ftp.xmission.com/2014.06.ftp.xmission.com.tar/ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/klr650/archive/v02.n445

Internet Message Format | 1999-05-27 | 19KB

From: [e-mail] (klr650-digest)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: klr650-digest V2 #445
Reply-To: klr650
Sender: [e-mail]
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


klr650-digest           Friday, May 28 1999           Volume 02 : Number 445




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

Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 01:15:55 +0000
From: Jeffrey Doyle <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR650 + Tilt-a-Rack

Conall O'Brien wrote:
>
> >From: "Steve" <[e-mail]>
> >Reply-To: "Steve" <[e-mail]>
> >To: "KLR650 Page (E-mail)" <[e-mail]>
> >Subject: (klr650) KLR650 + Tilt-a-Rack
> >Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 12:49:34 -0400
> >
> >My new tilt-a-rack arrived today(motorcycle rack that plugs into standard
> >2"
> >trailer hitch).  I found out the KLR is quite a beast to get up on that
> >thing (try pushing your bike up a 30 degree slope)...it is kind of
> >ass-heavy
> >so as it is going up the ramp, you really have to help the ramp level off
> >and latch down by pushing on the handlebars.   Anyway, it took me about 15
> >minutes of false starts to get the bike up on the ramp -- so I'm standing
> >there taking a break while balancing the bike when my fiance' decides to
> >try
> >out that little 'latch thingy'.   Next thing I know, the ramp tilts down
> >and
> >my beast is descending upon me.   Somehow I managed to keep it balanced and
> >no one was killed, but DAMN! That was close!    It was funny later on, but
> >had to change to my shorts :)
> >
> >One of the problems I have is the ramp is too slick -- the tire spins if
> >you
> >try and drive it up.   What can I bond on to the painted metal for better
> >traction?   Is there some kind of friction paint?   Leaving it the way it
> >is
> >is not an option...
> >
> >
> >
> Steve-
> How about mixing in some coarse sand with some paint to apply to the slick
> surface. There is also the stuff they use on swimming pool diving boards for
> traction, applies like long strips of tape.
>
> Conall


Yeah....Home Depot sells that stuff in the same department they sell
plumbing and bathroom fixtures....its like a roll of tape and you use it
for non-skid purposes.  Just don't know if the glue softens up in hot
sun.

Jeff
A2
AMA
>
> _______________________________________________________________
> Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

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

Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 22:28:05 -0700
From: "Arne Larsen" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Re: (KLR650) Side stand

>Arne,
>
>It's not as bad as the family dog dying....but having your machine fall
>over (like Gino's) is a solemn moment.
>
>FWIW I have the fork tubes on my A2 about 2+inches above the tree clamps
>and found that the side stand situation seems OK.  The bike doesn't
>stand too upright....but doesn't lean way over like a Harley
>either....just seems fine.  I do use good judgement on surface
>conditions however.  Some of the advantages I've found to this lowering
>the bike up forward without buying any after market items is that the
>side stand works fine, I can access the twist off caps for the fork
>valves to bleed pressure real easy, its easier mounting the bike, the
>bike turns quicker in corners (less trail), can touch both feet on the
>ground at a full stop, no problem with passenger load (no need for bash
>plate under rear fender), no problem with any additional weight transfer
>to wrists, and it works equally well with street or dirt tires.
>Jeff
>A2
>AMA

I used to have the fork tubes up in the triple clamps around 3" - not
because I set it that way, but that's the way the previous owner had it.
While all the benefits you list are true, I made the mistake (read lazy) of
going off road with it like this.  All I can say is that my heavy duty
aluminum bash plate did its job, and now looks pretty hardcore all
re-straightened and welded up.

Arne

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

Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 22:34:27 -0700
From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) ignition corrosion?

>Having just returned from a week of travel (without the klr), I
was anxious
>for the reunion tonight--but as I had feared, the bike acquired
a corrosive
>connection I've concluded at somepoint during the week and just
>errrrrred....errrrrred at the hesitant rollover of the starter.
>
>Although a garage would be a pleasant shelter, I am forced to
keep the klr
>tightly bundled with a cover, but moisture has finally taken its
toll.
>Anyway, what's the first area of concern I should address?
Lights are strong,
>and I know the battery's not weak. Any info would be
appreciated, please
>advise.
>
If you are using a waterproof tarp, you have to make sure you are
getting ventilation under the tarp.  I have these problems with
my boat.  The condensation under the tarp can get pretty bad,
sometimes worse than just leaving the tarp off and letting it get
rained on.

