doohickynoia l- ong answer

[Sonny Bulla]

writes:

>Yep, the point has been made before, if we all rode >bikes there would never be another traffic jam, and >the Oil Barons would die over night..

Sounds like a plan to me! I've been doing my part. Folks think I'm crazy when I show up at work in a dripping wet rainsuit... I just grin and say "50mpg". Sonny '02 KLR650 http://home.earthlink.net/~sbulla http://www.louisemandrell.com

[mr_jor]

To put things in perspective, my cage (a 94 Mazda B4000 truck) is a toy. If I could live without it, its a toy. I have feet, so any motor vehicle is a toy. I have a hammer and a screwdriver, so my nail gun and battery pack tools are toys. Guns are toys (I can use a club), computers are toys (I am literate). I have gone far enough in live to afford the toys I want, so I get them. I have been low enough on Maslow's chart to understand the basic concept of life. And damn it, I like my toys. Its funny, everyone pokes fun at the BMW, Harley, and KTM riders for being snobs, and this is exactly what is happening in this group. Machines are just that, machines. They are not spouses or friends. They are designed to be bought by those that want and can afford them. If it makes you feel superior owning a certain piece of kit, then by all means buy it. If your ego needs to be stroked that you bought the right bike, then simply ask yourself if you're happy with what you have. If you feel inferior when you see someone on an expensive bike, then you are inferior. If your ego requires you to justify to the world you own the best bike, then you maybe compensating a bit much. J.

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Devon wrote: > > > mr_jor@e... wrote: > > >Motorcycles are toys, > >nothing more and nothing less. > > > Only in the US do people think this way. That's how the insurance > companies can get away with denying people coverage of injuries related > to a motorcycle accident. Motorcycling is a "leisure" activity. > > People ride to work by themselves in an SUV that gets 12mpg, but > commuting to work on my 40mpg KLR (that also doesn't require a full > parking spot and can slip through traffic) is a "leisure activity"? > > How expensive does gasoline need to get before motorcycles aren't toys > anymore? > > Devon

[matteeanne@yahoo.com]

Deep breath, hold it........ and release, ahhhhhh Cleansing. Feel better now? C'mon, everyone judges, everyone compares, some more than others. Some are right, some are wrong. The basis of the thread were people who "insinuated" that the KLR is not a motorcycle, but rather a toy, and as this is a discussion group, this was discussed, some with more of an opinion, and some with less. Your right though, the 4'Chopped harley with handlebars 1' over the head of the rider, and no front brake, and tassles on the bags, with a guy in short sleeves and a brain bucket going 60-70 on the freeway, with a Mom tattoo has every right to think he has the best damn bike ever. And that his $23,000.00 was well spent, though the 6"sq seat may be a bit uncomfortable after say.... 5 miles. But yes, he does in fact have every right to know he has made a wise decision, and I am behind that 100%, and as well I have the right to think he is an idiot. Because we all judge, everyone of us. --- mr_jor wrote:

> To put things in perspective, my cage (a 94 Mazda > B4000 truck) is a > toy. If I could live without it, its a toy. I have > feet, so any > motor vehicle is a toy. I have a hammer and a > screwdriver, so my > nail gun and battery pack tools are toys. Guns are > toys (I can use a > club), computers are toys (I am literate). I have > gone far enough in > live to afford the toys I want, so I get them. I > have been low > enough on Maslow's chart to understand the basic > concept of life. > And damn it, I like my toys. > > Its funny, everyone pokes fun at the BMW, Harley, > and KTM riders for > being snobs, and this is exactly what is happening > in this group. > > Machines are just that, machines. They are not > spouses or friends. > They are designed to be bought by those that want > and can afford > them. If it makes you feel superior owning a > certain piece of kit, > then by all means buy it. If your ego needs to be > stroked that you > bought the right bike, then simply ask yourself if > you're happy with > what you have. If you feel inferior when you see > someone on an > expensive bike, then you are inferior. If your ego > requires you to > justify to the world you own the best bike, then you > maybe > compensating a bit much. > > J. > > > --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Devon > wrote: > > > > > > mr_jor@e... wrote: > > > > >Motorcycles are toys, > > >nothing more and nothing less. > > > > > Only in the US do people think this way. That's > how the insurance > > companies can get away with denying people > coverage of injuries > related > > to a motorcycle accident. Motorcycling is a > "leisure" activity. > > > > People ride to work by themselves in an SUV that > gets 12mpg, but > > commuting to work on my 40mpg KLR (that also > doesn't require a full > > parking spot and can slip through traffic) is a > "leisure activity"? > > > > How expensive does gasoline need to get before > motorcycles aren't > toys > > anymore? > > > > Devon > > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at > www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris > Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > >

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[Harry Seifert]

Jeeze, first I'm derided for supporting "cool" (LOL). My ego is perfectly swell; just because I ride the bitchinest murdersickle ever made, doesn't mean I'm not pretty!! Anybody that needs a particular motorcycle to justify their existence should take a "Logan's Run" to "carousel", with my heartiest best wishes. from the enlightened KLR of Harry Seifert bseifert71@...

