california vacation: 2008 klr spotting

[horkdoom]

Alternate title: "Hey where'd that telephone pole come from" I've been wanting a motorcycle, specifically a KLR, for some time now. I had to sell my last bike due to financial/storage reasons. So imagine my joy at finding a '99 KLR locally with oodles of farkles for $1600. Anyways, got the bike, had a friend help me get it to my apt (he works in a bike shop and I hadn't ridden since I got rid of my last bike). I got all suited up (helmet, gloves, jacket and boots) ready to drive the bike to work, took a lap around the parking lot and pulled out to the exit. Forgot that the bike accelerates faster than my car, had to stop in the middle lane to let a car go by and in bringing my head around (following the car) fixated my vision on the telephone pole in front of me and hit the gas. And naturally ran right into the telephone pole >.< The damage included a broken choke lever, minor scrape on my wrist, a couple of sore muscles, a huge wallop to my pride, and left the front tire aligned slightly to the right. So now that my pride has repaired itself and I can still operate the choke. I have looked over the forks/handlebars and havn't noticed any evident bends, the only thing I can think of is that in the crash the left handlebar hit and the wheel was turned into the pole bending/ flexing the forks and the fork brace held it there. Any other suggestions/help/laughter would be appreciated.

[cactus_reese]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "horkdoom" wrote: the only thing I can think of is that in the crash the > left handlebar hit and the wheel was turned into the pole bending/ > flexing the forks and the fork brace held it there. > > Any other suggestions/help/laughter would be appreciated. > That's it. Lift the front end with a jack. Loosen the triple clamps on the fork tubes. Straighted the wheel with respect to the fender. Retighten and you are done. -Bryan

[Glenn]

You could use the string method just to check the alignment of the front wheel. If its out a bit loosen the forks in the triples and align it. Of course you have to be sure that the rear wheel is squarely adjusted first (according to the marks). Glenn A17

[Mike Peplinski]

No crash is funny. Not trying to be a smartass but you really should practice more out of traffic to become "one with your machine". I realize you rode before so you are a "veteran" abut you obviously forgot something. Unfortunately motorcycles are somewhat unforgiving when it comes to hitting things. Ride often, ride safe. Send another message when something funny happens. Hitting a pole has very little humor. A word of caution; ride like they are out to get you, bgecause they really are.

>From: "horkdoom" >To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com >Subject: [DSN_KLR650] My "DOH!" moment >Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:47:21 -0000 > >Alternate title: "Hey where'd that telephone pole come from" > >I've been wanting a motorcycle, specifically a KLR, for some time >now. I had to sell my last bike due to financial/storage reasons. So >imagine my joy at finding a '99 KLR locally with oodles of farkles >for $1600. > >Anyways, got the bike, had a friend help me get it to my apt (he >works in a bike shop and I hadn't ridden since I got rid of my last >bike). > >I got all suited up (helmet, gloves, jacket and boots) ready to drive >the bike to work, took a lap around the parking lot and pulled out to >the exit. Forgot that the bike accelerates faster than my car, had to >stop in the middle lane to let a car go by and in bringing my head >around (following the car) fixated my vision on the telephone pole in >front of me and hit the gas. And naturally ran right into the >telephone pole >. >The damage included a broken choke lever, minor scrape on my wrist, a >couple of sore muscles, a huge wallop to my pride, and left the front >tire aligned slightly to the right. > >So now that my pride has repaired itself and I can still operate the >choke. I have looked over the forks/handlebars and havn't noticed any >evident bends, the only thing I can think of is that in the crash the >left handlebar hit and the wheel was turned into the pole bending/ >flexing the forks and the fork brace held it there. > >Any other suggestions/help/laughter would be appreciated. > > > >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 > > >

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[dooden]

