nklr (lead in your pencil)

[Mick]

Hi guys, Fred I thought you might have knowledge of this. This weekend my S.O was trying out some little jumps on her 2000 KLR 250, and she got off track after hitting a jump, and launched it straight up in the air off of a 4' stump! Scared the crap out of me! but luckily she only sustained a cut over her eye, and shiner, along with the overall soreness from a crash. The KLR however did not fair as well. I swear this bike was 7 to 10 feet in the air pointing skyward before it came down, making impact first on the rear of the seat, then the handlebars. The bars snapped, which is no big deal BUT, the rear frame is WHACKED out to the right with a twist. After taking the seat off I can see the rear triangle frame, which bolts to the main frame is totally bent. Questions, can these be straightened, and if not what do they run to replace them. I'm trying to figure out if I should file a claim with my insurance, but my deductibile is 500 bucks, so I am wondering if I can get it fixed cheaper than 500 on my own. Such a shame to see the bike this way with only 640 miles, and I feel terrible about agreeing to let her goof around on some jumps, but we have all been there done that right? Part of the excitement when out there pushing the envelope. Safe riding, and thanks for any insight. I'm tempted to take it off, and try to reef it a bit myself, but wanted to touch base with you guys first to see if you had any info. Thanks, and safe riding.

[Dreas Nielsen]

> Apologies in advance if you have already heard about > this but for those that have not this article on Lead > in Gasoline (Petrol)it makes a scary read. > > I used to clean parts in that stuff...ugggh > > http://www.thenation.com/print/lead > >Mark

Given that the government finally succeeded in eliminating lead in gasoline (in the US) about 15 years ago, after trying for quite a few years, this is hardly news. Everybody then agreed that MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) was a clean and safe replacement, but it turns out that MTBE leaking from underground storage tanks is highly soluble in groundwater, and, of course, is toxic. More and more aquifers are being discovered to be contaminated with MTBE. So most likely MTBE in gasoline will soon be replaced with something else. Any guesses on how long it will take until the problems caused by the replacement chemical are discovered? Maybe by then The Nation will have an expose on MTBE. Dreas