ftp.xmission.com/2014.06.ftp.xmission.com.tar/ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/klr650/archive/v01.n251

Internet Message Format | 1998-09-18 | 17KB

From: [e-mail] (klr650-digest)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: klr650-digest V1 #251
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Sender: [e-mail]
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


klr650-digest       Saturday, September 19 1998       Volume 01 : Number 251




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

Date: Fri, 18 Sep 1998 19:43:27 +0000
From: Alex Jomarron <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Shipping Panama-Colombia

I found an archived travel log from Dave and Sharon Thompson, who are currently riding two
BMW GSes around tre world, which mentions flying bike from Panama to Bogota for $250 each.
This was last November.
The company was called Girag.
Another that was mentioned was Servi Carga.

I hope this helps.

Alex in Chicago

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

Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 09:13:55 +1000
From: Ted Palmer <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Returning Weave Problem

[e-mail] wrote:

[...]
> (Now I hang my head in shame..) It seems that if the front tire is about 10psi
> low, it weaves.  Can you imagine that the Great Kawasaki Engineers didn't
> design this possibility into their product??  (smile at this point.)

I think there's something in that for all of us.
The simple things are often the best.

Mister_T

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

Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 11:50:33 +1000
From: Ted Palmer <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Returning Weave Problem NKLR

Eric Rhoads wrote:

[...]
>      I have the wobble. I don't like it at all. I still have the stock tires
> which I keep at factory spec pressure (21lbs.)  From what you'e saying, I'm
> wondering  if this wobble has something to do with the tires....and
> wondering if it might go to hell (away) if I change tires...I can hope so.

Try different pressures, maybe go up to 25psi and see what it does,
this I guess is still way below the tyre's max cold pressure. Check
on the sidewall, most tyres will tell you this max figure.

While every brand and model of tyre needs its own pressure, 21psi sounds
a bit low to me for road use.
I suspect the book pressures take into account offroad use, where 21psi
sounds more appropriate.

In my own case, I run about 28-30psi in my front Metzeler ME33 and
anywhere from 30-36psi in the rear Metzeler ME55A.

Mister_T

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

Date: Fri, 18 Sep 1998 19:01:15 PDT
From: "Juan Villarreal" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Fwd: Re: Brake line Protector

>From: "Ron Hampe" <[e-mail]>
>To: "Juan Villarreal" <[e-mail]>
>Subject: Re: Brake line Protector
>Date: Fri, 18 Sep 1998 20:55:42 -0500
>
>
>Would you advise the person on your KLR forum that e-mailed me
regarding the
>year 0f ZX-9 that the brake line protector came off of is a '98...I
>accidently deleted when I was thinking I was replying..
>
>RON HAMPE   ( : - ) >>
>
>FSSNOC  #1214      KLR 650 DSOG
>BMWMOA  #66471    CHAIN GANG
>
>
>
>
>


______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

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

Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 02:04:21 EDT
From: [e-mail] (Alex Yefimov)
Subject: Re: (klr650) valves: help?

>Fred  (for $100 what was "the Jerks special purpose"?

That was what he and his parents called this penis!!

Alex

_____________________________________________________________________
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: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 08:53:17 -0400
From: Stuart Heaslet <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Vibram(tm) soles and steel pegs-ooops!

This is to add to the collection of embarrassing stuff -

I just finished kicki...er, petting the little dog at Taco Bell and was in
process of pulling out into the road from the parking lot.  My boots have
brand-new Vibram(tm) soles and the KLR has IMS steel pegs.  As I was coming
to a stop, one of the soles got wedge-stuck in the steel peg, and I had
fallen almost halfway over at the stop before I was able to jerk free and
stabilize the bike.  I don't think I could have recovered if the bike
weighed another 100 pounds, nonetheless, the whole thing made me think
about the design of boot soles and the fact that I better pay attention to
how hardware and clothing work together.