I'd check for water in the gas.  Drain the tank and carb and put
some fresh gas in.  When you drain the tank, you might as well
take it off and check the spark plug while you are there.  Is it
getting spark?

How do you know you battery is good?  Just because it lights the
lights, doesn't mean that it has enough amps to turn the motor
fast enough.  How fast is it cranking it over?  Check your
connections to both the battery and to the starter motor for
corrosion.

So, those are the only things I can think of.  You might want to
try and make a tent out of the tarp for your bike, it will work
better.  You want to keep the rain and snow off the bike, but
atmospheric humidity in the air is really no big deal, unless you
live on the coast.

Jeff

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

Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 01:49:03 +0000
From: Jeffrey Doyle <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) KLR Touring

Bill Haycock wrote:
>
> I believe it was Chuck asking about Touring on the KLR.
>
> I have done a number of 6,000 mile trips on the KLR - One trip was 28
> days from the USA to Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and return.  Just
> completed a 2,300 mile trip to Baja and back - The KLR is fine on the
> road as long as you don't expect it to be a Goldwing!
>
> Sean Gallagher and I are riding from Atlanta, Georgia to Moab and back
> (3,600 miles) and thinking nothing of it!  Ride all you want.
>
> Bill


Bill,

You are sooooooo lucky.

Can't wait to get the time to take those kind of trips.  I've got
relatives in Greensboro Georgia and the last time we visited we headed
back north in a Civic through the Cherokee area and the Ridge Parkway
(came out not too far from Ashville, N.C.).  Hit an ice pellet storm at
a high spot around 6,000 ft. and it was tough in a car let alone being
on a bike.  I just took my time at 15mph and let the locals go by me and
do their 30.

The longest haul I may get this season is Mt. Greylock Mass., Cape Cod,
or the original site of Woodstock.

Jeff
A2
AMA

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

Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 22:57:29 -0700
From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Spark plug

So my bike, which has been burning oil, died on me three times
the other day, and had a hard time restarting.  So I checked the
spark plug, and sure enough it was fouled with carbon from the
burned oil.

I had reserved myself to adding 500 cc's of oil after every tank
full of gas, same as lubing the chain, for as long as the bike
continued to run well and I could save up the markies to buy the
parts to rebuild the top end.  So now I'm going to have to pull
and clean the plug regularly too?  Would running a hotter plug
help?  Or am I just creating other problems by running a hotter
plug?  I shudder to think of the carbon build up inside the
combustion chamber.  Funny thing, there really isn't that much
visible smoke coming out the pipe.

She runs good now, but this sucks, because it puts a serious
hamper on this summer, as I wanted to do a couple of long rides.
Oh-well, less time on the bike outside of commuting means more
time on the boat, or behind the boat skiing.

Jeff--A3

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

Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 23:03:26 -0700
From: "Arne Larsen" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Spark plug

>So my bike, which has been burning oil, died on me three times
>the other day, and had a hard time restarting.  So I checked the
>spark plug, and sure enough it was fouled with carbon from the
>burned oil.
>
>I had reserved myself to adding 500 cc's of oil after every tank
>full of gas, same as lubing the chain, for as long as the bike
>continued to run well and I could save up the markies to buy the
>parts to rebuild the top end.  So now I'm going to have to pull
>and clean the plug regularly too?  Would running a hotter plug
>help?  Or am I just creating other problems by running a hotter
>plug?  I shudder to think of the carbon build up inside the
>combustion chamber.  Funny thing, there really isn't that much
>visible smoke coming out the pipe.
>
>She runs good now, but this sucks, because it puts a serious
>hamper on this summer, as I wanted to do a couple of long rides.
>Oh-well, less time on the bike outside of commuting means more
>time on the boat, or behind the boat skiing.
>
>Jeff--A3
>

If running a hotter plug will help achieve a more complete combustion, then
I can't see it doing any harm.  As the motor is water cooled I think it's
fairly well protected in the excess heat department.  You could also
experiment with a "v" groove plug etc.. to see if it will give you a
'fatter' spark.

