ball bearing quality

[Jim Franklin]

Hi folks...I was on the list last year but dropped off so I could spend more time remodelling the house and fixing the bikes. Exercise in futility. Anyway, the Tengai is looser than ever, and while I have it apart micro inspecting everything, I'd like to replace the suspension. The KLR shock won't fit the Tengai, but I can get an Ohlins for 480 Euro, about $450. Has anyone ever tried their Tengai shock (or the KLR if they make one)? What about teh Race-Tech shock emulattor? I just saw it on their web page but don't know if it's for rebuildable shocks only, or if supposedly non-rebuidables like the KL(R)s have... Also, do teh Race-Tech emulators make a big difference? How about their bushings? I've got a trip to Death Valley planned fo rPresident's day weekend, and I'd like to do it on a reasonably stable bike =:o thanks, jim

[Conall O'Brien]

>From: Jim Franklin >To: DSN_klr650@egroups.com >Subject: [DSN_klr650] Shock for Tengai - Ohlins? >Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2000 17:12:40 -0800 > >Hi folks...I was on the list last year but dropped off so I could spend >more time remodelling the house and fixing the bikes. Exercise in futility. >Anyway, the Tengai is looser than ever, and while I have it apart micro >inspecting everything, I'd like to replace the suspension. The KLR shock >won't fit the Tengai, but I can get an Ohlins for 480 Euro, about $450. >Has anyone ever tried their Tengai shock (or the KLR if they make one)? >What about teh Race-Tech shock emulattor? I just saw it on their web page >but don't know if it's for rebuildable shocks only, or if supposedly >non-rebuidables like the KL(R)s have... > >Also, do teh Race-Tech emulators make a big difference? How about their >bushings? > >I've got a trip to Death Valley planned fo rPresident's day weekend, >and I'd like to do it on a reasonably stable bike =:o > >thanks, >jim >

Jim, I just got my Ohlins shock KA 106 for the Tengai recently. It's going on a KLR 650. I'll be sending it to a Ohlins expert who Elden Carl knows to be set up with the correct spring for my weight. Morgan wrote an article for the DSN featuring Eldens Ohlins suspension, you've probably seen it. Ohlins has a new distributor in the US , who no longer carries the KLR or Tengai shock, so you have to order through Wim Kroon Import at http://www.ohlins.nl Am Ex or Euro/Mastercard only. Great service, the Ohlins factory allows the importer to ship to me by air within 2 weeks. It may be a little while until mine is on the bike and I have a chance to try it out(g), but with the dollar where it is vs. the euro I say buy now. That's probably not important to you, but to me it's like a 30-40% off sale. It's a sweet unit, I'm cradling it in my arms right now. CO _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

[Toby 'Slide' Lampson]

Conall O'Brien wrote:

> Jim, > I just got my Ohlins shock KA 106 for the Tengai recently. It's going on a > KLR 650. I'll be sending it to a Ohlins expert who Elden Carl knows to be > set up with the correct spring for my weight. Morgan wrote an article for > the DSN featuring Eldens Ohlins suspension, you've probably seen it. > Ohlins has a new distributor in the US , who no longer carries the KLR or > Tengai shock, so you have to order through Wim Kroon Import at > http://www.ohlins.nl > Am Ex or Euro/Mastercard only. Great service, the Ohlins factory allows the > importer to ship to me by air within 2 weeks. > It may be a little while until mine is on the bike and I have a chance to > try it out(g), but with the dollar where it is vs. the euro I say buy now. > That's probably not important to you, but to me it's like a 30-40% off sale. > It's a sweet unit, I'm cradling it in my arms right now. > > CO

Conall- I have been strategically aligning myself this master plan of attack for most of this month......and the question I have to you Conall is.... How does that work......you recieve a shock complete from overseas......then Bob Bell(I presume) re-works it with shims and gold-valve....and new spring? Does he just keep the old spring, and exhange it....or must you buy a second? Also....What Spring do you think you'll go with......the 6.7 or 6.9gr. Spring.......? The Rider Article as well as Elden speak of a 6.5 for the average guy or ones who like it soft.... Elden figured I'd use a 6.9(w/o luggage) and it might be somewhat stiff.......but I like it soft.....so I'm thinkin of a 6.7......... Slide

[gyb@sprynet.com]

Jim:

>Hi folks...I was on the list last year but dropped off so I could spend >more time remodelling the house and fixing the bikes. Exercise in futility.

