stupid spark plug question

[Bogdan Swider]

On 6/16/08 9:30 AM, "fasteddiecopeman" wrote:

> > > > Robert, > First thing I'd do (and I DID, on mine!) is check for play in the steering > head bearings which > are probably loose. Tighten them up and your wobble should be gone. > Ed > > >

Agreed. It s almost certainly some kind of play in the forks and that s probably it. Also the big sail of a front fender exacerbates any tendency toward front end instability; that s why some of us have gone to an aftermarket low fender. You could take the fender off and see if things improved. Bogdan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Robert Waters wrote:

> > Greetings. > I have a 2007 KLR-650.  It has 8000 on it.  Tires are new Avon Gripsters. > Recently, I have noticed that at high speed when passing and crossing lains (rough

highway) the bike wobbles. It was pretty scary once.  I can also make it wobble deliberately and it does not always stop instantly when I want it to.

>   > I'm wondering if a fork brace will fix this problem.  If so, what brand?  >   > Robert Waters > Huntsville, AR

There are a lot of things that can make your bike wobble. The most common are: loose steering head bearings, insufficient rear spring preload (or too weak a spring), and misalignment of the rear wheel)

[E.L. Green]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Robert Waters wrote:

> I have a 2007 KLR-650.  It has 8000 on it.  Tires are new

Avon Gripsters.

> Recently, I have noticed that at high speed when passing and

crossing lains (rough highway) the bike wobbles. 1. Adjust head bearing tension to have just the slightest bit of drag 2. Adjust tire pressures. 3. Adjust suspension preloads. For me, I had to go to stiffer springing front and rear to get rid of the wobble. Turns out it was more a wallow caused by a sagging rear spring taking too much weight off the front fork. Turn your preload all the way up on the rear shock and see if that helps. It may also be that your front fork has sagged out too much, put about 10PSI in through the top air valves and see if that helps. (If so, switch to stiffer springing rather than continue with air in your forks, air in forks long-term can cause the fork seals to fail). Also, make sure your forks are in the proper position. The tops of the fork tubes should be flush with the top of the triple tree unless you've lowered your bike (in which case they should stick up a bit). My KLR had the wobble you describe when I bought it, but now is stable as a rock all the way up to about 80mph, at which point the fact that it is a very light bike with iffy aerodynamics tends to make it a bit skittish (but no wobble!). No problem, it was only accident that had me going 80mph anyhow, that certainly isn't a speed I normally ride my KLR!

[Robert Waters]

Thanks to all who helped with the wobble problem at high speed.  The steering nut was finger loose.  I tightened that and it helped.  I expect that I need to tighten the bearings too before it is rock solid again.  rw Greetings. I have a 2007 KLR-650. It has 8000 on it. Tires are new Avon Gripsters. Recently, I have noticed that at high speed when passing and crossing lains (rough highway) the bike wobbles. It was pretty scary once. I can also make it wobble deliberately and it does not always stop instantly when I want it to. I'm wondering if a fork brace will fix this problem. If so, what brand? Robert Waters Huntsville, AR [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[markwhitegb]

I am interested in your opinion on a fork brace (superbrace) which I fitted on to my KLR650 97. I use it right now mainly on road . I was told by someone who works on many KLR's it was really dangerous , the forks give for a reason (which makes sense)He says if you hit a bump wrong you will go down faster and harder than ever with this brace, which doesn't sound great.

[Horton Oliphant]

Nonsense! If flexy forks are so good then why is the industry going to larger diameter tubes and axle clamps that cut down on fork twist? If the brace is installed incorrectly it could possibly cause problems and some have argued that they don't do much while others say that there is a noticeable improvement. Any fork brace adds to unsprung weight but then so do larger diameter stiffer fork tubes. The reason the forks flex and twist is that Kawasaki decided that it was in the range of acceptability and that making them stiffer would cost more. Others opinions may vary. Alan Henderson A13 Iowa markwhitegb wrote:

> I am interested in your opinion on a fork brace (superbrace) which I > fitted on to my KLR650 97. I use it right now mainly on road . I was > told by someone who works on many KLR's it was really dangerous , the > forks give for a reason (which makes sense)He says if you hit a bump > wrong you will go down faster and harder than ever with this brace, > which doesn't sound great. > >

[Jud Jones]

+1 Even the "gurus" who argue against fork braces do not consider them dangerous. My bike is a lot better in sand with the brace. "Hit a bump wrong"??? I used to hear that if you hit a bump wrong on a Stanley Steamer, you could be launched 150 feet in the air. That was an old wives' tale, and so is this.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Horton Oliphant wrote: > > Nonsense! If flexy forks are so good then why is the industry going to > larger diameter tubes and axle clamps that cut down on fork twist? If > the brace is installed incorrectly it could possibly cause problems and > some have argued that they don't do much while others say that there is > a noticeable improvement. Any fork brace adds to unsprung weight but > then so do larger diameter stiffer fork tubes. The reason the forks flex > and twist is that Kawasaki decided that it was in the range of > acceptability and that making them stiffer would cost more. > > Others opinions may vary. > Alan Henderson A13 Iowa > > markwhitegb wrote: > > I am interested in your opinion on a fork brace (superbrace) which I > > fitted on to my KLR650 97. I use it right now mainly on road . I was > > told by someone who works on many KLR's it was really dangerous , the > > forks give for a reason (which makes sense)He says if you hit a bump > > wrong you will go down faster and harder than ever with this brace, > > which doesn't sound great. > > > > >

[Doug Pippin]

The KLR has such a wimpy front suspension that a fork brace is almost a necessity. There are those that argue that they're good for the road but not off road and you want the flex with the stock forks. This is hogwash. The sturdier the front forks are especially on a dirt (dual sport) bike the better the forks will work and you'll experience much better handling. The only give the forks should have is in the travel of the suspension itself. I wouldn't ride my KLR without a fork brace. It gives the wimpy front end a little more firmer feel and much better control. You don't want the front end wallowing around when you're riding. Doug ---------- At 09:57 AM 7/30/2008, you wrote:

>Fork brace > Posted by: "markwhitegb" markwhitegb@... markwhitegb > Date: Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:43 am ((PDT)) > >I am interested in your opinion on a fork brace (superbrace) which I >fitted on to my KLR650 >97. I use it right now mainly on road . I was told by someone who >works on many KLR's it >was really dangerous , the forks give for a reason (which makes >sense)He says if you hit a >bump wrong you will go down faster and harder than ever with this >brace, which doesn't >sound great.

---------- Doug Pippin 828-684-8488 d_pippin_89@... ---------- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[LD]

Rode my 03 KLR without a fork brace for 2 years as I was skeptical about them. I installed an Eagle Mfg. brace early this season and wish I'd done it 2 years ago. The bike feels better in every situation. Can't imagine it could contribute to an accident. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[todd_mckinnon2000]

I have always thought the steering off road was wobbly in my hands and just assumed it was loose gravel and softer surfaces. Never really noticed it on pavement. I keep reading about fork braces and how they help stabilize things. Does anyone have experience with aftermarket fork braces helping or hurting or worth the cost/value proposition? Thanks for any feedback and/or suggestions for which to buy. Found one on ebay, ht, i think it was and dual star. Thanks again.