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klr650-digest          Friday, August 7 1998          Volume 01 : Number 171




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Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 16:28:12 -0700
From: West Hovland <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Taller gearing options for the KLR???

[e-mail] wrote:

> Uh-Oh...  It appears I can not raise the gearing on my KLR.  Is this one of
> those things everyone knows about, and I'm the last one?
>
> My local Kaw dealer could not find either a larger front or a smaller rear
> (o.k., here come the wife jokes).  Fred is pretty sure noone makes a larger
> front.  My KLR has plenty of pull in top gear on street/highway, I really
> would like to lower the rpm though.  Are we stuck with stock gearing?
>
> I guessed maybe the front sprocket is limited by the sprocket cover or the
> engine case itself.  The rear limited by chain interference with swingarm at
> the changed angle the chain would ride at with a smaller rear sprocket.
>
> Someone please tell me... just order a Sunstar for a KDX200, throw the
> sprocket in the air, and recite a few statements out loud and all will be
> well.  All while wearing a Batman mask of course.
>
> TIA

  I have seen others with taller gearing on the KLR650. I don't know how or
where they got the sprockets, but it can been done.

Sorry I'm not more help

West

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 19:47:54 EDT
From: <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Float

In a message dated 98-08-06 07:48:32 EDT, you write:

<< It has been
 three weeks and I can't understand why it would take so long to get a
 part in .  Is there any validity to a part taking so long to come in? >>

Steve,
I also have an '88 KLR 650 and have had parts take two or three weeks to come
in when they were back ordered.

Greg

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 09:15:00 +1000
From: Ted Palmer <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Mad as hell (KLR et al...)

Norman D Coffenberry wrote:

[bad dealer experience]

Don't just tell us, tell the US ditributor.
It may not get you far, but if you mention things like "I'll be
buggered if I'll buy another Kawasaki if I get treated like _this_",
maybe somebody somewhere in the organisation may take a bit more than
a moment's notice.

Mister_T

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Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 19:06:55 -0500 (CDT)
From: [e-mail] (Ryan Combs)
Subject: (klr650) clearview sheilds

I thought I would let everyone know that I have had excellent expeirence
with clearview. I had originally ordered the +7, but after I tried it on
a 30 mile test ride, the wind hit me on my forehead, and gave me a
headache rather quickly( even w/ a full face helmet). I out my hand up
to the shield when going down the highway and determined that another
two inches across the top would dflect the wind just right. I thought
about the saeng edgeing and winglets, but they were a little expensive.
I called clearview to excahnge for a +9, which was a few dollars more.
They said no problem, just send the +7(with protective film still on)
back, and the new one would be here in a couple of weeks. I recieved the
new one today. When I opened the invoice, the total was N/C.
They didn't even charge for shipping.
I'm impressed, now I'm going to test it.
Ryan
'89 klr

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Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 17:57:09 -0600
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (klr650) Mad as hell (KLR et al...)

I used to work for the US Yamaha distributor, and in 1976 or so we did a skit
at the national dealer show giving a mock customer just the kind of treatment
that you described. It was funny, and some dealers saw themselves reflected
in that mirror, but ultimately any meaningful changes usually come from new
ownership or management of an existing dealership (or a new startup).  By all
means, clean up that letter and send it to the dealer, and to the US
distributor, specifying that you are copying the Japanese headquarters at :

Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Kobe Head Office
Kobe Crystal Tower
1-3, Higashikawasaki-cho
1-chome
Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-91 -  Japan


BTW,  Kaw US is at:


Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
 9950 Jeronimo Road,
 Irvine, California 92618-2084, U.S.A.

Send  to Director of Public Relations.

Just leave off the "I'll be buggared..." sort of stuff, y'know.


Yes, I left on the original comment:

Norman D Coffenberry wrote:

> I go to the local dealership and walk around as "the invisible man"
> because no one ever asks if they can help me or if I have questions or
> anything else. My wife say "why do you put up with it?" I say, "well
> Honey, they are kinda busy and probably don't see me..."
> I stand at the Kawasaki dealers counter to pay a full retail price and
> they say "we don't stock oil filters and clutch cables for KLR's... but
> we can order them and get them sometime next week" even though KLR's are
> in their 11th year of production. I can get this stuff in two days
> cheaper via mail order but I put up with it because I want to support my
> local dealer.
> This Spring, I called the dealership about getting an appointment to get
> my valves adjusted. They told me to just bring it in... no appointment
> necessary. I took it in and was told that I would need an appointment
> because they were too busy to work on it so I made an appointment 4 weeks
> in advance (Aug 6). Today (Aug 5) I called to leave the bike so they
> could have it available for the full day on Aug 6 and they told me "it
> might be several days before we get around to working on it. Just because
> you have an appointment doesn't mean we will be able to work on it." I
> guess they were right... an appointment is NOT necessary.
> I have had enough. I am mad as hell and do not intend to put up with it
> any longer. I will travel a hundred miles if necessary to avoid this
> dealership. Does anyone know of a decent Kawasaki dealership in the
> Florence, KY area other than Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki of Florence (that
> will not demand that I kiss their ass to take my money?)
> The Invisible Man
>
> _____________________________________________________________________
> You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
> Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
> Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 20:09:08 -0500
From: Chadd Thompson <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Southern IL ride?