Jim, you emerged from your "small" Home Improvement project... Actually, didn't you just move? Are you back in SillyCon Valley? Anyway, nice to "see" you again.

>Anyway, the Tengai is looser than ever, and while I have it apart micro >inspecting everything, I'd like to replace the suspension. The KLR shock >won't fit the Tengai, but I can get an Ohlins for 480 Euro, about $450. >Has anyone ever tried their Tengai shock (or the KLR if they make one)?

Well, not on the KLR, but I did install one on the VFR. Considering that the OEM unit was 4 years and 30K miles old, I thought it was like riding a new bike after the change (I serviced the forks, and changed to a heavier weight oil at the same time). OTOH, the KLR (and I assume the Tengai) will probably need more than just a new shock for such a dramatic improvement. The stiffer the suspension is, the more you'll notice the chassis compromises... A fork brace is probably another item to add to your list. I'd start with the shock, a stiffer set of springs and heavier weight oil (you can also change the volume of the oil in the forks to change the damping, but do one thing at a time to see how it affects the handling and ride, then decide what to do next accordingly). Gustavo

[Jim Franklin]

On Wed, Dec 27, 2000 at 06:55:10PM -0800, Conall O'Brien wrote:

> >Jim, >I just got my Ohlins shock KA 106 for the Tengai recently. It's going on a >KLR 650. I'll be sending it to a Ohlins expert who Elden Carl knows to be >set up with the correct spring for my weight. Morgan wrote an article for >the DSN featuring Eldens Ohlins suspension, you've probably seen it.

No, I haven't. Can youpoint me to it?

>Am Ex or Euro/Mastercard only. Great service, the Ohlins factory allows the >importer to ship to me by air within 2 weeks.

Excellent. I'm all set to order from them, as the us importer dosn't stock them (suprise). When I'm in Europe this summer I will buy a metric buttload of Tengai parts. If I'm feeling charitable I'll take orders from the list

>That's probably not important to you, but to me it's like a 30-40% off sale.

Oh you bet it is thanks, jim

[Jim Franklin]

On Wed, Dec 27, 2000 at 10:21:36PM -0800, gyb@... wrote:

> >Jim, you emerged from your "small" Home Improvement project... >Actually, didn't you just move? Are you back in SillyCon Valley? >Anyway, nice to "see" you again.

Still in the same place, and almost done with the house. The garage is clean enough, at least, to store teh '01 monster

>improvement. The stiffer the suspension is, the more you'll notice the >chassis compromises... A fork brace is probably another item to add to

Shush you! The frame is fine. I can't hear you na na na na na na na

>your list. I'd start with the shock, a stiffer set of springs and heavier >weight oil (you can also change the volume of the oil in the forks to >change the damping, but do one thing at a time to see how it affects >the handling and ride, then decide what to do next accordingly).

I put in Progressive springs, and followed their recomendations for spacers, which sucked. I put teh stock 6" spacers back in and the bike is rideable, but still pulls and shimmys. I figure new tires, shock, emulators, plus a thorough going through of the linkage and bearings, should make it pleasant to ride again. I also need a pipe and jet kit, and new plastic all around. And a yacht, a pony.. jim

[Conall O'Brien]

>From: Toby 'Slide' Lampson >To: Conall O'Brien >CC: jamesf@..., DSN_klr650@egroups.com >Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] Shock for Tengai - Ohlins? >Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2000 20:21:32 -0800 > > > >Conall O'Brien wrote: > > > Jim, > > I just got my Ohlins shock KA 106 for the Tengai recently. It's going on >a > > KLR 650. I'll be sending it to a Ohlins expert who Elden Carl knows to >be > > set up with the correct spring for my weight. Morgan wrote an article >for > > the DSN featuring Eldens Ohlins suspension, you've probably seen it. > > Ohlins has a new distributor in the US , who no longer carries the KLR >or > > Tengai shock, so you have to order through Wim Kroon Import at > > http://www.ohlins.nl > > Am Ex or Euro/Mastercard only. Great service, the Ohlins factory allows >the > > importer to ship to me by air within 2 weeks. > > It may be a little while until mine is on the bike and I have a chance >to > > try it out(g), but with the dollar where it is vs. the euro I say buy >now. > > That's probably not important to you, but to me it's like a 30-40% off >sale. > > It's a sweet unit, I'm cradling it in my arms right now. > > > > CO > >Conall- I have been strategically aligning myself this master plan >of attack for most of this month......and the question I have >to you Conall is.... > How does that work......you recieve a shock complete from >overseas......then Bob Bell(I presume) re-works it with shims and >gold-valve....and new spring? > Does he just keep the old spring, and exhange it....or must you >buy a second? > Also....What Spring do you think you'll go with......the >6.7 or 6.9gr. Spring.......? > > The Rider Article as well as Elden speak of a 6.5 for the average >guy or ones who like it soft.... > Elden figured I'd use a 6.9(w/o luggage) and it might be somewhat >stiff.......but I like it soft.....so I'm thinkin of a 6.7......... > >Slide >

