From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #1636 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Friday, March 24 2000 Volume 02 : Number 1636 Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...Stuart Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...engines... Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Conall Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...Kurt Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Conall Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Dana Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE.. Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Tom (klr650) lurking with Elden Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Tom Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Tom ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 21:54:45 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...Stuart Elden, I don't recall you saying much about the KLX650, any thoughts? There are still plenty of them kicking around... Kurt Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 or klr650-digest. Let's keep this List SPAM free. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 20:56:15 -0800 From: "Robert Morgan" Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...engines... Kurt this is huge question and Morgan is typing as fast as two fingers will go. I'll make you a deal, next time we are on the air I will have an answer for this question in more detail. For now the new engines are much better but heavier, and the new valve adjustment procedure more time consuming. I am building my "Dream Engines" now....one dirt and one street. The engines will be identical except for the gearboxes. The dirt model will have a 93 gearbox with the easy to change counter sprocket. The street model will have the new slick 4 dog gear box with 72 pound torqued on counter sprocket. Both engines will have pre 96 valve cover setup, crankshaft (lighter). They will have post 96 clutch and balancer mechanism setups. Elden - ----- Original Message ----- From: Kurt Simpson To: Robert Morgan ; Ronald Wells ; Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 8:28 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...engines... > Elden, you've sometimes mentioned that there were subtle differences in the > various years. I notice you seem to drive pre-96 models....what exactly are > the changes in the models over the years? > > Kurt > > Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 or klr650-digest. Let's keep this List SPAM free. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 20:59:43 -0800 From: "Robert Morgan" Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Conall Conall, assuming your engine case is black, just order a 96 sprocket cover. It should come slotted. No down side and beside the visibility you describe it is also lighter and noisier. Elden - ----- Original Message ----- From: Conall O'Brien To: Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 7:58 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...ELDEN IS IN THE HOUSE > > > > >From: "Robert Morgan" > >Reply-To: "Robert Morgan" > >To: , > >Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...ELDEN IS IN THE HOUSE > >Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 19:07:26 -0800 > >> > > > Elden, > In the Dec. 99 issue of Dual Sport News there is a closeup picture of your > KLR with a slotted countershaft sprocket cover. > Where did you get this? Looks like you may have cut it out yourself. I like > the fact that you can visually inspect the area without removing the cover. > Have you found any drawbacks to having a slotted CS sprocket cover( such as > dirt and debris getting jammed up in there). > Thanks, > > Conall > ______________________________________________________ > Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com > > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net > To subscribe/unsubscribe send message > to majordomo@lists.xmission.com > leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: > subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 or klr650-digest. > Let's keep this List SPAM free. > Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 or klr650-digest. Let's keep this List SPAM free. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 21:04:38 -0800 From: "Robert Morgan" Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...Kurt The KLX 650 was a big disappointment. A narrow seat, small gas tank, upside down forks with no cartridge, and a poor rear shock does not make a good dual sport bike. Especially when it was only one pound lighter than the KLR, according to Kawasaki's literature. Parts may be hard to get in few years. Elden - ----- Original Message ----- From: Kurt Simpson To: Robert Morgan ; Stuart Heaslet ; Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 8:54 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...Stuart > Elden, I don't recall you saying much about the KLX650, any thoughts? There > are still plenty of them kicking around... > > Kurt > > Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 or klr650-digest. Let's keep this List SPAM free. