ftp.xmission.com/2014.06.ftp.xmission.com.tar/ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/klr650/archive/v02.n081

Internet Message Format | 1999-03-02 | 17KB

From: [e-mail] (klr650-digest)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: klr650-digest V2 #81
Reply-To: klr650
Sender: [e-mail]
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


klr650-digest          Tuesday, March 2 1999          Volume 02 : Number 081




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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 16:42:10 -0500
From: "Brian Schoonveld" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) universal deficiencies.........

- ------> There is a F650 review here for those interested.
http://www.best.com/~citybike/content/features/f650.html

In the above link'd article, the author laments:

- ------->This experience, of course, got me thinking about what could I do to
the F650 to improve it. First, I'd send forks and shock to Lindemann's for
some stiffer springs and better valving. Second, I'd ditch the 75 lbs.
exhaust. Let it breathe, let it bark. Third, I'd uprate both the brakes and
the rubber. Fourth, I'd attack some of the plastic bits and make the bike
look less like an appliance. Fifth, I'd put some ProTapers on... hey, this
getting to be fun...............


Sounds familiar ..... springs, forks, exhaust, tires, BRAKES!!   To me, yet
another reason for a KLR.   You'd think there'd be no problems in these
areas as a benefit of spending $3000 more for the beamer!    Fred, I think
you need to expand your parts bins.

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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 13:43:43 -0800
From: Tom Myers <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) twin carb's?

>........Here's the dumb question of the day - - how is a single piston
>engine set-up with twin-carbs?

Four-valve head has two intake ports, one for each carb.  It's a nice setup
with great throttle response, a little expensive, and the two carbs tend to
block airflow around the head.  The '83-'87 XL Hondas and the XR600s up to
'86 had two carbs.   It was much nicer on the trails than the singlecarb.
Several of the XT Yamahas had the twin setup several years back.  The XTs
had a funky setup where the little primary carb sucked offa the big carb's
float (only one float between the two separate carbs)

Tom


+------------------------------------+
|  CycoActive Products                tel [phone]
|  701 34th Ave                fax [phone]
|  Seattle, WA 98122    USA
|  webpage:   http://www.cycoactive.com
|  e-mail:  [e-mail]
+------------------------------------+

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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 16:58:33 -0500 (EST)
From: Eric Winslow <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) RE: Mainland...bike advice F650 vs. KLR

On Tue, 2 Mar 1999, Kurt Simpson wrote:

>
> I think the F-650 would be better for two-up...but, having said that, there are a
> couple of options I'm working on:
>
> 1) Tim Bernard sells a quick detach luggage rack with or w/o rear bag...his setup can
> be ordered with a small or large backrest. Further, the backrest can be moved so that
> is is either flush with the end of the seat or recessed an additional inch. My SO sat
> on his bike in Boise and pronounced it a huge improvement. With his highway pegs the

That rack sounds intriguing. Do you know of any pictures of it with the
backrest? If I do get the KLR I'll probably look to get contact info for
Tim Bernard.

> 2) Russell will make a day-long seat in the KLR for a pillion and
guarantee the
> comfort...

That sounds like a good possibility, too.

Thanks for the info. The $3000 saved by buying the KLR gives plenty of
room for doing little customizations to make it just what you need.

Eric

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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 16:58:48 -0500 (EST)
From: Eric Winslow <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) RE: Mainland...bike advice F650 vs. KLR

<response from Jeff snipped>

Thanks much for the detailed response. My wife and I are both small (5'6''
and under) so maybe we'd have more room to work with on that seat. Padding
that rack somehow might help.

Well, thanks for the response. You've given me some good info.

Eric

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

Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 14:22:53 PST
From: "Paul Christenson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) twin carb's? (now NKLR)

>Several of the XT Yamahas had the twin setup several years back.  The
>XTs had a funky setup where the little primary carb sucked offa the
>big carb's float (only one float between the two separate carbs)

Right.. the YDIS (Yamaha Dual Intake System, I believe).  The primary
reason I sold my XT550.

Mine had a funny habit of dropping power about 30% from time to time;
usually at highway speeds.  Instant change, like someone flipping a
switch.

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

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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 17:31:09 -0500
From: "Rob Tayloe" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) F650 Dakar Winner on BMW ON Cover

On the cover of this month's BMW ON
magazine is a picture of the F650 that
won the Dakar race.

With all the discussion of rear racks,
load limits, and weight distribution,
I was interested to see what appear to
be supplemental fuel tanks.  These
extra fuel tanks are located very low,
essentially on either side of the engine.


Ride Safely,
Rob Tayloe <[e-mail]>
Columbus, Ohio

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

Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 15:32:58 -0700
From: Bogdan Swider <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: (klr650) luggage rack load limit

Vik, I'm not a real physicist but it must be the principle that Greek guy
(Archemeides?)espoused when he said he could flip a cheeseburger as big as
the world if he had a big enough spatula. Must have something to do with the
passenger being closer to the bike's center of gravity & further forward of
the rear axle. I'll give you a real life example: My bike & I were hijacked
in the deserts of Sonora a few years ago. The ladrones insisted I give them
BOTH a ride down this sandy road. When the first guy (the one with the gun)
got on it was no big deal, but when the second brute placed himself behind
him my front wheel sure felt light and my handling was severely compromised.
Bogdan


> One thing I didn't understand.  Why does a 120-160lbs person not affect
> handling, but 100lbs cause trouble?
>

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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 15:32:11 -0700
From: "Kurt Simpson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Tim's Racks...

