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klr650-digest        Sunday, November 22 1998        Volume 01 : Number 366




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Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 00:28:27 +0200
From: "=?iso-8859-1?B?Qt1ST0wgU0FZ?=" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Ynt: (klr650) Blue bulbs/lenses:  NO-NO on the street in the US!

See and be seen,
"Reserves" is the solution. This what I've learned from aviation,
mountain climbing
and scuba diving after years of experience.
For front:
I attached two H3 fog lamps (55 Watts each but serially connected=
27,5 Watts
total system power) to the sides of my lower front fender. A seperate
power supply
directly from the battery, fuse (15 A "in case of emergency the lights
are convertible
to 110 Watts with a jumper shift in just a few seconds"), relay and
switch (relay is
attached on the  plastic cover of headlight system  with one of its
mounting bolts
and the switch on the top of this plastic)  did the job. Cagers think
some kind of
creature is approaching. This is always better than to be ignored.
For behind:
Two cat's eye type round (2,5 cm in diameter) 5 Watts each tail lights
connected
in parallel to main tail light circuit and a 30 Watts tube type (24
LEDs) brake light
at the same length with the rear carrier (in parallel with brake light
circuit). I've let
someone to ride her and watching the light symphony was gorgeous from
back.

Unlike the flashers (which they have a kind of feed-back system so
when one of
the lamps is broken the flashing stops and the side stays lit)  the
front (this is the
case during the daytime) and back (Head&Tail) illumination system
control of the
bike completely  depend on luck. These reserve systems are enough for
safety
but I must admit that I couldn't keep myself from drilling a 1/2 cm
diameter hole
at the top of headlight back cover plastic and covering it with
fluoroscein tape.
When the headlight is on I always have a green dot in front of me.
This gives me
a feeling of assurance. (Yes, call me old and doddering)
I always keep a hard top-case on my rear carrier. (Sponsor brand) Its
holder is designed as a reflector. I've used a lot of gray reflecting
tape at the sides, back
and front. There are many colorful stickers everywhere. My helmets and
clothings
are either vivid in color or have reflecting parts on. Keeping the
reflectors and
light covers of the bike clean is very important.
These are my ideas. I'm riding only for 19 months yet(I keep riding so
much so
that all my cars are out of battery) and still learning. I've ordered
some books and
will start reading. You'll watch me then.

Birol Say, M.D. (See Istanbul and Jerusalem)

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

Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 19:19:43 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (klr650) repaint KLR

In a message dated 11/22/98 9:05:11 AM Mountain Standard Time,
[e-mail] writes:

<< How are you getting the decals off?  What type/brand of paint do you use?
 How do you prepare the plastic before painting?  How does the paint hold up
 to scrapes and abrasions? >>

I stripped the tank with Zip Strip (used a couple of applications) and sanded
the tank.  The applied two coats of primer and then 4 coats of black Krylon
and let it set for a couple days before messing with it.  I have not painted
plastic... yet.

Gino

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

Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1998 02:33:08 +0100
From: Andreas Sauer <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Engine

How can i insert the balancewave chain unter the generator,
at wich points i must adjust it ?

I drive a '85 klr 600, i think the engine is the same as in newer models

cu

- --
>>> FZR 1000 '91 6Mm     DR 650 RSE '94 28Mm <<<
>>> KLR 600 '85 2Mm      KLR 250 '85 5Mm     <<<

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

Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 19:02:36 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (klr650) NKLR: Tiger 900 test ride

Subject:           Tiger 900 test ride

Atilla Altay wrote:

> Would you consider sharing your impressions from Tiger 900 test ride
> with me?
>         Thanx in advence
>         Atilla

It turned out to be a fine riding day here in the Colorado Springs area,
in spite of a recent snow, so the Tiger owner and I headed into the gravel
and dirt roads across the Front Range, replicating most of what we did
during the recent KLR outing. Conditions ranged from perfectly dry dirt to
nasty sanded corners on the paved roads due to the recent snowstorm, and
treacherous icy-hardpacked snow in the shady places in the forest.

Score: no citations, no fatalities, one minor crash, no blood, one runoff
due to former GP roadracer getting in too hot in a paved tight corner.

The Tiger is smooth and fast, but I could not get the hang of riding it
effectively off the pavement.  The tires were stock but had about 5000 km.
I suspect that better handling would be achieved with more aggressive
tires. The Tiger suspension ate up the little stutter-bumps more
effectively than the KLR650.  Both bikes managed the icy hardpack snow
without incident, but this was not something to do much experimenting
with.  Naturally, the Tiger shines on the tight twisty roads, although
with good tires and a diminished sense of fear a KLR rider can stay with a
good Tiger rider on tight twisties as long as gross acceleration is not
the only factor.  Switching to the Tiger controls was not natural, with
the rear brake pedal positioned in such a way that I was never certain of
finding it when I wanted it.  The slight forward inclined riding posture
of the Tiger was not conducive to dirt road handling.

