nklr - old time dual sport riders

[Alan Leduc]

I read the earlier messages regarding oil level. When you say that the oil should be at the top of the glass. Is that with the bike level or on the side stand. If it is with the bike level, where should it be on the side stand. With my bifocals it would be alot easier to see that way. I only have a little over 1000 miles on my 04. But it seems to use a bit of oil. It seems that this is common. How much oil use is normal? Alan Leduc amleduc@... [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Keith Saltzer]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Alan Leduc" wrote:

> I read the earlier messages regarding oil level. When you say that

the

> oil should be at the top of the glass. Is that with the bike level

or on

> the side stand. If it is with the bike level, where should it be on

the

> side stand. With my bifocals it would be alot easier to see that

way.

> > I only have a little over 1000 miles on my 04. But it seems to use

a bit

> of oil. It seems that this is common. How much oil use is normal? > > Alan Leduc

Oil level should be checked with the bike LEVEL. With the bike on it's side stand, you should not see any oil. Except the little bit that is stuck in the inner part of the site glass. It may be easier to see the site glass with the bike on it's side stand, but that just ain't gonna work. When I check my oil, I want to see the oil come up to the top line, while the bike is still leaned over about 5 degrees towards the side stand, with the motor cold. Normal oil usage, in my opinion, is ZERO. Each owner will get different oil burning amounts. It all depends on how you broke it in. If your rings are sealed completely, and correctly, you won't burn any oil. My '94, not broken in by me, burns very little, but does burn about 1/3 of a quart every 3000 miles. It has 24,000 miles right now. MrMoose A8 (Barbie and Ken special)

[Ron Crandell]

Alan, you might want to consider a center stand as I think that you'll be using this bike for some longer trips. Then you wouldn't have this issue, just at the next oil change with the proper amount of oil, check to see where it sits on the glass when on the center stand. I don't wear my bifocals while riding, so perhaps that's why I've never considered this a problem... OK, now I've talked myself into a center stand.... $$ Happy Holidays to everyone!!! Ron in St. Cloud

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Alan Leduc" wrote: > I read the earlier messages regarding oil level. When you say that the > oil should be at the top of the glass. Is that with the bike level or on > the side stand. If it is with the bike level, where should it be on the > side stand. With my bifocals it would be alot easier to see that way. > > I only have a little over 1000 miles on my 04. But it seems to use a bit > of oil. It seems that this is common. How much oil use is normal? > > Alan Leduc > amleduc@i... > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[rsanders30117]

You check your oil when your KLR is perfectly level. I don't have a center stand but made my self a cheap shop stand for my garage. I cut (2) 4x4's just long enough to get the rear wheel off the ground when slipped under the tips of the rear swing arm. To get my KLR650 up on this stand, I start with it on its side stand. Then wedge one of the 4x4's under the right tip of the swing arm. Next I get the other 4x4 standing up right near the left tip of the swing arm. I then carefully pick the bike up towards center & sort of push the KLR up on the far 4x4. Once the far (right side) 4x4 is sitting straight up, its easy to tilt the bike a bit to the right & slide the left 4x4 under the left fork tip with your right foot. When everything is said & done, the KLR is sitting very steadily on the two 4x4's. It sounds a lot worse & more complicated than it actually is. If a klutz like me can readily do it, anyone can. This is a convenient set up for lubing the chain, working on the engine, checking the oil, etc. I use Mobil One 15W50 & have always used about 8 fl oz/900 miles. I know this since, whenever oil level drops to just below the top of the sight glass, I add 8 fl oz. Based on what I've observed during oil changes, I could add 10 fl oz to match the level when changed but I only add a conservative 8 fl oz. I bought my bike new & have religiously track my oil consumption, which has been very steady. From what I have read, KLR650s are known to use a bit oil depending on the particular bike. When traveling, I carry oil in a camping fuel bottle that packs well without leaking. Since I keep track of my oil consumption, I can forecast when I'll need a refill & how much.

