From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #129 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Sunday, March 14 1999 Volume 02 : Number 129 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 09:18:37 +1000 From: Ted Palmer Subject: Re: (klr650) Oil Leak @ Balancer Plug LPetty4585@aol.com wrote: > Sorry for the location, but my wife hide my service manuals, know that I found > them again it is indeed the balancer plug where my leak is, is their a seal > that would cause the leak and has anybody changed that seal before, easy job > or all nighter, any help would be greatly appreciated. Easy job. Take out the balancer plug and you will see a small bolt. This bolt locks the balancer chain adjuster in place. When you take out the bolt, there is a very small O-ring on it which seals against the hole in the case. The best time to remove the bolt is when you do an oil change. That way, the oil comes out of the proper drain hole instead of the balancer adjuster bolt hole. Mister_T ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 17:57:06 EST From: AGSholar@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR650 road test questions, etc... << 1.) Windshield: "Clearview +10" Is this the best? I have a +10" Clearview but was not satisfied with its level of protection (though it is better than the stock windscreen). I switched to a Slipstreamer model CF-50 handlebar mount windshield and cut it 5'' from the bottom with a jigsaw so that I could see over it while seated. By cutting from the bottom, I was able to keep the "flip" at the top of the windshield. This setup is rigid and offers better protection than the CLearview. It cost approximately $60. 3.) Seat: The Russell Day-Long would be nice, but doesn't it interfere with the all important "standing on the pegs" riding mode? >> I bought a Russell seat last September and consider it to be my best modification to the bike. It is very comfortable. You can stand straight up on the pegs without problem, but you cannot slide back that far without your thighs hitting the seat bolsters. Greg, A2 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 18:00:34 EST From: AGSholar@aol.com Subject: (klr650) Tire pressure for Avon AM24 Gripsters I have purchased AM24 Gripsters, front and rear, and was curious what tire pressure anyone could recommend for street use. Rider and luggage weight is about 200 lb. total. Thanks. Greg, A2 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 18:12:13 -0500 From: "Peter Dahlheimer, MD" Subject: (klr650) Tom's KLR questions tom: i've got about 25k miles, including one 6-day, 3500+ mile trip. brakes: yeah, they're a bit squishy, but i've never run into anything from behind... they work well enough. starter: never had a problem, unless the battery was dead (which did happen once, standing in traffic for 5-10 minutes with electric gloves, vest and chaps on. tranny: never once had it shift into neutral when i didn't want it to. i'd venture to say the guy riding it probably was used to an auto tranny (8^)) or some other bike with a real soft shifter. windshield: i VERY much prefer an el-cheapo bar-mounted shield i found for $50. highway pegs: don't leave home without them. seat: i have a travelcade and like it alot. however, i must say the stock seat is not bad at all. i would consider russell for long-distance pursuits. bash plate: the stock one will crack if you test it. luggage: Ortleib Dry Bags are by far the greatest soft bags i have ever seen. incredibly water proof and durable. center stand: no, not necessary. _pete 97klr650 76gl1000 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 19:05:17 -0500 From: "bob kaub" Subject: (klr650) Ushuaia One of our listers, Andres Carlstein, is leaving in a few days - on his trusty KLR650 - for Ushuaia, Argentina. I visited him today in Binghamton, NY and he's pretty much ready to go. The bike looks good. It has Progressive fork springs and shock absorber, Russell stainless brake lines (yes, the front one is covered in clear plastic), and a truly impressive GIVI three bag (top and two side) setup on Givi top and side racks. The Givi side racks are very well done. He's got some neat Aerostich bags as well, all stuffed full of, well, stuff! As you can imagine. All he really needs now is a laptop computer. Andres' phone number is 607-748-0132 if you want to call and wish him well. If you can't call, think kind thoughts. Thanks. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 19:13:11 EST From: Hops28@aol.com Subject: (klr650) exhaust/jet kits I am in the market for an exhaust and jet kit for my 98 model. I have pretty much made up my mind to buy the exhaust from Big Gun but I am curous as to what you all think of the different jet kits available. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 19:19:49 EST From: VFR754@aol.com Subject: Re: (klr650) Tom's KLR questions Welcome to the LIST Tom! As for your KLR Questions, many have answered, but I'll add a few things also: Transmission: I've never had any problem with my 98'. No false neutrals or anything. I think the transmission is pretty smooth. not as smooth as a newer Honda sportbike, but pretty smooth. My dad's R1100RT is way clunkier shifting than the KLR. Brakes: Just don't follow a car too closely. They are not good in a panic stop situation. I wasn't paying close enough attention one time last year, had to panic stop and the bike wouldn't stop in time. I went onto the side of the road; but hey, that is something we can do on our KLR's without crashing :) That wasn't the bike's fault though, but my VFR would've stopped much more quickly. Bash Plate - Just spend the $60 or so