dr650 questions? nklr

[beau400@msn.com]

Hello, I am a new member to your group. About 3 months ago I purchased a used 2001 klr 650 with 450 miles on it. I've now put another 300 miles on it and have been told it should be brought in for a valve adjustment. However, here is the problem: My local Kaw dealer says its going to be a mere $275 for this seemingly simple feat. Can anyone tell me if this is too much to pay? Or can someone with a little common sense, a few tools and a service manual do them selves? Thanks. By the way, this bike is a blast. Although I can't make it do the things my old XL500 could do, it sure is alot more comfortable on those long highway trips. Ray

[FGJ]

Ray Sounds like the dealer is having his way with you, simply re-torquing the head doing the bucket and shim thing and then degreeing the cams should be a $75-to $125.00 job. You can do it yourself, it's just a major pain compared to the simple screw type valve adjustment of your XL, you just need an assortment of the shims and patience. Fred J However, here is the problem: My local Kaw

> dealer says its going to be a mere $275 for this seemingly simple > feat. Can anyone tell me if this is too much to pay? Or can someone > with a little common sense, a few tools and a service manual do them > selves? Thanks. By the way, this bike is a blast. Although I can't > make it do the things my old XL500 could do, it sure is alot more > comfortable on those long highway trips.

[monahanwb@yahoo.com]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., beau400@m... wrote:

> Hello, I am a new member to your group. About 3 months ago I > purchased a used 2001 klr 650 with 450 miles on it. I've now put > another 300 miles on it and have been told it should be brought in > for a valve adjustment. However, here is the problem: My local

Kaw

> dealer says its going to be a mere $275 for this seemingly simple > feat. Can anyone tell me if this is too much to pay?

Your dealer is seeing you as a potential source of easy income. Do not give him this advantage; you can adjust the valves yourself. He is not planning on doing the valve adjustment, only charging you for it as if he did do something. Or can someone

> with a little common sense, a few tools and a service manual do

them

> selves?

Yes, it's not rocket science. The main thing to remember is to tighten fasteners just a little more than finger tight so you don't strip them. If this sounds intimidating, then consider this: What would you rather have, a stripped fastener where you had to go to a machine shop, or a fastener that you might have to re-tighten (unlikely)? You can do it yourself. Thanks. By the way, this bike is a blast. Although I can't

> make it do the things my old XL500 could do, it sure is alot more > comfortable on those long highway trips. >

XLs are great bikes. Bill former XL rider

[Mark St.Hilaire, Sr]

> for a valve adjustment. However, here is the problem: My local Kaw > dealer says its going to be a mere $275 for this seemingly simple > feat. Can anyone tell me if this is too much to pay? Or can someone > with a little common sense, a few tools and a service manual do them

Ray, I would think twice before bringing it to the dealer if they were going to pay ME $275.00! There have been far too many "horror stories" on the list, (including my own), about dealers and valve adjustments. It may take 2-3 hours your first time if you go the sensible route of slow and easy, but there are all kinds of sources for info on how to do the job yourself, and there isn't anybody on the list who wouldn't recommend that you give it a shot, (or who wouldn't be willing to help out if you get stuck!) Thinking about doing it is kind of scary the first time, actually doing it is not a big deal at all. I recommend any and all of the following: This is my own valve adjustment guide *written specifically for the first timer,* with pictures to eventually follow - http://klr6500.tripod.com/valves.html Andy from FinishLineWest has a number of pictures with his - http://www.finishlinewest.com/klr_650_valve_adjustment.htm Jay Duchin has made a video that might help - http://www.angelfire.com/mo/motormark/PhantomRiderValveCheckVideo.html Last but not least, you'll want to have shims on hand to actually DO the adjustment if necessary, and Fred Hink sells a 16 shim set that should cover all the bases - http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com I think that should do it for you. I encourage you to give this a try, it really isn't that big a deal! Mark St.Hilaire, Sr msaint@... A15 My HomePage: http://home.adelphia.net/~msaint/index.html My KLR650 Pages: http://klr6500.tripod.com/ Valve Check & Adjustment Guide: http://klr6500.tripod.com/valves.html

[Jim Keal]

$275 ! WOW - that's a real gouge. I paid $100 for the "600 mile service". They even claimed to have looked at the valves (they did write the specs down so maybe they really did?). Do it yerself, it's all pretty easy. Were here to help. -Jim

>From: beau400@... >To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com >Subject: [DSN_klr650] Adjust valves? >Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 02:08:10 -0000 > >Hello, I am a new member to your group. About 3 months ago I >purchased a used 2001 klr 650 with 450 miles on it. I've now put >another 300 miles on it and have been told it should be brought in >for a valve adjustment. However, here is the problem: My local Kaw >dealer says its going to be a mere $275 for this seemingly simple >feat. Can anyone tell me if this is too much to pay? Or can someone >with a little common sense, a few tools and a service manual do them >selves? Thanks. By the way, this bike is a blast. Although I can't >make it do the things my old XL500 could do, it sure is alot more >comfortable on those long highway trips. > >Ray > > >Visit the KLR650 archives at >http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > >Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com >Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com >Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com >List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

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[IronJungle@Hotmail.com]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Jim Keal" wrote:

> I paid $100 for the "600 mile service". > They even claimed to have looked at the valves

I bet they didn't. As a guesstimate, I would say almost 100% of the KLR valves checked by owners; ie, the right way and *really* checked, seem to need adjustment. Pat / Austin

[Kurt Simpson]

Bonus Round Question: When did they stop making the DR350's and what should we look for in a used one? There are a few '91-92's for sale but I'm questioning what amounts to 10 year old dualsports. ___________________ They stopped making them with the 2000 models. 94 and later have the SE version with the magic button. The earlier models are notorious for being hard to start. The '98-'00 have cartridge forks... _________ Check that...'99 was the last year for the DR350... Kurt