Arne

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

Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 02:10:07 +0000
From: Jeffrey Doyle <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) It worked..sorta

Jeff & Lisa Walker wrote:
>
> >>
>
> As I said, sometimes it works, mostly it doesn't.  Surprisingly,
> I've had pretty good luck with auto tires and fix a flat, it got
> me to my destination, where I had the tire repaired.  I think
> that having that 1/4 inch of rubber makes a difference when
> sealing the tire, compared to that thin tube.  Slime is a totally
> different compound, and works well I think, for inner tubes.
> That's why I like it.  I'm not sure that it might make it harder
> to patch the tube, but not impossible, also while it gives the
> tire more rotating mass, and more heat, I think that small,
> unnoticeable trade off is worth the added security.  I've been
> over some nasty stuff lately, and haven't suffered any snakebites
> or punctures that disabled me, yet, knock on wooden head.
>
> Jeff

I'm only a week behind on catching up with the mail but I've got a ten
year old can of Snap fix-a-flat and it shows a picture of the someone
inflating the front wheel of a motorcycle with it.  I think one of the
other listers said they don't recommend it for two wheelers or something
anymore...I'll have to check it out this weekend.

Jeff
A2
AMA

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

Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 23:40:28 -0700
From: "Arne Larsen" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Riding the Markie Wave (NKLR)

Kawabunga...

As some of you may remember from my earlier posts, I sold a Valkyrie Tourer
to purchase my KLR.  In doing this, I had some 18 markies left to play with
(wicked grin).  With this in mind you could say I went on a shopping spree
(right Fred?)...  Well, as I was in the process of finishing the house/yard
etc.. at the same time, I was only able to glean 6 or so markies for the KLR
and its Handler.  The reality of this hit home more sharply as I stood
oggling over a set of beautiful Hepco-Becker racks to mount my aluminum
panniers (thanks Vik) on my bike.  The cost of these (after exchange) came
very close to yet another markie.  And while I don't have a problem
justifiying a markie for my Kilimanjaro (as I am not a Tailor and able to
make one of these myself), I couldn't bring myself to do it for something I
(convinced myself) could fabricate on my own for 1/10th the cost.  The only
thing I had to work around was the fact that I'd never done anything like
this before... ever.  So, I proceeded to clean up the shop, re-wire (never
done this before either) the panel to accept a 50 amp breaker for my welder
(which has been new in a box for the past 12 months - bought it a long time
ago because it was a good deal) and figured that now would be a good time to
learn how to weld.  I then made a pipe bender, bought some steel, and went
to work.  No problem.

So it's Thursday night, the racks aren't done yet, but I've got tomorrow...
Sunday's out because we're leaving for Moab at 4:30 am... and Saturday's
also a no-go because the paint needs to be dry before I mount my boxes
=^)...  So as I said - it's do-or-die for tomorrow.  I do have an admission
to make though... Not wanting my racks to be my FIRST attempt at welding, I
gave up on the idea (only for now) about welding them myself.  Fortunately a
friend of mine has a shop at home that he works out of on a regular basis.
So tomorrow I'm packing up all my pieces and I'm going to let him put the
welds where I want them.  I think this will be a very handy arrangement
because I can continue to bend and fabricate the pieces at his place, and
when I need a weld I just point and grunt.

For anyone who's going to be at the Rally, stop by and see what I've
created/abominated...  While originally they were going to look very close
to a H-B rack, they've taken on a personality of their own (at least in my
mind - they're not finished yet).

See y'all there!

Arne

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

Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 01:42:29 -0500
From: Tom Meagher <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Radiator Guard, and other potential needs

I just got a box of goodies from Tim tonight, and installed the radiator
guard and highway pegs/guards.

Man, really nice stuff!  Well designed and built.

About the radiator guard though.  It is a beautiful little piece and would
offer quite a bit of protection to the delicate radiator for side impacts
and falls.  Frontal blows and slides could still be a problem, but hey,
it's better than nothing, doesn't weigh very much, and is very easy to install.

