My KLR is my transportation, and there is a certain sense of
confidence and reward that comes from understanding the things that
I rely on. I don't like feeling helpless, and I don't have the
money to *buy* a sense of security. If my bike breaks down and
leaves me stranded, that's it. It's up to me to get out of that
situation.
I have worked very hard to make a conscious effort to move beyond
mental passivity. I don't take this bike for granted; no matter how
much it's working mechanisms have intimidated me, no matter how much
my lack of sound mechanical knowledge has embarrassed me. Maybe
that sounds silly. But the honest truth is I have fought hard to
own a motorcycle, to reach a place in my life where it would be
possible, and it is no small thing to me. In some ways riding seems
to represent a form of accomplishment and freedom, being something I
dreamed of doing but took thirty-one years to achieve. (And it was
something that as much as I desired it, I also feared I would fail
at it.) Sometimes when I ride the KLR I am just grinning in my
helmet, and it is excitment and hope that I am feeling, the hope
that the rest of my life will open up and bring me as much joy as
this bike has. Please forgive my sentimentalities.
RavensVal
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, James Morrow Sr
wrote:
> What a great post. I read Zen and the Art of the Motorcycle,
about 40
> years ago. I have always been one with my Motorcycles since (G).
I
> too feel a significant link to my motorcycle, by working on it
> diligently, much greater than just owning it and riding it. Even
more
> important, is the fact that you will do a better job than anyone
you
> might pay to work on your motorcycle. I take 2X or more time to do
> service work, than a paid//commisioned wrench would do. I make
sure
> it is perfect and recheck many times. You cannot pay enough to get
> that kind of quality / care work.
>
> By the way, I have had all the best bikes available over the
years.
> I have more fun and ride my KLR650 when home on the weekends, more
> than any of my other bikes. Who would of thunk the simpliest
least
> expensive bike could perform like this.
>
> Congradulations on your effort and effect. ATGATT
>
>
>
>
>
> On 6/3/05, ravensval wrote:
> > Hi all I read the list when I can to learn everything possible
> > about my KLR. I love motorcycles, and since this is the only
bike I
> > have, and my only transportation, I want to have as thorough of
an
> > understanding of my bike as I can possibly gain. This has not
been
> > easy. I really like the idea of doing my own maintenance, but
have
> > no practical mechanical experience. When I got my A19 last
year, I
> > only knew the names of obvious things like tires, spokes,
> > handlebars, shock, brake... I couldn't have pointed out the
> > swingarm, didn't know what a caliper did, had never seen an air
> > filter, nor done an oil change, and couldn't have told you what a
> > torque wrench looked like or how to use one. It is one thing to
> > learn how to ride... (I actually taught myself on an old 1980
Honda
> > 750 Supersport, which was extremely scary I must admit, but also
> > exhilarating) but quite another thing to wrench. Not to mention
all
> > the tools one needs to buy, little by little, when your "toolbox"
> > consists only of a screwdriver and a hammer.
> >
> > Yesterday, I successfully completely the valve job, and changed
out
> > all four shims to top clearances. I am writing to say thanks for
> > the information from the list that helped me believe I could do
it,
> > and the websites, and the video. I actually couldn't have done
it
> > without the visuals from the video, because I am a visual
learner.
> > I can't read something I know nothing about and make complete
sense
> > of it. I have to *see* it to *get* it. So thank you!
> >
> > I have such enthusiasm for wrenching my own ride; for the
> > relationship between the rider and the machine, and the machine
and
> > the road. There is a passion in my heart for motorcycles, and I
> > think it must go back to that first time my uncle took me out on
his
> > dirtbike at the cabin they had. Of course, wanting to include
> > everyone, he put all three of us kids on the seat, and over a
little
> > bump my cousin fell off the back. That didn't go over well with
the
> > mom's and I don't believe I got to ride again that weekend. But
it
> > didn't matter. I think I knew already in my heart that one day
when
> > I was big enough I'd have my own ride. I'd felt was it was like
to
> > fly, and I promised myself as a little girl I would know that
> > feeling again. I kept my promise.
> >
> > RavensVal
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Archive Quicksearch at:
http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html
> > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at:
www.dualsportnews.com
> > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at:
www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> James Morrow Sr
> Union, MO
> '00' RT + dual plug + Bunkhouse
> '00' BUSA + 15hp
> '05' KLR650 + big fun factor