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klr650-digest        Friday, February 19 1999        Volume 02 : Number 049




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Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 01:14:49 -0800
From: "=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Carlos_Y._Gonz=E1lez?=" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR Longevity

> > From what little data I have seen, this fellow might be coming about
due
> >for some top-end work (valve guides ands all that) beodew long...or
mayby
> >not. So far as I know, the KLR bottom end is good for at least 100,000
miles.
> >
> Tom
>
> Carlos? Are you still up there or are you lost in one of Milwaukee's
10,000 taverns?
> Carlos, how much did that top-end cost you? Did you give any thought to
splitting the
> cases? How much does it cost to rebuild a KLR engine? Fred, do you do
engine
> rebuilds?
>
> Kurt

Kurt and list,
The reason I freshened up the top end was because I was burning too much
oil for my taste. I think I spent a little less than 150 bucks in parts
(including an allowance for two oil changes with filters, and some honda
premix antifreeze).  The parts included a new set of piston rings, four
valve oil seals, head, exhaust, and base gaskets, and a pair of those
little rings that hold the piston wrist pin on. Since I didn't have the
valve spring compressor for replacing the valve oil seals, I had my local
shop put them in for me for about 50 bucks.  I had them hone the cylinder
and lap the valves while they were at it.  All the other work I did myself.
 The mechanic noted that one of the exhaust valves was slightly pitted, but
that it wasn't severe enough to need cutting and that lapping it alone
would be sufficient for a good seal.  Although I didn't ask the mechanic
specifically, he did not mention anything about worn valve guides.  Another
mechanic working there told me before the work was done that valve guides
rarely need replacing that soon (20,000miles).  All total, to get the bike
running again with a fresh top end was a bit less than $200, with 95% of
the labor done myself.  Price quotes to have a shop do it all were between
$400-600.  I've put about 1000 miles on it since and haven't noticed any
oil burn, but I'm not willing to call it a success until I can put some
more miles on it without changing the oil.
At 20,500 miles I really don't think the bottom end needed any attention so
I left it alone.  For some reason, thinking about splitting the case gives
me the chills.

It agree with Tom that a KLR with 60,000 miles should at least have the
valve guide clearances checked.  It would be interesting to find out if a
KLR with that many miles would still be in spec.  Conall has the KLR with
over 50K right?  Have you ever had any top end work done, Conall?

Carlos (I can't think of a Spanish translation for "Yaa hey dere!")
91 KLR650 A5 (21,600miles, just broken in!)

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 02:33:17 -0700
From: "Kurt Simpson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR Longevity

>It agree with Tom that a KLR with 60,000 miles should at least have the
>valve guide clearances checked.  It would be interesting to find out if a
>KLR with that many miles would still be in spec.  Conall has the KLR with
>over 50K right?  Have you ever had any top end work done, Conall?
>
>Carlos (I can't think of a Spanish translation for "Yaa hey dere!")
>91 KLR650 A5 (21,600miles, just broken in!)


Thanks for the reply...I couldn't remember how many miles you had on your
bike...it'll we interesting to see if your oil consumption gets to where you want
it..Eldon Carl reports that KLR's use oil..period...I know my A12 does...especially
after the first 800 miles of the oil change (g)....

Kurt (who knows the secret that half of all KLR listers have lived in Milwaukee and
left before Holmgren)

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 02:35:39 -0700
From: "Kurt Simpson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) hello & ?s...NKLR

>>Over time you will be initiated into the group.  What is our initiation
>>ritual, anyway?
>>
>>Gino
>>
>
>I thought it was to ignore their posts for a week or two.
>
> Skip


No, it is to teach guys from Montana what things like:

ROTFLOA
BTW
IMO

mean....admittedly a long and painful initiation....(g)

Kurt (SISLC)

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 02:38:44 -0700
From: "Kurt Simpson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) TIRES

I'm looking for comparisons of various tires I've seen recommended as opposed to the
Dunlop OEM's.  I'd like to create a table that looks something like this:

TIRE                OFFROAD              PAVEMENT            MILEAGE
OEM                      100                        100               4500(rear),
9,000(front)
Avon Gripster
IRC GP-1
IRC GP-110
Metzeler Enduro 3
Dunlop Trailmax
Pirelli MT-70

I'm looking for scores more or less than 100 when comparing these various tires to
the OEM's.  A higher score than 100 would indicate that you felt they were better
then the OEM Dunlops, and less then 100 would indicate they are worse.  I'm looking
for responses from people who have actually used the OEM's and then have switched to
something else.  Ratings on tires other then the ones I have listed would also be
appreciated.


________


This will be a good project...you can go to the archives and get a lot of info on
tires:

http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650

Add the Maxxis 6006...

Kurt A12 (SISLC)

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 02:40:14 -0700
From: "Kurt Simpson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Fw: BOUNCE ...Mexico trip post...

