Wilsons Sandbox

my oil seems like it gets black quick, at least compared to my truck. after 6000 miles (and 4 oil changes) it seems to take longer to get black now, so i'm guessing there was just a lot of wearing in going on (??). at any rate, i get a fair amount of off-roading in, so i don't mind changing it every 1500-2000 miles. if you didn't change the oil filter too, there would be extra blackness mixing in from the oil trapped in the filter. don't forget to flush twice after you dump the old oil. ;^) mw

> > I'm going to dump the Honda 20W-50 I put in last night and > try some Kawasaki > 10W-40 oil tomorrow. I noticed that the old oil was black as > the ace of > spades. The new oil became black in the sight window shortly > after starting > the engine. Has anyone else noticed this? I'm considering > an engine flush > with cheap oil and a quick run. Any comments? > > Jim

THAT WAS ME! Hi Linda! I'm Todd. I live in Reston, work in Old Town and as of last Thursday, I am the proud owner of a stock 1996 KLR650 with 1,300 miles. I was on my way home after purchasing the new (to me) KLR. I bought it from a K100/K75 rider up near Westiminster, Maryland who had bought it to ride the Baja but who had other riding goals ahead of that. I merged in behind you on 15 from I-70 and followed you to route 7 in Leesburg. My wife was following us in her Expedition. That was a nice ride but way too short. I have owned several bikes in the past, mostly enduros, but haven't ridden much in about ten years. I rode a friend's R100GS last year and have been trying to find one in my price range ever since to no avail. After researching dual sports for several months I concluded that as much as I liked a GS, the XR650L and KLR650 were the best substitutes and more affordable for me. It was the reliability, aftermarket products, adventure stories found on the web and cult following that convinced me that the KLR would be good for my soul (and much better in the dirt than a GS). I followed the classifieds, internet ads, eBay etc. and called every shop from here to Philly trying to find a used KLR. I finally came across mine in an internet ad. Another interested buyer had called ahead of me and I couldn't convince the seller that I could be there sooner. As fate would have it, the other buyer cancelled and I got the bike. I was convinced that had the other buyer seen the bike he would have bought it. Did I mention it had 1,300 mi.? I really like the bike, I like who I bought it from and I like the way I acquired it. Good for the soul. Now, on to all of those accessories. I have been trying to prioritize. I think I can be ready for the Shenandoah 500 in October. I joined the list yesterday and have been enjoying the posts greatly. I browsed your pages as well. Nice bags. The bionic bag is awsome but it looks like it would cut into your esophagus. I was just reading the "Who Was That?" post and thinking about how amazing it would be if I had actually spotted a lister up in Vestal or if someone had spotted me. Then I read YOUR post and said HOLY S**T! THAT WAS ME! Well, it was nice riding with you Linda and especially nice running into you on the list. Talk to you later, Todd

> Date: Fri, 02 Jun 2000 19:43:41 -0000

From: "Linda Tanner" Subject: Was that you? I was coming back from an amazing trip up to Toronto to attend a FAST track school last Thursday before dark. I passed a late model (I think) KLR650 on 15 in MD and we sorta rode together to Leesburg. I was on my Black R1100RT and having fun. Anyone on the list? LindaT. Springfield, VA, USA 99 R1100RT Mr. Buzzy 95 F3 Purple Haze (67K miles and counting) 00 KLR250 Tenzing (0 miles and not counting) http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Pit/4807/