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silly newbie questions
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2002 9:28 pm
by cleising@telcordia.com
I've been a dirt biker for a lot of years but only just got my KLR (and
license) within the last two months. So I've been having a ball on the
blacktop, as well as a little bit of dirt (despite the insinuations about
my mental health, given current teperatures). But I've got a few dumb
nagging questions. How do you get on it gracefully? I'm 5'10", so not that
short, but it sure is tall! (Maybe my 45 year old legs don't flex that
well.) I've been setting it on its sidestand to climb on the footpeg and
hoist a leg over, but I have to believe that's not the approved method.
Also, just out of curiosity, how does a heavier bike fare in crosswinds on
the superhighway? I know the KLR is a mighty tourer, and I'd like to try
that next summer, but it gets a little scary when the wind blows and you're
going 75 or so. Is that a thing common to bikes, or does a couple of
hundred pounds more make a world of difference? Maybe I should just slow
down?
Also, I just did the first service at 500 miles (new bike), but chickened
out when it came to the valve check. What's the likelihood that an
adjustment's needed at 500 miles? Obviously, I have to pull the covers at
the next service, but is that too late? How often do you typically have to
reshim?
Thanks,
Chris Leising
silly newbie questions
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2002 9:50 pm
by monahanwb
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., cleising@t... wrote:
> How do you get on it gracefully? I'm 5'10", so not that
> short, but it sure is tall! (Maybe my 45 year old legs don't flex
that
> well.)
Nuh-uh, I'm 6'4" and 50, it's still tall. Mine has the height-
encumbering PS 420 shock, which no one else has reported owning, but
my shock really raises the bike. It's the LR model. Maybe they got
it wrong, but it still fit.
The height of the KLR is one reason why I've been riding my new (to
me) 500 Triumph around for work and errands lately. Sweet bike.
silly newbie questions
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2002 9:56 pm
by John Irvine
--- cleising@... wrote:
I've been setting it on its sidestand to
> climb on the footpeg and
> hoist a leg over, but I have to believe that's not
> the approved method.
Approved or not it sure seems the most effortless to
me even though I can reach over from the ground. Add
a top box and then standing on the peg seems almost
mandatory.
but is that too late? How often do
> you typically have to
> reshim?
>
Lister have reported varied finding about out of spec
valves early on. Not worth the risk. If it's new to
you get the video, lots cheaper than having the shop
do it or not doing it at all.
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silly newbie questions
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2002 9:59 pm
by dale_johnson13
--Snip
> Nuh-uh, I'm 6'4" and 50, it's still tall. Mine has the height-
> encumbering PS 420 shock, which no one else has reported owning,
--Snip
I am 5'5" with a 29 1/2 in inseam, I put my leg over and just have my
thigh on the seat. when I take off i just hop up and go, kinda funny
but I got used to it..
I am pretty sure I had to replace 2 shims my first service, was at
about 700 miles (I think) I was realy intimidated by the valve
adjustment the first time but after a few calls to fellow listers who
walked me through it, it was cake. It also gets easier each time
after that, just don't forget the rags in the holes. You don't want
to loose anything in the abyss.
Y2K KLR w/4x,xxx miles
Dale
silly newbie questions
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2002 5:14 am
by Miata Myk
Greetings!
> But I've got a few dumb
> nagging questions. How do you get on it gracefully? I'm 5'10", so not that
> short, but it sure is tall! (Maybe my 45 year old legs don't flex that
> well.) I've been setting it on its sidestand to climb on the footpeg and
> hoist a leg over, but I have to believe that's not the approved method.
There are several Lowering Links that you can find for sale in here. I'm
sure Fred and others will chime in with their respective offerings and so
far I haven't heard a bad word on any of them. They replace the two
dog-bones (figure-8 things) on the bottom of the shock and evidently some
people do this trailside to get the height back. Must be an easy job and I
do plan to order a set shortly. Prices are from about $58 delivered to
somewhere over $200 delivered (not that I can see any reason to spend
another $140 on the same basic item..?)
> Also, just out of curiosity, how does a heavier bike fare in crosswinds on
> the superhighway? I know the KLR is a mighty tourer, and I'd like to try
> that next summer, but it gets a little scary when the wind blows and
you're
> going 75 or so. Is that a thing common to bikes, or does a couple of
> hundred pounds more make a world of difference? Maybe I should just slow
> down?
First, the front forks are antiques and way undersized. It will probably
help a lot to get a good fork brace (which I also plan to do before getting
that aforementioned lowering link). As for the extra weight it does seem to
help a bit but as the bike is quite high it has something of a sail effect.
The CBR weighs pretty similar amounts but has hardly any wind-effect. I
haven't noticed speeds between 60-85 being dramatically different in terms
of effect on the KLR.
silly newbie questions
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2002 6:29 am
by hens_p
Who is Larry Roeseler and what did he do to make him KLR spring
worthy?
Heck, they should market the springs as the "Hred Fink" or some other
KLR household name....