>To All:
>
>The following URL is the location of the  Colonial Mexico trip I, and
>two friends, Robert B. and Charles M. just finished.
>
>http://www.dualsport.org/colonial_mexico/index.html
>
>Bill
>
>
>
>

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 22:25:43 +1000
From: Ted Palmer <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) hello & ?s

[e-mail] wrote:

[...]
> Over time you will be initiated into the group.  What is our initiation
> ritual, anyway?

Be forced to search the archives and read every email ever posted
containing the text "Aerostitch" (excepting residents of countries
where the Geneva Convention applies, who can instead go down to the
shop and get me a packet of Rothmans).

Mister_T

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 23:10:44 +1000
From: Ted Palmer <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) drilled baffle

Bogdan Swider wrote:

>         [Bogdan Swider]  Was there a lot of crud in there, baked on or
> loose?  .

Not really, although I don't know what the mileage was on the wreck it
came from (an 84 or 85 model).
The outsides are a lot dirtier than my original has been, but there is
no visible rust perforation anywhere.
The mufflers might be a bit heavy, but they are fairly thick metal.
They should sandblast up nicely for a decent paint base.

Mister_T

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 22:53:09 +1000
From: Ted Palmer <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR Longevity

[e-mail] wrote:

[...]
> Reply-to:       [e-mail] (Bill Boyd)
[...]
> far that engine will go.  Anyone got any ideas or experience with the KLR`s
> longevity?

My 600 has done near enough to 50,000 miles with a lot of hard sports
bike style riding on track and road, and a few tours up the Aussie
east coast.
If I hadn't let the oil level get about 1 litre low on tour, then it
would be in much better condition than it is now, rather rattly and
low on compression.
Thanks to the electric start, I can still ride it whenever I want to,
there's not enough compression to start just with kick.
With kinder use, it would probably could have done twice the distance
to get to this condition.

Leaded fuel doesn't leave a grey deposit in the tailpipe anymore, but
the oil burn isn't very obvious unless I do a lots of low speed hard
acceleration, like on a Honda Australia Rider Training practice track.

Mister_T
- --
   \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\
   |   RC17   KLR600    Roces BCN    FreeBSD 2.2.5-R    NT4W (ugh)   |
   |           tedp[at]replicant[dot]apana[dot]org[dot]au            |
  \|_________________________________________________________________|

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 07:57:41 -0500
From: Mike Ratta <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Does a 93 KLX650 or KLR650 have black wheel hubs?

Trying to get some wheels and a swingarm from a salvage yard, guy I spoke
with said he has the wheels off a 93 KLX but they have black hubs.. also
said the swingarm is aluminum. Any '93 KLR and KLX owners remember if their
bike has black hubs and / or aluminum swingarm? My bet is he has a KLR and
he's mistaken about the swingarm, Theyre steel on the KLR650 (?). TIA :)

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 07:46:33 -0600
From: "Al Silberstein" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) TIRES

Kurt-I think the OEM tires should be rated a 0-0. Crap offroad and crap =
milage, the only tire to run on a KLR if you are serious about using the =
bike as God intended is the Pirelli MT-21. Avon Gripsters are great street =
tires but off-road will get you into big trouble while the MT-21s are =
great in the dirt and have more than enough traction for the street, my =
tires are scrubbed to the very edge. The Pirellis are also inexpensive and =
even after 1000s of miles and the knobs are worn down, there is still more =
tread depth than most new dual-sport tires. So there.
Baba Al
KLR A10
>>> "Kurt Simpson" <[e-mail]> - 2/19/99 3:38 AM >>>


I'm looking for comparisons of various tires I've seen recommended as =
opposed to the
Dunlop OEM's.  I'd like to create a table that looks something like this:

TIRE                OFFROAD              PAVEMENT            MILEAGE
OEM                      100                        100               =
4500(rear),
9,000(front)
Avon Gripster
IRC GP-1
IRC GP-110
Metzeler Enduro 3
Dunlop Trailmax
Pirelli MT-70

I'm looking for scores more or less than 100 when comparing these various =
tires to
the OEM's.  A higher score than 100 would indicate that you felt they were =
better
then the OEM Dunlops, and less then 100 would indicate they are worse.  =
I'm looking
for responses from people who have actually used the OEM's and then have =
switched to
something else.  Ratings on tires other then the ones I have listed would =
also be
appreciated.


________


This will be a good project...you can go to the archives and get a lot of =
info on
tires:

http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=3Dklr650

Add the Maxxis 6006...

Kurt A12 (SISLC)

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 06:55:04 -0700
From: "Pokluda, Gino F" <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: (klr650) NKLR

>>preparing an imaginative and creative post announcing new
industry developments...this should be slated for on or about April 1st...<<

What a coincidence.  My trusty sources out in the motorcycle industry are
slated to give me the exclusive scoop on some new models, just as they did
with the BMW K1200GS, which will be out in 2000.