> [Original Message] > From: mr_jor > To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> > Date: 6/24/04 6:01:12 PM > Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: NKLR: is there a KLR personality type ? > > To put things in perspective, my cage (a 94 Mazda B4000 truck) is a > toy. If I could live without it, its a toy. I have feet, so any > motor vehicle is a toy. I have a hammer and a screwdriver, so my > nail gun and battery pack tools are toys. Guns are toys (I can use a > club), computers are toys (I am literate). I have gone far enough in > live to afford the toys I want, so I get them. I have been low > enough on Maslow's chart to understand the basic concept of life. > And damn it, I like my toys. > > Its funny, everyone pokes fun at the BMW, Harley, and KTM riders for > being snobs, and this is exactly what is happening in this group. > > Machines are just that, machines. They are not spouses or friends. > They are designed to be bought by those that want and can afford > them. If it makes you feel superior owning a certain piece of kit, > then by all means buy it. If your ego needs to be stroked that you > bought the right bike, then simply ask yourself if you're happy with > what you have. If you feel inferior when you see someone on an > expensive bike, then you are inferior. If your ego requires you to > justify to the world you own the best bike, then you maybe > compensating a bit much. > > J. > > > --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Devon wrote: > > > > > > mr_jor@e... wrote: > > > > >Motorcycles are toys, > > >nothing more and nothing less. > > > > > Only in the US do people think this way. That's how the insurance > > companies can get away with denying people coverage of injuries > related > > to a motorcycle accident. Motorcycling is a "leisure" activity. > > > > People ride to work by themselves in an SUV that gets 12mpg, but > > commuting to work on my 40mpg KLR (that also doesn't require a full > > parking spot and can slip through traffic) is a "leisure activity"? > > > > How expensive does gasoline need to get before motorcycles aren't > toys > > anymore? > > > > Devon > > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ

courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html

> Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > >

[CA Stu]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "mr_jor" wrote:

> To put things in perspective, my cage (a 94 Mazda B4000 truck) is a > toy. If I could live without it, its a toy. I have feet, so any > motor vehicle is a toy. I have a hammer and a screwdriver, so my > nail gun and battery pack tools are toys. Guns are toys (I can use a > club), computers are toys (I am literate). I have gone far enough in > live to afford the toys I want, so I get them. I have been low > enough on Maslow's chart to understand the basic concept of life. > And damn it, I like my toys. >

Your definiton of "toys" is a pretty broad and pompous one. My truck and some of my computers are tools. Tools that I use to earn a living. "Guns are toys"?. Let me run right out and give my kids some toys!

> Its funny, everyone pokes fun at the BMW, Harley, and KTM riders for > being snobs, and this is exactly what is happening in this group. >

Not so! I have met a lot of listers and very few of them are defined by their KLRs. In some other brand specific circles, the bike owners have very little going on outside of their motorcycle, it is the centerpiece of their lives and as such, they are defined by it. This nugget of wisdom is from my dear old Dad, a bike salesman by trade since 1950-something. I'll give you, there are some KLR owners like this, but they are by far in the minority.

> Machines are just that, machines. They are not spouses or friends. > They are designed to be bought by those that want and can afford > them.

Huh? Who wants a dialysis machine? I think a lot of machines are designed for a hell of a lot more complex reasons than just to be bought.

> If it makes you feel superior owning a certain piece of kit, > then by all means buy it. If your ego needs to be stroked that you > bought the right bike, then simply ask yourself if you're happy with > what you have. If you feel inferior when you see someone on an > expensive bike, then you are inferior. If your ego requires you to > justify to the world you own the best bike, then you maybe > compensating a bit much. > > J. >

I have yet to meet a KLR owner that bought it to "feel superior". What do I know, though, I only went to Moab 4 years in a row... If your ego requires you to pompously pontificate to an online group, what does that mean? Thanks / Sheesh! CA Stu A13 A14

[Paul Dent]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Arden Kysely" wrote:

> Seems like as good a place as any to remind everyone that

Wednesday,

> July 21 is Ride to Work Day.

