updated klr tool tube link

[R M Waite II]

Hello all on the list.. I have a 84 KLR 600, that I use for riding the many trails in Jackson County KY, both for pleasure and while working as a Game Warden in KY.. Any questions, just ask, as I am sure I will have plenty to ask in the future.. -- Richard M Waite II Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, District 9 Wildlife & Boating Law Enforcement Officer Madison County Rescue Squad, Inc. Dive Rescue Team Leader Blue Knights, KY III AOL IM: KYFW907 KG4KFI

[jakpaf@aol.com]

Hello out there: I am looking for anyone who has experience checking and adjusting valves. I had the dealer perform all services for the first 14,000 miles (the odometer is now at 15,750). I see no evidence that the valve cover has been removed and I was never charged for a gasket. I want to get more involved in the maintenance beyond the oil change. I don't have a service manual. I would like any feedback on problems starting in very cold conditions. When the bike is subject to cold and dampness, it will not start with the starter. You can smell the gas and flooding happens after only a few moments of cranking. Bump starting is the only option at times like this. Any help out there? Joe [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[guymanbro]

First things first... Where are you located? If you're in the NYC area (defined as less than 4 hours away by me) I'd be glad to help you with your valve adjustment. Unless something goes awry, you don't need a new gasket after a valve adjustment. I'm not saying your dealer DID the valve adjustment, most don't, but the gasket charge isn't necessarily a give away. Next...gotta get a manual if you want to be involved in the maintenance. Not sure about the cold starting problem...Is your carb stock? Too much choke maybe? dat brooklyn bum

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., jakpaf@a... wrote: > Hello out there: > I am looking for anyone who has experience checking and adjusting valves. I had the dealer perform all services for the first 14,000 miles (the odometer is now at 15,750). I see no evidence that the valve cover has been removed and I was never charged for a gasket. I want to get more involved in the maintenance beyond the oil change. I don't have a service manual. > > I would like any feedback on problems starting in very cold > conditions. When the bike is subject to cold and dampness, it will not start with the starter. You can smell the gas and flooding happens after only a few moments of cranking. Bump starting is the only option at times like this. > > Any help out there? > > Joe > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Mark St.Hilaire, Sr]

> I am looking for anyone who has experience checking and adjusting > valves. I had the dealer perform all services for the first 14,000

miles

> (the odometer is now at 15,750). I see no evidence that the valve cover

has

> been removed and I was never charged for a gasket. I want to get more > involved in the maintenance beyond the oil change. I don't have a

service

> manual.

It's not as scary as it seems. Here's a collection of all the info you'll need: ShimCalc Software is a fantastic tool for figuring out what valve shims you need to use to obtain the correct clearance: http://www.ironjungle.com/ Jay Duchin made a video of the job, and as I remember it, all the info you'll need is included. http://2wheelerjay.tripod.com/jaysworldofinvention/ I compiled the info from Eldon and others to produce a valve adjustment guide for newbies to this procedure: http://klr6500.tripod.com/ http://klr6500.tripod.com/valves.html Another valve adjustment guide that is good for its numerous pictures is: http://www.finishlinewest.com/klr_650_valve_adjustment.htm Short and sweet procedure from DSN: http://www.dualsportnews.com/klr/klrvalve.html For parts and accessories, most of us deal with Fred Hink for fast and reliable service: Website - http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/index.html Email - moabmc@... And there is always just Emailing the list if you get stuck. Best of luck, feel free to give a shout if you need help! Mark Wise men still seek Him... Mark St.Hilaire, Sr A15 My Adelphia Email can be "iffy." If you don't get a response, please try: KLR6500@... HomePage: http://home.adelphia.net/~msaint/index.html KLR650 Motorcycle Pages: http://klr6500.tripod.com/

[Andy Overstreet]

Hi all, I just subscribed to the list and it really looks like it'll be a good place to talk about the KLR. I have a 2001 model, purchased in Albuquerque now in Green Bank WV. If there are any other killer riders in the area, give me a shout maybe we can meet up. Cheers, Andy Overstreet

[leo_klr]

Good morning, I've been wanting a new bike for the past 10 years. That is when I sold my Yamaha Phazer. I haven't ridden since and have been miserable. Been kicking around the idea of a dual sport and was really taken in by all of your " KLR PASSION ". Saturday, my wife and I went to a local dealer just to look and would you believe it, she bought me a KLR. I'll be picking it up on Wendsday. I can't wait... I'm sure I will have a lot of questions for all of you and I am sure I'll get varied advice, but all will be appreciated. Has anyone installed the lowering links? was it difficult? any other adjustments required? degraded performance? I'm vertically challenged and w/the bike straight up, the tips of my tippy tippy toes contacts the ground... Leo

[jazranch]