Hi,

        I was wondering if anyone would be interested in a small get
togeather/ride in southern IL in late Aug or Early Sept? We could have it at
Shawnee Nat. forest. There are no open trails but there are allot of
dirt/rock roads with low water crossings etc. If anyone is interested I
could try to set up a route for a 2 days of riding or somthing like that.
There are several camp grounds within the forest, so camping should be no
problem. Maybe it could be a Fri,Sat,Sun thing or somthing. Just let me know
if interested.


Thanks
Chadd Thompson
[e-mail]

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Date: Thu, 06 Aug 1998 19:10:20 -0700
From: Scott Eldredge <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Check this art...

check out Adoration of the Gas Tank


http://www.binary-biker.org/nav/section_nav_bars/imgbnk_frm.html

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Date: Thu, 6 Aug 1998 23:32:23 EDT
From: <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Mad as hell (KLR et al...)

In a message dated 98-08-06 18:45:29 EDT, [e-mail] writes:

<< Does anyone know of a decent Kawasaki dealership in the
 Florence, KY area other than Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki of Florence (that
 will not demand that I kiss their ass to take my money?)
 The Invisible Man >>

I hear this a lot and it seems to go with the territory by owning a less than
exotic piece of machinery.  I would sit the manager down and have a real nice
chat with him/her and I'll bet the situation will get rectified.

Gino

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 01 Aug 1998 11:03:16 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (klr650) Recomm. for front sprocket ?

Looking for recommendation for stock front sprocket (assembly)
replacement... (15 T)
I'm guessing there may be a few options here...

Also, how snug a fit should it be on the spline?
Current one is rather wobbley I think...

Scott W.  A3

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 00:04:07 -0700
From: Tom Simpson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Mad as hell (KLR et al...)

At 11:32 PM 8/6/98 EDT, [e-mail] wrote:
>In a message dated 98-08-06 18:45:29 EDT, [e-mail] writes:
>
><< Does anyone know of a decent Kawasaki dealership in the
> Florence, KY area other than Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki of Florence (that
> will not demand that I kiss their ass to take my money?)
> The Invisible Man >>
>
>I hear this a lot and it seems to go with the territory by owning a less than
>exotic piece of machinery.  I would sit the manager down and have a real nice
>chat with him/her and I'll bet the situation will get rectified.



    I suppose that I am fortunate: Capitol Kawasaki here in Columbia,
SC is blessed with an excelent parts department manager who always
works to acomodate my needs. Great guys, realy. Even pulled a part
off of a KLR they had on the floor for me one time to get me going
on a vacation. Beat that!  :)

    They know that, while my KLR may be cheap, I ride the hell out of
it and will need expensive, high-dollar parts one day that will almost
inevitably be sourced from them. They also sell me *lots* of sunglasses...


- -Tom
AKA he who looses many sunglases
'96 KLR 650
27,500 mi.

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 01 Aug 1998 11:06:37 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (klr650) Chain Balancer - am I missing something here?

Is there more to *adjusting* the balancer chain than
turning the tensioner bolt out a few turns and then tightening?
Seems I read a scarey post about a catastrophic balancer chain
failure resulting in a lockup...

How worried do I need to be about this???

Scott W.  A3

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 09:21:07 +0200
From: "Per Eriksson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Balancer chain

Hello my KLR friends out there!

I am an KLR 650 rider from Sweden, Europe. (1989 KLR 650).
My question is  : How do you adjust the balancer chain properly??
I=B4ve understood from the list that it is pretty important to do it
regularly and correctly.=20
Would be really grateful if yuo could help me out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep on wheeli'n=20

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 06:30:53 -0400
From: "Nick Woloszyk" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) KLR650 wanted

Can anyone within a state or two of Michigan who would like to sell his KLR
drop me an e-mail?

Thanks,

Nick Woloszyk
Kalamazoo, MI

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 23:38:34 +1000
From: Ted Palmer <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Side panel protection

Joshua Sammons wrote:

> I just ordered a set of Kawasaki saddlebags from Fred, and a while back I
> remember someone talking about protection for the plastic side panels.  I
> think it attached by static-cling?  Doe anyone have any info about this?

Not about the static-cling part.
I've covered up scuff damage on sidecovers with "Contact" brand
stick-on vinyl sheet cut to suit (scuffs were caused by saddlebags
on a long wet journey).
A cheap and simple alternative is to cut up an old towel to the shape
of the saddlebags (sort of like a rug under the saddle of your favourite
hoss :-).
Keep the towel in the saddlebags when not in use.
Give the towel a generous overlap to handle shrinkage when you lob in
in the washing machine to get rid of accumulated grit.
A towel only looks inelegant when you pick one of a non matching colour.