>> 1) Tim Bernard sells a quick detach luggage rack with or w/o rear bag...his setup
can
>> be ordered with a small or large backrest. Further, the backrest can be moved so
that
>> is is either flush with the end of the seat or recessed an additional inch. My SO
sat
>> on his bike in Boise and pronounced it a huge improvement. With his highway pegs
the


Tim is going to ship it to me shortly (right Tim?) it was Black Monday for him this
week with his accountant...but soon he'll be back to his cheerful self. When I get it,
I'll mount it and do some pics and a "First Look" for the list and webpage...a
detailed review will follow if Gino has room in DSN.

Kurt A12

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

Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 15:39:45 -0800
From: "[e-mail]" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Airbox?

Hi, I'm new to list list and got turned on to it by Fred at Arrowhead
Motorsports in Moab,Utah. I have a 97 KLR that I'm making a super motard
out of.I have a couple of questions. I am not going to use the airbox on
it and need to know if anyone knows aof an airfilter (K&N,etc..) that
will bolt right to the carb. The second question is what jetting changes
will be requiered from this mod? I'm in Denver (high altitude) and am
running IDS Supertrapp Muffler.Any help on these issues would be great.
Thanks,Jason

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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 15:33:42 -0700
From: "Kurt Simpson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) twin carb's? (now NKLR)

>>Several of the XT Yamahas had the twin setup several years back.  The
>>XTs had a funky setup where the little primary carb sucked offa the
>>big carb's float (only one float between the two separate carbs)
>
>Right.. the YDIS (Yamaha Dual Intake System, I believe).  The primary
>reason I sold my XT550.
>
>Mine had a funny habit of dropping power about 30% from time to time;
>usually at highway speeds.  Instant change, like someone flipping a
>switch.


My '84 XT600 had a lot of power but it surged like crazy...

Kurt

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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 15:42:39 -0700
From: "Fred Hink" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) KLR Motard

We have a new lister in our midst.  Welcome Jason the KLR magician.  He can
change a perfectly good motorcycle into a monster.  Jason
[e-mail] is finishing up his supermotard conversion of a
KLR and should have some photos for us to prove it soon.

What say ye Jason??

Fred

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

Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 14:41:14 -0800
From: Christopher J Beasley <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) 88 KLR woes

Hey folks!
I'm baaaaack!
Well, I'm back on the list again anyway.  My KLR is still broken.
I was putting the head back on again this weekend and noticed that the piston,
when it is a bottom dead center, has a hell of a lot of slop in the cylinder.  I
can see the rings from the top!  I can move the piston fore and aft within the
cylinder one or two millimeters!  Is this normal or do I need a new bore job and
piston?  Everything looks fine when it's at TDC, it's just at the bottom it's
all loose.  I think this implies that I have too much taper in the cylinder but
the service manual doesn't seem to have specs for this.

It looks like this engine uses a steel liner in an aluminum jug.  Is this the
case?  Can I replace the liner and rings and just call it a day?

Thanks folks!

BTW, is MOAB happening again this year?
Cheers!
Beez

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

Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 17:05:50 -0600
From: Alan Henderson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR Spotting

>Alan would you be able to post this for me on your webpage for a couple
>weeks?  File attached of the box I am building for my KLR and its
>approximate dimensions.
>
>Cheers,
>
>Vik

The picture of the box Vik is having made is posted at:
http://www.ames.net/al.henderson/box.jpg

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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 15:51:24 -0700
From: "Pokluda, Gino F" <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: (klr650) Tim's Racks...

>>When I get it,
I'll mount it and do some pics and a "First Look" for the list and
webpage...a
detailed review will follow if Gino has room in DSN.<<

Plenty of room.  Starting with the May-June/1999 issue, DSN will be 24 pages
instead of the usual 20.

gino

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

Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 18:25:20 +0000
From: Jeffrey Doyle <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Tim's Racks...

Kurt,

If the new rack/backrest is a bolt on replacement for the existing rack,
makes it more roomy and comfortable for passengers, has storage for the
tool pack, and is reasonably priced then I think it certainly should be
in the DSN.  If you or Gino provided pictures of the rack and backrest,
any adjustment features, areas of comfort improvement (more space), and
order information it would be great.  It may be the answer a lot of
people who ride more road than dirt have been looking for.  I think the
KLR is one hell of a machine, but have always expected more in the way
of passenger accomodations.

