Wilsons Sandbox

  On Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:31:07 -0500 "Brad Schultz" writes: I've tried 2 other posts with this question but nothing happed, so if this gets double or tripple posted sorry.  I'am considering buying a 2008 with 2200 miles.  I've heard the 08's had an oil burning problem.  Is this true?  All of them or just some of them.  Will the bike be blowing smoke if it's an oil burner?  Should I stay away from 08's?  What's the true story.  Thanks to all.   Brad <><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><>   Brad,   My understanding is some of the early 08s had oil use issues.  I also understand that if you get an oil burner one of the easiest solutions is to install a 685 kit.  There are almost no oil use issues reported with 685 kits that had the cylinder properly bored and honed.   I installed a 685 in my KLR last spring.  For me the most notable results were significantly less vibration than a stock 650 (I'm talking the difference between lawn mower smooth and sewing machine smooth), no oil use since installation of the kit and a bit more power.  I think the cost of the piston kit is about $300, boring a cylinder is probably less than $100 including shipping, maybe $50 for gaskets and odds and ends and a few hours of labor.   I doubt you'll see smoke unless it's a serious oil user.  Maybe ask to pull the sparkplug and see what it looks like.  If it's black and nasty it might be an oil user.  That might be worth a few bucks as a lower price depending on the seller and the buyer.   Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412  South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads. org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT . ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ___ [b]Free Credit Score[/b] A bad credit score is below 598. Click here to see yours for $0. Checking won't affect your score. By Experian® FreeCreditScore. com

[b]From:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] [b]On Behalf Of [/b]Jim Douglas I have an early 2008, the dealer told me I had the first one in Texas, who knows! I am having NO oil burning issues at all. I have 4700 miles only and have changed the oil multiple times and have never had to put in any oil at all. I sometimes wonder exactly how many people actually had an issue.  

-----Original Message----- [b]From:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] [b]On Behalf Of [/b]Jim Douglas [b]Sent:[/b] Sunday, July 25, 2010 5:42 AM [b]To:[/b] DSN _KLR650 [b]Subject:[/b] [Norton AntiSpam] Re: [DSN_KLR650] 2008 KLR's Oil Burners?   I have an early 2008, the dealer told me I had the first one in Texas, who knows! I am having NO oil burning issues at all. I have 4700 miles only and have changed the oil multiple times and have never had to put in any oil at all. I sometimes wonder exactly how many people actually had an issue.  

On Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:31:07 -0500 "Brad Schultz" writes: I've tried 2 other posts with this question but nothing happed, so if this gets double or tripple posted sorry.  I'am considering buying a 2008 with 2200 miles.  I've heard the 08's had an oil burning problem.  Is this true?  All of them or just some of them.  Will the bike be blowing smoke if it's an oil burner?  Should I stay away from 08's?  What's the true story.  Thanks to all.   Brad <><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><>   Brad,   My understanding is some of the early 08s had oil use issues.  I also understand that if you get an oil burner one of the easiest solutions is to install a 685 kit.  There are almost no oil use issues reported with 685 kits that had the cylinder properly bored and honed.   I installed a 685 in my KLR last spring.  For me the most notable results were significantly less vibration than a stock 650 (I'm talking the difference between lawn mower smooth and sewing machine smooth), no oil use since installation of the kit and a bit more power.  I think the cost of the piston kit is about $300, boring a cylinder is probably less than $100 including shipping, maybe $50 for gaskets and odds and ends and a few hours of labor.   I doubt you'll see smoke unless it's a serious oil user.  Maybe ask to pull the sparkplug and see what it looks like.  If it's black and nasty it might be an oil user.  That might be worth a few bucks as a lower price depending on the seller and the buyer.   Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412  South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads. org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT . ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ___ [b]Free Credit Score[/b] A bad credit score is below 598. Click here to see yours for $0. Checking won't affect your score. By Experian FreeCreditScore. com

On 7/26/2010 8:25 AM, RJ Kochen wrote: Message You say you've changed the oil multiple times in 4700 miles. What is the common interval on oil changes? I've always tried to change at 3000 intervals.   RJ Kochen 08 Kawasaki KLR650   *   99 BMW R1100rt   *   81 HONDA CB900C IBA   *   BMWMOA   *   KCBMWMC  *  KC HOAME Club   *   AMA   *   RomeoRiders -----Original Message----- [b]From:[/b] DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] [b]On Behalf Of [/b]Jim Douglas [b]Sent:[/b] Sunday, July 25, 2010 5:42 AM [b]To:[/b] DSN _KLR650 [b]Subject:[/b] [Norton AntiSpam] Re: [DSN_KLR650] 2008 KLR's Oil Burners?   I have an early 2008, the dealer told me I had the first one in Texas, who knows! I am having NO oil burning issues at all. I have 4700 miles only and have changed the oil multiple times and have never had to put in any oil at all. I sometimes wonder exactly how many people actually had an issue.   On Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:31:07 -0500 "Brad Schultz" writes: I've tried 2 other posts with this question but nothing happed, so if this gets double or tripple posted sorry.  I'am considering buying a 2008 with 2200 miles.  I've heard the 08's had an oil burning problem.  Is this true?  All of them or just some of them.  Will the bike be blowing smoke if it's an oil burner?  Should I stay away from 08's?  What's the true story.  Thanks to all.   Brad <><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><>   Brad,   My understanding is some of the early 08s had oil use issues.  I also understand that if you get an oil burner one of the easiest solutions is to install a 685 kit.  There are almost no oil use issues reported with 685 kits that had the cylinder properly bored and honed.   I installed a 685 in my KLR last spring.  For me the most notable results were significantly less vibration than a stock 650 (I'm talking the difference between lawn mower smooth and sewing machine smooth), no oil use since installation of the kit and a bit more power.  I think the cost of the piston kit is about $300, boring a cylinder is probably less than $100 including shipping, maybe $50 for gaskets and odds and ends and a few hours of labor.   I doubt you'll see smoke unless it's a serious oil user.  Maybe ask to pull the sparkplug and see what it looks like.  If it's black and nasty it might be an oil user.  That might be worth a few bucks as a lower price depending on the seller and the buyer.   Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412  South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads. org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT . ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ___ [b]Free Credit Score[/b] A bad credit score is below 598. Click here to see yours for $0. Checking won't affect your score. By Experian® FreeCreditScore. com

On Mon, Jul 26, 2010 at 4:40 PM, Jeff Khoury wrote: I was on my way home from work on the 405. Traffic was nearly dead stopped and I was lanesharing between the #1 and #2 lanes, which are very tight in this particular area. I approached a newer model Volvo and I see a woman's arm sticking straight out the window of the car, holding a cigarette. I couldn't go around because of how tight the lanes were. I did the standard "Rev, Rev" to let her know I was there, but she was too deeply involved in her conversation to notice. As the cars to my right shifted a bit, I was able to get around. As a joke I extended my gloved hand and dragged my fingertips up her arm, starting at her elbow. When I reached her hand, I quickly snatched her cigarette and sped up. As I glanced in my mirror, I saw the most hilarious look on her face: eyes and mouth round and as big as saucers! ...It's the little things that make your day... -Jeff Khoury