Field fix would be go back to the tele pole and bang the wheel the opposite direction to straighten it out, no doubt just twisted the upper forks in the triple clamps. OR at home put the bike on a lift, loosen all 8 triple pinch bolts just enough so the forks do not slide down, spin the wheel (forward rotations) as fast as you can and grab a whole handful of front brake, the sudden stop should make everything straight, then re-torque the pinch bolts. Consult manual (I think 70 ft lbs). (Might also need to loosen the brace) Choke lever relocation documented in FAQ or if just the little lever, just order in a new and replace. Wrist... consider it a warning about fixating while riding, remember if you fixate on something, your going right at it. Be thankful you did'nt get hurt real good, might consider a M/C safety course if you have been off a bike for a while, would'nt hurt and can also reduce insurance depending on carrier. Falling over going backwards down steep hills also sucks cause being top heavy the handlebars almost always go to the low side of the hill, leaving you dragging the bike around to get the bars uphill so you can pick it back up.. Been there done that, even have re-runs playing. Dooden A15 Green Ape

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "horkdoom" wrote: > > Alternate title: "Hey where'd that telephone pole come from" > > I've been wanting a motorcycle, specifically a KLR, for some time > now. I had to sell my last bike due to financial/storage reasons. So > imagine my joy at finding a '99 KLR locally with oodles of farkles > for $1600. > > Anyways, got the bike, had a friend help me get it to my apt (he > works in a bike shop and I hadn't ridden since I got rid of my last > bike). > > I got all suited up (helmet, gloves, jacket and boots) ready to drive > the bike to work, took a lap around the parking lot and pulled out to > the exit. Forgot that the bike accelerates faster than my car, had to > stop in the middle lane to let a car go by and in bringing my head > around (following the car) fixated my vision on the telephone pole in > front of me and hit the gas. And naturally ran right into the > telephone pole >. > The damage included a broken choke lever, minor scrape on my wrist, a > couple of sore muscles, a huge wallop to my pride, and left the front > tire aligned slightly to the right. > > So now that my pride has repaired itself and I can still operate the > choke. I have looked over the forks/handlebars and havn't noticed any > evident bends, the only thing I can think of is that in the crash the > left handlebar hit and the wheel was turned into the pole bending/ > flexing the forks and the fork brace held it there. > > Any other suggestions/help/laughter would be appreciated. >

[Jeff Saline]

On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:32:07 -0000 "Dooden" writes:

> Field fix would be go back to the tele pole and bang the wheel the > opposite direction to straighten it out, no doubt just twisted the > upper forks in the triple clamps. > > OR at home put the bike on a lift, loosen all 8 triple pinch bolts > just enough so the forks do not slide down, spin the wheel (forward > rotations) as fast as you can and grab a whole handful of front > brake, > the sudden stop should make everything straight, then re-torque the > pinch bolts. Consult manual (I think 70 ft lbs). (Might also need > to > loosen the brace) >

SNIP

> Dooden > A15 Green Ape

<><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><> Dooden, I seem to recall the torque for the fork tube pinch bolts is 18 foot pounds. I'm pretty sure 70 foot pounds would snap them. : ) Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT

[Mike]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Saline wrote:

> > On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:32:07 -0000 "Dooden" writes: > > Field fix would be go back to the tele pole and bang the wheel the > > opposite direction to straighten it out, no doubt just twisted the > > upper forks in the triple clamps. > > > > OR at home put the bike on a lift, loosen all 8 triple pinch bolts > > just enough so the forks do not slide down, spin the wheel (forward > > rotations) as fast as you can and grab a whole handful of front > > brake, > > the sudden stop should make everything straight, then re-torque the > > pinch bolts. Consult manual (I think 70 ft lbs). (Might also need > > to > > loosen the brace) > SNIP > > Dooden > > A15 Green Ape > <><><><><><><><><> > Dooden, > I seem to recall the torque for the fork tube pinch bolts is 18 foot > pounds. I'm pretty sure 70 foot pounds would snap them. : ) > > Best, > > Jeff Saline > ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal > Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org > The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota > 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT

Actually the factory manual says 14 ft-lbs for the upper bolts, and 18 for the lower bolts. This was changed in the supplement protion in the back of the manual for the (I think) 2003 section. I've hardness tested the bolts after a friend showed me some that had stretched, and later broken while he was LOOSENING them! These were the softest steel bolts I had ever tested. the triple clamp is also pretty soft, so I suggest going carefully on these bolts. The lossen everything up front and bang the front wheel seems to be the traditional and best method for fixing this situation. Sometimes it helps to loosen the front axle nut, too. If your upper fork boot clamps are tight it can keep everything from dropping all the way down when all the triple clamp bolts are loosened. Don't forget to tighten back up afterwards...... all the best, Mike

