replaced front brake light switch--bike lust

[Gil Folsom]

I have a 1990 KLR 650 that I bought used a few months ago. The temperature gauge has never worked. In fact, it didn't read any temperature at all. So I ordered a new temperature sending unit for it ( Part # 92066-1183) that inserts into the top of the cylinder head next to the spark plug. When I took out the old temp. sending unit out, I noticed it looked different than the new one. The new one was flat on the bottom, whereas the older one was longer and had what looked like the tip of a silver bullet sticking out of the end. When I turned the key on with the new part in place, the temperature gauge immediately read "hot", with the bike not having been started at all. So it reads hot all the time. Yesterday, at a KLR tech day in the Denver area we swapped out another sending unit from another KLR. This part looked identical to the new one I had already bought, and instantly read hot when placed in the cylinder head. According to my local dealer, this part number has not changed since 1987. After visiting www.buykawasaki.com and verifying the part number, it appears that the dealer is correct. But the bottom line is my gauge still doesn't work, and nobody seems to have a clue on how to fix it. Any suggestions??? --------------------------------- Luggage? GPS? Comic books? Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jeff Saline]

On Mon, 6 Aug 2007 09:54:30 -0700 (PDT) Gil Folsom writes:

> I have a 1990 KLR 650 that I bought used a few months ago. The > temperature gauge has never worked. In fact, it didn't read any > temperature at all. So I ordered a new temperature sending unit for > it ( Part # 92066-1183) that inserts into the top of the cylinder > head next to the spark plug. > > When I took out the old temp. sending unit out, I noticed it > looked different than the new one. The new one was flat on the > bottom, whereas the older one was longer and had what looked like > the tip of a silver bullet sticking out of the end. When I turned > the key on with the new part in place, the temperature gauge > immediately read "hot", with the bike not having been started at > all. So it reads hot all the time. > > Yesterday, at a KLR tech day in the Denver area we swapped out > another sending unit from another KLR. This part looked identical > to the new one I had already bought, and instantly read hot when > placed in the cylinder head. > > According to my local dealer, this part number has not changed > since 1987. After visiting www.buykawasaki.com and verifying the > part number, it appears that the dealer is correct. > > But the bottom line is my gauge still doesn't work, and nobody > seems to have a clue on how to fix it. > > Any suggestions???

<><><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><><> Gil, It sounds like your electrons, neutrons and protons got some morons along for the ride. : ) Morons cause all kinds of electrical issues. You don't mention any electrical testing of components and why you chose to replace the temperature sending unit. Did you do any testing? I'm curious as to what happens when the wire is grounded instead of putting it on the sending unit. One test of a temperature sending unit is to measure it's resistance as it heats up in a pot of water. You should plan on seeing the resistance change although I don't have a book handy to see what it should read. You could check it out in the factory manual or a Clymer's manual and get the correct specs and testing procedure. How about some more info and comments about testing capabilities. No use in talking about a multi meter if you don't have one or know how to use it. Some of the other guys on this list have messed with the temp gauge a lot. I haven't had issues yet with mine. 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

[Charles Earl]

I had a good motorcycle day last Friday. I rode my KLR into downtown SF to help my buddy out with his coffee business. Parking is tough down there, although there are nice "motorcycle only" sections for .25 cents an hour/.10 cents an hour further-out. No worrys though, I just rolled my bike into the closet where a large coffee cart is stored in the garage of a large skyscraper. I've been meaning to replace my front brake light switch. It's been acting up again. I already "rebuilt" it once after prying the case open with the edge of a utility knife. It snapped back together nicely. However, now it is pretty much shot. I been constantly checking to see if my brake light comes on and have had to frequently wiggle the blade connection to make it work. Part of the problem, I think, is that when assembled, one of the blade connectors was bent outward. This loosened up the connection right-off the bat. It is not neccessary to bend the connector outwards. I wasn't feeling safe and decided to buy a new one. After dodging the crazy cagers, taxis, buses and jaywalkers in the Market Street area, I made my way to Golden Gate Cyclery. I beelined towards the 2008 red KLR650 in the back. First look in person. Don't have much to say, didn't ride it, but it looked cool. Didn't feel heavier, of course, mine has centerstand/racks/other stuff on it. Strange to see the bigger fairing. Looks like much better wind protection at speed. Fit and finish looked better. Sales guy offered to roll it outside and fire it up, I declined, not really wanting to run someone elses future new bike since I'm not in the market at the moment. As I dismounted, I saw what looked like something I didn't think was available yet. Could it be? Yes, it's a 2008 Concours 14. And what do you know, a 2008 FJR1300abs next to it. Kicking the now offending KLR out of my way (just kidding about that part), I crossed the room to take a look. What a machine. Despite it's weight, the 14, with it's low and forward engine design, actually felt light picking it up off the sidestand. I lusted after it with it's saddlebags and Ninja-14 engine. The FJR is sweet looking too, feels smaller than the 14. This model had "clutchless" shifting, both with a foot shifter and "Tiptronic" like shifter on the left grip. Very strange to reach and not find a clutch lever. I used to lust after the FJR until the 14 came out. I know, they're giant bikes that won't see dirt. I've had the temptation many times to try out a bigger "dualsport," Adventure 950, maybe GS. Mainly just to have more power on the street. But I can't get over the weight factor. And it's possible that I may someday try one. But for now, I am intrigued by the thought of having a ridiculously powerful sport touring machine for highway trips and just sticking with the KLR for dualsport trips. In other words, going to the separate extremes instead of meeting halfway. Anyways, good thing I do have a KLR that's all paid for. Because, right now there is a little problem of $14,000 dollars and a new living situation with a garage standing between me and that dream. Oh, I bought a new front brake light switch. $21.95. It looks like it has been improved a little, seems less rinky-dink like. Works perfect. Charles A-14 http://dualsportmotorcycling.com/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. http://travel.yahoo.com/