thank you! carb insight needed

[eimco12b]

Hello All, I just bought a used 2006 KLR 650 with 1000 miles on it last week. I have since put about 500 additional miles on it and have a question regarding high speed stability. First, let me describe the situation: The bike handles fairly well at speeds below 60 mph, although it seems a little twitchy going into corners. However, at speeds over 60 mph the bike feels unstable and wobbly. The bike has the OEM tires (the rear is about worn out at 1500 miles) set at 25 psi front and rear, the fork tubes are lowered about 1-1.5cm in the triple trees, and the rear shock is set at a fairly high preload (the PO weighed about 220 lbs). Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. -Scott

[GMac999]

Scott, Several things to check right off. Unless the previous owner installed lowering links, the top of the front fork tubes should be flush with the upper triple clamp. It sounds like the dealer didn't do a proper prep since that's the shipping position for them. Bump your tire pressure up. Depending on your weight you may want more or less, but I'd start with at 32/32. Check the steering head bearing nut. If it's loose, it will cause the bike to be very squirrelly at speed. Quite a few listers have found it loose after a several hundred miles on a new bike. GregM -----Original Message----- From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of eimco12b Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 10:27 AM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] New Owner With a Question Hello All, I just bought a used 2006 KLR 650 with 1000 miles on it last week. I have since put about 500 additional miles on it and have a question regarding high speed stability. First, let me describe the situation: The bike handles fairly well at speeds below 60 mph, although it seems a little twitchy going into corners. However, at speeds over 60 mph the bike feels unstable and wobbly. The bike has the OEM tires (the rear is about worn out at 1500 miles) set at 25 psi front and rear, the fork tubes are lowered about 1-1.5cm in the triple trees, and the rear shock is set at a fairly high preload (the PO weighed about 220 lbs). Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. -Scott Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 Yahoo! Groups Links __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

[Arden Kysely]

First, set the fork tube tops even with the top of the triple clamp. It sounds like the bike was never set up right by the dealer. It wouldn't hurt to go over all the nuts and bolts while you have the wrenches out. If that doesn't fix it, check that the steering stem nut is appropriately tight (the one under the cap nut). If you here a tick or clunk when you stop, it's too loose. If the handlebar doesn't move freely side to side or you feel some grating in there, it's too tight. Then check to see if the rear is wheel aligned correctly as the chain tensioner marks aren't always accurat. I'd also put the tire pressure to 30-32 for street use. __Arden

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "eimco12b" wrote: > > Hello All, > > I just bought a used 2006 KLR 650 with 1000 miles on it last week. > I have since put about 500 additional miles on it and have a > question regarding high speed stability. > > First, let me describe the situation: The bike handles fairly well > at speeds below 60 mph, although it seems a little twitchy going > into corners. However, at speeds over 60 mph the bike feels > unstable and wobbly. > > The bike has the OEM tires (the rear is about worn out at 1500 > miles) set at 25 psi front and rear, the fork tubes are lowered > about 1-1.5cm in the triple trees, and the rear shock is set at a > fairly high preload (the PO weighed about 220 lbs). > > Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > -Scott >

[Blake Sobiloff]

On 9/18/06, GMac999 wrote:

> Several things to check right off.

All very good suggestions! If, after checking/doing all these things, you still find the front a little light, well, that's 'cause it is! My front was noticeably more planted with Michelin Anakees than my current TKC-80's, so tires have some influence, but I find most KLRs are a little loose at high speeds. Some folks like to over-tighten the steering head a tiny bit (MHO) to firm things up, but I got used to the vague feeling at speed pretty quickly. -- Blake Sobiloff http://sobiloff.typepad.com/> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> San Jose, CA (USA)

[Doug Herr]

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006, eimco12b wrote:

> question regarding high speed stability.

Others covered most all, but I don't think they mentioned a fork brace. Many are very happy with the difference that a brace will give. I would not ride without one at this point. -- Doug Herr doug@...

[Robert Chay]

Comments below... -Bobby

> -----Original Message----- > From: eimco12b > > Hello All, >

> > First, let me describe the situation: The bike handles > fairly well at speeds below 60 mph, although it seems a > little twitchy going into corners.

This would be caused by the lowered front combined with the high preload in the rear. This gives you a steeper steering angle which makes the bike feel twitchy. Raise the triple clamps (lower the forks) and get the rear sag set for your weight.

> However, at speeds over > 60 mph the bike feels unstable and wobbly.

This would be the steering head bearings. I had the same problem. When I tightened the bearings, the unstable and wobbly feeling went away almost completely at >60mph unless it was windy.