Stuart
1998 KLR650

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

Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 09:02:39 -0500
From: "Jim Sprecker" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Honda's XL1000 - forget the mud, rocks, trees.

In regards to Honda's XL1000. Even if it did come to America do you really
think it would be a success? It's big, real big. Looks like fashion won
against function again. Let's see that thing go were a KLR can. Don't think
I could pull the big XL out of an Arkansas mud hole by myself.
Why can't they make something like an XL1000 without all that nice fancy
plastic. The pictures of the new Tiger look more promising. Looks like they
put it on a diet from the plastic menu and cleaned up the exhaust system.
Kawasaki knows they have a good bike. If they change it, please remember the
fashion vs. function. Function is what's needed. Fashion is for weanies and
want-a-be's.
Jim
98 KLR, 93 KLX
- -----------------------------------------------
>    [e-mail]     <
- -----------------------------------------------

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

Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 11:48:31 -0400
From: "Rick Clarke" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) valves: help?

> >recently took the killer out on a trip this weekend, the first after
> >adjusting the valves.  when i checked the valves (22k mi), all the
> >clearances were slim to none (mostly none).  they appeared to be in specs
> >after changing shims (and stripping out two head cover bolt threads in the
> >cylinder head...).  the bike now runs a bit smoother at higher rpms, but
> >seems to be less smooth at lower rpms (kinda "jerky"), and also has s
> >distinct "tap" coming from the top end.
>
> If you can hear a "tap" or "click" then that would tell me that the valve
> clearances are not set right (too loose).  Better do it all again.  I know
> you really wanted to hear that.

A heard a lot of people who adjust valves with zero clearance say
they are noisier when they bring them back to normal clearance. When
clearance wears down to zero, the cams no longer are taking up any
slack. Once you loosen the valves up, you'll hear them ticking when
the few thousandths clearance gets closed by the cam.

I've experienced this a few times now. Valves that are too tight can
be quieter than valves that are properly adjusted.

Of course, hearing noise _doesn't_ mean the valves are in spec. :-)

- -Rick

R.P.Clarke ([e-mail])
"What traffic?"
RTP, NC, USA    DoD#5811

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

Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 09:07:13 -0700
From: "Eric Rhoads" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Honda's XL1000 - forget the mud, rocks, trees.

- -----Original Message-----
From: Jim Sprecker <[e-mail]>
To: klr650 <[e-mail]>
Date: Saturday, September 19, 1998 7:04 AM
Subject: (klr650) Honda's XL1000 - forget the mud, rocks, trees.


>In regards to Honda's XL1000. Even if it did come to America do you really
>think it would be a success? It's big, real big. Looks like fashion won
>against function again.

+++++yeah, but keep in mind this is a design intended to sell in a different
market....I'd think this includes the fashion aspect too....the realities of
the overseas market will determine success.   I think it looks nice, but I
wouldn't buy it myself, because it wouldn't give the kind of function I
want. My counterpart in, say, Belgium might think it's just the ticket.
Economies are different in Europe....especially prices, and taxes.

 Let's see that thing go were a KLR can. Don't think
>I could pull the big XL out of an Arkansas mud hole by myself.

++++   I don't mean to be critical, but I think there's not that many
Arkansas mud holes in Belgium, or Denmark, etc.   So you see you are on the
right track.  It's designed for a different kind of use.

>Why can't they make something like an XL1000 without all that nice fancy
>plastic. The pictures of the new Tiger look more promising. Looks like they
>put it on a diet from the plastic menu and cleaned up the exhaust system.
>Kawasaki knows they have a good bike. If they change it, please remember
the
>fashion vs. function. Function is what's needed. Fashion is for weanies and
>want-a-be's.

