klr and nklr: electrex, garage, tires

[Chris Krok]

Hope everyone had a good weekend... Electrex: I've installed their stator and rectifier/regulator units on my Suzuki GS1100E, a bike known for its electrical problems. The units seem to work quite well; while stopped at an intersection with the turn signal on, my headlight no longer enters "police pursuit" mode. Still had some flakiness with the indicator lights, but I think that was a loose connection elsewhere. I've also heard that Electrex is good about replacing their own parts if they turn out to be bad. Might do that mod for my KLR as well. Garage: One thing I've always wanted to put in my garage is an old soda vending machine, filled with beer. Downside is that you probably have to use cans, unless you can find a machine that will handle the bottles. Good for amusement value. Tires: Holy guacamole! Pulled off my old Trailmaxes this weekend, and installed Metzler MCE Karoos. Boy, am I glad I got a chance to try that in the comfort of my garage (radio, shade in the 90 degree heat, lots of water) before I wind up with a flat in the middle of nowhere. Like an idiot, I tried the nice big rear tire first. With much grunting, got the whole thing on, hooked up the bicycle pump (I really need a compressor), PUMPA-PUMPA-PUMPA, followed by FSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS... I pinched the tube near the valve stem. Got a new tube, and finished up. Front was much easier. However, I notice that no one talks about the MCEs on the list. Has anyone had a bad experience with them? I primarily got them because they have the exact sizes for the KLR. These will be the first "real" knobbies I've tried. If they're bad news, hopefully I'll get to ride enough this summer to wear them out in a hurry and go for the Pirellis. Chris -- Dr. J. Christopher Krok Project Engineer, Adaptive Wall Wind Tunnel Graduate Aeronautical Laboratories, California Institute of Technology MS 205-45 Phone: 626.395.4794 Pasadena, CA 91125 Fax: 626.449.2677