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klr650-digest        Monday, November 30 1998        Volume 01 : Number 377




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

Date: Sun, 29 Nov 1998 20:54:15 -0500
From: Tom Simpson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Lights, Life, Oil and Philosophy

At 02:37 PM 11/29/98 -0800, Darrel & Deanna wrote:
>I had to weigh-in on this thread.  I've ridden my Harley to three major BMW
>ralleys (including this year's international in Missoula) and have never
>felt unwelcome because of the brand of bike I ride.  Any responses I
>received are positive or simply curious.
>The only part of the rallies where brand becomes an issue is during the
>field events where I'm told that "brand X" machines are not eligible for
>prizes, but during the events in Missoula, there were riders on bikes of
>many different brands and they were all cheered on enthusiastically by the
>crowd.


    I have ridden my KLR to more BMW rallys than anywere else out of town.
They have been universaly accepting and a number of them either own KLRs
for commuting or weekend play (reserving the GS or other BMW for
long-distance work). I will have my R60/7 on the road for this spring and
the primary question in choosing between the two will be, "Does the event
have a GS-oriented dual sport ride?"
If so (as in the case of N.Georgia and the GSI rally at Turkey Toms in NC,
it will be the KLR, where it will be alternatly admired and rarely alone. A
decent GS ride that is "Oilhead-friendly" is a relativly gentile ride in
the country on a KLR. Otherwise, I'll break out the ole' Airhead.  :)



- -Tom
'96 KLR 650
31,100 miles

'77 R60/7
? miles (showing 23,000)

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

Date: Sun, 29 Nov 1998 19:51:38 -0700
From: Tom Myers <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) loss of power

Sounds like it's starving for fuel.

Here's the first and easiest.  Next time it loses power, loosen the gas
cap.  If power returns, then your fuel vent system is not letting air in.

If that doesn't solve the problem, it sounds like your main jet is plugged
or restricted.  The first and easiest check is to look for water in the
bowl.  Water can 'plug' a mainjet.  Remove the large 'plug' on the bottom
of the carb.  This 'plug' is like a little cup.  Be careful not to dump out
this little sample of floatbowl gas.  If you remove it carefully you can
LOOK into it as you carefully dump it out into a paper towel and see if
there WAS water or other crud in there.  Knowing what the problem WAS is
almost as important as having the bike run good again.  Knowing that you
**found the problem** makes it much easier to jump on the bike and head out
without worry.

All modern motorcycles have pretty fine filters built into the gas petcock.
Installing another filter is rarely a "given" solution as it makes some but
not a lot of sense to filter "filtered" gas.  Big singles have a high
carburetor, and a lowslung gas tank, a bad combination for fuel-flow that
can be exacerbated by adding the restriction of a 2nd filter.  The BMW
F650, for example will starve (at highspeed with less than half-tank) if
you add a filter.  On that I'd have to defer to someone who has realworld
experience in running a KLR at high-speed **and** low fuel levels at the
same time.  I personally wouldn't install a 2nd filter unless you're often
finding crud in the bottom of your carb "plug" proving that the petcock
filter is insufficient.  A better solution, at least here in the USA, is to
stop letting so much crud into your gas tank.

Those filters can be a pain on a short fuel line.  If they're big enough to
flow OK then they just seem to get in the way.  If they're small enough to
"not be a pain" they are no better than the petcock filter.  Anything that
gets thru the petcock filter is magnitudes smaller than the mainjet and
sucks right thru anyway.

If that doesn't solve it the next step is to remove, inspect and clean the
carburetor.  This is a little bit too complicated for email.  Possible
there is a spark problem, but those usually show up in hard starting, not
solely highspeed power loss.

Hope it was one of the two 'easy' solutions.

Tom

===============================
>Hopped on the highway the other day, was cruising along at 75 mph
>(Dry sunny - about 50 F)
>when I abruptly began to lose power and couldn't get any power
>above 4k or about 55 to 60 MPH.  Finished the 50 mile trip, then
>checked and cleaned the air filter, pulled the plug (had some
>carbon build-up probably due to running with choke - seemed to
>help a very slight bit) - cleaned the s plug and reinstalled.
>Took it for a spin - same effect.
>
>I suppose I'll have to be systematic about this, but was hoping the
>KLR collective could point me in the right direction as to where to
>begin looking.
>
>Here are the particulars...
>- A3
>- 9K miles
>- No previous problems in the last 1500 miles since I've owned
>- No recent valve adjustments or knowledge of any in it's history
>- Half a tank of gas
>- Stock carburation
>- No inline fuel filter (yet)
>
>Clogged jet? Valves? Something really drastic?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Scott Warstler, OH  (in desperate need of *more power*)


+------------------------------------+
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------------------------------

Date: Sun, 29 Nov 1998 22:01:23 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re:  (klr650) loss of power

On 11/29/98, [e-mail] wrote: snip

>...I abruptly began to lose power and couldn't get any power
>above 4k....checked and cleaned the air filter, cleaned the
>s plug and reinstalled. Took it for a spin - same effect.