That's the day I ride my *bicycle* to work! I've been trying to ride it more often anyway, but when you have freeee moto parking at work in downtown SF, you use it. Paul A16L 01 M750

[Joseph Jones]

I think it is all in what a person wants or can afford. I chose my A18 because I always wanted an "on/off" (that tells my age), HD don't make one now,(I buy Americian when ever possible), the honda is too tall, suzuki (I have a dr200 but it is too small)and the bigger ones are too tall, or more dirt bike than on/off. I have never seen the ktm's or bmw's around here in SE Ky. But the KLR was the one I wanted and the one I got. The main thing is I have two wheels to ride. I respect anyone that rides on two wheels, no matter who made it. I don't even try to understand why anyone would want anything other than the KLR, but that is me, others can't understand why I/we want KLR's but who cares. Ride what you want to,and be happy for the ones that want to ride other things. BTW I am going to Knoxvile Tn. to "hoot and Holler" with the honda hooters tomorrow, and yes I'll be proud to be on my A18. Be Safe all.......... Joe A18 SE KY. --- CA Stu wrote:

> --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "mr_jor" > wrote: > > To put things in perspective, my cage (a 94 Mazda > B4000 truck) is a > > toy. If I could live without it, its a toy. I > have feet, so any > > motor vehicle is a toy. I have a hammer and a > screwdriver, so my > > nail gun and battery pack tools are toys. Guns > are toys (I can use a > > club), computers are toys (I am literate). I have > gone far enough in > > live to afford the toys I want, so I get them. I > have been low > > enough on Maslow's chart to understand the basic > concept of life. > > And damn it, I like my toys. > > > > Your definiton of "toys" is a pretty broad and > pompous one. My truck > and some of my computers are tools. Tools that I use > to earn a living. > "Guns are toys"?. Let me run right out and give my > kids some toys! > > > Its funny, everyone pokes fun at the BMW, Harley, > and KTM riders for > > being snobs, and this is exactly what is happening > in this group. > > > > Not so! I have met a lot of listers and very few of > them are defined > by their KLRs. > In some other brand specific circles, the bike > owners have very little > going on outside of their motorcycle, it is the > centerpiece of their > lives and as such, they are defined by it. This > nugget of wisdom is > from my dear old Dad, a bike salesman by trade since > 1950-something. > > I'll give you, there are some KLR owners like this, > but they are by > far in the minority. > > > Machines are just that, machines. They are not > spouses or friends. > > They are designed to be bought by those that want > and can afford > > them. > > Huh? Who wants a dialysis machine? I think a lot of > machines are > designed for a hell of a lot more complex reasons > than just to be bought. > > > If it makes you feel superior owning a certain > piece of kit, > > then by all means buy it. If your ego needs to be > stroked that you > > bought the right bike, then simply ask yourself if > you're happy with > > what you have. If you feel inferior when you see > someone on an > > expensive bike, then you are inferior. If your > ego requires you to > > justify to the world you own the best bike, then > you maybe > > compensating a bit much. > > > > J. > > > > I have yet to meet a KLR owner that bought it to > "feel superior". What > do I know, though, I only went to Moab 4 years in a > row... > > If your ego requires you to pompously pontificate to > an online group, > what does that mean? > > Thanks / Sheesh! > CA Stu > A13 > A14 > > > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at > www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris > Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > >

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[robert bowman]

On Friday 25 June 2004 01:26, CA Stu wrote:

> Your definiton of "toys" is a pretty broad and pompous one. My truck > and some of my computers are tools. Tools that I use to earn a living. > "Guns are toys"?. Let me run right out and give my kids some toys!

Its official, at least in Montana. This year the state went to perpetual registration for motorcycles, boats, samll trailers and so forth, a one time $48 fee as long as you own it. When I asked the clerk if I had to do naything next year, she said, "nope, all your toys are good to go forever."

[Gerald Sdoutz]

Thanks for the response Mike.

