Hi Michael,
I take the tank modification in a relative view. The tank has about 5 1/2 gallons in it and it'll get about 45 miles to the gallon, so every couple a hundred miles I got to check the tank or plan a gas stop.
Yes the valves were tight, two were below spec (exhausts) and one near the bottom and one (low but accectable)
I changed them all to bring them all to the upper end of spec.
The bike has 25,000 miles on it, it looked to me like there were tool marks on some of the parts leading me to belive the valves might have been checked or adjusted before.
That is in contrast to the idle balancer/tension spring and the strainer valve that showed no evidence of past work.
I tried out my lighter plug and my matterss pump works great, at 55+ that's important camping item. I think it'll do here at 6000' but when I get higher I'll just have to see.
I closed up the holes in my airbox and it starts easier. I think that might be from that change but that's subjective, not quantified.
The bike was used when I purchased it, it had a spot on the left shock were the riders from the nearby military bases usually put their parking permits. It looked like it had been maintained pretty well so I figured/hoped it was one of the airforce guys. Those guys are normally pretty techy so no idea on the jets, and who knows where they were stationed.
I'm happy, for less than $150, some good advice and a little sweat I've got a reliable ride.
From: Michael Martin
To: "
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 8:28 AM
Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Doohickey Project - Complete
Rick,
Congratulations on getting all this work done.
I still wonder about your statement about having to go on reserve at 125 miles. My bike goes twice that far before I have to switch to reserve. I wonder if your bike has the stock jets in its carb.
Also, what did your valve clearance measurement show before you changed the shims. Were they much tighter than spec?
Mike Martin,
Louisville, KY
________________________________
From: Rick B
When I got home from work my shims had arrived (Thanks Fred) and so I completed the valve adjustment.
The valve clearance worked came out fine, I used the shim clac program to do the figuring.
The bike has 25,0000 miles on it so I had no expection that it would suddenly become a cafe racer but I do think it runs noticeably smoother and I feel that it's much more trip ready than when I started.
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