The radiator guard, plus a good aluminum bash plate (I've got a Moose, and
it looks tough), plus the pegs/guards seems to offer a pretty good
protection package.

I think the silly "scoops" on either side of the tank, have got to be
extremely vulnerable.  I'm seriously considering replacing them with a
couple pieces of 3/8" plywood.

Tom Meagher (function over form)
Houston TX
A13


At 07:13 AM 5/27/99 -0400, J.Taylor wrote:
>[e-mail] wrote:
> > Well, after my first semi-serious off-road adventure with my
> > new A13, I came to a realization:
> > What is that cheap piece of metal mesh in front of the radiator
> > really supposed to protect?
>
>That mesh protects the ultra fragile, near paper thickness radiator fins
>that the manual says not to spray with a pressurized stream of water.
>They have this annoying habit of bending, occluding air flow thru the
>radiator. The mesh serves mostly to keep big bug impacts from closing
>off your radiator flow. Outside of that, I agree, it does little else.
>Have no fear tho, Tim "Obi Wan" Bernard of Driveline Svcs makes a
>radiator guard for just the problem you experienced. Alex in Oak Park
>just rec'vd his yesterday it sounds like (cue Alex). Who else has them,
>I haven't a clue.
>
>Jake in Jacksonville

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

Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 01:49:44 -0500
From: Tom Meagher <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Prayers for safe travel...NKLR

I sure wish I could go this year.  sigh... TUV certification sucks. maybe
next year.

I would love to meet all my new friends in person!

Y'all will be in my thoughts, and in my *prayers* too.

(Don't do anything I wouldn't do! (shudder...))

Tom Meagher (live hard, die young, leave a good looking corpse)
Houston TX
A13



At 04:59 PM 5/27/99 -0700, Rev. Chuck MacKarness wrote:
>Kurt Simpson wrote:
>
>  As the excitement builds for next week's
>event...my prayers are for each of us and our loved
>ones that our travel is safe and our time together
>joyous. Be careful everyone. I look forward
>to our time together....
>
>  Kurt
>********************************
>Your prayers are heard Kurt, and added to mine.
>
>All: Ride safely and swiftly be delivered to your
>destination.
>
>Please remember the reasons we enjoy the things we do
>so we can enjoy them again.
>
>
>===
>Rev. Chuck
>'99 KLR651
>:^)>+
>
>
>
>_________________________________________________________
>Do You Yahoo!?
>Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
>

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

Date: Sun, 30 May 1999 02:39:06 -0500
From: Tom Meagher <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Riding the Markie Wave (NKLR)

Arne, someday you will look back at this and laugh.  I am presently
giggling just a little myself.  PLEEEAASE take pictures.  This I have got
to see!

I have to say that I think folks like Obi Wan and his team earn their
money, and then some, with his excellent new SU racks (and aluminum boxes),
which have such a formidable quality/dollar ratio that it is hard to beat,
even if you do it yourself, as you may find out.  (Hey, we are not talking
about putting up a shelf here.  Can you say "dynamic load" or "stress
fatigue"  (probably what you're feeling about now ;))

Tom Meagher (in admiration of your moxie) (and who has rushed in more than
once where angels feared to tread...)




At 11:40 PM 5/27/99 -0700, Arne Larsen wrote:
>Kawabunga...
>=^)...  So as I said - it's do-or-die for tomorrow.  I do have an admission
>to make though... Not wanting my racks to be my FIRST attempt at welding, I
>gave up on the idea (only for now) about welding them myself.  Fortunately a
>friend of mine has a shop at home that he works out of on a regular basis.
>So tomorrow I'm packing up all my pieces and I'm going to let him put the
>welds where I want them.  I think this will be a very handy arrangement
>because I can continue to bend and fabricate the pieces at his place, and
>when I need a weld I just point and grunt.
>
>For anyone who's going to be at the Rally, stop by and see what I've
>created/abominated...  While originally they were going to look very close
>to a H-B rack, they've taken on a personality of their own (at least in my
>mind - they're not finished yet).
>
>See y'all there!
>
>Arne
>

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

End of klr650-digest V2 #445
****************************