From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V1 #429 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 Sunday, December 27 1998 Volume 01 : Number 429 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 18:02:28 EST From: LPetty4585@aol.com Subject: (klr650) K&N Filter Well finally caught to test the K&N filter and front end rebuild with progressive springs today on my A5. Now can wheelie easily in 1st with no clutch action, can force it in 2nd with ease. The local dealer made me a backing plate for my license tag, which dissentegrated on the 1st hard run thru the muck, so guess I will be relocating the license tag. Leaving the front spacer at 5.5" worked out great gives me an extra 1/2 before hitting the skid plate, makes a difference. The K&N filter is a must for anyone needing a quick inexpensive power fix, the fork rebuild was worth the time and effort. Now need to work on the rear suspension to match up with the front. Thanks for everyones advice, the difference has been worth the grief. Larry ( mid 70's, great riding weather) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 17:21:49 -0500 From: Bill Haycock Subject: (klr650) Question off the web page To the KLR650 LIST: The following came off the KLR650 Web Page - thought maybe someone could help Jim. Bill - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ mailto:jmcf@mindspring.com Name: Jim McFaden E-mail address: jmcf@mindspring.com Homepage URL: Comments: Several people have commented on a knocking noise in their KLR650. I just bought a 99 KLR and it makes the noise also. Sounds like a loose rod bearing. The dealer and the service rep in Santa Ana said this noise is normal as far as Kawasaki is concerned, and they won't do anything about it. Surprisingly, nobody knows where it comes from. If anybody figures it out please advise me. Jim Date: Sat Dec 26 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 19:16:38 EST From: VFR754@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Question off the web page Got a little cash for Christmas, so what better to do with it than buy a BIG FAT bash plate for my KLR. Question is.....Is the Moose bash plate still the best one to get? I know there are several available. Also, what about the Alloy Handguards? Anybody using anything other than Acerbis? I know Cycra, Answer, Moose, and Maier also make them a bit less expensive than Acerbis. Is a handguard....a handguard...a handguard, or is one brand better than another? Makin' my KLR tougher before spring, Bill Swindle A12 Montgomery, IL. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 19:18:34 EST From: VFR754@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Is the MOOSE still the one?? Got a little cash for Christmas, so what better to do with it than buy a BIG FAT bash plate for my KLR. Question is.....Is the Moose bash plate still the best one to get? I know there are several available. Also, what about the Alloy Handguards? Anybody using anything other than Acerbis? I know Cycra, Answer, Moose, and Maier also make them a bit less expensive than Acerbis. Is a handguard....a handguard...a handguard, or is one brand better than another? Makin' my KLR tougher before spring, Bill Swindle A12 Montgomery, IL. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 17:30:41 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: (klr650) KLR knocking... > Name: Jim McFaden > E-mail address: jmcf@mindspring.com > Homepage URL: > Comments: >Several people have commented on a knocking noise in their >KLR650. I just bought a 99 KLR and it makes the noise also. > Sounds like a loose rod bearing. The dealer and the >service rep in Santa Ana said this noise is normal as far as >Kawasaki is concerned, and they won't do anything about it. > Surprisingly, nobody knows where it comes from. If anybody >figures it out please advise me. > >Jim Jim, we've kicked this around a lot on the list and no one has walked away worried. Many of us find that the knocking goes away if you run a higher octane fuel. I have a non-stock exhaust, jet kit and ventilated airbox, I run 91 octane fuel and don't experience any of the knocking noise.... Kurt (please consider joining the list and sharing your experiences) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 17:27:43 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Question off the web page >Got a little cash for Christmas, so what better to do with it than buy a BIG >FAT bash plate for my KLR. Question is.....Is the Moose bash plate still the >best one to get? >I know there are several available. >Also, what about the Alloy Handguards? Anybody using anything other than >Acerbis? I know Cycra, Answer, Moose, and Maier also make them a bit less >expensive than Acerbis. Is a handguard....a handguard...a handguard, or is one >brand better than another? Bill, I can't remember anyone finding fault with bash plates or alloy hand guards. I found Moose bash plates to be the most reasonably priced. They have a curl around the water pump and a hole for oil drain. They require trimming an 11/4 inch off the rear if you run a DualStar Centerstand. They work fine with Tim Bernard's highway pegs. I also run the Moose alloy handguards and like them. Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 17:41:31 PST From: "Juan Villarreal" Subject: (klr650) No sympathy here... "I could use another 2+ inches..." Hey pal, you're preachin' to the choir... Juan Villarreal. '97 KLR "The Happy Hooligan" ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 21:02:12 -0500 From: Stuart Heaslet Subject: Re: (klr650) Is the MOOSE still the one?? Bill, The Moose bash plate has a nice big hole to change the oil, besides being heavy duty.. Stuart At 07:18 PM 12/26/98 -0500, VFR754@aol.com wrote: >Got a little cash for Christmas, so what better to do with it than buy a BIG >FAT bash plate for my KLR. Question is.....Is the Moose bash plate still the >best one to get? ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 20:43:00 -0700 From: "Fred Hink" Subject: Re: (klr650) Question off the web page - -----Original Message----- From: VFR754@aol.com To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Saturday, December 26, 1998 10:22 AM Subject: Re: (klr650) Question off the web page >Got a little cash for Christmas, so what better to do with it than buy a BIG >FAT bash plate for my KLR. Question is.....Is the Moose bash plate still the >best one to get? >I know there are several available. >Also, what about the Alloy Handguards? Anybody using anything other than >Acerbis? I know Cycra, Answer, Moose, and Maier also make them a bit less >expensive than Acerbis. Is a handguard....a handguard...a handguard, or is one >brand better than another? > >Makin' my KLR tougher before spring, > >Bill Swindle >A12 >Montgomery, IL. > > Bill, If you want tough, I would look at the Acerbis Rally "PRO" hand guards. They have the toughest mounting system that I have seen on any guards. They aren't cheap but they are strong and look good too. MSR makes a skid plate that looks similar to the Moose. The MSR is not quite as thick but still very heavy duty and has the drain hole and holes in the front for cooling. White Bros. has a tough skid plate with out the drain hole. The White Bros. sells for $13 more than the MSR. Fred ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Dec 98 21:01:10 PST From: "alyef@iname.com" Subject: (klr650) knocking noise Bill, I only get the noise when the engine is cold and right when I turn off = the engine. The last noise the engine makes is the "ka-chunk". I run 91 = Octane. Alex '97 KLR ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 23:32:47 -0600 From: Hungree Subject: Re: (klr650) Question off the web page Kurt Simpson wrote: ... They work fine with Tim Bernard's highway pegs. I've just ordered a set of these, but...does anyone have a picture of what they look like...? thanks hungree ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 00:51:32 EST From: Cloudhid@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Highway Pegs On 12/26/98, pzucht@cableregina.com wrote: snip >... They work fine with Tim Bernard's highway pegs. >I've just ordered a set of these, but...does anyone have a picture of >what they look like...? Bill does on the KLR site. http://www.geocities.com/~klrdsn/page34.html ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1998 23:44:55 -0800 From: Rich Kickbush Subject: Re: (klr650) K&N Filter Another lurker breaks the silence...Hi all, thanks for the great ideas and info; I'm just about to put the progressive springs in myself, and was going to cut the spacer down as per the website instructions, now Larry's got me thinking I may leave it complete. What do others who have installed this kit think? Half an inch doesn't seem like a lot to lose or gain (talking suspension still), and I don't have any ride height hassles at the moment, but I don't want to mess with progressive's design too much in terms of preload etc...to cut, or not to cut? Rich K (Still checkin' the headlight every time I stop...Look for YOUR BC licence on every 500gram Cornflakes packet!) Vancouver, BC LPetty4585@aol.com wrote: > Well finally caught to test the K&N filter and front end rebuild with > progressive springs today on my A5. Now can wheelie easily in 1st with no > clutch action, can force it in 2nd with ease. The local dealer made me a > backing plate for my license tag, which dissentegrated on the 1st hard run > thru the muck, so guess I will be relocating the license tag. Leaving the > front spacer at 5.5" worked out great gives me an extra 1/2 before hitting the > skid plate, makes a difference. The K&N filter is a must for anyone needing a > quick inexpensive power fix, the fork rebuild was worth the time and effort. > Now need to work on the rear suspension to match up with the front. Thanks > for everyones advice, the difference has been worth the grief. > Larry ( mid 70's, great riding weather) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 08:24:36 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) K&N Filter Welcome to the non-lurker world Rich, I cut mine per the specs and haven't had any regrets. The improvement is spectacular. No more extreme diving on braking! I'd recommend the SS brake lines as well. The two best improvements I've made to my KLR with the top-of-the-line rack the third. Let us know your impressions after you go for it... Kurt A12 Bountiful, UT ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 10:32:48 -0800 From: "=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Carlos_Y._Gonz=E1lez?=" Subject: Re: (klr650)Progressive springs - ---------- > From: Kurt Simpson > I cut mine per the specs and haven't had any regrets. The improvement is > spectacular. No more extreme diving on braking! > Kurt A12 I'm not totally sure about this, but I have a sneaking suspicion that not cutting the spacers (leaving too much preload) will compress the initial soft progressive effect out of the suspension, essentially making it linear like the stock springs. This is why I cut my spacers as well. Works pretty good, improved performance over little choppy bumps, and over big huge pits off-road (doesn't bottom out as easily). Carlos ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 13:11:17 EST From: LPetty4585@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Spacer length Yes leaving the spacer at the original length does preload the spring, but my contention is that we don't