Thanks
Pat / Austin
silly newbie questions
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2002 7:00 am
by PhantomRider3@aol.com
I had 2 valves out of spec. on my first check (about 800 miles). The list
will correct me if I'm wrong but I think you need to peek about every 7k or
so. I've got one video left but I'm making more HOPEFULLY today (sorry for
the delay Fred). I'm no mechanic but I was able to adjust mine without
seeing blood or breaking bones (unlike some of my other projects). Tire
change "how to" and swing arm lube soon to be added to the tape. Keep in
mind "soon" sometimes means a month. See signature file for placing an order.
Jay
Phantom Rider
Beverly, MA (about 25 miles north of Boston, on the coast)
1985 K100 RS (80,000 miles)
1972 Yamaha CT1 175 (3,000+ miles, currently with some "issues")
2000 Kawasaki KLR 650 (more fun than I probably should be having)
Toss me an email to to purchase the soon to famous KLR valve adjustment
VIDEO. Only 24.00, Ah bahgin (MA speak for a great deal). You can see stills
from the actual video and all my nutty crazy mods at
http://2wheelerjay.tripod.com/jaysworldofinvention/
silly newbie questions
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2002 8:02 am
by jake_sagebrush
Whenever you have the valve clearance checked or ajusted, take the
service manager by both shoulders, look him/her square in the face
and INSIST that he/she tell the wrench guy "DON'T OVERTORQUE THE
RIGHT FRONT VALVE COVER BOLT". Saves a lot of grief downstream
e- me a fax number, and I'll fax some info.
Jake
nklr: parking until spring
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2002 12:32 pm
by dooden
Great points Jim,
I am heading home now to actually load it into my truck and haul it
up north for winter storage in my garage up that way.
Planned on spraying with Silicon Spray, but I suspose WD-40 will work
also, nothing the pressure washer wont take off I suspose, or running
wont burn off. Will remove battery and leave inside away from
freezing temps, hope to at least get a filter / oil change done, but
my remodeling project eats alot of time on my short clock.
Treated with Sta-Bil already, never drained fuel in the past, dont
see it happening this year, but will consider still.
Plan on having the rubber either sitting on lumber or drywall to get
it off the un-fogiving contrete. Next year hope to have already
built a lifting stand or something. Will toss that at my Dad this
weekend, he might be willing to design/build me one, since he has
retired, he seems bored alot. This would be a perfect thing to get
him something to work on.
Anyhow, gotta run.
Duden
A15 Pilot (Frozen in)
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., TexasThumpin@a... wrote:
> In a message dated 1/3/02 3:42:37 PM Central Standard Time,
> DSN_klr650@y... writes:
>
>
> > Put the KLR back where I had it parked, and suspose leave it
there
> > till spring thaw.
> >
> > Don't forget to change the oil and filter. Drain the carburetor.
Add a
> > stability agent to your gas, or get it out of the tank and use it
> > elsewhere. It is also a good idea to get the tires up off the
ground.
> > Winter moisture and the cold can do nasty things to rubber. Also,
pull your
> > battery, make sure the water/acid level is correct and then put
it on a
> > battery tender or you will probably get a disappointing sound
when spring
> > does come. I take one more step when I store my bikes, I slather
the WD-40
> > all over the thing. It is easy enough to clean off in the spring
and it
> > helps fight that evil menace, corrosion.
> >
> > Don't go cabin crazy.
> >
> > Jim
> > Texas Thumpin
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
silly newbie questions
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2002 1:28 pm
by sim_n_o
Reshim,
I saw a post or two on this subject when I first joined the list.
Some were diong just what you describe. I started out trying to just
throw a leg over to get on but I snagged my boot occasionally on the
seat. I developed a new technique while ridding with luggage. Just
bend your leg at the knee. Keep your foot as close to your bum as you
can till your thigh slides across the seat then straighten your leg.
This works really well when you have a top case on the back. I'm over
6' but I bet it would work OK for the more vertically challenged
among us. It seems a lot easier to clear the knee bent than the foot
with a straight leg.
Joe in NC under 8"+ of the white stuff.
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., cleising@t... wrote:
> I've been a dirt biker for a lot of years but only just got my KLR
(and
> license) within the last two months. So I've been having a ball on
the
> blacktop, as well as a little bit of dirt (despite the insinuations
about
> my mental health, given current teperatures). But I've got a few
dumb
> nagging questions. How do you get on it gracefully? I'm 5'10", so
not that
> short, but it sure is tall! (Maybe my 45 year old legs don't flex
that
> well.) I've been setting it on its sidestand to climb on the
footpeg and
> hoist a leg over, but I have to believe that's not the approved
method.
> Also, just out of curiosity, how does a heavier bike fare in
crosswinds on
> the superhighway? I know the KLR is a mighty tourer, and I'd like
to try
> that next summer, but it gets a little scary when the wind blows
and you're
> going 75 or so. Is that a thing common to bikes, or does a couple of
> hundred pounds more make a world of difference? Maybe I should just
slow
> down?
>
> Also, I just did the first service at 500 miles (new bike), but
chickened
> out when it came to the valve check. What's the likelihood that an
> adjustment's needed at 500 miles? Obviously, I have to pull the
covers at
> the next service, but is that too late? How often do you typically
have to
> reshim?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris Leising