good buy ???

[Jim Hyman]

Ric, Sounds like a nice bike! It has a lot of desirable extras. If he's asking $2100, offer $1500 and negotiate a happy middle ground. Given all the extras, I wouldn't mind paying $2000 for a good running '93. If you're in the Seattle area, I can look it over for you and/or give it a short test ride & let you know what I think. I bought my A9 (1995) in 1998 with 11,000 miles and went over it thoroghly. I was in Jacksonville, Florida at the time & had minimal tools. I did a compression test before I bought it and it was on the very low side of acceptable. My KLR ran strong so I took my chances. Now with 17,000 miles on the odometer, I just completed a valve adjustment. The intake valves were on the tight side and the exhaust valves were WAY too tight. My valves are now set at the maximum clearances and the difference is night and day! My bike is MUCH smoother & it pulls noticeably stronger at low & mid-range. The compression test results are now near the upper range. As a side note, the water cooled engine masks much of the valve train noise & I haven't noticed any difference in valve noise. I'm leaving on tuesday morning for Tims Swiftwater rally in Idaho. Contact me off list ASAP if you'd like any help. Professor A9 Federal Way, WA. [USA] ================================= --- "Ric Merry" wrote:

> Hi all. Ric here, new subscriber. I'm looking at a '93 KLR > with 14,700 miles. Has Givi trunk and side racks, Acerbis > hand protectors, new tires, K&N filter, new sprockets, > Progressive springs, and SS brake line. Seller wants $2100 ! > I'm just about ready to buy this when I ask him about last > valve service and he says "Never" (he's second owner). > Engine sounds good (as it would if valves were too tight eh ?) > Wisdom of the group on this issue would be greatly appreciated. > > Ric Merry > soon to be new KLR owner > current Concours owner > WA State