whats the difference?

[Phil Roddenberry]

Hi gang: This is Lew from Phil's computer. I thought I would tell you how pissed I was when Phil and I checked Critter's battery. We removed it and discovered it needed some water in a couple of cells and had too much in others. That was not a big deal. What pissed me off was when we discovered the battery plastic cover and fuse holder wouldn't fit where they were supposed to go. Then, we figured out that part of the reason was that the battery, when compared to Phil's bike's battery, was not the same Yuasa model number. Mine has vertical posts and his has horizontal posts. The dealer bent the cable connectors to make them connect to the posts. This battery was installed by Powersports of Delray in Florida, a Kawi dealer. I have the service record. This sort of thing is what one might expect when replacing a battery in South America, not from your local Kawi dealer. Yesterday we went for a ride and the speedo quit working. Phil found the cable slipped out the back of the unit. No problema, just reconnected it. Phil checked the Metzler Tourance tire pressure and found it to be set for offroad riding at 14/16. Phil also set the preload/dampening on the rear shock to 3/3. It was at 1/1. We'll try that under load and trail riding. May be necessary to go to 4/4, but we'll start at 3/3. Today I told Phil I was concerned about, what seemed to me, a strange knocking noise up front when going over bumps. Asked him to take Critter for a ride. He came back and said he heard and felt the noise I described and found the stem head nut was very loose. No problema. Tightened it. Phil says a couple of drops of locktight and torquing to 31 foot pounds was required according to the manual. Today we installed Tim's panniers low enough to allow the U duffle bag above them and a passenger's legs in front of them. The panniers are centered so their weight is over the rear axle. No problema. Tomorrow the tail box gets installed and I'll throw the loaded U duffle bag on, then take another 40 mile test ride. Phil's a smart guy, when it comes to motorcycle stuff. If something has to be fabricated, he has a lathe in his workshop. I feel that if he can't figure something out, then it can't be figured out. That's how impressed I am with his ability and knowledge. Every newbie should be so lucky as to have the good fortune I am having with Phil's help in setting up and learning about their bike. If I were religious, I'd say it must be good Karma coming back to me for my past good deeds or Phil is an angel of mercy shooting for sainthood. Whatever it is, I will owe Phil a hell of a lot for his help in preparing us for our Americas Motopaseo. Stay tuned for further info. in coming days. I'm still planning on going to Mardi Gras around February 24-27 and camping in a Army Engineer Corps campground outside New Orleans. Then, we'll do Daytona Bike Week March 3-10 followed by the Georgia Mountain Rally May 4-6. Then, the offroad TransAmTrail from Nashville to Moab for our June 1-4 event. Then, the rest of the hemisphere is ours for the next 2 years. Lew Waterman Punky & Lew's Americas Motopaseo Live Oak, Florida A-14 "Critter"

[david.hardingham@fnbcorporate.co.za]

Thanks for the info Rich.I finally find out that I ride a "C" series and not an A10 as I thought. Resolved my identity crisis! I see the Kawa Canada site says this years model is the C7. Was last years model the C6 etc?. What is the breakdown of the models by year? My bike looks like the one on the site, except that its that bluish colour. Dave C? (small tank, great brakes) JHB, South Africa ----------------------- From: Rich Kickbush Date: Wed Feb 7, 2001 3:52pm Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650]

> > Check out the Canadian kawasaki site > http://www.kawasakicanada.com/, > > they'll have both models. If you or anyone else wants specifics, > let me > > know. > > > > Rich