digest number 7021

[Michael Silverstein]

Would the plastic IMS tank be adequate to protect the radiator in a fall or would I still need metal guards? Thanks, Mike A18 Keeper of the KLR650 tires page: [www.mindspring.com/~mssilverstein/motor ... r650/tires] -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.2/251 - Release Date: 2/4/2006

[Bogdan Swider]

> Would the plastic IMS tank be adequate to protect the radiator in a fall > or would I still need metal guards? >

I've only experienced low speed falls but my guess would be that you don't need metal guards. I don't recall seeing a single IMS tank with them aside. I do remember a post several years ago that described a fall at speed. Can't remember his name but some will - it was the guy from Texas that suffered from a disease, lupus I think. He said the tank survived in good order and also protected all underneath. Bogdan

[J Fortner]

> Would the plastic IMS tank be adequate to protect the radiator in a fall > > or would I still need metal guards? >

The IMS tank is very thick in the wings that protect the radiator and overflow. I have never had nor heard of an IMC tank puncture. Jim [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Krgrife@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/5/2006 7:28:26 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, bSwider@... writes: I've only experienced low speed falls but my guess would be that you don't need metal guards. I don't recall seeing a single IMS tank with them aside. I do remember a post several years ago that described a fall at speed. Can't remember his name but some will - it was the guy from Texas that suffered from a disease, lupus I think. He said the tank survived in good order and also protected all underneath. A few years ago I did a short review of that tank for DSN and reported crashing hard on the radiator side with no damage besides scratches to the edge of the tank. The next year I crashed hard on the right side again with no damage beyond scratches to the tank shroud edge. Kurt [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Douglas Bouley]

just curious: why are these tanks sometimes referred to as "for off road only"? Doug

On Feb 5, 2006, at 1:07 PM, Krgrife@... wrote: > In a message dated 2/5/2006 7:28:26 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, > bSwider@... writes: > > I've only experienced low speed falls but my guess would be that > you don't > need metal guards. I don't recall seeing a single IMS tank with > them aside. > I do remember a post several years ago that described a fall at > speed. Can't > remember his name but some will - it was the guy from Texas that > suffered > from a disease, lupus I think. He said the tank survived in good > order and > also protected all underneath. > > A few years ago I did a short review of that tank for DSN and reported > crashing hard on the radiator side with no damage besides scratches > to the edge of > the tank. The next year I crashed hard on the right side again > with no > damage beyond scratches to the tank shroud edge. > Kurt >

[Douglas Bouley]

had a feeling it might be something like that. thanks for the heads-up. Doug

On Feb 5, 2006, at 1:31 PM, Eric Lee Green wrote: > Douglas Bouley wrote: >> just curious: why are these tanks sometimes referred to as "for >> off road only"? >> > Two reasons. 1) they don't meet California emissions requirements, > 2) They are not DOT-certified for on-road use. In general DOT > requires metal fuel tanks unless specifically certified (such as > the plastic fuel tanks on the KTM Adventure 950), under the notion > that somehow metal fuel tanks are tougher than plastic ones. > Apparently the last time they looked at that issue was in 1925, at > which time the only plastic available was that crumbly Bakelite > stuff (just kidding, but you get the point!). > > That said, I've never heard of anybody pulled over for having the > IMS tank. It doesn't appear to be on law enforcement's radar. > > _E > >

[Eric Lee Green]

Douglas Bouley wrote:

> just curious: why are these tanks sometimes referred to as "for off > road only"? >

Two reasons. 1) they don't meet California emissions requirements, 2) They are not DOT-certified for on-road use. In general DOT requires metal fuel tanks unless specifically certified (such as the plastic fuel tanks on the KTM Adventure 950), under the notion that somehow metal fuel tanks are tougher than plastic ones. Apparently the last time they looked at that issue was in 1925, at which time the only plastic available was that crumbly Bakelite stuff (just kidding, but you get the point!). That said, I've never heard of anybody pulled over for having the IMS tank. It doesn't appear to be on law enforcement's radar. _E

[Krgrife@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/5/2006 10:45:38 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, eric@... writes: That said, I've never heard of anybody pulled over for having the IMS tank. It doesn't appear to be on law enforcement's radar. The only question a CHP officer has ever asked me about the IMS tank is "How far can you go with that sucker?" Kurt [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[CCook82@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/5/2006 8:54:58 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com writes:

>Message: 10 > Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2006 17:46:46 -0800 > From: Blake Sobiloff Subject: Re: New KLR650 owner as of today! >On Feb 4, 2006, at 5:26 PM, coreyzzzz2000 wrote: > so today I picked up a 2000 > (A14) with 19000 miles on it for $1500. >Congrats and welcome!

Blake, welcome from another newbie. Just bought an 02 model KLR 650 with 7700 miles on it (I hope). Have put about 150 miles on it to date, about 100 of those on forest service roads in east TN and western NC. I love the basic bike. I am amazed at how well it goes on the road. The suspension off road is another story. I preloaded the fork springs another 3/4 inch and that really helped the front. Sag with me seated is about 1 1/2 ' on front now. But I have rear preload up to 3 or 4 of 5 on adjustment, and I am sagging about 3" with no gear on. Is this normal?? I am 6' 1" at 185 pounds no gear, probably about 200# coat, pants and boots. What is the full wheel travel on the stock front and rear?? I know there are suspension mods. Also got to get skid plate, radiator guard, etc. Just trying to see what has to be done now and what can be a work in progress. This is one of several bikes, and they are all on a budget. Love the few posts I have read from the group so far. Cliff Cook in TN [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]