+++++  I'd be more happy if they'd  have put the KLR on a diet. I don't need
all the fancy plastic it has, and it seems kind of vulnerable to damage in
some ways.  I wanted a 'utility bike' and the KLR came closest to what I
wanted.  I like the water cooling, but not the added complexity, I like the
power but a 500cc 6-speed would've been fine, etc. etc.
........sometimes people say  'what a nice looking bike, I like the color,
etc.'  to me that means the bike is too fancy.   If I want
fancy/comfort/safe/dry  I drive the  Mazda 929.

.....sorry guys....hope that's not  more'n 2 cents worth.

eric

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

Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 11:45:25 -0500
From: "Jim Sprecker" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Honda's XL1000 - forget the mud, rocks, trees.

That's why I said it's another motorcycle for want-a-be's and weanies.
Another styling cue from Dakar. It will be an excellent street bike. Of
course it won't do what a KLR will.  Neither will the Tiger, R1100GS, or
R100gs-pd, African twin, Transalp, blah blah blah. And a KLR won't do what a
Legalized XR400, YZ400F, or even a XR600.
- -----------------------------------------------
>    [e-mail]     <
- -----------------------------------------------

- -----Original Message-----
From: Eric Rhoads <[e-mail]>
To: klr650 <[e-mail]>
Date: Saturday, September 19, 1998 11:05 AM
Subject: Re: (klr650) Honda's XL1000 - forget the mud, rocks, trees.


>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Jim Sprecker <[e-mail]>
>To: klr650 <[e-mail]>
>Date: Saturday, September 19, 1998 7:04 AM
>Subject: (klr650) Honda's XL1000 - forget the mud, rocks, trees.
>
>
>>In regards to Honda's XL1000. Even if it did come to America do you really
>>think it would be a success? It's big, real big. Looks like fashion won
>>against function again.
>
>+++++yeah, but keep in mind this is a design intended to sell in a
different
>market....I'd think this includes the fashion aspect too....the realities
of
>the overseas market will determine success.   I think it looks nice, but I
>wouldn't buy it myself, because it wouldn't give the kind of function I
>want. My counterpart in, say, Belgium might think it's just the ticket.
>Economies are different in Europe....especially prices, and taxes.
>
> Let's see that thing go were a KLR can. Don't think
>>I could pull the big XL out of an Arkansas mud hole by myself.
>
>++++   I don't mean to be critical, but I think there's not that many
>Arkansas mud holes in Belgium, or Denmark, etc.   So you see you are on the
>right track.  It's designed for a different kind of use.
>
>>Why can't they make something like an XL1000 without all that nice fancy
>>plastic. The pictures of the new Tiger look more promising. Looks like
they
>>put it on a diet from the plastic menu and cleaned up the exhaust system.
>>Kawasaki knows they have a good bike. If they change it, please remember
>the
>>fashion vs. function. Function is what's needed. Fashion is for weanies
and
>>want-a-be's.
>
>+++++  I'd be more happy if they'd  have put the KLR on a diet. I don't
need
>all the fancy plastic it has, and it seems kind of vulnerable to damage in
>some ways.  I wanted a 'utility bike' and the KLR came closest to what I
>wanted.  I like the water cooling, but not the added complexity, I like the
>power but a 500cc 6-speed would've been fine, etc. etc.
>........sometimes people say  'what a nice looking bike, I like the color,
>etc.'  to me that means the bike is too fancy.   If I want
>fancy/comfort/safe/dry  I drive the  Mazda 929.
>
>.....sorry guys....hope that's not  more'n 2 cents worth.
>
>eric
>
>
>
>

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

Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 12:53:13 EDT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (klr650) Frankenstein...by Team Green

On 9/12/98, [e-mail] wrote: snip
>  I`m looking forward to the pictures. I`m working on dual head lights right
>now and would like to see his. I`m planning on splitting my fairing down the
>middle and splicing in 4" of composite material to widen the fairing enough
>for the dual headlight assembly I`m fabricating ( unless I come up with one
>in a bike boneyard first).
>  Glad to see you back and hope that all is well.
>         Skip (who WAS going to bed until he saw Ron`s post)

 I hope you ended up getting some sleep;)   I finally made it by Todd's
 to take a test ride and photograph his klr/kx hybrid. The following are
 some observations and a site with pix.

