q: debugging weak/intermittant spark

[keithrstone]

I called the dealer that handled my fork removal/instal and left a message for the tech. 4 hours went by with no callback, so I called again, this time he was busy but the counter person said "he's ordered the replacement parts, they'll be here in 3 days". So... the parts cost approx $20 US, is this a courtesy to keep me coming back or are they admitting guilt? Your thoughts?

[Jim]

OK, but you asked..... Never, ever take your bike to the dealer unless perhaps it involves warranty work and that assumes you purchased new and this is another mistake. If you simply refuse to work on your motorcycle, then find a quality independent shop and support them. You are missing out on an important and enjoyable facet of motorcycling if you don't do your own wrenching and trusting your bike to someone else is risky and you have proof. --Jim A-15

> Your thoughts? >

[Randy Shultz]

I too think that doing your own wrenching is terrific, and my A18, bought new, has never seen a dealer service bay since the day it was prepped. I disagree with your comment about buying new being a mistake, however. In some areas, used KLRs are rare, or are pricey. At $5K out the door, a new KLR is a good alternative to a used KLR, when the only used KLRs available ar $3K and over. I would rather pay $2,000 more and avoid DPO related problems, break the bike in correctly, and enjoy the full useful life of the bike. My thoughts.

[CA Stu]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Randy Shultz" wrote:

> > I too think that doing your own wrenching is terrific, and my A18, > bought new, has never seen a dealer service bay since the day it was > prepped. I disagree with your comment about buying new being a > mistake, however. > > In some areas, used KLRs are rare, or are pricey. At $5K out the

door,

> a new KLR is a good alternative to a used KLR, when the only used

KLRs

> available ar $3K and over. I would rather pay $2,000 more and avoid > DPO related problems, break the bike in correctly, and enjoy the full > useful life of the bike. > > My thoughts. >

To each his own. I bought my '00 used for $2,000 , had to drill out and replace the footpeg bolts and it is mechanically as good as a brand new one. I'll keep buying lightly used bikes, I reckon. Thanks CA Stu

[Randy Shultz]

> To each his own. I bought my '00 used for $2,000 , had to drill out

and

> replace the footpeg bolts and it is mechanically as good as a brand

new

> one. >

--- That's why I qualified my comment by saying it pertained to situations where used bikes were rare and cost $3,000 or more. Many of us would have purchased "lightly used" bikes for $2K, but not heavily used bikes for 3-4K. Markets differ by geographical region. Many of us live in places where used KLRs are hardly ever available.

[jokerloco9@aol.com]

I assume that you are not going to have to pay for the parts they lost? Jeff A20 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Doug Herr]

On Tue, 29 Nov 2005, keithrstone wrote:

> I called the dealer that handled my fork removal/instal and left a > message for the tech. 4 hours went by with no callback, so I called > again, this time he was busy but the counter person said "he's ordered > the replacement parts, they'll be here in 3 days". > > So... the parts cost approx $20 US, is this a courtesy to keep me > coming back or are they admitting guilt? > > Your thoughts?

If the speedo worked before they did this job, then the part(s) had been in there. If the part(s) is/are gone now, then they forgot to it/them back in. -- Doug Herr doug@...

[keithrstone]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Doug Herr wrote:

> > On Tue, 29 Nov 2005, keithrstone wrote: > > > I called the dealer that handled my fork removal/instal and left

a

> > message for the tech. 4 hours went by with no callback, so I

called

> > again, this time he was busy but the counter person said "he's

ordered

> > the replacement parts, they'll be here in 3 days". > > > > So... the parts cost approx $20 US, is this a courtesy to keep me > > coming back or are they admitting guilt? > > > > Your thoughts? > > > If the speedo worked before they did this job, then the part(s) > had been in there. If the part(s) is/are gone now, then they > forgot to it/them back in. > > > -- > Doug Herr > doug@w... >

Admission of guilt... a different problem alltogether. I think wrenching on my own will be more commonplace for me.

[keithrstone]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, jokerloco9@a... wrote:

> > I assume that you are not going to have to pay for the parts they

lost?

> > Jeff A20 >

I certainly won't, but I will find out what their expectation is and post for everyone. Keith

[Bogdan Swider]

> > Also, as a followup to my own question I'll of course run thru the > Ignition Coil Winding Resistance, CDI Unit Internal Resistance, > Exciter and Pickup coil resistance tests. > > Does it require an analog meter, or will a DVM work (I've had problems > using my modern DVM when debugging Honda rectifier/diode systems, not > sure if the CDI will be similar). >

When I was trouble shooting a few years ago I was told by listers with electrical know-how that klr CDI units were resistant ( pun intended ) to resistant tests. Seems they don't offer anything conclusive. One former klr guy here in Colorado Springs, who was an aircraft mechanic, also couldn't get any useful information when he suspected a temperamental CDI. Hope I'm wrong. Bogdan