right away and order a Moose or MSR or White Brothers Bash plate. That way you won't worry about it if you decide to follow a trail somewhere. I broke my bash plate on a hidden stump riding in a field last year. 1/3 of it just broke right off! I love the Moose, and for my kinda of riding, it gives me mucho peace of mind. Putting a hole in your cases would cost a lot more than a good bash plate, and in the last year, we have heard of a few people who have holed their cases. I repeat....Get a good Bash Plate if you plan on riding off-road, or on gravel at all. Starter: No problems at all. After the jet kit install, the bike starts even better, but it started just fine before! . Shield: I use the tallest Rifle shield, but it wobbles and vibrates some. Hit my head on it one day riding a wheelie, and jumping on a dirt track. Good for cold weather. Now I take it off unless it's 40 degrees or below out. I'm probably gonna buy a handlebar mount for road trips. Seat: I've still got the stock one, cuz I can ride for 6 hours at a time fairly comfortably on it. Might put something else on if I come across one, but on the newer KLR's, it may not be necessary for you. Apparently, the newer KLR's have better seat foam than older models. Handguards: The stock ones are fine if you don't ride in tight tree-laiden areas. I put on the Moose aluminum handguards w/spoilers, to protect my levers from trees or falls. I ride in the dirt as much as possible :) Fork Springs: Get the Progressives. Again about $60, and they improve the front end dramatically in most situations. Front end is very mushy stock, and will bottom out if you ride the KLR even a little agressive off road. Glad to have you on the LIST, FWIW, Bill Swindle A12 "Moose" Montgomery, IL. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 17:55:17 -0700 From: Bogdan Swider Subject: RE: (klr650) Windshield bracing/Saeng My experience was different with the same shield. First one broke after about 2 or 3k. The owner of Clearview (Nice guy; his shop is 50 miles from here.) replaced & personally installed it for free. The second one lasted 1 or 2k. I gave up. I travel through a lot of high wind areas + I go faster than some. In my opinion the shield needs a brace for 2 reasons. The first, obviously, is to keep it in one piece. The second is to push it forward thus making it higher. This would result in real wind protection & decrease turbulence, which is awful. I was thinking of having one built, but as often as I drop this bike it wouldn't last long. Bogdan I have run the clearview +9 for a season and have experienced high winds, but not problems what so ever...mind you its just one big piece of polycarbonate so I guess its pretty bombproof. I'd buy another in a second. Cheers, Vik ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 18:29:20 From: Guy Cheney Subject: (klr650) NKLR MREs/Survival food Oh Listers, I live on the east side of the San Francisco Bay, right smack on top of the Hayward Fault. (The San Andreas is better known, but the experts say that when the Hayward finally slips the result could easily be a 7+ "seismic event.") I'm putting together an earthquake preparedness/Y2K/the Russians-are-down-but-not-out-and-what-about-those Chinese-communists/general paranoia kit together and could use a little advice. I've already got the shotgun, shells, and a case of whiskey but my major question regards food. I tried my first MRE today and it seems like a good system - much more palatable than the K rations I ate in the service, low water requirement, and self heating to boot. Cheap (under $5 apiece if you buy a case) and with an incredible shelf life, it seems like the hot ticket (as long as it doesn't make me constipated for 3 days like the K rations used to). I checked out the camping food at the local REI (boutique d'outdoors) and it seemed pretty spendy plus it required more water and a heating system. Sooo... can any of you camper/survivalist types out there suggest a good alternative to the MRE or is this the way to go? Thanks for your input, Guy Cheney ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 20:08:52 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) exhaust/jet kits >I am in the market for an exhaust and jet kit for my 98 model. I have pretty >much made up my mind to buy the exhaust from Big Gun but I am curous as to >what you all think of the different jet kits available. The only kits I've heard of are the K & N and DynoJet and as far as I can tell they are the same...made by Dynojet... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 20:11:21 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Oil Leak (repost - no response yet!) >the general concensus is - should I be worried? Here's the pertinent data: > >A12 8500 mi. >Mobil 1 15w50 every 3000 mi with new filter >filled to top of sight glass >never down, never opened the case (just getting psyched for valve >check/adjust) Mike, the only thing I can see is that you're running your oil 10 ounces low all the time...(g)...isn't it time we hit this one again... Kurt (feeling a little mischievous) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 20:18:16 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: (klr650) Fw: BC Canyons Rally '99 - -----Original Message----- From: Gerald Schwartz (by way of Ged Schwartz ) To: BMW -GS motorcycles mailing list Date: Saturday, March 13, 1999 12:18 AM Subject: BC Canyons Rally '99 >GSer's, > >I posted this a few months back and wish to make one final post...if you >are already a confirmed registrant or have no interest in a British >Columbia dual purpose ride in late July, please hit your trash icon ... >thanks for the patience: > >BC CANYONS RALLY 99 > >>This is an invitation for adventure riders: > >While riding with a gang of 50 other GSers ( a few 650's and one guy on his >new Triumph street rocket...