 Abrupt loss of power....start with the easy stuff first.

 Sometime back a fellow lister posted trouble with an old
 vacuum hose that would collapse above a certain rpm causing
 a loss of power. Replacing the hose cured his ills. Hopefully
 you get that lucky. If not....

 Check tank vent by riding with cap slightly open.

 All hoses connected to tank, carb, (and canister if CA model)
 in working order. No cracks in the carb boots and clamps attached.

 Check float level. At the same time you can view the gas sample
 in the clear tube for water or impurities.

 Try a different tank of gas.

 Even if one of these cures the problem, I'd still check the engine
 valves since you aren't sure when or if they've ever been checked.

 Next would be a detailed inspection and cleaning of the carb.

 Even then it could end up being a defective CDI unit, build up
 on the engine valve seats or....the list goes on.

 Redondo Ron - and the beat goes on - thump, thump, thump







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

Date: Sun, 29 Nov 1998 22:05:49 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (klr650) Another viewpoint on the War....

On this whole war thing......Let's view this from another angle......

  If you ask me....10 out of 10 sportbike riders I know, who only own
sportbikes, are the ones who I have seen and heard generalizing and slamming
other types of bike riders. I KNOW THEY ALL AREN"T THAT WAY, but all the ones
I know well are (Except one guy, who owns a 98' Katana 750, a 98' Vulcan 1500,
a Nighthawk 250, and a KDX200). The others don't understand why anybody would
want to ride anything but a sportbike.They refuse to relate to me selling my
sportbike and buying a dual-sport.
  Mind you, these are guys that don't own more than one bike; are in their
late twenties/early thirties; and love running 140 mph out in the country. In
talking to them, they can't understand why anybody would want a bike that
can't do 140 mph or more. Their whole thing is speed and handling. That's why
it is so fun to smoke them on curvy roads out in the country sometimes on the
KLR!

  I've read several pure-sportbike magazines that promote this type of
attitude, which I guess is anybody's right, but doesn't do much to promote our
cause as motorcyclists. Most of these guys have had several tickets
(speeding/wreckless driving) just this summer, and haven't dropped it yet.
After you crash bad on the street, I have learned from experience that
attitudes can change veeeerrry quickly.
  Still, whoever said that there is an obvious bias in some of the mags (I
think Juan), is right on in my book. Some type-specific magazines are
responsible for promoting attitude just as much as any other group of people.

  It's fun to mess with people about their bike choice sometimes, even part of
the comraderie of riders. Hey, I joke with people about their not being able
to go off-road every once in a while, they joke with me about my big DIRT-BIKE
not being able to do much over 100 mph! The problem comes in when real nasty
Judgement comes into the picture; and an unfriendly attitude toward other
types of riders.

  At the in-laws Thanksgiving dinner the other night, a Sport-bike rider and
some Harley riders and I were talking about riding. The sportbike rider was
saying horrible things about these peoples' bikes which they had spent much
money on, and there was nothing wrong with the bikes; they loved their bikes!
It got kinda ugly, but the Harley riders' belief in Harleys sure wasn't
changed, they just didn't talk to the guy anymore, and he was the one that
went away with the attitude. We just kept on talkin' bikes the rest of the
night!  I don't know if we can "all" ever get along; I doubt it, but it sure
is nice when riders can relate without having to ride the same type of bike..

  Bill Swindle
  A12
  Montgomery, IL.

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

Date: Sun, 29 Nov 1998 20:11:51 -0800 (PST)
From: Rex Hefferan <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Re: [NKLR] Mexico travel dangers?

Thanks all, for the responses that came and those that may yet.
  I agree with Bill Haycock and others that you can't rely on the
media to represent a subject objectively. I expected the responses to
characterize the dangers pretty much as they did. It reminds me of the
tragic shooting of the Japanese guy 2 or 3 years ago and the reporting
in the Japanese media that in the U.S. shootings of that type are very
common. It's a matter of perspectives and I needed some of yours' to
help develop our comfort level.
  We haven't decided to cross the border yet, but this trip we were
only planning to go as far as Puerto Penasco anyway. BTW our son is
engaged to a girl from Nogales, Mexico and we expect the wedding to be
held there. So we'll be stepping across the border for that.<G>

Rex  (sorry Kurt, I forgot to use NKLR the first time)
Colorado Springs



_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

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

Date: Sun, 29 Nov 1998 23:29:00 -0500
From: "J.Taylor" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Another viewpoint on the War....

My surfing buddies used to engage in the longboard/shortboard melee
constantly (I'm a longboarder), my sailing friends butt heads about
racing vs. cruising (I'm a cruiser), and my neighbors disagree on push
vs. self propelled vs. riding lawn mowers (I push). In the end, we
usually spent more time discussing what we would rather be doing and
doing less of what we were discussing. I'm thru discussing and you can
all heave a collective sigh of good riddance now.

Jake, befuddled by his own analogy.



