clutch and automotive oil

[John Knolla]

Hello all, New to the board but proud owner of a '90 KLR 650 since new. Now that my KLR is getting a little long in the tooth, I will be needing to complete some specific maintenance and I am looking for reviews from other users of the Clymer KLR maintenance manual availabe at happy-trail.com and others. Is the Clymer complete and illustrated well enough for valve lash addjustment, fork seals, etc? Was it helpful? Any help you can provide is appreciated. Also, any KLR owners take their ride to Sturgis? I have a bug to try that this year (probably on a trailer). Just curious how the reception is for a 650 thumper in V-Twin hogland. John

[Judson D. Jones]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "John Knolla" wrote:

> > Also, any KLR owners take their ride to Sturgis? I have a bug to try > that this year (probably on a trailer). Just curious how the > reception is for a 650 thumper in V-Twin hogland.

Don't worry about the "reception". The Black Hills during Rally Week is just a "Genuine Biker Lifestyle" theme park. However, the Black Hills is a great place to ride a KLR for a week, and even though it has turned into one of the world's dumbest events, rally week is a great time to be there. Come out of the woods into Rochford all grinning and dusty, stop for a beer and burger at Moonshine Gulch, and all the "Genuine Bikers" will say stuff like "Gee, you guys are really having all the fun, huh". I don't know why it is, but it seems like even more fun when the gap-toothed chucklehead is there at the end of the ride to remind you enviously how much fun you're having. To hook up with like-minded riders, check out Whispering Pines campground, on US385 at the Silver City turnoff.

[Mark St.Hilaire, Sr]

> Now that my KLR is getting a little long in the tooth, I will be > needing to complete some specific maintenance and I am looking for > reviews from other users of the Clymer KLR maintenance manual > availabe at happy-trail.com and others. > > Is the Clymer complete and illustrated well enough for valve lash > addjustment, fork seals, etc? Was it helpful?

John, my website - http://klr6500.tripod.com/ - and the links to other websites should be more than enough to "fill in the gaps." The Clymer is really the best way to go for a published resource; the Kawasaki manuals are expensive, and aren't all that great. You have to buy the 1984 base manual, and then a supplement for whatever year KLR that you own. Then, it's a cross-reference o'rama as you try to determine what the current / correct information is. Between the Clymer's and the KLR websites, you should be all set. I like to have manuals on hand, but to be honest, you'd probably be good to go with just the websites... Mark --------------------------------------- KLR650 Motorcycle Website: http://klr6500.tripod.com/

[john muldowney]

Well I know the thread of messages is old BUT...here is my .02 worth... I have a 2000 KLR with over 55,000 miles on it and I have only used automotive 10w40 "regular" motor oil in it and I have never had any problems with the clutch slipping...I even got over 50,000 miles on it before I had to replace the clutch plates (and I am a "middle of the road" kind of rider, I don't beat the crap out of the bike but I don't baby it all the time either...city driving in San Fancisco and the surrounding citys but also alot backroad riding and freeway riding)...so I think with mine and other's experience a basic automotive oil can do the job adequately... Ya, I agree with the lister who suggested trying to find out what the problem may be with this guy's bike, besides the oil... I have to admit I don't know ...but pulling in the clutch lever all the way and not getting a response from the clutch system does not sound entirely like an oil issue... I guess the initiall questions would be is the cable properly adjusted, if the friction plates (and maybe springs, steel plates) where replaced did something go wrong with assembly/installation, the strange thing is that it supposedly works once the motor is warmed up?( something heating up and some fractional expansion allows something to work as it should?)....dunno you guys with a much more intimate knowledge and experience with the internal workings of the clutch system can maybe help this guy out... _________________________________________________________________ Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

[John Knolla]

Thanks to all for the input, think I'll get the Clymer manual and combine that with the data from Eldon and Mark and others on the web. Mark's site is especially helpful becuase it covers torques (including nice conversions from newton\meters to ft\lbs) and has good photos. I will be deciding soon about the Sturgis Rally, thanks to Judson for the campsite suggestion. Thanks again John '90 KLR 650