 Todd bought this '92 with all of the mods already done. A mechanic
 and a racer from Kawasaki's own Team Green put it together as a
 project bike. Looks like they really had fun with this one.

 The Diet:
 Most of us admit that the klr is on the heavy side for dirt riding. Seems
 that Green thought so too. Here's a list of what was replaced and what
 was outright deleted.

 38MM stock forks and single piston brake swapped with a KX500's
 beefy upside down 43MM fork and dual piston.

 No fan. It's gone. After several years of dirt racing, this bike proves that
 you can get by without it. And in place of temperature gauge, there's
 only a heat sensitive plastic strip on top of the radiator.

 No instruments. While they were pulling the thermostat they got rid of
 the speedo and tach, which also got rid of the idiot lights. In it's place
 is a simple mechanical odometer.

 Who needs a fairing in the dirt? Yup, it's gone. The stock headlight was
 replaced with a dual lamp setup enclosed in a steel tube frame.

 Smog stuff?   Long gone.

 Metal gas tank swapped for a light weight plastic one.

 Steel handlebars are now aluminum.

 The plastic bash plate changed to a thin, minimal aluminum one.

 Clutch and side stand safety tangle - deleted.

 Stock exhaust swapped for a much lighter, custom made pipe.

 Rubber pegs turned to steel.

 Rear shock changed out for a works unit with a reservoir.

 Rims are now blue Excel with a whopping 19" rear wheel.

 I didn't feel comfortable testing the edge of the envelope on someone
 else's bike, so I was a bit conservative while riding it. The carb and
 exhaust were magic. The bike wanted to stand on it's hind leg even
 when I didn't. Shifting was the smoothest I've ever experienced on a
 thumper. Steering was very quick. The brakes did _not_ live up to my
 expectation. Todd had just replaced the pads, so maybe it was just
 a matter of them not being seated yet.

 I'm sure I overlooked some things, but this gives you an overall view.
 If anyone wants more details, I'll see what I can find out.

 This setup would give most XTs, XLs, DRs and even XRs a run for their
 money. I still have that silly grin on my face. If Todd sells it, I hope
 someone local buys it so I can ride this bike again. In the mean time,
 I'm going to start incorporating some of these mods onto my monster.

 http://members.aol.com/cloudhid/klrandkx.jpg/

 <A HREF="http://members.aol.com/cloudhid/klrandkx.jpg/">KLR + KX = A Monster
</A>

 Redondo Ron (doing the dirty work so others won't have to)

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

Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 10:03:19 -0700
From: "Robert Morgan" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650)"Form follows function"

Gentleman
    The great designer/architect Louis Sullivan said "form follows
function."  I could"t agree more. Honda's intended  design statement is "to
create a large displacement touring motorcycle that combines a litter class
engine offering powerful low to midrange output for quick and easy
acceleration, even on steep upgrades, with the large, roomy proportions of
big touring bikes, yet still offering the remarkably light and easy handling
generally associated with off road machines."  It looks to me that they may
well have hit it right on the head.  No its not a MX bike on steroids,  and
was not intended for the motto-sherpa role our KLRs fill so well. I can't
wait to ride one.  I will have to clear some more room in my garage as I
will not part with my KLR.  It will give me an excuse to put real agressive
dirt tires on the Kawi and ride the Honda on the street.  I think the
Varadero will give the 1100 gs a run for the money. As far as comparing
anything to the "Tiger"....have you ever owned anything made in
Britain?...they don't call LUCAS "the prince of darkness" for nothing. It is
said in automotive circles that the reason they drink warm beer in England
is because LUCAS makes the refridgerators!
peace Morgan

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

End of klr650-digest V1 #251
****************************