klr chain lubrication using wd-40

[doug.newton@ryobitools.com]

I purchased a 2002 KLR in December with 4600 miles. I did not notice excess engine noise however it was my first KLR and the first big single bike I ever owned. Info on this site as well as others coupled with my anal retentive nature prompted me to order the Doo Hickey kit from Fred at Arrowhead. Armed with a service manual and instructions downed loaded from Mark and Devon, the operation went well. However, much to my surprise, I found the Doo Hickey completely broken off and the spring missing. I had to fish the parts out of the crankcase with a magnet. I had put about 1000 miles on the bike since buying it. There was no apparent damage to the engine internals. All went back together without a glitch and the bike is quieter now. Has anyone encountered both a broken spring and doo hickey without engine damage? Man am I glad I changed it. Other alterations to the bike incase someone is interested: Center stand ball bearing - I didn't like the rubber bumper on my dual start center stand rubbing on the suspension link all the time. I replaced the rubber bumper with a small sealed ball bearing mounted in a homemade bracket. Worked like a champ. Carb - I did the air box alternation, opened up the idle jet to 2 out and raised the needle with a shim 65/1000. I had a little hunting / surging at mid to 2/3 throttle so I raise the needle to 78/1000. Seems to have fixed the hunting. Overall the bike runs much better than before. Runs a little cooler as well. Question - I have noticed that I feel a little catch in the shift lever when starting to down shift. It can only be felt after the lever has been up shifted. When I start to press the lever down, there is a very minute catch. On subsequent down shifts it is not there. Again it only occurs on the first down shift following an up shift. It can be flet with or without the engine running - even with my hand moving the lever up then down against the spring (without shifting gears). I expect it is just a result of the shift spring and detent chaining directions. It is barely perceptible, bikes shifts perfectly etc. has anyone noticed the same thing on their KLR or have an opinion as to whether or not it should be addressed. This is a great group - thanks for all the info. Doug N. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Don Kime]

At 09:12 AM 5/2/2004 -0400, doug.newton@... wrote:

>Has anyone encountered both a broken spring and doo hickey without engine >damage? Man am I glad I changed it.

Doug, I had the identical experience on an '02 - 4,700mi. I fished everything out but the small upper piece of the doohickey. I'm hoping it's either attached to my magnetic drain or at the oil screen. One of these days, I'll find out. Bike ran fine before and finer after! Ride safe, Don Kime - VFR750F, GL1500SE, GL1100, KLR 650 OH - M/C Safety Instructor/RiderCoach dkime@... http://forums.delphiforums.com/MCTourer/

[vfrdirk]

I'll report that I have 23,000 miles on the stock chain of my '97 VFR750 using WD-40 as chain cleaner/lube since it rolled off the showroom floor. I have adjusted chain tension 5 times in those miles, and it appears to have plenty of life left in it. (Although once a chain decides it's done, it usually doesn't take long to stretch to the max) I try to re-spray the chain every 600 miles (roughly 3 fill-ups on the VFR) in normal riding and after every ride in wet conditions. I imagine that KLR's which see lots of dirt are subject to shorter chain life because of the extra grit. I replaced the chain and sprockets on my A14 about 3,000 miles ago and am using WD on that one, too. Dirk P.S. I'm a closet wheelie hooligan, and have replaced fork seals and steering head bearing, but am still on the stock chain... --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Eric L. Green" wrote:

> The reports of folks who've had their chains last 15K+ miles with WD-40 > can't be dismissed as utter nonsense, it may be that its lack of useful > lubricating properties is made up for by its lack of dirt-attracting > properties and ease of application (meaning cleaner chain, less wear due > to grit and grime). > > -E