The Tiger owner attempted to follow me (on KLR) on an off-camber hard dirt
turn with some gravel on the surface. The KLR stock tire held with
marginal purchase and a slight drift, but the heavier Tiger could not
negotiate the turn and attempted to abandon the turn and punch into a
small outside berm. Two apparent problems with that approach:  the smaller
19 inch Tiger front wheel, and not hitting the berm straight on. I am sure
that the KLR, with a similarly skilled rider and other conditions being
equal, could have punched the berm and averted a crash.  Rider unhurt.

OK, so this was not an extensive test, but I did get the feel of the
Tiger.  For my style, it is far too heavy to fling around easily on
difficult dirt and gravel roads. The suspension is pretty nice and the
load carrying capacity is better than the KLR, but it is just too big a
bike for tight mountain dirt roads and marginal traction curves.  But
perhaps you already knew that......

FWIW -

Dr Robert
(He's not a real doctor)

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

Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 19:11:02 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Ynt: (klr650) Blue bulbs/lenses:  NO-NO on the street in the US!

>
> I attached two H3 fog lamps (55 Watts each but serially connected=
> 27,5 Watts
> total system power) to the sides of my lower front fender.

Normally, running H3 halogen bulbs at less than the required voltage will
result in lower bulb life and upon applying full voltage after running at
reduced power, you may find either bulb failure or diminished performance.
But if some sort of greater conspicuity is desired at the expense of bulb
performance, then that may be a useful tradeoff.

- --rr

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

Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 18:10:55 PST
From: "Juan Villarreal" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Night vis and safety

Fellow Listers:

I've read with great interest the various posts regarding light
augmentation, especially as it pertains to night riding.  With the
understanding that it's all geared towards enhancing one's survivability
I've decided to take that pursuit to it's ultimate end-- I don't make a
habit of riding at night.

I'm very aware that a lot of you night riders may have to do it for any
one of a number of reasons, so please refrain from jumping down my
throat in that regard.  And I'm all for doing whatever you can to
increase your odds for the times when you HAVE to go out at night, but
what's to be said for the idea of trying to minimize the time one is out
at night?  I do go out at night (and at that, NEVER on a Friday or
Saturday night), but ONLY for the purpose of staying familiar and
proficient with the differences and challenges unique to night riding.
This averages out to about one ride every two weeks.  I do this because
I believe there will be a time when I DON'T have a choice (I apply the
same logic to riding in the rain).  The irony of this is that I'm
fundamentally a night owl.  I love the cooler temperatures and more
tranquil atmosphere that night brings, but not enough to assume the
extra level of risk involved.

As much as I love and appreciate the fundamental (almost primal)
pleasures of riding I still feel it necessary to attack a number of
things on a methodical and calculating level.  Don't take this to mean
that I'm some egghead who's afraid of his own shadow.  Not so!  My
craving for adventure is matched only by my desire to survive it.  I'm
assuming most of us feel the same way.  I'm not trying to talk anyone
into changing their personal policy (I have way too much respect for our
collective individuality to do that).  I guess I'm just interested in
finding out where the point of balance is for some of you folks, and how
it is you arrived there (let the forum weigh in!).

This coming April will make it a whole whopping three years that I've
been riding.  And for all that time I've kept in my head a saying that
aviators have about people when it comes to failing checkrides.  They
say they fall into two groups:  "Those who have, and those who will."
I'm hoping to beat the odds (in both capacities).  Just my two cents
worth-- thanks for the soapbox.

Juan Villarreal, '97 KLR
"El Lobo Solo"

P.S.  By the way, my "night mode" consists of a red blinking safety
light (purchased at a bicycle shop) clipped onto the back of my
reflective vest.  Works for me....















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

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

Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 20:06:40 -0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (klr650) Night vis and safety

Juan Villarreal wrote:

> P.S.  By the way, my "night mode" consists of a red blinking safety
> light (purchased at a bicycle shop) clipped onto the back of my
> reflective vest.  Works for me....

The human factors people who have looked into the fast-flashing cycle lights
say that under most conditions where other illumination sources are around,
that these are just about useless (and may be counterproductive since they
offer a false sense of security).

The problem comes from two shortcomings. One is the simple lack of
luminance, which involves luminance contrast with competing sources of
illumination. The other is that the flash rate (apprx 6 Hz) is too quick for
night vision perception to take advantage of.

You will notice that the 2-4 Hz rate of most emergency vehicles. These
involve spaced bursts of light, with high luminance. This gets your
attention. The bicycle flashers do not, or much less so, particularly at the
closing speeds associated with highways.   This all has to do with what is
called sensory memory, which could be the topic of a much longer post for or
by those interested in perceptual psychology.

