[dsn_klr650] msf erc. - nklr

[Robert Morgan]

BALANCER ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE FOR POST 1996 KAWASAKI KLR-650s: By ELDEN CARL Even though Kawasaki has greatly improved the balancer adjustment mechanism in KLR 650s they're still faulty if not adjusted properly. The main problem is that there is no snap ring retaining the balancer adjustment lever. The lever can actually stick to the adjustment bolt when it is turned out, and get cocked and bent when the bolt is turned back in. When the engine is started, it, (the lever) can be hit by the back of the large starter gear nearby. I have experimented with the balancer mechanism adjustment on the engine I am building and come up with what I think is the only sure fire procedure. A. Lean the bike to the right as far as you can. (I lean mine against the wall, in gear, while the engine is still hot so the oil won t be too sticky). B. Lower the bashplate and remove the plug from the adjuster bolt. C. Loosen the bolt less than turn and then turn it back in until it just starts to tighten. D. Back the bolt out again to exactly turn and tap the end of it gently with a plastic mallet. E. Turn the bolt back in and torque it to 8.5ft. lbs. F. Replace the rubber plug and bash plate and go riding. What about pre-1996 KLRs ? For liability reasons I will give you no advice as to adjustment procedures or torque specifications. If the old bolt has ever been over torqued the lever may never move again. If the brittle old spring is broken the chain may loosen instead of tighten when adjusted and then jump off track, destroying your engine. ` I would not ride a KLR in heavy traffic that did not have the new parts and my drive washer installed or at least the pins and springs that drive the balancer inspected to make sure they are all there and in good condition. If you think I m being overly dramatic ask Kurt Grife, Jim Bellach, Dan Turner, or Rupert Humphrey: all of whom have had their engines blown up by the balancer gremlins. Rupert lost two, one at open throttle. PLEASE FIX YOUR PRE-1996 KLR 650. I have been accused of helping to drive down the price of used pre-1996 KLR650s, but a properly updated KLR650 is as good as a new one and better in some ways (more on that later). I am counting on Kurt Grife a bunch to document the bulletproofing of his KLR and to help me force Kawasaki to prove they aren t the same guys who enslaved our servicemen during WW2 by fixing these potentially deadly KLR balancer mechanisms and clutch baskets which are throwing chunks of spring out into the oil stream.

[ephilride@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/1/00 12:01:43 AM Pacific Daylight Time, guymanbro@... writes:

> Anyhoo, no life long riding buddies were made but a few good lessons were > learned that will hopefully make me a life-long (and long-life) rider. I > want to ride til I die, but I'm in no hurry to get to the finish line. > > dat brooklyn bum >

Amen! -knot