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 23:24:00 -0600 From: "Tom Meagher" Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Conall Hi Elden, Just dropping in, haven't caught up on the show to this point, so excuse me if I'm breaking in, but here's my question: Last summer, in Canada, I met a pair of Germans on Honda Dominator NX650's. They had ridden from Tierra Del Fuego to Anchorage, and were on their way to Florida and then back home. One of the Germans was an older gentleman, in his 60's, and owns a bike shop in Dusseldorf, his name is Dieter Rossig. Great guy. I asked his opinion on the KLR 650, and he just shook his head, and tapped on the crankcase, making a bad sound. (English was not one of his strengths). Anyway, he was of the opinion that KLR's ridden on the Autobahn at continuous full throttle had a very short service life before the engine blew up. He said Hondas never did this, and that was why he had chosen them. Interestingly, he said the worst dual-sport of all was the Suzuki DR650, which he had tried for a few months, but abandoned due it's inability to take punishment. Finally, the question is: Is Dieter full of studel in your opinion? Would a properly maintained KLR take the autobahn and run with the Hondas? Thanks! Tom Meagher Houston TX A13, 20K Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 or klr650-digest. Let's keep this List SPAM free. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 21:27:07 -0800 From: "Robert Morgan" Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Dana Dana, inside the both balancer sprockets are springs and pins which wear rapidly and in one engine I found the balancer had disconnected and was no longer driving the water pump. I simply designed a part that is similar to a washer with gear dogs which plugs into the sprocket making it like one solid piece. Honda did a similar thing to the CB400T in 1980, due to having problems with their cush drive balancers. Cush drive is not necessary. My engineer friend tells me that my part is many times stronger than the stock unit. I have a few sets made up , they are availible for $50 a pair. These are most easily installed when servicing the balancer chain. I tested the first set for 28 thousand and they looked like new when I inspected them. I can't believe the factory didn't make the balancer sprockets solid when they redesigned the engine in '96. Elden - ----- Original Message ----- From: Dana Cilley To: Robert Morgan ; Ronald Wells ; Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 9:10 PM Subject: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Ron > > Elden, > What was the sneak preview part that was shown in Decembers DSN that you > made, eliminating 8 moving pieces? > and... can we buy it? > > > Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 or klr650-digest. Let's keep this List SPAM free. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 23:40:41 -0600 From: "Tom Meagher" Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE.. Elden, Did you see Mister T's post about the KLR family tree of gearing? Would a KLR650B 1st fit in a A series bike? Tom Meagher Houston TX > Ratio KLR600B KLR650A KLR650C > 1st 2.437(39/16) 2.266(34/15) 2.266(34/15) > 2nd 1.529(26/17) 1.529(26/17) 1.444(26/18) > 3rd 1.181(26/22) 1.181(26/22) 1.136(25/22) > 4th 0.954(21/22) 0.954(21/22) 0.954(21/22) > 5th 0.791(19/24) 0.791(19/24) 0.791(19/24) > The table suggests that a 600B 1st gear could be used in a 650 to give > it a slightly lower ratio. This actually is really intersting! If the KLR600B first gears fit, then this would give a 7.55% lower first gear. Note that this is better than you get from going to a 14 tooth front sprocket, which only gives you 7.14%. This means you could use a 16 tooth front sprocket (6.67% taller), with the 39/16 first gear, and get the best of both worlds (first would still be lower than stock). Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 or klr650-digest. Let's keep this List SPAM free. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 21:37:51 -0800 From: "Robert Morgan" Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Tom I have over 130 thousand miles on KLR's and have never had an engine failure. A properly maintained KLR 650 should go 60k plus without any major engine work at sustained cruising speeds of 80 mph with stock gearing. The reciprocating mass in the KLR is substantial, perhaps very long runs at wide open throttle would do damage, however I don't make a practice of this. If the NX650 engine is the air cooled engine I'm thinking of, good luck to our German friend on the autobahn! At WOT in August he won't make many trips to town. Elden - ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Meagher To: Robert Morgan ; Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 9:24 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Conall > Hi Elden, > Just dropping in, haven't caught up on the show to this point, so excuse me > if I'm breaking in, but here's my question: > > Last summer, in Canada, I met a pair of Germans on Honda Dominator NX650's. > They had ridden from Tierra Del Fuego to Anchorage, and were on their way to > Florida and then back home. > > One of the Germans was an older gentleman, in his 60's, and owns a bike shop > in Dusseldorf, his name is Dieter Rossig. Great guy. I asked his opinion > on the KLR 650, and he just shook his head, and tapped on the crankcase, > making a bad sound. (English was not one of his strengths). > > Anyway, he was of the opinion that KLR's ridden on the Autobahn at > continuous full throttle had a very short service life before the engine > blew up. He said Hondas never did this, and that was why he had chosen > them. Interestingly, he said the worst dual-sport of all was the Suzuki > DR650, which he had tried for a few months, but abandoned due it's inability > to take punishment. > > Finally, the question is: Is Dieter full of studel in your opinion? Would > a properly maintained KLR take the autobahn and run with the Hondas? > > Thanks! > Tom Meagher > Houston TX > A13, 20K > > > Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 or klr650-digest. Let's keep this List SPAM free. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 21:54:19 -0800 From: "Sarah Barwig" Subject: (klr650) lurking with Elden Hey, I've been lurking, and I don't actually have a question, but I've loved watching this. Thanks to Morgan for typing and thanks to Elden for answering all that got thrown at him and thanks to those that actually had questions. Made it that much more fun to be working tonight. :) - ---o&>o--- Sarah Barwig sarah@labiker.com Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 or klr650-digest. Let's keep this List SPAM free. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 23:57:39 -0600 From: "Tom Meagher" Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Tom > I have over 130 thousand miles on KLR's and have never had an engine > failure. A properly maintained KLR 650 should go 60k plus without any major > engine work at sustained cruising speeds of 80 mph with stock gearing. The > reciprocating mass in the KLR is substantial, perhaps very long runs at wide > open throttle would do damage, however I don't make a practice of this. If > the NX650 engine is the air cooled engine I'm thinking of, good luck to our > German friend on the autobahn! At WOT in August he won't make many trips to > town. > Elden Yup, that's the motor. They had 38,000 Kilometes on the bikes so far in the trip with zero mechanical problems. I met them on the side of the road because the master link on the chain on his bike had busted (he had spares in his kit, and it didn't damage his crankcase too bad). We rode together for a while, and I had to struggle like hell to keep up with them. Man, they were scary on passing stuff, they just went around traffic. Gulp. That's another question: What about endless vs. master-link chains? Preferences? Another one: I recently replaced just my front sprocket after 18.5K, leaving the OEM chain and rear sprocket, which were in good shape. Am I naughty? Will I be punished? I have since ripped off my Scottoiler, and am now in WD40 mode. I plan on doing new chain and sprockets soon. Thanks! Tom Meagher Houston TX Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 or klr650-digest. Let's keep this List SPAM free. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 22:00:26 -0800 From: "billmonahan" Subject: Re: (klr650) THE ELDEN CARL SHOW...LIVE...Tom > I have over 130 thousand miles on KLR's and have never had an engine > failure. A properly maintained KLR 650 should go 60k plus without any major > engine work at sustained cruising speeds of 80 mph with stock gearing. The > reciprocating mass in the KLR is substantial, perhaps very long runs at wide > open throttle would do damage, however I don't make a practice of this. If > the NX650 engine is the air cooled engine I'm thinking of, good luck to our > German friend on the autobahn! At WOT in August he won't make many trips to > town. > Elden Lurking here, and enjoying the Elden Carl Show....can we have this more often? Thanks...it's great. Also, as I have owned both the NX650 and the KLR I have to agree with Mr. Carl's estimate of the air-cooled Honda motor...it's a great low-end torque monster, and a wheelie machine, but wide open in the long distance is not where it wishes to spend its operating life. All you have to do is listen to the motors.....the KLR loves to do eighty all day long, the NX loves to do about 60 all day long. I really think that the KLR seems a whole lot tougher and more comfortable. It's a better bike. Visit the KLR650 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@softhome.net To subscribe/unsubscribe send message to majordomo@lists.xmission.com leave subject blank. In the body of the message type: subscribe/unsubscribe klr650 or klr650-digest. Let's keep this List SPAM free. ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #1636 *****************************