From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V1 #368 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, November 23 1998 Volume 01 : Number 368 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 17:20:08 -0800 (PST) From: frjsmithjr@webtv.net (F. J. Smith) Subject: (klr650) Traffic Signals and Motorcycles This is an interesting topic, and whether a rider is cited depends alot on the attitude of the officer. However, sitting at a traffic light for a longer-than- average amount of time waiting for a green light or sitting through 3-4 signal cycles waiting for a left turn arrow just because your bike's mass or weight won't trip the signal is UNREASONABLE. You may not be able to talk a "hot pencil" cop out of the ticket, but a judge should listen to reason. Its the spirit of the law not the letter of the law. Jim Palmdale ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 20:26:46 EST From: AGSholar@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Night vis and safety << I still have my headlight oscillator installed. I bought it at this summers BMW rally and it works great for daylight oncoming recognition. >> I also purchased a "Starburst" modulator from Kriss Industries. It was fairly easy to install and though I have no proof that it has saved me from a wreck, I have seen them on other bikes and they really make those bikes stand out. If anyone is interested they have a good web page including prices at www.kriss.com. Greg, A2 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 18:47:57 -0700 From: Tom Myers Subject: Re: (klr650) Traffic Signals and Motorcycles >sitting through 3-4 >signal cycles waiting for a left turn arrow just >because your bike's mass or weight won't trip Just FYI: Those sensors are not activated by vehicle weight. There is a loop (actually rectangle) of wire buried in the pavement. Sometimes you can see it sealed under epoxy. There is an "electric field" associated with this wire loop, and metal items "disturb" the field, signaling the presence of a vehicle above. I read in a bicycle magazine that to "disturb the field" as much as possible (and thus announce your presence) is to park on of one of the sides, not centered between the two. I'm lawless on my bicycle so as of yet I never tried it on my bicycle. So far I've had pretty good luck using this method on a motorcycle. A (frustrating) option is to put the sidestand down, walk over and push the crosswalk button. If all else fails, pull a BIG wheelie. Big wheelies are always satisfying and you'll forget all about that stupid light. Tom +------------------------------------+ | CycoActive Products tel (206) 323-2349 | 701 34th Ave fax (206) 325-6016 | Seattle, WA 98122 USA | webpage: http://www.cycoactive.com | e-mail: TomMyers@cycoactive.com +------------------------------------+ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 21:38:23 EST From: DOUGUR@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Fwd: still trying-carb problems This is a multi-part message in MIME format. - --part0_911875103_boundary Content-ID: <0_911875103@inet_out.mail.aol.com.1> Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Anyone have any suggestions on the flooding problem? - --part0_911875103_boundary Content-ID: <0_911875103@inet_out.mail.aol.com.2> Content-type: message/rfc822 Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Content-disposition: inline From: DOUGUR@aol.com Return-path: To: ajax@xmission.com Subject: still trying Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 15:29:08 EST Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Kurt, I haven't given up on getting the bike to run without taking it to a shop. I think I'm real close, but I don't know what else to try. The bike will initially start with choke engaged, idle for a few minutes fine, then I have to start giving a little throttle to keep running. It starts running ruff and has black smoke and eventually dies. I can crank it a few more times with choke on or off, but will run only when I'm giving throttle and eventually gets where it won't crank anymore until it sets for a long time. I am feeding it gas from a jug. I can lower the jug and quit supplying gas when its running ruff and after a few seconds it will smooth out and run fine until the carb empties. I assume that it is flooding. What could it be related to? Something to do with the float maybe? I hate to have come this far with it and still have to take it to a shop. Any suggestions that I can try? Doug Mullens - --part0_911875103_boundary-- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 19:55:30 -0700 From: bruixot@rmi.net Subject: Re: (klr650) Traffic Signals and Motorcycles > Those sensors are not activated by vehicle weight. There is a loop > (actually rectangle) of wire buried in the pavement. Sometimes you can see > it sealed under epoxy. There is an "electric field" associated with this > wire loop, and metal items "disturb" the field, signaling the presence of a > vehicle above. Not all lights are activated by this inductive loop device. There are now some cheap RF devices used in some places. They don't work very well, but they often sense bikes. As far as Colorado, the law requires that a motorist stop at an "inoperative" traffic signal before proceeding when it is clear and safe to do so. Obviously, what is inoperative for you might be operative for somebody else. That will mean taking a minimum of two days off of work. Owing to my nasty temperment, I once did those two days in California, to object to a parking ticket from parking a bike in an unsigned car parking spot. It really annoys the judge when you insist that the ticketing officer be subpoenaed (yes, that is the correct spelling), and in fact they usually won't do it. But I won my case, pissed off the police, and the city was forced to install signs that identified the separate car and bike parking areas and proscribed improper use by either type. - --Dr Robert 1.You can't beat city hall, but you can piss on their doorstep (attributed to John Stonehouse). 