> The bike has the OEM tires (the rear is about worn out at 1500 > miles) set at 25 psi front and rear, the fork tubes are > lowered about 1-1.5cm in the triple trees, and the rear shock > is set at a fairly high preload (the PO weighed about 220 lbs). > > Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > -Scott

[Dennis Shell]

Scott, I had exactly the same problem. When there was a cross-wind or turbulance behind a truck it was even worse. I read about the adjustment for the stem bearings. After I tightened them as per the instructions, it was like riding a different bike. Even in the dirt the front end is way more stable. I found the instructions on KLR650. net. " Pacman stembearing adjustment" I think. The bearings are the ones around the stem of the triple tree. Good luck, Dennis

----- Original Message ----- From: eimco12b To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 9:26 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] New Owner With a Question Hello All, I just bought a used 2006 KLR 650 with 1000 miles on it last week. I have since put about 500 additional miles on it and have a question regarding high speed stability. First, let me describe the situation: The bike handles fairly well at speeds below 60 mph, although it seems a little twitchy going into corners. However, at speeds over 60 mph the bike feels unstable and wobbly. The bike has the OEM tires (the rear is about worn out at 1500 miles) set at 25 psi front and rear, the fork tubes are lowered about 1-1.5cm in the triple trees, and the rear shock is set at a fairly high preload (the PO weighed about 220 lbs). Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. -Scott [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[eimco12b]

Thank you all for your great suggestions. After lowering the forks in the triple trees, setting the rear shock at less preload, and increasing my tire pressure to 32 psi, the bike feels much more stable at speed. I do have a question regarding the steering stem bearings. When the bike is on the lift and I grab the forks I cannot feel any slop in the stem bearings. Could the bearings be out of adjustment even if there is no preceivable slop? Thanks again everyone. Scott --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Dennis Shell" wrote:

> > Scott, I had exactly the same problem. When there was a cross-wind

or turbulance behind a truck it was even worse. I read about the adjustment for the stem bearings. After I tightened them as per the instructions, it was like riding a different bike. Even in the dirt the front end is way more stable. I found the instructions on KLR650. net. " Pacman stembearing adjustment" I think. The bearings are the ones around the stem of the triple tree. Good luck, Dennis

> ----- Original Message ----- > From: eimco12b > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 9:26 AM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] New Owner With a Question > > > Hello All, > > I just bought a used 2006 KLR 650 with 1000 miles on it last

week.

> I have since put about 500 additional miles on it and have a > question regarding high speed stability. > > First, let me describe the situation: The bike handles fairly

well

> at speeds below 60 mph, although it seems a little twitchy going > into corners. However, at speeds over 60 mph the bike feels > unstable and wobbly. > > The bike has the OEM tires (the rear is about worn out at 1500 > miles) set at 25 psi front and rear, the fork tubes are lowered > about 1-1.5cm in the triple trees, and the rear shock is set at

a

> fairly high preload (the PO weighed about 220 lbs). > > Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > -Scott > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[Robert Chay]

It depends on the severity. I didn't feel my bearings were loose but after tightening it, it still swung side to side freely but it was MUCH more stable at high speeds. Loosen the upper triple clamps, take off the top nut and get a spanner wrench or screwdriver and hammer and tighten the nuts just below the triple clamp. I think there might be a lock washer in there. It's been a while and I had to do it on my R6 too so the details gets blurry but you get the idea . -Bobby

> -----Original Message----- > From: eimco12b > > Thank you all for your great suggestions. After lowering the > forks in the triple trees, setting the rear shock at less > preload, and increasing my tire pressure to 32 psi, the bike > feels much more stable at speed. > > I do have a question regarding the steering stem bearings. > When the bike is on the lift and I grab the forks I cannot > feel any slop in the stem bearings. Could the bearings be > out of adjustment even if there is no preceivable slop? > > Thanks again everyone. > > Scott

[Dennis Shell]

From what I read, with the bike in the air, the front end should not fall side to side. I think it's suppose to take a very small amount of pressure ( like the back of your little fingernail ) to move the handle bars from stop to stop. However, if the front end does fall on it's own, the bearings are too loose. Have fun, Dennis

----- Original Message ----- From: eimco12b To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 12:49 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: New Owner With a Question Thank you all for your great suggestions. After lowering the forks in the triple trees, setting the rear shock at less preload, and increasing my tire pressure to 32 psi, the bike feels much more stable at speed. I do have a question regarding the steering stem bearings. When the bike is on the lift and I grab the forks I cannot feel any slop in the stem bearings. Could the bearings be out of adjustment even if there is no preceivable slop? Thanks again everyone. Scott --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Dennis Shell" wrote: > > Scott, I had exactly the same problem. When there was a cross-wind or turbulance behind a truck it was even worse. I read about the adjustment for the stem bearings. After I tightened them as per the instructions, it was like riding a different bike. Even in the dirt the front end is way more stable. I found the instructions on KLR650. net. " Pacman stembearing adjustment" I think. The bearings are the ones around the stem of the triple tree. Good luck, Dennis > ----- Original Message ----- > From: eimco12b > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 9:26 AM > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] New Owner With a Question > > > Hello All, > > I just bought a used 2006 KLR 650 with 1000 miles on it last week. > I have since put about 500 additional miles on it and have a > question regarding high speed stability. > > First, let me describe the situation: The bike handles fairly well > at speeds below 60 mph, although it seems a little twitchy going > into corners. However, at speeds over 60 mph the bike feels > unstable and wobbly. > > The bike has the OEM tires (the rear is about worn out at 1500 > miles) set at 25 psi front and rear, the fork tubes are lowered > about 1-1.5cm in the triple trees, and the rear shock is set at a > fairly high preload (the PO weighed about 220 lbs). > > Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. > > -Scott > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]