If you want to improve nighttime conspicuity, consider increasing the
luminance of your tail light, and pulsing when you apply your brakes, at 2-4
Hz rate. There are halogen tail lamp bulbs available.

Dr Robert

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

Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 22:32:14 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (klr650) Night vis and safety

I do a fair amount of night riding, especially in winter when I commute to and
from work on dark mornings and evenings.  As far as being able to see goes, I
have come to the conclusion that there is no substitute for aux lights.
Mainly because you can get a spread of light by the spacing of aux lights that
you cannot get by running a flame thrower high watt bulb.  The only exception
to this is my XV920 that has an 8" headlight.  With an 80-100w bulb, it throws
more light than any other machine can hope to, but that's another story.  On
my KLR, I run two 35watt Saeng night cutters and a 55/100 watt main bulb.  The
night cutters are on a separate switch than the headlight and can be turned on
and off at will.  They are aimed to provide "fill in" light beyond the range
of the lowbeam and just below the high beam.  I have them spread to give a
wide swath of light.  The right light is aimed a bit towards the side of the
rode to catch the eyes of critters on the side of the road.

For visibility, I always wear a reflector vest with the yellow stripes.  I
stands out against my black jacket in the day and really lights up at night.

One thing a lot of riders forget to do is clean their faceshields often.  I
clean mine two or three times a week, even if it still looks clean.  Residue
of any kind will promote and exaggerate fogging.

Gino

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

Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 23:46:29 -0500
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (klr650) new owner

As a new owner of a 91' KLR, I have a few questions about my new ride.

1 - Low rpm thumping/banging that goes away after 2k rpm. (like a rod
knock) (  A knowledgeable friend heard the bike and says "most Kawasaki
singles make such a racket"  any comments??

2 - Rattle from clutch basket that also goes away as clutch engages??

Bike shows 8k mi. from everything I could check I believe this is true
mileage (footpeg rubber/orig grips ect...)  and appears to be virgin in
that all bolts for side covers/cases are clean (no wrench marks).  It does
ride nice up to 70 mph, then the vibes catch up.

If I heard these noises on any of my other bikes I would be concerned.
Should I be now??????

87 Concours (the pack mule)
81 Yamaha 250 (start framed flattracker)
86 TLR 200 (wife's wood bike)
90 GT Hawk (wife's street bike)
82 XR500 (woods bike)

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

Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 23:57:19 EST
From: [e-mail] (Alex Yefimov)
Subject: (klr650) NKLR - Riding Suits

I was at the BMW dealer a few days ago and notice the one piece riding
suits that they have ( Autobahn ). How does a one piece suit compare with
a jacket and pants for riding?  I am going to be commuting to work on a
KLR. If I know that it is going to rain, I will probably take a car.
Comments would be appreciated.

Alex
San Jose, CA

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

Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 22:13:56 -0700
From: "skip faulkner" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Night vis and safety

flashing cycle lights
>say that under most conditions where other illumination sources are around,
>that these are just about useless (and may be counterproductive since they
>offer a false sense of security).
>
>The problem comes from two shortcomings. One is the simple lack of
>luminance, which involves luminance contrast with competing sources of
>illumination. The other is that the flash rate (apprx 6 Hz) is too quick
for
>night vision perception to take advantage of.
>
>You will notice that the 2-4 Hz rate of most emergency vehicles. These
>involve spaced bursts of light, with high luminance. This gets your
>attention. The bicycle flashers do not, or much less so, particularly at
the
>closing speeds associated with highways.   This all has to do with what is
>called sensory memory, which could be the topic of a much longer post for
or
>by those interested in perceptual psychology.
>
>If you want to improve nighttime conspicuity, consider increasing the
>luminance of your tail light, and pulsing when you apply your brakes, at
2-4
>Hz rate. There are halogen tail lamp bulbs available.
>
>Dr Robert
>



Dr Robert,
   You`re right in the fact that frequency is very critical for recognition,
especially  at night with other light emitting clutter.
    Up until 2 months ago, I had a small aircraft strobe with a red lens
(aircraft strobes use xenon arc flash-tubes) mounted under my luggage rack.
Apparently it worked too well, as I was stopped by the Hiway Patrol and was
told to render it inoperative, there on the spot, and if I was caught
operating it again, I would receive a citation as a hazard to traffic. I
plan to appeal this, but haven`t had the time. I have some motor vehicle law
to research. The thing is it works so well, extremely bright (you can see
aircraft strobes for miles) and it draws only 2.7 amps. I had a filter on it
to remove some of the glare to rearward traffic and tested it on people
behind me that said it wasn`t TOO obnoxious.
    I still have my headlight oscillator installed. I bought it at this
summers BMW rally and it works great for daylight oncoming recognition.


           Skip (who loves to be seen by others)

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End of klr650-digest V1 #366
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