Good morning Leo.... Welcome! ...and yes this list, to put it nicely, is Passionate.... You will find every incantation of KLR here. The original lowering links were, although at first heralded, later scrutinized due to tire rubbing, and ground clearance. Those were the 2" lowering models. Since then there's been the 1" , 3/4" and 1/2"(I think)......all said to improve the above. My slant would be to suggest, smaller O.D. rear tire, and perhaps the Corbin seat(conventional) with the dip. These, along with lowered front forks might get you there. If more is needed, then I"d probably think links. Toby

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "leo_klr" wrote: > Good morning, > I've been wanting a new bike for the past 10 years. That is when > I sold my Yamaha Phazer. I haven't ridden since and have been > miserable. Been kicking around the idea of a dual sport and was > really taken in by all of your " KLR PASSION ". > Saturday, my wife and I went to a local dealer just to look and > would you believe it, she bought me a KLR. I'll be picking it up on > Wendsday. I can't wait... > I'm sure I will have a lot of questions for all of you and I am > sure I'll get varied advice, but all will be appreciated. > Has anyone installed the lowering links? was it difficult? any > other adjustments required? degraded performance? I'm vertically > challenged and w/the bike straight up, the tips of my tippy tippy > toes contacts the ground... Leo

[Mark St.Hilaire, Sr]

> Has anyone installed the lowering links? was it difficult? any > other adjustments required? degraded performance? I'm vertically > challenged and w/the bike straight up, the tips of my tippy tippy > toes contacts the ground... Leo

Installing the links is not a big deal, it's just a matter of replacing the "dogbones" located under the bike/swingarm in the area of the rear shock. You might want to contact Fred Hink, who is the favored vendor of many of us. Fred would know the issues involved, if any, with anything he sells: Email - moabmc@... Website - http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/index.html I believe it's basically a matter of installing the new links, perhaps adjusting the fork tubes in the clamps, and possibly shortening the sidestand, (depending on how much lower you needed to go.) IMHO, nothing but toe contact is NOT enough, you need to address the issue. I know this from personal experience with Honda's 650... Wise men still seek Him... Mark St.Hilaire, Sr A15 My Adelphia Email can be "iffy." If you don't get a response, please try: KLR6500@... HomePage: http://home.adelphia.net/~msaint/index.html KLR650 Motorcycle Pages: http://klr6500.tripod.com/

[dooden]

Cool wife... Mine bought me one also last fall for a "Early Retirement" present. (Navy 20 yrs) under 40, retired, new KLR, moving back to the Upper Michigan (Yooper-Ville) in Jun when I hang my uniform up for the last time and go ashore. As I am at that magic 500 mile mark (just before the snow came) I have yet to do much of anything, need the break-in stuff now, kinda debating paying a dealer or just do it myself, like I have always done. Changes are of course up to the rider, me personnelly I like the quiet muffler, suspension seems to be ok, maybe upgrade the fork springs after I get more aggressive after complete break-in, its plenty fast enuff to get in serious trouble, infact I have new sprockets waiting to be installed, 14t/45t to slow it a bit, since I consider off-road exactly that. I think the gear box could have used another gear, it feels like it wants 6th gear on the road. But again the speed limit anywhere in Yooper-ville is 55mph, highways up there look more like the side streets in any city. Two lanes, separated by a painted line, basically non-exsistant shoulder and deer that graze a few feet from the highway. Speed is not a good thing on two wheels in that enviroment. Have fun. Long "fingered" today, been on the road and without computer fix.. reckon fingers just cant stop... Duden A15 Pilot Oh where about you call home ?

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "leo_klr" wrote: > Good morning, > I've been wanting a new bike for the past 10 years. That is when > I sold my Yamaha Phazer. I haven't ridden since and have been > miserable. Been kicking around the idea of a dual sport and was > really taken in by all of your " KLR PASSION ". > Saturday, my wife and I went to a local dealer just to look and > would you believe it, she bought me a KLR. I'll be picking it up on > Wendsday. I can't wait... > I'm sure I will have a lot of questions for all of you and I am > sure I'll get varied advice, but all will be appreciated. > Has anyone installed the lowering links? was it difficult? any > other adjustments required? degraded performance? I'm vertically > challenged and w/the bike straight up, the tips of my tippy tippy > toes contacts the ground... Leo

[Bogdan Swider]

> Has anyone installed the lowering links? was it difficult? any > other adjustments required? degraded performance? I'm vertically > challenged and w/the bike straight up, the tips of my tippy tippy > toes contacts the ground... Leo > >

I'm happy with the post lowered performance. A few tall owners have installed the links to arrive at a lower center of gravity. I does decrease suspension travel. Installation is easy. I would recommend another set of hands when loosening and tightening the bolts. The bolt heads are shallow; they require a fair amount of torque. Bogdan