----- Original Message ----- From: "wannabsmooth1" To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 6:34 PM Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: Doohickynoia l- ong answer --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Gerald Sdoutz" wrote: > I'm curious if anyone has figured out how/why the doohickey is failing? > > Any takers? > I've now done or supervised over 50..... KLR650 Balancer System Failure Modes Our beloved KLR650 has a few weak spots, and the balancer system is one of them. It is fairly easily fixed. Hopefully this will help you understand what happens, and how the system works. The system has shown weakness since it was first produced in the KLR600. You can fix it in a couple of hours, while getting to know your bike better. How the system works (if everything is as planned): You loosen the balancer system adjuster bolt, the spring pulls on a lever attached to the eccentric* shaft, which takes the slack out of the balancer chain. You then tighten the bolt, and it's that easy. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way. VERY IMPORTANT - DON"T LET THIS KEEP YOU OFF A KLR - ONLY A VERY FEW HAVE HAD DAMAGING FAILURES. When the system works properly, the bike is quieter and smoother. 1) The most common failure is simply that the system will no longer adjust. A) The adjuster bolt is commonly over-tightened from the factory. This crimps the lever into the case, and it will not pull over as it should during your attempt to adjust. Sometimes the washer on the late model (1996 and later) is crimped enough to make an impression in the lever. On the earlier models, it's even worse, because the bolt has a smaller head, and no washer under the head. On the early models, the head of the bolt can be crimped into the lever far enough that it has no chance of adjusting. The very soft steel of the factory lever does not help. B) The surface of the case that the lever sits on is not flat from the factory. It is a decent cast surface, but it would be better if it was flat. C) The factory spring is too long after a few thousand miles. Sometimes a few hundred. Ways to test: When you open up the case to replace the factory lever, leave the lever adjustment bolt tight until after you've removed the rotor and starter gear. Then loosen the adjuster bolt while watching the factory lever. I've seen many of them be crimped into the case far enough that even when the adjuster bolt is removed they still did not adjust. When I tapped on the side of the lever with a screwdriver (after removing the bolt), the lever jumped over about of an inch, taking slack out of the system. Usually after the system adjusts, you can see that the spring no longer has enough tension to adjust the system. 2) The factory spring breaks. This has happened as early as about 300 miles. It usually breaks where it attaches to the lever on the eccentric shaft, but sometimes the other end breaks. Pieces of spring bouncing around in the engine? They usually just fall to the bottom, but I've been told (haven't personally seen) of a piece of spring getting caught between the cam chain and sprocket, or balancer chain and sprocket, lunching part or all of the engine. You can see what the condition of the tensioning spring is after you remove the rotor. 3) Balancer lever breaks. The most common break is corner to corner in the center boss. I've seen some of them break in the adjuster slot area. I even saw three where the weld penetration was almost non-existent, and the center boss separated from the plate portion. You can see this after you remove the outer case and look under the rotor. It breaks because it's mild steel, with no quality control to speak of on the weldment. If it was a one piece part, the same size as the weldment, it would "probably" be okay for quite a while. I make mine from the best material I could find for the job, and I think mine will outlast the KLR motor. 4) The early (pre `96) bikes did not have solid balancer weight/sprocket assemblies. Those parts were assembled with a spring and pin combination. Those parts did not fit well, and pieces would break off and fall into the motor. If all four sets in either of the weight/sprocket assemblies fail, the balancer chain can come off. (this is rare, but does happen) The front balancer/weight assembly drives the shaft that goes through the motor, and drives the water pump on the other side. I do know of forward assemblies failing, allowing the engine to overheat. The early bikes did have a stamped one piece lever. It does not break, but is very sloppy, and does not properly tension the balancer system. I have now seen one of these fail on a high mileage bike. Other issues with this system: 1) When it comes from the factory, the chain rides on the rubber bonded to the sprockets, and doesn't properly seat in the sprocket. The sprockets end up wearing faster than the chain. At this point, I have yet to see a chain that is worn (stretched) out of factory specifications. You can find the allowable wear in the top end section of the factory manual, next to the cam chain specification. 2) The early bikes have a shorter eccentric shaft, and roller (caged needle) bearing for the idler sprocket. You can upgrade to the later shaft and bearing, but you need to split the cases, and machine down the surface (of the left main case) the washer under the idler shaft sits on. Keep good oil in the bike, and up to level, and you'll probably be OK. 3) The eccentric shaft (the shaft the idler sprocket rides on) is hollow from one (inner) end. Oil is supposed to splash into the shaft from the center of the engine, go through a hole, and lubricate the needle bearing for the idler sprocket. Only problem, the hole is not at the bottom of the shaft. This is another reason to keep the oil level up to the top. You can upgrade the early bikes with the later adjuster bolt and washer when you replace the lever. You can upgrade the early bikes to the later solid balancer weight/sprocket assemblies. *eccentric shaft. Eccentric means the centers are not lined up - not sharing the same center. Concentric is when the circles have a common center. As opposed to all us KLR riders are eccentric, to one degree or another. JMHO,YMMV All the best, Mike Eagle Mfg & Eng since 1990 San Diego, Ca. eaglemike@... List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . Yahoo! Groups Links

[Joseph Jones]

--- robert bowman wrote:

> On Friday 25 June 2004 01:26, CA Stu wrote: > > Your definiton of "toys" is a pretty broad and > pompous one. My truck > > and some of my computers are tools. Tools that I > use to earn a living. > > "Guns are toys"?. Let me run right out and give my > kids some toys! > > Its official, at least in Montana. This year the > state went to perpetual > registration for motorcycles, boats, samll trailers > and so forth, a one time > $48 fee as long as you own it. When I asked the > clerk if I had to do naything > next year, she said, "nope, all your toys are good > to go forever." >

I need to reg. all my toys in Montana.............

> > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at > www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris > Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > >

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