higher windshield?

[Svantwuyver]

A while back someone on this list did a detailed shock rebuild procedure that sparked my interest. I copied that web page locally and although it is copyrighted, no author is listed and most regrettably, I don't remember the URL or the author. Subsequently, I bought a used KLR shock for $50. That way I wouldn't have to decommision my bike and I could take my time getting everything together. I bought a Racetech Gold Valve ($149) and Progressive spring ($100) from Precision Concepts in El Cajon, CA (they came recommended by Eldon Karl and they are relatively close to me). I also bought a new rubber bumper ($13) and a new seal head seal (approximately $25). I purchased a spring removing tool from Harbor Freight ($8) which required some grinding to fit the KLR spring. All totalled including expensive shock oil, shipping and tax I am now way over budget at around $400 for parts. Precision charges $129 labor to do rebuild, but I was intent on doing this myself and saving a little bit. I dissambled the shock and removed the spring according to the web directions. The hardest part was removing the epoxy around the filler valve. I watched the Racetech video on how to rebuild a shock, which was included with the Gold Valve. Racetech gives you an Internet access code to retrieve shim settings from their website specific for your weight and riding style. Unfortunately, this code works only once and Racetech does not list a KLR650 only a KLR650R. The KLR650R really refers to a KLX650 which does not use the same shock. I called them and after several go-arounds with unworkable shim stacks that would not fit the shaft, Racetech said they would never sell their 40mm Gold Valve to an individual as they don't make one specific for the KLR. I called Precision, which is where I bought all the stuff but they claimed the shim stack was a trade secret developed with Eldon and they would not supply this. Since I purchased these items a long time ago, my choices were to trial error my own stack or pay Precision $129, I couldn't return. In the end, I had Precision do the reassembly for which they charged $99 plus $8 for oil. After installing, I noticed the bike sat up much higher - the new spring at the softest setting doesn't sag as much as the stock spring at the hardest setting. First day riding seemed OK but I actually liked the stock shock better for street riding. It seemed like the rebuilt one was underdamped. The next ride I dialed in two more clicks of dampening which made the rebuilt shock work much better than the stock shock. In the end, I am not sure if this mod is worth $500+ that I have invested - especially on a $2000 KLR. I don't dirt ride enough to truly utilize its improvement. If I were to do it again, I would just change the spring and shock oil. That would set you back $100, plus $10 for a nitrogen charge plus a few bucks for a couple hundred CCs of shock oil - total maybe $120. I wouldn't even replace the seal if it doesn't have too many dirt miles and didn't leak. You can always throw more money at it later with a gold valve and Precision rebuild. -svt- __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com

[spitford68]

I'm 5' 11" and have the 9" Extended Shield from AMA, found them on Ebay. It works great.

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "planetequipment" wrote: > --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Chris wrote: > > > Wow you 5'6" guys have a quiet ride don't you? > > > I'm 5'6". My riding position places the wind blast exactly at the > middle of my faceshield. It's also fairly noisy/buffety. I tried a > Kawasaki tall w/s. The wind buffeting was so bad it gave me a > headache. It came off after one 200 mile ride. I tried riding > without any w/s. The wind hit me in the chest, but the buffeting > and noise was as bad or worse. I'd like to find a w/s that would > get the wind up over the top of my helmet and not buffet. I suppose > people in hell would like icewater, too. > > Ron