Mister_T

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Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 09:19:00 -0400
From: "Christian Kindarji" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Security

Hey fellow bikers,

The appartment complex I live in just called me to say that bikes are
forbidden in their "community". Apparently there was a small writing in the
lease I signed with them that stated this. Does anybody out there know how
legal that thing is ? Can they actually forbid this ?
Until I resolve this issue my KLR will be parked in my office building
covered parking. What kind of security chain should I be getting ?
Can't tell you how frustrating that is since I use my bike as a
transportation mean..GRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Frustrated Chris

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 08 Aug 1998 00:33:22 +1000
From: Ted Palmer <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Security

Christian Kindarji wrote:

> The appartment complex I live in just called me to say that bikes are
> forbidden in their "community". Apparently there was a small writing in the
> lease I signed with them that stated this. Does anybody out there know how
> legal that thing is ? Can they actually forbid this ?

Why not? You signed the lease and "agreed" to it.
Some community you wound up with. Any other restrictions, like no left
handers or something?
Anyway, this sounds like a job for a lawyer, but I don't fancy your
chances.

> Until I resolve this issue my KLR will be parked in my office building
> covered parking. What kind of security chain should I be getting ?

Not a cheap one. Abus is one good brand I know of.
But don't just chain the bike, chain it to something fixed and solid.

Mister_T

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 07 Aug 1998 11:46:12 -0700
From: Tom Simpson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Side panel protection

At 11:38 PM 8/7/98 +1000, Ted Palmer wrote:
>Joshua Sammons wrote:
>
>> I just ordered a set of Kawasaki saddlebags from Fred, and a while back I
>> remember someone talking about protection for the plastic side panels.  I
>> think it attached by static-cling?  Doe anyone have any info about this?
>
>Not about the static-cling part.
>I've covered up scuff damage on sidecovers with "Contact" brand
>stick-on vinyl sheet cut to suit (scuffs were caused by saddlebags
>on a long wet journey).
>A cheap and simple alternative is to cut up an old towel to the shape
>of the saddlebags (sort of like a rug under the saddle of your favourite
>hoss :-).
>Keep the towel in the saddlebags when not in use.
>Give the towel a generous overlap to handle shrinkage when you lob in
>in the washing machine to get rid of accumulated grit.
>A towel only looks inelegant when you pick one of a non matching colour.



    In my case, the sheepskin I uses as a seat cuver is laced into
my saddlebags and it hangs down to over the side panels. Not that it
makes much differece, mind you: they still look pretty beat up from
my off-road experiences.  :)


    BTW, I saw my first '98 today down at the local Kawa dealer...
*thats* supposed to be an improvement? With those yellow
splach marks on the side, I thought it was a used one that had been
dropped in wet Highway Yellow paint.  :)




- -Tom
'96 KLR 650

------------------------------

Date: Fri,  7 Aug 98 08:51:56 PDT
From: "Marick Payton"   <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Kudos for the latest DSN

Gino,

I really enjoyed the most recent Dual Sport News.

The Guatemala trip sounds fabulous.  Thanks to Bill for the great
writeup.

I also found Pete's report on the Jesse Panniers very interesting.
It sounds like they have the combination of volume, narrowness and
low center of gravity I'm looking for.  I believe you have owned a
KLX.  Do you have any sense of how much work might be involved in
adapting the KLR panniers to the KLX?

Thanks,
Marick

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 7 Aug 1998 09:50:36 -0600
From: " Skip Faulkner" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Need info/links& panniers

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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Content-Type: text/plain;
    charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

List,
  I would apreciate if someone could help me with the following info.

   I need the length from center of hole to center of hole of the =
lowering links some of you have been installing on the KLR.
  Also, I need the phone number of Jesse ????  panniers, I need to get =
some mount info unless one of the Listers with Jesse`s mount system is =
willing to draw me a picture or take a photograph for me.
   Thanks IA.

                           Skip

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    charset="iso-8859-1"
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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>

<META content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1 =
http-equiv=3DContent-Type>
<META content=3D'"MSHTML 4.72.2106.6"' name=3DGENERATOR>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>List,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>  I would apreciate if someone =
could help=20
me with the following info.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>   I need the length from =
center of=20
hole to center of hole of the lowering links some of you have been =
installing on=20
the KLR.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>  Also, I need the phone number =
of Jesse=20
????  panniers, I need to get some mount info unless one of the =
Listers=20
with Jesse`s mount system is willing to draw me a picture or take a =
photograph=20
for me.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>   Thanks IA.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000=20
size=3D2>          &nbs=
p;            =
;   =20
Skip</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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End of klr650-digest V1 #171
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