[he said he left the GS at home]) last summer >for three days of Idaho backroads on the way to the Missoula National (big >thanks to Mike from Boise), I decided it would be a lot of fun to share >some of British Columbia's best riding with those interested in backroading. > >>Here is the concept: This rally will be limited to a maximum of 20 riders >who want to participate in a 3-5 day ride through a variety of canyons, >forest service roads, some primo paved sections, and some "on your pegs" >terrain. Each rider should have intermediate riding skills, be able to read >good maps (a compass may help sometimes), be "self-reliant" and adventurous, >choose to either camp or rent accommodations (each evening will offer dinner >and the choice of camping or renting accommodation at local inns), and be >ready to ride along river canyons, desert (we have cactus in BC as well as >snow, eh!), 4-wheel roads, mountain passes, and most excellent scenery. >> >>The dates for the rally are from July 26 - 30th, 1999 (full moon on the >28th). The rally will convene in Kamloops, BC on the evening of July 25th >for socializing and discussing the tour's outline. Each day will offer 150 - >300 kms of riding and end with supper being provided. Each day's ride has >optional pavement routes or good gravel roads as alternate routes for those >who wish to vary their riding. >> >>Those who register for the rally will receive the following: >> * Rally itinerary; >> * EXCELLENT maps with routes highlighted and pertinent detailed >guide notes; >> * accommodation information so participants can reserve their own >> lodging should they choose not to camp; >> * locations for gas along route to be identified; >> * suppers will be provided each night; >> * breakfast (coffee, fruit,and muffins) will be provided each >morning; >> * campsite costs are covered for tenters; >> * probably some other crap also included. >> * recommended "approach routes" for riders from out-of-province >> so you can check out stupendous riding to and from this rally. >> > ** Fantastic maps are being provided with the gracious generosity of >MUSSIO VENTURES LTD...publishers of BC's BEST backroad map books. ** > >>This project is intended to be a cost-recovery project and IS NOT a >commercial tour... we organize the basics so you can enjoy the ride and >know that showers, campsights and supper are waiting at the end of your >day's ride. >> >>The cost will be $150 Canadian (about $100 US), eh? >> >>The route travels west from Kamloops, through old Hudson Bay trade routes >and Caribou Gold Rush trails, and will travel primarily by gravel and dirt >roads (some pavement is necessary for small stretches) through the towns of > >Cache Creek, Spences Bridge, Pavillion, Clinton, Bralorne, and Lilooet >(these are the major gas stops). The 3-day ride will leave riders a few >hours from Pemberton/Whistler (North America's top ski resort [w/glacier >skiing in July]), and the 5-day ride brings riders either back to Kamloops >or with the option to go to Vancouver or the Okanagan Valley. > >This ride offers some of BC's best riding in terms of some good paved sport >sections, and a lot of off-slab roads. An alternate route which is >primarily paved for those who don't want the gravel/dirt components will be >marked out on the maps ....this alternate route ends up at the same >location each evening as the dirt riders ... the third night will be at >Tyax Lodge and will require about 1-2 hours riding on GOOD gravel road from >Lillooet...and the same to ride out the next day...either to Pemberton or >back to Lillooet by gravel. > >You don't need to be Helge Pederson to join the alternate route (but he can >come for free if he wants!) > >>We are floating this invitation out to you so you can consider next >summer's riding plans now. More basic information can be obtained from me >(Ged Schwartz) at "gsmswrsw@wkpowerlink.com" Registration packages (maps, >etc) will be mailed to interested parties who e-mail their addresses > >There are some vacancies remaining...so far the long distance award goes to >*** from Arkansas...unless Erwin makes it across the Bering Straights on >his Russian route from Germany. > >Registration cut-off date is May 31. > >Thanks for letting me clutter up the list with this post. > >Ged Schwartz >Kamloops, BC >(250) 372-0550 >81-80GS >96 1100GSABS > > > > > ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Mar 1999 22:20:51 -0500 From: "Stephen Rivett" Subject: Re: (klr650) Oil Leak (repost - no response yet!) I'd like to get to the bottom of this one too. How much oil does the manual tell you to put in and how much does it take to put the level to the top of the eye glass? As for the oil leak, here's my method. Wash you engine case with gasoline and then cut open a tube of bathroom silicone (cheaper than mechanics variety and works just as well). Now put a nice layer of the stuff on anything that contains oil, this is the only reason my CR250 is still usable. Stephen Rivett - -----Original Message----- From: Kurt Simpson To: Mike Magier ; KLR650 List Date: March 14, 1999 10:11 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) Oil Leak (repost - no response yet!) >Mike, the only thing I can see is that you're running your oil 10 ounces low all the >time...(g)...isn't it time we hit this one again... > >Kurt (feeling a little mischievous) ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #129 ****************************