valve settings and performance?

[klrkoehler]

I recently purchased an 04 KLR650 and it is due for it's first service (~600 miles). The dealer wants $200.00 plus parts. This seems expensive to me!! Is there any reason I should not do the services my self? (I am capable) Is the $200.00 price tag for essentially an oil/filter change, valve adjustment, and general check over reasonable? Any suggestions on the best place to purchase the service manual? -Curt Koehler- (klrkoehler)

[Keith Saltzer]

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

> I recently purchased an 04 KLR650 and it is due for it's first > service (~600 miles). The dealer wants $200.00 plus parts. This > seems expensive to me!! Is there any reason I should not do the > services my self? (I am capable) Is the $200.00 price tag for > essentially an oil/filter change, valve adjustment, and general > check over reasonable? > > Any suggestions on the best place to purchase the service manual?

Yes, $200 is insane for such a simple task on the KLR. You are smart to have realized that and asked the list what to do. My opinion is to NEVER take it to the dealer. They will often take your money and either screw something up or not even do the work (like the valve adjustments). What to do: 1. Go to the FAQ link on the home page of this list and read read read. All the info is there for doing just about everything and getting everything for the KLR. 2. Get 3 quarts of your favorite oil, a filter and just do it yourself. Then check your valves. The info is in the FAQ. If you run into a problem or have a question, just ask the list. You will save thousands of dollers over the years, learn alot about your bike, and you will have the peace of mind that it is done right. MrMoose A8 (Barbie and Ken special)

[Mark Sampson]

I recently purchased an 04 KLR650 and it is due for it's first service (~600 miles). The dealer wants $200.00 plus parts. This seems expensive to me!! I do "All" my own work---and doing the service should be no problem for you if as you say "I am capable"---you will have fun and get to no your bike. Is there any reason I should not do the services my self? No reason--they're not going to void you warranty unless you really screw something up. Is the $200.00 price tag for essentially an oil/filter change, valve adjustment, and general check over reasonable? I think if is very reasonable--------If----they do all the work. It will take several hours. Any suggestions on the best place to purchase the service manual? Forget the manual----I've got one----it's useless almost---there's better more complete info for anything you want to do to your bike on the net-with pictures----for dumb people---like me

[Gregory Roberts]

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------

>I recently purchased an 04 KLR650 and it is due for it's first >service (~600 miles). The dealer wants $200.00 plus parts. This >seems expensive to me!!

Just be glad it doesn't have "BMW" marked on the sides.

> Is there any reason I should not do the >services my self?

No, just make sure you log it, and hang on to your receipts for the oil & filter.

> >Any suggestions on the best place to purchase the service manual?

Overstock.com has the Clymer manual for $17.95 + S&H. I bought a copy last week and have thumbed through it. Clymer usually has pretty good manuals (I've had half a dozen or more through the years), and most of the time their errors are (a) well documented on the web {like this mailing list} or (b) very obvious. I don't expect to purchase the Kawasaki manuals (takes two for the KLR). Greg Roberts ________________________________________________________________ Sent via the WebMail system at netcommander.com

[Jim Priest]

> --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "klrkoehler" > wrote: >>services my self? (I am capable) Is the $200.00 price tag for >>essentially an oil/filter change, valve adjustment, and general >>check over reasonable?

Bookmark Mark's site. http://klr6500.tripod.com/valves.htm I'd start there - check your valves - if you need shims - order them from Fred. He's got the Clymer manual as well as oil filters, etc. Jim

[dooden]

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

> I recently purchased an 04 KLR650 and it is due for it's first > service (~600 miles). The dealer wants $200.00 plus parts. This > seems expensive to me!! Is there any reason I should not do the > services my self? (I am capable) Is the $200.00 price tag for > essentially an oil/filter change, valve adjustment, and general > check over reasonable? > > Any suggestions on the best place to purchase the service manual? > > > > -Curt Koehler- (klrkoehler)

Welcome to owning a KLR... Somebody should have posted the links to Marks website that has all the steps needed for this basic work. Valve shims are pretty simple to change out, get Shim-Calc software from www.ironjungle.com for doing the math, without registering it (aka: paying Pat for his efforts) you can only do 3 valves at a time, but write it down and change the numbers for the one that will not show. But if you think you can, you can. Where about you call home, there my be somebody close by that can help also. Dooden A15 Green Ape

[rsanders30117]

All you're paying for is maintaining the warranty. I would double check the valves after the dealer claims to have done them. If the valves are within spec, then you can start your record keeping with their values @ that particular mileage. If not within spec, then you've done yourself a service by correcting this critical adjustment. I personally like to set mine to the high side & then extend the check interval. Some dealers consider the first (& later) valve check as free money, no work at zero risk of being caught. This applies to all MC. --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "klrkoehler" wrote:

> I recently purchased an 04 KLR650 and it is due for it's first > service (~600 miles). The dealer wants $200.00 plus parts. This > seems expensive to me!! Is there any reason I should not do the > services my self? (I am capable) Is the $200.00 price tag for > essentially an oil/filter change, valve adjustment, and general > check over reasonable? > > Any suggestions on the best place to purchase the service manual? > > > > -Curt Koehler- (klrkoehler)

[denis@teachlinux.com]

I just got my manual (Clymer) from Overstock.. Took less then a week and is a GREAT manual.. Have never seen the dealer manual, so can't compare them.. Denis

On Tue, 3 Aug 2004, Gregory Roberts wrote: > > ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- > > >I recently purchased an 04 KLR650 and it is due for it's first > >service (~600 miles). The dealer wants $200.00 plus parts. This > >seems expensive to me!! > > Just be glad it doesn't have "BMW" marked on the sides. > > > > Is there any reason I should not do the > >services my self? > > No, just make sure you log it, and hang on to your receipts for the oil & filter. > > > > >Any suggestions on the best place to purchase the service manual? > > Overstock.com has the Clymer manual for $17.95 + S&H. I bought a copy last week and have thumbed through it. Clymer usually has pretty good manuals (I've had half a dozen or more through the years), and most of the time their errors are (a) well documented on the web {like this mailing list} or (b) very obvious. > > I don't expect to purchase the Kawasaki manuals (takes two for the KLR). > > Greg Roberts > > > > > ________________________________________________________________ > Sent via the WebMail system at netcommander.com > > > > > > > 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 > > > > > >

[clutz003]

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

> I recently purchased an 04 KLR650 and it is due for it's first > service (~600 miles). The dealer wants $200.00 plus parts. This > seems expensive to me!! Is there any reason I should not do the > services my self? (I am capable) Is the $200.00 price tag for > essentially an oil/filter change, valve adjustment, and general > check over reasonable? > > Any suggestions on the best place to purchase the service manual? > > > > -Curt Koehler- (klrkoehler)

I paid $360 for my 500 mile then went to Amazon and got the Clymer guide for about $22. Butween the guide nad the FAQ's and the info on this site you should be able to do it yourself. Craig A 18

[Judson D. Jones]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "rsanders30117" wrote:

> Some dealers consider the first (& later) valve check as free money, > no work at zero risk of being caught. This applies to all MC.

If you insist that they furnish a record of shim sizes before and after adjustment, it will be a little harder for them to cheat.