !! I call it a day..... >Any analysis or advice? > Dejected and whipped, Bogdan Calling it a day is sometimes the best route. I've stripped bolts before and cursed myself for a month. It happens. I'm more likely to solve a problem when coming back with a fresh head. I'm snake bit so I usually go a hair under spec with torque. I can't recommend my approach to anyone because I stand to do more damage from a fastener coming loose in a running engine than stripping a thread. Redondo Ron (who's known for running a little loose) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 14:52:03 EDT From: Cloudhid@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Oil Again...Eldon Carl is right... On 10/11/98, ajax@xmission.com wrote: snip >Ok, this is the last time I personally will have to raise the question. As far >as I'm concerned Eldon Carl is right when he claims the sight glass placement >gives an incorrect indication of oil level...[...].. >Easy enough for any of us to check out. Cloudhid reported he reached the sight >glass with just the right amount of oil so maybe it is a zen kind of thing and >everyone out to get to know their beast up close and personally... >I'm going out to put it up and over.... >Kurt A12 (Always looking for a full cup) And I thought no one was paying attention...Well it's time to change my oil again this weekend. If anyone has an answer to Rex's question about leveling, I'll give mine another go and post the results. Redondo Ron (whose cup runneth over) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 14:36:15 -0700 (MST) From: jimjib@goodnet.com (Jim Stanton) Subject: (klr650) hard bags Does anyone make hard bags for the KLR? Jim ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 14:43:16 -0700 (PDT) From: Lance Rushing Subject: (klr650) High Siding. Often I have locked the rear wheel of my KLR and then let it go, with out high siding. However, these have always been been I'm braking in a straight line. I have high sided (managed to stay on the bike) on a previous bike. It hapened when I was breaking into a corner, and I released the brakes to coast throught before I accelerated. Here is my ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 14:59:45 -0700 (PDT) From: Lance Rushing Subject: Re: (klr650) High Siding. Sorry, for the double post (I hit the HOT key for send accidentally) Here is my opinions on high siding (not scientific or anything else). Your mileage may vary. Often I have locked the rear wheel of my KLR and then let it go, with out high siding. However, these have always been been I'm braking in a straight line. I have high sided (managed to stay on the bike) on a previous bike. It happened when I was breaking into a corner, and I released the brakes to coast through before I accelerated. Here is my thoughts on the difference. When you lock the rear tire and then let it go, the gyroscopic effect tries to align the tires, AND set the bike upright. If you are ALREADY UPRIGHT, releasing the rear wheel, just whips the back end around , in a left to right movement. If you are LEANED over, releasing the rear wheel, will whip the back end around, AND whip the bike back to upright. Thus, flinging your ass off the bike. (The same thing happens in high power road racing bikes, but it's not the release of the brakes that cause it, it is the high power engine getting the tire loose.) Watch some racing clips, and the really amazing high sides occur when the rider is leaned WAY over. That's my my thoughts, and guesses. Lance ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 17:08:20 -0500 From: Alan Henderson Subject: (klr650) oil level I noticed this "problem"? when I changed oil the first time. I just filled it to the top of the sight glass then started it to soak up the oil filter etc., let it sit awhile and topped off to the top of sight glass. I sure wouldn't over fill the thing! It isn't the problem of generating more heat but rather having the moving parts beat the oil into a foam. Foamy oil doesn't work very well in this type of system. Aren't we all missing the point? The most important thing is to not let the oil level fall below the min. line, as long as it is in between the lines you are all right. Alan Henderson ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 18:12:26 -0400 From: Stuart Heaslet Subject: Re: (klr650) Oil Again...Eldon Carl is right... >Ok, this is the last time I personally will have to raise the question. As >far as I'm concerned Eldon Carl is right when he claims the sight glass placement >gives an incorrect indication of oil level...[...].. >Easy enough for any of us to check out. Cloudhid reported he reached the >sight glass with just the right amount of oil so maybe it is a zen kind of thing >and everyone out to get to know their beast up close and personally... >I'm going out to put it up and over.... >Kurt A12 (Always looking for a full cup) I push paper for a living and don't know anything, so I fill it up with the recommended volume as published, squat for a visual, then tilt the bike over until the oil level hits the top mark. Works every time and makes inconsistent information perfectly consistent with the warranty. For a couple more months, anyway. :-) Stuart ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 17:18:01 -0500 From: Alan Henderson Subject: (klr650) air in forks I wrote down what the sticker said on the back of my 99's left lower fork leg, here it is. Caution: Air Suspension contains highly compressed air use only air or nitrogen gas use of other gas could cause explosion refer to owners manual for regulating gas max pressure 250Kpa, 35psi Kawasaki Kayaba Industry Obviously the owners manual says to run at atmospheric but the forks themselves are designed to run at pressure. Kawasaki thinks that atmospheric is best but then they say to only put Dunlop K750 tires on your bike. They say alot of things in the manual to cover their butt. The forks are designed for pressure go ahead and use it if you like the effect. This is only relevant to my 99 your results may vary. :) Alan Henderson ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V1 #297 ****************************