Ride on,

Jeff

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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 15:56:12 -0700
From: "Pokluda, Gino F" <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: (klr650) F650 Dakar Winner on BMW ON Cover

>>On the cover of this month's BMW ON
magazine is a picture of the F650 that
won the Dakar race.<<

I know. My BMW buddies have been rubbing my face in it. The only solace I
have is that it is not a BMW and it bears absolutely no resemblance to what
they have on the showroom floor and they called it an F650 just to sell
their slow moving single.

Gino, venting again, Pokluda

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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 18:29:17 -0500
From: "Stephen Rivett" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR Spotting

It may be a good idea to have some sort of quick release system that allows
you to remove the whole box and put it over your shoulder to bring into
hotels (it must hold a lot of stuff to move individually)

- -----Original Message-----
From: Alan Henderson <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail] <[e-mail]>
Date: March 2, 1999 6:00 PM
Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR Spotting


>
>>Alan would you be able to post this for me on your webpage for a couple
>>weeks?  File attached of the box I am building for my KLR and its
>>approximate dimensions.
>>
>>Cheers,
>>
>>Vik
>
>The picture of the box Vik is having made is posted at:
>http://www.ames.net/al.henderson/box.jpg
>
>
>

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

Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 17:19:14 -0500
From: Bill Haycock <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Supertrapp Article

The URL is:

http://www.dualsport.org/page5.html

Bill (who thinks everyone in the world MUST know about the Dual Sport Web
Page!)

"J.P.Zucht" wrote:

> Bill Haycock wrote:
>
> > Just posted an article Gino had written on the Supertrapp IDS Series
> > Muffler for the KLR.
>
> > Can be found at KLR Page, Accessories and ad-ons.
>
> > Bill
>
> Hey, Bill, how 'bout a free tip? (and worth everything ya paid fer it)
>
> When you put a message like this on the list there may be some of us
> dummies who forget to bookmark these things...or some newbie who just
> stumbled in...how about posting the 'URL' with the message...each time =
?
>
> cha-ching  2=A2 (Cdn)
>
> (and BTW, THANKS for the KLR page!  I've learned more about my KLR on
> this list (and the KLR page and links) in the last few months than in 2
> years of owning it !!!)  (Also spending more money on it than I ever
> dreamed I might, thanks to all those dang articles!!!)  <VBG>
>
> phil

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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 17:15:22 -0700
From: "Kurt Simpson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Tim's Racks...

>If the new rack/backrest is a bolt on replacement for the existing rack,
>makes it more roomy and comfortable for passengers, has storage for the
>tool pack, and is reasonably priced then I think it certainly should be
>in the DSN.

It is not a replacement...it is in addition...it uses quick-release clips and can be
on/off in seconds..pretty nifty...I'm gently trying to talk Tim into making it with
the same sexy black "aircraft" aluminum that the Top of the Line Rack uses...adds a
certain cachet...

Kurt

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

Date: Tue, 02 Mar 1999 19:29:29 +0000
From: Jeffrey Doyle <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Tim's Racks...

Kurt,

Even chrome or polished aluminum would be OK.  If the backrest is tall
enough it would provide a nice support to secure a bag to.

Jeff

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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 17:40:29 -0700 (MST)
From: Jeffrey P Moorbeck <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) F650 Dakar Winner on BMW ON Cover

On Tue, 2 Mar 1999, Rob Tayloe wrote:

> On the cover of this month's BMW ON
> magazine is a picture of the F650 that
> won the Dakar race.
>
> With all the discussion of rear racks,
> load limits, and weight distribution,
> I was interested to see what appear to
> be supplemental fuel tanks.  These
> extra fuel tanks are located very low,
> essentially on either side of the engine.
>
>
> Ride Safely,
> Rob Tayloe <[e-mail]>

Does anyone know what other mods were made to this bike for the race? I'm
assuming it wasn't bone stock.

Jeff

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

Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 17:34:22 -0700
From: "Vik Banerjee" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) luggage rack load limit - NKLR

Have a look at the middle pic on this page if you want to see a couple
overloaded bikes!

http://www.geocities.com/Baja/9832/

Cheers,

Vik


- -----Original Message-----
From: Bogdan Swider <[e-mail]>
To: 'Vik Banerjee' <[e-mail]>; Bogdan Swider
<[e-mail]>; [e-mail]
<[e-mail]>
Date: Tuesday, March 02, 1999 3:31 PM
Subject: RE: (klr650) luggage rack load limit


Vik, I'm not a real physicist but it must be the principle that Greek guy
(Archemeides?)espoused when he said he could flip a cheeseburger as big as
the world if he had a big enough spatula. Must have something to do with the
passenger being closer to the bike's center of gravity & further forward of
the rear axle. I'll give you a real life example: My bike & I were hijacked
in the deserts of Sonora a few years ago. The ladrones insisted I give them
BOTH a ride down this sandy road. When the first guy (the one with the gun)
got on it was no big deal, but when the second brute placed himself behind
him my front wheel sure felt light and my handling was severely compromised.
Bogdan


> One thing I didn't understand.  Why does a 120-160lbs person not affect
> handling, but 100lbs cause trouble?
>

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

End of klr650-digest V2 #81
***************************