weigh the same, some of us offroad, some onroad all the time, I like the try it and ride it approach, then if you don't like the results, change it. I am leary of placing PVC in the fork as a spacer, don't know the effects of fork oil on PVC and would hate to gunk up the internals. Tried Red-line water wetter in my cooling system, seems to keep the temp better than the stock coolant. How is the biggun exhaust working out and do you need to order a exhaust gasket when changing to it. Out riding today in tshirts, not bad "eay" Carlos. Adios Larry ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 11:24:37 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: (klr650) Big Gun... How is the biggun exhaust working out >and do you need to order a exhaust gasket when changing to it. Out riding >today in tshirts, not bad "eay" Carlos. > >Adios >Larry Redondo posted a picture of it and it is gorgeous. Cameron claims it gave gobs of power with just the silencer. Ron was supposed to have his prototype done on Christmas eve, I begged him to do no "whoopin" and a "hollerin" until after Christmas...this for the sake of my children and my depleted pocketbook. My guess is that this exhaust system is going to be de rigueur for KLR aficionados. Kurt Bountiful, UT ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 12:17:33 -0800 From: Rob Gendreau Subject: Re: (klr650) Quick Jack; was Tool Kits Darrel wrote: >A Motion Pro Quick Jack is a handy dandy item to allow you to get either >wheel off the turf for removal. I've got one of these; very handy. But I haven't found a real stable way of getting the front wheel off the ground in a stable enough position to do much good. I've got a 98 KLR with a Moose skid plate. Any suggestions? Rob Rob Gendreau Oakland, California gendreau@ccnet.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Dec 98 18:01:53 PST From: "Marick Payton" Subject: (klr650) Quick Jack Rob, Drill a hold in the side of the Moose skid plate, towards the front, for the lift finger of the Motion Pro Quick Jack. Then, block the rear wheel, put the bike in gear and/or wedge the rear brake pedal to hold the bike still as you push it over and slide the Jack under. Works for me. Oh, of course you want to loosen the axle nuts before jacking the bike. Marick ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 27 Dec 1998 20:05:51 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) OIL LEAK - -----Original Message----- From: carol jackson To: KLR650@lists.xmission.com Date: Saturday, December 26, 1998 1:19 PM Subject: (klr650) OIL LEAK >MERRY CHRISTMAS FOLKS, > >Just picked up a '95 KLR w/18k and have very much appreciated >the site and the comments from you seasoned owners. A bit too >cold here in Colorado for much riding. The thing is in shape now >for a planned Spring trip except for one little thing. There >is an oil leak at the countershaft. Replaced the seal and went >for a ride thinking it under control. Wrong. The leak was still >there and looked to be comming down the splines. Replaced the >o ring on the countershaft and checked for dings in the spacer. >Another test ride and the leak is still present. > >Am I missing the obvious? There are not that many parts here >to cause a leak. Beginning to think that this is a symptom of >a problem elsewhere. Could this be from too much crankcase >psi? Blocked vent? The oil level is not too high and the >output bearing is tight. > >Anyone experienced this problem? > >Warren Warren, I found this while browsing the archives, hope it doesn't prove to be the case for you. Another lister suggested that it was excessive chain lube seeping out... Kurt ________________________________ Date: Tue, 11 Aug 1998 09:29:23 -0400 From: "Hamilton, Peter F" Subject: RE: (klr650) Front Sprocket Question. > A couple of weeks ago I put on a set of Sun Star Sprockets and an X-Ring > Chain. Well I noticed that after the replacement that the bike had been > geared down a tad. I took off the front sprocket cover and noticed a > trail > of oil coming from the Shaft coming out of the engine. I had mounted the > front sprocket with the flat side facing the engine, and the side with the > lip pointing outward. Any ideas about the oil leak? What caused it? > Also > it should be noted that the previous sprocket was a Sun Star #359. The > new > one is a #359 but when compared to one another, the new one is smaller! > Well, tonight I decided to go back to the old sprocket. This time I > mounted > the lip side toward the engine. Is this right? It rides like it used > too, > but I'm worried about that oil leak. Please help. > Sounds like you blew a countershaft seal -- the countershaft being the splined shaft coming out of the engine. My guess is what happened is that you incorrectly adjusted chain slack when you installed the new sprockets. Because of the long-travel suspension, the KLR needs lots more slack than a street bike. Without proper slack, the chain will over-tighten during compression and put a ton of lateral force on the countershaft. In extreme cases, the countershaft will bend, necessitating costly engine repairs (the cases must be split and the entire engine must come apart). Hopefully this didn't happen to you. I suggest this 'cause I did it. Luckily, mine was just the blown seal (though during repairs I noticed that the countershaft spline was stripped, screwing me anyway... but that's another story). Anyway, the seal can be replaced without disassembly reasonably cheaply (~$100 if I remember correctly). Does this sound right, everyone? - - --Pete > > > > > > > > >______________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com > > ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V1 #429 ****************************