2. There are three ways to achieve justice in this state: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box. (Attributed to a Colorado legislator). ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 19:13:50 PST From: "Juan Villarreal" Subject: (klr650) Night vis and safety Darrel wrote: >Juan- >I like to nightride for many reasons. Some of which you mentioned. Most >of my night riding is done while on long road trips. If riding in the >desert in Summer, nocturnal motoring can be an exhilerating experience. >Riding through large urban centers on Interstates is usually preferable due >to less congestion. Other times a local Friday night cruise along the >Pacific Coast Highway can really ease the tension of a busy week. > >Of my 20+ years of motorcycling, I've never taken special precautions at >night, until recently. My Night Fighter reflectorized vest used to collect >dust, but I now wear it after sunset. It can make a world of difference. >A quick story: > >Last month while returning from the Grand Nat'l Dirt Track races in Del >Mar, I was motoring along I-405 through Los Angeles at night in *heavy* >multi-lane traffic. Decided to pull the KLR off the road and don my Night >Fighter. As the traffic was whizzing by, I hear a Harley thundering along. > As I look up to see it, I saw nothing! Apparently the tail lamp was burnt >and that was the only light this bike has in the rear. I jumped on the >bike and go tearing off to catch the unsuspecting biker. Pulled him over >to clue him and his passenger of their problem. They seemed somewhat >grateful ;>) > >Just another good reason to have auxillary lighting and/or reflectorized >clothing. The bicycle strobe is a good idea also Juan. > >See and be seen, >Darrel >Oxnard, Ca Thanks for the comments, Darrel. I was hoping to provoke a few more inputs from some of the other listers, but I suppose the philosophical nature of my inquiry didn't create much interest. Maybe I should have revived the topic of oil type/quantity, huh? That seems to always get everybody's blood going... Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR "El Lobo Solo" ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 21:42:05 -0600 (CST) From: Carlos Yonan Gonzalez Subject: Re: (klr650) She got me a Supertrapp IDS Pipe! On Mon, 23 Nov 1998 VFR754@aol.com wrote: > Guess what everybody........my wife (WhattaWoman!) got me an early Christmas > present! A Supertrapp IDS pipe for the KLR! I looked out the back door, and it > was sitting on the patio in a box from Dennis Kirk (Sorry Fred). I told her > that's what I wanted for Christmas, and it came way to early to wait all the > way till Christmas, so I opened it up and mounted it (wife wasn't to happy > bout that). It weighs about 5-6 lbs less than the stock pipe according to my > scale. Hey Bill, That's quite a present you got there. I'd like to know how that thing holds up after more miles. Specifically, is it touching on any plastic, and does it leak exhaust at the joint between the can and the intermediate pipe? I'm considering switching my race core external disc supertrapp for a quiter IDS non-race core (is yours a quite core?). When I bought mine, the salesman didn't ask what kind of exhaust I wanted and I didn't know that much about bikes in general, so he ordered what he thought I wanted (oh well). Anyway, take care and enjoy the weather. Carlos P.S. The weather has been absolutely perfect in Milwaukee the last few days too, and it looks like this run is going to continue for a little while. Kenny, it looks like you picked a bad weekend to prep your bike for winter. Last year I think I prepped my bike for storage something like five times, and it actually never sat for more than a week or so. Maybe we'll have another mild winter. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 23:00:58 -0500 From: Michael Kovaliv Subject: (klr650) I've finally made up my mind! Thanks everyone for your input! After a few months of research I have finally decided to buy the KLR 650 over the BMW F650 and the Suzuki DR650SEX. I have test ridden all three bikes and done a ton of reading about them. The KLR is the best bike for my purposes, this is why in my opinion: The F650 is a beautiful bike, both to ride and in it's quality. However, three things made me decide against it. First, I would not want to ride the F650 off road for fear of scratching it or damaging any components. Second, I would not want to try any mechanical repairs myself. Both the dealer and the other BMW riders that I know almost make me feel "inferior" to the machine, kind of like "who are you to try to fix a BMW?". I want to learn everything I can about my bike so if I get stuck on my way to the Grand Canyon for example, I might be able to fix the problem. I like the "simplicity" of the KLR. Third, I just don't think it's worth almost double the price here in Canada. I might be wrong, but I believe the KLR will last me just as long if I maintain it properly. The DR650SEX is just to dirt oriented for my liking. The tiny gas tank, no wind shield, no tachometer and overall appearance is just not right for me. It doesn't make sense to me to spend $1000.00 plus to try and make it what the KLR is out the box. I know you have all heard it before, but I agree with the December issue of Rider Magazine. "The KLR is a Stealth of a bike!" It has everything I want in a bike, the ride, the range, the accessories and the passion of it's riders. I do have a question though. In my city, Windsor Ontario, there are two dealers (not including the H-D boutique). The first is "Sports Afield II" and seems like a very well kept and modern shop, they are the Kawasaki, Honda and Yamaha dealer, they also sell ATVs and snowmobiles. The second is "Power Cycle", and is a more old-fashioned kind of place. They sell Suzuki but tell me they can get the KLR for me. This is my concern: Sports afield II never seems to have many people either buying bikes or fixing bikes. They only ever have two or three used bikes and the new bikes seem to be around for a long time. Power Cycle on the other hand is always very busy, they have six to eight mechanics during the summer and always one guy all winter. Bikes are always lined up twenty deep out back. Power Cycle focuses largely on the used bikes and parts, at least thirty to forty used bikes at any time. I bought my second two bikes from Power Cycle and have a "relationship" with them. The main mechanic however told me I could get parts for the DR the next day where it would take at least a week for the KLR because they are not an Kawasaki dealer. Where should I buy the bike??? How would the Suzuki dealer get a KLR and would I have a real warranty, I also may want to buy the extended warranty. Sports Afield II also has a 99 KLR 650 and 250 "on order" and should have them some time in December. Any comments would be great. Thanks, Michael Kovaliv P.S. Gino, did you receive my check for the DSN and backorders yet? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 23:23:43 EST From: Cloudhid@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Fwd: still trying-carb problems On 11/23/98, DOUGUR@aol.com wrote: snip >I am feeding it gas from a jug. I can lower the jug and quit supplying gas >when its running ruff and after a few seconds it will smooth out and run fine >until the carb empties. I assume that it is flooding. What could it be related >to? Something to do with the float maybe? If it always smooths out after you shut the gas off, the float level is the primary suspect. There's only a 2mm fudge factor. Too high and your engine will choke on too much gas. Too low and your engine will starve. To check the float height you can buy the gauge from Kawasaki, or just get a clear hose and attach it to your drain valve at the bottom of the carb. Tape it up to the side of your carb. Keep your auxiliary gas can above the carb so it will continue to dump fuel. Open the drain valve with a hex key. Get out a steel rule and measure right where the carb body meets the float bowl to the level in the hose. Hopefully you'll see 0.5mm above the base of the carb body, +/-1mm, (only about 5/64" variance). If not, after disconnecting the gas can and draining the fuel out, you'll need to rotate the carb and take the four screws off the bottom of the float bowl and remove it. Then push the pin out of the float boss and gently remove the float and float valve . The float valve will be hanging loosely on the float by a very thin wire that slips over a metal tang on the float. Bending this tang will raise or lower your float level. Just a small bend makes a big difference in the level, so it's best to make minute movements here. Before you bend anything it's prudent to visually inspect the rubber tip on the float valve and spray some carb cleaner and compressed air in the valve seat, just to make sure nothing is blocking it open. Another thought is be sure that the float isn't leaking and filling with gas. Then check the level again and bend the tang if needed. Redondo Ron (who's as bent as they come) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 22:56:14 -0600 (CST) From: Carlos Yonan Gonzalez Subject: Re: (klr650) Night vis and safety (NKLR) On Mon, 23 Nov 1998, Juan Villarreal wrote: > >Just another good reason to have auxillary lighting and/or > reflectorized > >clothing. The bicycle strobe is a good idea also Juan. > > > >See and be seen, > >Darrel > >Oxnard, Ca > > Thanks for the comments, Darrel. I was hoping to provoke a few more > inputs from some of the other listers, but I suppose the philosophical > nature of my inquiry didn't create much interest. > > Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR > "El Lobo Solo" Alright Juan, you provoked me! :) Although my comment doesn't really deal with night visibility, it deals with something just as important, day visibility. When I started riding a couple of years ago I was advised by others to ride with my brights on, day or night. So I did, and I did get many many cars cutting me off, pulling in front of me, etc. I was fully expecting this from the many horror stories I've heard, so I wasn't very surprised. But then one day I read an article with a guy that was absolutely dead set against using your brights as a means of making yourself more visible to others. He stated his reasons, which were reasonable, so I decided to ride for a while without my brights on, and lo and behold I noticed I wasn't being cut off as much. Now I'm not saying that brights cause you to get cut off, but I can tell you that I don't ride with my brights on anymore, unless I need them for road visibilty. Basically, the authors reasons had to do with how brights tend to mask the vehicle behind the light and mask the vehicle's true speed as well, causing people to think that they have more time to turn in front of you than they actually do. Curiously, my friend in his huge Ford F-350, which sits high on the road, has riduculously bright lights, and is red (it doesn't get much more visible than this folks) is cut off by cars with clocklike regularity. People get in the way of trains pretty often too, thinking that they have plenty of time. Although I've heard that large vehicles, such as trains (and your odd F-350) tend to mask their speed just due to their being large (which is translated in the brain to being slow), the fact that they actually have bright lights on them makes you think. Again, I'm not saying that this is proof that running with your brights can kill you, but rather that it could be a factor that may reduce your safety on the road if you rely too heavily on visibility aids. I think it boils down to making yourself visible, but not obnoxiously so, and to remember that only your own skill and attention can ultimately prevent you from getting railed by some cell phone talkin' yuppie in an Audi (don't ask). I'm sure if there are any experimental psychologists specializing in perception out there in KLRland, they could probably shed some light on this. But if there's not, then I'll just have to rely on anecdotal evidence for now. Carlos Milwaukee, WI ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V1 #368 ****************************