[kcuf_oohay_666]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Keith Saltzer" When I check my oil, I want

> to see the oil come up to the top line, while the bike is still > leaned over about 5 degrees towards the side stand, with the motor > cold. >

I thought we are always suppose to check the oil when it's at operating temp (hot). My old 911 that uses 12 qts of oil would show 1 qt low when cold but when hot would show normal. I noticed the KLR oil level is higher when hot and most of the oil drains back into the crankcase faster.

> Normal oil usage, in my opinion, is ZERO. Each owner will get > different oil burning amounts. It all depends on how you broke it > in.

My KLR was strage on oil usage. sometimes it wouldn't bunrn any oil for 2000 miles than it would eat 1/2 qt in about 500 miles. I think high engine RPM and engine braking cause more oil consumption

[Keith Saltzer]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "kcuf_oohay_666" wrote:

> --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Keith Saltzer" > > When I check my oil, I want > > to see the oil come up to the top line, while the bike is still > > leaned over about 5 degrees towards the side stand, with the

motor

> > cold. > > > > I thought we are always suppose to check the oil when it's at > operating temp (hot). My old 911 that uses 12 qts of oil would show

1

> qt low when cold but when hot would show normal. I noticed the KLR > oil level is higher when hot and most of the oil drains back into

the

> crankcase faster.

Hey Squasher. I have noticed the opposite. Most, or all, of the oil drains down to the bottom of the motor, after you have given it lots of time to get there. That's why I check it in the morning, when the motor is cold. I have noticed that it is always a little higher then, compared to when the oil/motor is hot. Yes, the oil flows quicker when it's hot of course, but there's still alot in the top end, even after waiting for a couple of minutes upon shutting the motor down. MrMoose A8 (Barbie and Ken special) ps How's the bike fixen going??

[Ken Stone]

My $.02 worth I keep it level by hanging it with tie downs on the handlebars just tight enought to keep it up. That way the bike is level with both tires on the ground. I have an 01 with 15K miles on it. I change the oil every 2K miles and use rock oil synthesis 4. I run it hard with a full touring getup and it has never used any oil that I can tell. I have never had to add oil between changes. Ken Hollister,CA 01 XR650R 01 KLR650 This spring ...... Concours? _______________________________________________ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web!

[Keith Saltzer]

I run it hard with a full touring getup and it has never used any oil that I can tell.> Ken

> Hollister,CA

Define "run it hard". I'm curious. MrMoose A8 (Barbie and Ken special)

[Ken Stone]

I commute through the Santa Cruz mountains. 48 miles each way. Its about 1/2 windy mountain roads & 1/2 freeway. In the summer, it gets in the 90's and freezes in the winter. I do a lot of steep mountains and steep long freeway grades (those are the hardest on the bike) Mostly WFO (wide f$%#@ open) ahead of all the 70-80 mph traffic, with a good amount of low speed lane splitting at 20-30mph tossed in. BTW - I chose the KLR specifically for that role. Its an excellent bike for where/how I ride. 2nd to none My bike is weighed down as bad as you could possibly get it. I have a steel shell custom Corbin seat with backrest (very heavy) , 2 rear hardcases (Jakes Pelican cases) a soft tailbag, all loaded with junk I use daily. I carry my briefcase, change of clothes/shoes for the gym. A complete cold weather set of clothes, some basic tools,etc.. I have a lot of other little stuff that adds up, chain oiler,hiway bars, tall windshield and a am/fm cd stereo (not a typo) I have a marine stereo mounted in one of the cases and the remote on the handlebars. And I weigh 250 plus. I am sure I come close to the 374lb? passenger rating if not past it. My buddy says I turned it into a bus But its comfy at 80MPH on the freeway or tooling down some little fire road all day long. Hasnt leaked or used any oil that I can tell so far. My buddies new KLR uses some. I dunno - I guess I just got lucky?

--- On Mon 12/22, Keith Saltzer < k.saltzer@... > wrote: Define "run it hard". I'm curious _______________________________________________ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web!

[rm@richardmay.net]

On Mon, 22 Dec 2003, Keith Saltzer wrote:

>Normal oil usage, in my opinion, is ZERO.

The KLR that doesn't burn oil is right up there with the 40hp modified airbox/jetting/exhaust KLR, Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and unicorns. I used 3/4 quart riding to Florida and 1/2 quart on the way back. RM