From: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com (klr650-digest) To: klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: klr650-digest V2 #172 Reply-To: klr650 Sender: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-klr650-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk klr650-digest Tuesday, March 23 1999 Volume 02 : Number 172 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 22 Mar 1999 23:10:28 -0700 From: "Skip Faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR - Shoei helmet info >Shoei has a new model called the Syncrotech, another flip-top lid like the >Nolan N100. They are shown at www.motodepot.com and www.accwhse.com > > That`s the revised model of the Duotech. Same flip mechanism. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Mar 1999 23:15:48 -0700 From: "Skip Faulkner" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Pannier Info List, a while back, someone posted a website that had several brands and comparisons of aluminum panniers. I`ve lost it or deleted it and would appreciate it if someone let me know what it was. Thanks. Skip ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 00:20:00 -0800 From: "=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Carlos_Y._Gonz=E1lez?=" Subject: Re: (klr650) Chicago area - ---------- > From: Ztib@aol.com > To: klr650@lists.xmission.com > Subject: (klr650) Chicago area > Date: Monday, March 22, 1999 7:20 PM > > Is it time for another Chicago area KLR breakfast? > How about all of us meeting at the Highland House on a Sunday AM. > Any other proposals? I'm definately up for it when the whether gets a little more stable. Winter has made me weak and I don't think I could enjoy an early morning ride down from Milwaukee in 30 degree weather like I could last fall. Alex, Bill, Ken, any other new list members in the area, hows about it? Should we start planning? I was also thinking about doing a little get together north of the border in WI. I lean towards street riding, and I have found some pretty sweet twisty, bumpy roads over last few years starting near the Whitewater area (40 min west of Milw.), ending at the Holy Hill area 30 min north of Milwaukee. I've kind of weaved these roads together into an about a two hour tour of the countryside. Of course there are sections of straight roads, but they are mostly scenic and they are necessary to get to the next set of good roads. The KLR is the perfect weapon for most of these roads. Anyway, I don't know if any of you are up to a long ride up from Chicago, a FUN, long, hard ride in the countryside, and a long ride down, but I thought I'd bring it up. It is definately a whole day activity though if you're coming from Chicago, so I would have to find some restaraunts along the way. Do you guys think this is doable? Actually, if any of you guys are ever in the area, send me a post and we'll meet to do the ride. But, as always, it would be cooler if we got a group of us, so talk to your friends (KLR or not). Carlos (so damn ready to start riding, it hurts) A5 21,700mi ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Mar 1999 22:33:55 -0800 From: Mike Magier Subject: Re: (klr650) Alternative storage I haven't physically compressed the forks fully, but my trusty eyeball tells me there is more than adequate clearance. I think a 6" tube (as someone else suggested) would be cutting it dangerously close. Mike Magier (if I have 2 bikes, does that mean I get to ride twice as often?) - ---------- > From: Jeffrey Doyle > Subject: Re: (klr650) Alternative storage > Date: Mon, 22 Mar 1999 21:58:27 +0000 >see if there are any other configurations. One thought that did cross >my mind though is if the front wheel gets fully compressed will there >still be enough clearance between the tire and the frame mounted tube. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Mar 1999 23:35:42 -0800 From: "Vik Banerjee" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Pannier Info Skip, Try here: http://privat.schlund.de/c/carlo/panniers.htm I have built my three in one sidebox/top box combo and am having it powder coated as we speak. It looks awesome and big! I'll post some pics by this weekend. If you look on the above link at the Roemer box I have basically built a KLR specific replica, with a few tasty modifications. Cheers, Vik - -----Original Message----- From: Skip Faulkner To: KLR650 Page Date: Monday, March 22, 1999 10:21 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Pannier Info >List, a while back, someone posted a website that had several brands and >comparisons of aluminum panniers. I`ve lost it or deleted it and would >appreciate it if someone let me know what it was. Thanks. > >Skip > > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Mar 1999 23:24:44 -0800 From: "Vik Banerjee" Subject: Re: (klr650) Maintenance & Warranty Arne, My '98 Canadian owners manual states that a Kawi Dealer or someone equally competent can carry out the maint under warranty and suggest keeping records of any maint done.. Cheers, Vik - -----Original Message----- From: Arne Larsen To: Cloudhid@aol.com ; klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Monday, March 22, 1999 6:43 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) Maintenance & Warranty >I guess they've made some changes then as my owners manual doesn't contain >any of that. The supplement very clearly states "must", not "should". >There is similar wording in the warranty supplement but they have removed >the "OR someone equally competent..." section. > >Arne - "only in Canada eh? Pity..." > >-----Original Message----- >From: Cloudhid@aol.com >To: klr650@lists.xmission.com >Cc: alarsen@rapidnet.net >Date: Monday, March 22, 1999 11:39 AM >Subject: (klr650) Maintenance & Warranty > > >>On 3/22/99, alarsen@rapidnet.net writes: snip >> >>>"Kawasaki Owner's Guide" specifically states the following: >>>1. The owner must deliver, at his expense, the complete product to an >>>authorized Kawasaki dealer for all periodic maintenance services >> >> >> Arne this is reprinted from the warranty that came with my A10: >>_____________ >> "3. Owner's Obligations. (a) Owner must deliver the >> motocycle to an authorized Kawasaki motorcycle dealer >> *OR* equally qualified service facility for inspection, >> maintenance services and adjustments. >>--------------- >> And this from the A10 owner's manual, page 3: >>_____________ >> "You should keep a maintenance record for your motorcycle. To >> assist you in keeping this record, we have provided space on p. >> 110 through 113 of this manual where an authorized Kawasaki >> Dealer, *OR* someone equally competent, can record the >> maintenance. You should also retain copies of maintenance >> work orders, bills, etc., as verification of this maintenance." >>---------------- >> >> It only says that you SHOULD, not that you MUST keep records. >> Records might help prove your case in court, but proving that >> we are 'equally competent' compared to that burned out, acid >> casualty that the dealer generously calls a mechanic, now >> that may be hard to do... >> >> Redondo Ron (wearing his oppositional disorder for all the world to see;) > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 00:09:43 -0800 From: Christopher J Beasley Subject: (klr650) Valve Adjustment & Kick starter. folks, I just got my bike running this weekend after a total overhaul of the engine top-end. Let me tell ya, it's not as easy as it could be! But, it can be done by an average backyard mechanic if he takes his time. I now have two remaining questions, and yea I have read the FAQs. 1) how to measure the valve clearances with feeler guages. First, I have english guages that go in thousandth increments. They have the metric conversions on but this means that they seem kind of "coarse" in the metric sizes. is this OK? Will one thousandth be enough "resolution"? 1a) Ok, maybe there are three questions! Where to put the feeler guage? (no wisecracks!) If I put the feeler guages under one side of the cam, there's more clearance than under the other side of the same cam. This seems to imply that the cam surfaces at TDC are not parallel to the shim surfaces. It also makes it hard to decide what the actual clearance is. I am having trouble deciding if the tightest spot is the right place or measure, or somewhere else. 2) finally, has anyone installed the kick starter kit? is it hard to do? The instructions that came with it SUCK! Do I need any special tools? I guess I'd like to pull the clutch hub while I'm in there and do the back spring inspection recommended by Eldon and others. I'm really psyched to go riding, and train for the Reno200 and Moab but I'm afraid to burn all those nice new valves if I am not right on spec. As it is, I buttoned it up temporarily and went out and rode 1 mile. It's sure running well! I just want to make sure it stays that way. Thanks! Cheers! Chris ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 00:37:26 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) carb modifications - -----Original Message----- From: Fred Hink To: Mike Ratta ; 'KLR650' Date: Monday, March 22, 1999 12:18 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) opinions on big gun pipe and FCR41 carb >I can get you a Mikuni flat slide carb kit for the KLR. I put one on my >XR600 and it makes a big difference in the mid to top end. Since the XR >didn't have a CV carb to begin with, the improvement on a KLR would be HUGH! At the risk of exposing my ignorance with carburation (I do know that it serves to mix the air and gas, atomize it, and send it to the intake), but as for CV, Flat Slide, (?) you're losing me. What (and how) does the Mikuni kit improve the stock carburator performance? If all the info is in the archives, you can respond off-list so as not to burden the band-width. Thanks, Arne ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 01:37:30 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Valve Adjustment & Kick starter. |folks, |I just got my bike running this weekend after a total overhaul of the engine |top-end. |Let me tell ya, it's not as easy as it could be! But, it can be done by an |average backyard mechanic if he takes his time. This would be worthy of some detailed posts Chris...did you change the balancer chains and sprockets? | |I now have two remaining questions, and yea I have read the FAQs. | |1) how to measure the valve clearances with feeler guages. First, I have |english guages that go in thousandth increments. They have the metric |conversions on but this means that they seem kind of "coarse" in the metric |sizes. is this OK? Will one thousandth be enough "resolution"? Not a problem because the shims come in .002" increments anyway..use shimcalc and it is easier... | |1a) Ok, maybe there are three questions! Where to put the feeler guage? (no |wisecracks!) If I put the feeler guages under one side of the cam, there's more |clearance than under the other side of the same cam. This seems to imply that |the cam surfaces at TDC are not parallel to the shim surfaces. It also makes it |hard to decide what the actual clearance is. I am having trouble deciding if |the tightest spot is the right place or measure, or somewhere else. I check mine from the inside to the outside...I use go-no-go gauges... | |2) finally, has anyone installed the kick starter kit? is it hard to do? The |instructions that came with it SUCK! Do I need any special tools? I guess I'd |like to pull the clutch hub while I'm in there and do the back spring inspection |recommended by Eldon and others. No one has reported installing the kit thus far...good idea to pull the clutch...why not upgrade it while you are in there... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 01:39:21 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Weight? >What is the true wet weight, empty tank, of the KLR 650? I can tell you the true wet weight , full tank with a few mods is 440 + or - 20 lbs according to my local garbage dump... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 01:42:11 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) carb modifications |At the risk of exposing my ignorance with carburation (I do know that it |serves to mix the air and gas, atomize it, and send it to the intake), but |as for CV, Flat Slide, (?) you're losing me. What (and how) does the Mikuni |kit improve the stock carburator performance? If all the info is in the |archives, you can respond off-list so as not to burden the band-width. | |Thanks, | |Arne Basically, the CV carb throttle slide is actuated by vacuum created by the engine acting on the diaphragm where the flat slide is like the old Amal's were a twist of the wrist raises the throttle directly...the flatsides are much more responsive... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 01:47:03 -0700 From: "Kurt Simpson" Subject: Re: (klr650) Mounting tires |PS: You can get plastic thingees that slip over the rims to protect |them from the tire irons. Worth having if you can get them, I think. | | Fred has 'em and they work...without them your rims look butt ugly when done... Kurt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 01:04:59 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR-"Tired" and curious... There is a pretty comprehensive article on changing tires on the KLR650/Dual Sport News web page. Arne ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 01:06:23 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) Price of 1999 Klr 650's MSRP is $6099.00 in Canada. Arne - -----Original Message----- From: Scott Wass To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Monday, March 22, 1999 8:08 PM Subject: (klr650) Price of 1999 Klr 650's >What seems to be the going price of 99 KLR 650's ? I am thinking of >updating my 95 >I am on the "digest" mode so I don't know if you have to respond to me >directly or not any help would be great thanks, Scott Wass > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 01:27:56 -0800 From: "Arne Larsen" Subject: Re: (klr650) Maintenance & Warranty They must have made the change this year. Here's the section I'm talking about (attached for Vik). Tom McKenzie had an interesting point about challenging Kawasaki on his competence (which I don't doubt). BUT (and this is the big BUTT), it doesn't say that the "servicer" needs to be competent or even qualified. It says the work must be performed by an "Authorized Kawasaki Dealer". - -----Original Message----- From: Vik Banerjee To: Arne Larsen ; Cloudhid@aol.com ; klr650@lists.xmission.com Date: Monday, March 22, 1999 10:52 PM Subject: Re: (klr650) Maintenance & Warranty >Arne, > >My '98 Canadian owners manual states that a Kawi Dealer or someone equally >competent can carry out the maint under warranty and suggest keeping records >of any maint done.. > >Cheers, > >Vik > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 04:32:51 -0500 From: "Stephen Rivett" Subject: Re: (klr650) Rumors & Maintenance & Warranty Blubber? Nope, it was a guy I knew who had to put lard in the bottom end of his boat after hitting a rock and shearing the skeg off... :) Stephen Rivett - -----Original Message----- From: Cloudhid@aol.com To: klr650@lists.xmission.com Cc: alarsen@rapidnet.net Date: March 22, 1999 10:23 PM Subject: (klr650) Rumors & Maintenance & Warranty >On 3/22/99, alarsen@rapidnet.net writes: >> One said that the changes were made because too many > enthusiast were destroying their engines by overfilling them > with oil. Reading some of the posts here, this could be possible. > > The second rumor alleges that the warranty change only applied > to Canada, because a number of owner/mechanics were using > seal blubber instead of factory spec oil. I haven't spent enough > time in The Great White North to form an opinion on this one. > > Redondo Ron (bringing you all the unverified news that fits) > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 04:42:05 -0500 From: "Stephen Rivett" Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR-"Tired" and curious... If you have any trouble slipping the tire over the rim you can use liquid soap (I've used 4L of Sunlite on one skidder tire...but it was worth 7000$ so I figured it was justified) As for assebly, slip one side of the tire over the rim, them put in the tube, anchor the valve stem, and them put on the other side of the tire. If you have a rimlock put it in after putting in the tube and before putting on the second half of the tire. I don't know about the weights but you may as well take them off since this will make it less likey of having all of the uneven weight at one place. As for breaking a bead while stranded. You'll wish you had a car jack so you could wedge it under something (like a car) so you can use its leverage to push in the bead although I'd rather use an excavator like I did at work. - -----Original Message----- From: Juan Villarreal To: KLR650@lists.xmission.com Date: March 22, 1999 10:35 PM Subject: (klr650) NKLR-"Tired" and curious... >- Tube THEN tire? Or... > >- One "lip" of the tire, tube, then the other lip? Or... > >- Is it tire completely installed prior to the insertion of the tube? > >My next set of questions concerns setting the bead. What's the best way >to do that? Take it to gas station and pump it with an air nozzle? >What PSI should I go to when doing this? ------------------------------ End of klr650-digest V2 #172 ****************************