valve clearance - finished

[spoole93]

Hi Everyone, I am thinking of purchasing the progressive fork springs and rear shock spring. I have 2 questions for anyone who has tried this. 1. Is it worth it? Is there really a big difference with the progressive or should I go with a constant rate spring? 2. Any tips on installation? I do not have many fancy tools. Also, anyone using the Kenda 270 tires? What do you think? Stephen

[sim_n_o]

Stephen, I just put in the progressive front springs and yes they are worth it. I got the springs from MAW. for $57.00 Shipping is steep though unless you buy a few things and combine the S&H fees. If you complain about the shipping cost I hear they will lower it some. Haven't tried this yet though. Joe S

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "spoole93" wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > I am thinking of purchasing the progressive fork springs and rear > shock spring. I have 2 questions for anyone who has tried this. > > 1. Is it worth it? Is there really a big difference with the > progressive or should I go with a constant rate spring? > > 2. Any tips on installation? I do not have many fancy tools. > > Also, anyone using the Kenda 270 tires? What do you think? > > Stephen

[marc_clarke]

David, I am concerned that grinding your sihms is unsafe (not the grinding itself but rather using them in the engine). My Kawasaki ZRX1200 manual explicitly states in the valve adjustment chapter, "Caution: Do not grind the shim. This may cause it to fracture, causing extensive engine damage." I do not know whether the KLR650 manuals have a similar warning only because I have not looked. Were I in your shoes I would order up the necessary shims and put them in (what a PITA, I know, but I would really hate to lose a fellow lister to an engine blowing at speed and dumping him in traffic). I repectfully urge you to contact the list's patron saint, the KLR goodies vendor Fred Hink at Arrowhead Motorsports in Moab, Utah, and have him send you one of his famous KLR650 shim kits. He bundles several of every size shim and sends you the whole bunch for an excellent price. http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com/ If that is too much of a hassle, you might check the list archives for other shims that fit the KLR. I believe that both BMW and Yamaha dealers carry shims which fit the KLR650. Perhaps one of your local non-Kawasaki dealers has the shim(s) you need. -- Marc Illsley Clarke, Kawasaki KLR650 A12, Loveland, Colorado, USA

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "David Wilhite" wrote: > I want to thank all who responded back about a post the other day on valve > clearance. Removing the top engine mount was the one thing I was not doing > to get the valve cover off. Since the responses stated "clearances tighten > over time", I took all of the clearances to the 'max' specification. I was > able to swap one of the shims to get one valve clearance in spec. I didn't > get any shims ahead of time (I didn't know I would get the chance to work > on it); and then of course, the local dealer didn't have any in the sizes I > needed. I ended up surface grinding them over at my place of work where I > used to supervise the Tool Shop. So I sort of 'customized' each one based > on the clearance needed. I made sure I ground them on the 'bucket' side to > remove the numbers so they would have to be mic'ed to get a measurement. > Don't want any confusion about size next time they are removed, whether > it's me or someone else. > > The Exhausts are now both between .228 and .25 mm. > The intakes are now both between .178 and .2 mm. > > I'll have to go ahead and order a kit before the next time so I won't have > to waste my time surface grinding them to size if they tighten up any. > > Again, thanks for all of the feedback. > > > David Wilhite > dnmwilhite@e... > 01' KLR 650 > 84' Subaruvanagon