Hi Toby and others, Elden recommended for me a 6.3 kg spring.(I'm 175 lbs dripping wet). The labeling of the spring I recieved is 596-15/62 449 whatever that means. According to the Dec '99 issue of DSN Elden's contact for Ohlins shock tuner is Stig Peterson of Peterson Pro Suspension in Anaheim CA. http://www.ppsrcing.com voice 714-630-4777. Gotta run, sorry I'll TTYL. Conall _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

[Toby 'Slide' Lampson]

Conall O'Brien wrote:

> Hi Toby and others, > Elden recommended for me a 6.3 kg spring.(I'm 175 lbs dripping wet). The > labeling of the spring I recieved is 596-15/62 449 whatever that means. > According to the Dec '99 issue of DSN Elden's contact for Ohlins shock tuner > is Stig Peterson of Peterson Pro Suspension in Anaheim CA. > http://www.ppsrcing.com voice 714-630-4777. > Gotta run, sorry I'll TTYL. > Conall

Conall, Stig, has come into agreement with Elden(to my knowledge) and lately has been using the rule of thumb of..... 'Use all the Spring.' In other words set it up soft so the whole shock will take the work its given........ I personally like this approach...for what the KLR is and all...... Please share with me your final set up....as far as whether you have him tune it soft or hard.......and let me know(when you do), how you like it(for offroad- open rugged dirt roads perhaps). Beers on me at Songdog in the Spring....unless you wanna drop in on the Winter Roundup. Thanks Slide

[Robert Morgan]

Bob I would look for the FAG bearings. Benz, Porsche, BMW, etc usually spec them as OE. I have never had trouble finding them in the past. Check with a large bearing supply house, King Bearing is one locally here in San Diego. I don't think you can top German bearing steel for quality. Morgan

----- Original Message ----- From: bob kaub To: K L R dsn_klr650@egroups.com> Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2000 5:27 PM Subject: [DSN_klr650] Ball Bearing Quality > I just had the Kings rear tire mounted this afternoon. > It's bitter (for here) cold and I just didn't want to wrestle with this tire > all day. > I had it mounted and balanced at the dealer I bought the tire from for 15 > US$--which I thought was a little pricey. > I watched the guy and he had to really work at getting the tire on the rim > even with the tire machine. > Anyway, the last time I replaced the rear tire, the OEM sprocket hub bearing > (#6004) had worn enough in about 3500 miles to allow the sprocket hub to rub > on the wheel hub. Just bad luck I guess, as this was a Japanese made > bearing which I would have expected to last much longer. > I replaced it with a new bearing I bought at the Kawasaki dealer for about > five bucks. After getting the bearing home, I discovered that while the box > said USA on it, the bearing was actually made in China. It is a supposed to > be sealed on both sides but the seal on one side was so crappy that you > could look right past it and see the ball bearings. I installed it with the > crappy seal facing inside the hub. > When I took off the sprocket hub today , about 6500 miles later, the China > bearing feels crunchy when you spin the hub. It doesn't look like the > sprocket hub and wheel hub actually made any contact like they did with the > OEM bearing, but this bearing is definitely beginning to wear out. > In the last few years bearings have been coming from virtually all over the > world. The big names we recognized like Timkin, FAG, SKF, etc. are hard to > find and the bearings we are getting seem to be lower quality. > Does anybody know a brand of bearing that you can trust to be solid quality? > Thanks. > > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > Support Dual Sport News... dsneditor@... > Let's keep this list SPAM free! > > Visit our site at http://www.egroups.com/group/DSN_klr650 > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@egroups.com > >

[Robert Morgan]

Best of my reccollection, I believe there is a slight difference in total rear travel between the Tengai and the KLR. I think Elden said there is a spacer in the Ohlins shock that limits travel that must be removed to use it on the KLR. Elden is in Mexico on R&R but I'll ask him when he returns. Morgan