Gino

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 06:58:50 -0700
From: "Pokluda, Gino F" <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: (klr650) hello & ?s

>>Or, if you prefer, we could all just come over for coffee. Heh heh heh.

Oh, I like that one. Let's do that.

Gino

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 08:47:47 +0000
From: Tom Simpson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Tires

At 12:15 AM 2/19/99 -0600, J.P.Zucht wrote:
>Mike Ratta wrote:
>> I hated the GP110's in the dirt.
>
>
>I was just looking at a Michelin T66, I think.  Is it a good choice for
>mostly street use?
>
>What about running a tube in it??? (It's tubeless)
>
>I need a new front tire and not sure what's best.  This one is a bit
>pricey @ about $140. (CDN)


    A friend runs one of the front of his KLR and rides it with considerable
agression on the street. He loves it.



- -Tom
'96 KLR 650

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 07:28:20 -0700
From: "Kurt Simpson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) NKLR  spring industry developments...

|>>preparing an imaginative and creative post announcing new
|industry developments...this should be slated for on or about April 1st...<<
|
|What a coincidence.  My trusty sources out in the motorcycle industry are
|slated to give me the exclusive scoop on some new models, just as they did
|with the BMW K1200GS, which will be out in 2000.


Frankly when I wax nostaligic on the list's first year, I can say the twin announcements
of the K1200GS and the phasing out of the KLR and introduction of the KLE in early spring
of last year marked the point when this list really established itself bigtime...all
credit belongs to you Gino and to Cloudhid (via Hiro) for being such sophisticates when it
comes to April industry developments....I'm looking forward to your insights and
observations. Redondo has already provided me with a sneak peak and believe me we are not
going to be disappointed...

Kurt (Breathless in SLC)

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:52:17 -0500
From: "Preferred Customer" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) TIRES

- -----Original Message-----
From: Al Silberstein <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail] <[e-mail]>;
[e-mail] <[e-mail]>; [e-mail]
<[e-mail]>
Date: Friday, February 19, 1999 8:37 AM
Subject: Re: (klr650) TIRES


Kurt-I think the OEM tires should be rated a 0-0. Crap offroad and crap
milage, the only tire to run on a KLR if you are serious about using the
bike as God intended is the Pirelli MT-21. Avon Gripsters are great street
tires but off-road will get you into big trouble while the MT-21s are great
in the dirt and have more than enough traction for the street, my tires are
scrubbed to the very edge. The Pirellis are also inexpensive and even after
1000s of miles and the knobs are worn down, there is still more tread depth
than most new dual-sport tires. So there.
****************
Yup I agree w/ everything, BUT, I didn't like the whining and vibration of
this tire on the street at higher speeds.  Yea, the traction was good, but
if you find yourself doing a lot of street work you can get tired of this
tire.  Bottom line, can't have the best of everything, less of course you
can swing at least half a dozen bikes.  Humm, now there's an idea...
BG

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 10:04:01 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Mark)
Subject: Re: (klr650) TIRES

Add Kendas to the list.
I have 5,000 miles on mine and they're excellent on and off-road.
They're good for about 6,000 miles of 70 on/30 off use. Not bad considering
the front tire costs $25.00 and the rear is $43.00!
Mark
B2, soon to be retired from servere off-road duty(Kendas, but putting a
free set of Gripsters on soon)
A2, the new "Woods Warrior" (Gripsters, but putting on Kendas soon)



At 11:19 PM 2/18/99, Richard Ohnstad wrote:
>I'm looking for comparisons of various tires I've seen recommended as
>opposed to the Dunlop OEM's.  I'd like to create a table that looks
>something like this:
>
>TIRE                OFFROAD              PAVEMENT            MILEAGE
>OEM                      100                        100
>4500(rear), 9,000(front)
>Avon Gripster
>IRC GP-1
>IRC GP-110
>Metzeler Enduro 3
>Dunlop Trailmax
>Pirelli MT-70
>
>I'm looking for scores more or less than 100 when comparing these various
>tires to the OEM's.  A higher score than 100 would indicate that you felt
>they were better then the OEM Dunlops, and less then 100 would indicate
>they are worse.  I'm looking for responses from people who have actually
>used the OEM's and then have switched to something else.  Ratings on tires
>other then the ones I have listed would also be appreciated.
>
>My '94 has just a little under 9,000 miles on it and my original front
>tire needs replacing, and my second rear also needs replacing, thus the
>basis of my mileage numbers for the OEM's.

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

Date: 19 Feb 99 09:07:32 -0600
From: Eric West <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) KLR Longevity

Fred,  Do you happen to sell new complete engines and what do they cost?  =
Is this a viable alternative to a rebuild?
Eric

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

Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 08:14:58 -0700
From: "Pokluda, Gino F" <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: (klr650) KLR Longevity



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End of klr650-digest V2 #49
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