[e-mail] wrote:
>
> On this whole war thing......Let's view this from another angle......
>
>   If you ask me....10 out of 10 sportbike riders I know, who only own
> sportbikes, are the ones who I have seen and heard generalizing and slamming
> other types of bike riders. I KNOW THEY ALL AREN"T THAT WAY, but all the ones
> I know well are (Except one guy, who owns a 98' Katana 750, a 98' Vulcan 1500,
> a Nighthawk 250, and a KDX200). The others don't understand why anybody would
> want to ride anything but a sportbike.They refuse to relate to me selling my
> sportbike and buying a dual-sport.
>   Mind you, these are guys that don't own more than one bike; are in their
> late twenties/early thirties; and love running 140 mph out in the country. In
> talking to them, they can't understand why anybody would want a bike that
> can't do 140 mph or more. Their whole thing is speed and handling. That's why
> it is so fun to smoke them on curvy roads out in the country sometimes on the
> KLR!
>
>   I've read several pure-sportbike magazines that promote this type of
> attitude, which I guess is anybody's right, but doesn't do much to promote our
> cause as motorcyclists. Most of these guys have had several tickets
> (speeding/wreckless driving) just this summer, and haven't dropped it yet.
> After you crash bad on the street, I have learned from experience that
> attitudes can change veeeerrry quickly.
>   Still, whoever said that there is an obvious bias in some of the mags (I
> think Juan), is right on in my book. Some type-specific magazines are
> responsible for promoting attitude just as much as any other group of people.
>
>   It's fun to mess with people about their bike choice sometimes, even part of
> the comraderie of riders. Hey, I joke with people about their not being able
> to go off-road every once in a while, they joke with me about my big DIRT-BIKE
> not being able to do much over 100 mph! The problem comes in when real nasty
> Judgement comes into the picture; and an unfriendly attitude toward other
> types of riders.
>
>   At the in-laws Thanksgiving dinner the other night, a Sport-bike rider and
> some Harley riders and I were talking about riding. The sportbike rider was
> saying horrible things about these peoples' bikes which they had spent much
> money on, and there was nothing wrong with the bikes; they loved their bikes!
> It got kinda ugly, but the Harley riders' belief in Harleys sure wasn't
> changed, they just didn't talk to the guy anymore, and he was the one that
> went away with the attitude. We just kept on talkin' bikes the rest of the
> night!  I don't know if we can "all" ever get along; I doubt it, but it sure
> is nice when riders can relate without having to ride the same type of bike..
>
>   Bill Swindle
>   A12
>   Montgomery, IL.

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

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 01:46:40 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (klr650) Another viewpoint on the War....

In a message dated 11/29/98 8:26:51 PM Pacific Standard Time,
[e-mail] writes:

<< In the end, we
 usually spent more time discussing what we would rather be doing and
 doing less of what we were discussing. I'm thru discussing and you can
 all heave a collective sigh of good riddance now.  >>

DITTO.................Let's go find some Harley/Beemer/Sportbike/Moped/Dual
Sport/Triumph/Cruiser/Tourer/Standard Riders and GO RiDIN'!!!!!!! IT's 65
degrees here in  Northern Illinois at the end of November! WHODATHUNKIT?????

Bill Swindle
A12
Montgomery, IL. (Or is this Hawaii?)

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

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 07:16:33 -0500
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (klr650) RE: IDS Update

   >500 more miles on the new IDS Quiet pipe. Everything seems to be
   >working perfectly.

   I have a tad over 4,000 miles.  Everything is still perfect!

   >The paperwork that came with it, says that it will turn a "goldish
   >color".  I have noticed this is starting to happen now; especially on
   >the end cap and turn-down tip.

   My end cap turned gold, but the rest of the pipe is still the same nice
   silver color.  The 'gold' on my end cap is starting to peel off and turn
   black. Not a concern for me.

   >Haven't had any plastic melting to speak of,

   No melting for me and I don't expect any.

   I am running 8 disc.  MPG is about 50.  I like the pipe; it is tiny bit
   louder and a lot lighter.  However, I did not notice a performance gain.

   Pat
   Austin, TX

        - Adventure is never fun while it is happening.

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

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 07:16:31 -0500
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (klr650) NKRL: Lights at Night

   Bill wrote:

   >>>>>
   The danger is not that the night brings out all the criminals, they just
   don't believe in driving with their lights on - for some reason the
   Mexicans think that the lights wears their battery down! So, they don't
   generally turn them on!
   <<<<<

   I have traveled in Mexico/South America from Tijuanna to Ushuaia and
   can't for the life of me figure out why an entire region that is
   mechanically smart as a whip and can fix anything universally agrees
   that lights on equals battery down.  Like Bill, I enjoy talking to the
   locals.  If in conversation you mention that at your home (US) they use
   lights at night and ask why they do not use them you will universally
   get "the battery answer" or "we just don't need them".  At this point I
   always act as if this practice is a great idea. (see Bill's comments on
   blending in with the environment)

   In contrast, I spent one day (so maybe this is not a good observation)
   in Poland where they used lights in the day, but not at light.

   Pat
   Austin, TX
   (the differences are what makes travel great)

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

End of klr650-digest V1 #377
****************************