it lives!
Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 2:37 pm
My A14 has been languishing in the garage since late April, waiting
for me to stop procrastinating and get it back on the road. Finally
did just that, using a used head from an '05, EagleMike's doo, shorter
contraction spring, etc. The original doo was still held down by the
bolt, but was in two pieces. The spring had no tension left but was
still in place, intact. Left the cylinder, piston and rings
undisturbed as there were no marks on the cylinder walls with 23.9k
miles showing on the odo. Took the time to remove the clutch cover and
found the screen amazingly clean. Left it off in case I dropped stuff
down the abyss, which I didn't, but that pesky washer/spacer behind
the doo sprocket found it's way through that big hole twice! Since I
had the subframe off to get the backbone tube welded, I installed the
carb first, then the subframe. Easy that way! Getting the cylinder
head on was a struggle until I dropped the radiator out of the way,
then it was a piece of cake. It kept knocking the carrot and rubber
spacer out of place until I dropped the radiator. My original head
with the seriously-burned, leaky and ovoid LH exhaust valve will go to
Cary in Decatur for a pre-stage valve job and be kept as a spare.
Rode about 140 miles yesterday. Initial impressions are that it's a
better freeway bike than my GS450 as far as stability goes, even on
Kenda 50/50 tires. The motor seems like it will rumble along at 5k rpm
and 72mph or so, for forever without breaking a sweat. Of course it's
got lots of cold air cooling it at the moment. The tires seem to grip
well on dry cold asphalt but I was overdoing the inputs on the bars
big time in the twisties and do not have the same confidence yet as
with my other bikes. I have favorite routes that I ride to test bikes
so I know the roads well and can get an idea how different bikes
behave. Someone is selling a set of BT45's practically new, in sizes
90/90-21 and 110/90-18, take-offs from a recently purchase dual-sport.
110 might be too narrow for the rear of the KLR. I have a BT45 on the
front of the GS450 and it works great in that application.
The KLR suspension front and rear needs attention. The bike soaks up
the bumps extremely well as would be expected from long travel
suspension on the street. But, the forks twist under braking, and the
fork seals are shot, as are the steering bearings. Tightened up the
triple trees which helped only a bit. The bike will not track straight
when riding no-hands, wants to fall to the left, probably due to the
twisting under braking. A fork brace is on the wishlist, as are some
aftermarket springs. Any suggestions? I already know about
Progressives, got 'em on two other bikes. Any better choices? The rear
needs to be disassembled and lubed, but that all can wait till I get a
few miles logged. The beast quit after only 100 miles shortly after
purchase in April, so I've got some catching up to do! It'll give my
VX800 some much needed rest. It's had 20k miles piled on since March
'06, up to 60k now, and it's a much rarer bike, harder to find parts
for. The GS450 has had it easy since the VX showed up and gets ridden
just enough to keep its juices flowing. This KLR is not going to win
any beauty contests! It will be my beater bike and daily driver as
long as it will hold up. I think for this cold weather the Thermo-Bob
is almost a prerequisite. Lots of temp variation without it. I wonder
if the trucker trick of blocking off part of the airflow to the
radiator will help in the absence of the Thermo-Bob? Used Engine Ice
for coolant. I like that it's ethylene glycol free, non-toxic and
biodegradable. Looks like grape Kool-aid.
Anyway, enough typing for now. Xmas with the family will be tomorrow,
so for now it's time to go out and enjoy my present to myself.
Hope everyone is having a Joyous day with their families! - ian