[dooden]

Whoopsie... speaking of DOH moments... ya like I said check the manual... 70 ft lbs... I must have been smoking crack or something this morning... Thanks for the correction. Dooden (hiding in shame) A15 Green Ape

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Saline wrote: > > On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:32:07 -0000 "Dooden" writes: > > Field fix would be go back to the tele pole and bang the wheel the > > opposite direction to straighten it out, no doubt just twisted the > > upper forks in the triple clamps. > > > > OR at home put the bike on a lift, loosen all 8 triple pinch bolts > > just enough so the forks do not slide down, spin the wheel (forward > > rotations) as fast as you can and grab a whole handful of front > > brake, > > the sudden stop should make everything straight, then re-torque the > > pinch bolts. Consult manual (I think 70 ft lbs). (Might also need > > to > > loosen the brace) > > > > SNIP > > > Dooden > > A15 Green Ape > <><><><><><><><><> > <><><><><><><><><> > > Dooden, > > I seem to recall the torque for the fork tube pinch bolts is 18 foot > pounds. I'm pretty sure 70 foot pounds would snap them. : ) > > Best, > > Jeff Saline > ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal > Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org > The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota > 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT >

[kestrelfal]

gess ya wuz smokn xmas crak da lazt tym 12-21-06 sile boy http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/message/166653 Fr Ed

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Dooden" wrote: > > Whoopsie... speaking of DOH moments... > > ya like I said check the manual... 70 ft lbs... I must have been > smoking crack or something this morning... > > Thanks for the correction. > > Dooden (hiding in shame) > A15 Green Ape > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Saline wrote: > > > > On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:32:07 -0000 "Dooden" writes: > > > Field fix would be go back to the tele pole and bang the wheel the > > > opposite direction to straighten it out, no doubt just twisted the > > > upper forks in the triple clamps. > > > > > > OR at home put the bike on a lift, loosen all 8 triple pinch bolts > > > just enough so the forks do not slide down, spin the wheel (forward > > > rotations) as fast as you can and grab a whole handful of front > > > brake, > > > the sudden stop should make everything straight, then re-torque the > > > pinch bolts. Consult manual (I think 70 ft lbs). (Might also need > > > to > > > loosen the brace) > > > > > > > SNIP > > > > > Dooden > > > A15 Green Ape > > <><><><><><><><><> > > <><><><><><><><><> > > > > Dooden, > > > > I seem to recall the torque for the fork tube pinch bolts is 18 foot > > pounds. I'm pretty sure 70 foot pounds would snap them. : ) > > > > Best, > > > > Jeff Saline > > ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal > > Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org > > The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota > > 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT > > >

[horkdoom]

Yes I know crashes are not a laughing matter, however in this case, no harm no foul and I can personally look back on it and laugh at the stupid thing that caused it and look at my healing scrapes for a reminder of that. Also I rode back to my parking spot like a pro, so parking lots aren't my problem (heck the speed bumps are even fun). I've taken an MSF course, and if I had the money I'd take it again for the good practice. This post was posted in the spirit of look at the stupid thing I did and don't repeat, because I know not everyone on this forum is a "veteran" like you. Also I'd like to thank everyone else for the suggestions on fixing the alignment/triple clamp issue, I won't be able to get to that today because work just called me in but tomorrow is another day. --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Peplinski" wrote:

> > No crash is funny. Not trying to be a smartass but you really

should

> practice more out of traffic to become "one with your machine". I

realize

> you rode before so you are a "veteran" abut you obviously forgot

something.

> Unfortunately motorcycles are somewhat unforgiving when it comes to

hitting

> things. Ride often, ride safe. Send another message when something

funny

> happens. Hitting a pole has very little humor. A word of caution;

ride like

> they are out to get you, bgecause they really are.