field & stream editor needs help with baja setup

[zx111990]

Hi, I just bought a 2003 KLR 650. I know this has ben probably asked a thousand times, but, what type of oil should I use. The bike needs a oil change and I was wandering if there is any type of oil I could purchase at places such as WalMart or Autozone.... Also, I am 6'3" and was wandering where i can get a stronger spring? What brand and what store and what type. Thanks in advance for any help. Larry H 2003 KLR 650 San Antonio, TX

[Samuel Hudson]

Larry I'm in san antonio and a member of the big dude club. Eagle mike rl1 raising links for the rear. Some sort of 10w40+ oil. Wanna ride or wrench, gimmie a call 956-739-3364. --sam hudson, san antonio tx.

[usa1911a1]

Oil is a hot topic around here but many many members use Rotella 15w/40 from wallymart. I change mine a lot cause it's cheap. Probably every 1000-1500 miles. Capt. Bob in Durham, CT. USA http://www.essexsteamtrain.com/ 2006 A6F KLR Green Tires: Mefo 99 Explorers Country roads (20% dirt), dual tracks. NY State and Northern New England

----- Original Message ----- From: zx111990 To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, March 23, 2007 10:01 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] New To List and Have an Oil Question Hi, I just bought a 2003 KLR 650. I know this has ben probably asked a thousand times, but, what type of oil should I use. The bike needs a oil change and I was wandering if there is any type of oil I could purchase at places such as WalMart or Autozone.... Also, I am 6'3" and was wandering where i can get a stronger spring? What brand and what store and what type. Thanks in advance for any help. Larry H 2003 KLR 650 San Antonio, TX [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Samuel Hudson]

Must be nice bob, damn you work, suckin up all my free time --sam hudson, san antonio tx.

[Blake Sobiloff]

On Mar 23, 2007, at 8:01 PM, zx111990 wrote:

> Hi, I just bought a 2003 KLR 650.

Congrats!

> I know this has ben probably asked > a thousand times, but, what type of oil should I use.

There are almost as many opinions as there are KLR riders on this topic. In my opinion, and per your request for availability at Wally World, I'd go for Shell Rotella T (the 5W-40 is my preference, but plenty of folks seem to do well with the 15W-40 as well). Change it every 2,000 miles (your owner's manual has incorrect oil change interval information in it). You can change the oil filter every other time if you'd like. There doesn't seem to be a substantial difference in filter quality between the different brands, so buy whatever's convenient and compatible with your wallet.

> Also, I am 6'3" and was wandering where i can get a stronger spring? > What brand and what store and what type.

The folks at http://www.multisurfacemotorcycling.com/products/ klrprod.htm sell a stiffer spring, and they'll even clean up your stock shock and install the new spring if you want to send your old shock to them. In addition, they can do a complete rebuild of the original unit--probably recommended (or an aftermarket shock) if you're going to push the bike hard. -- Blake Sobiloff http://sobiloff.typepad.com/blakeblog/> http://sobiloff.typepad.com/klr_adventure/> San Jose, CA (USA) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Greg]

Why is the Rotella diesel oil recommended? I use it in my 6.0 F250 and know it's a good oil, but what about it makes it a good choice for a high revving motorcycle engine? -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.17/731 - Release Date: 3/23/2007 3:27 PM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[dooden]

Same reason its good in diesels I would guess.. Resists shearing has no friction modifiers and holds up well to the abuse the single/tranny/clutch give it. Just my opinion. Dooden A15 Green Ape (currently 10w40 in engine since it was/is cold) 15w40 standing by however for warmer months

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" wrote: > > Why is the Rotella diesel oil recommended? I use it in my 6.0 F250 and know > it's a good oil, but what about it makes it a good choice for a high revving > motorcycle engine? > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.17/731 - Release Date: 3/23/2007 > 3:27 PM > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >

[E.L. Green]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" wrote:

> a high revving > motorcycle engine?

Uhm, this is the KLR list. The ZX6-R list (16,500 RPM redline) is over thataway . _E

[Matt Knowles]

On Mar 26, 2007, at 10:23 AM, E.L. Green wrote:

> --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" wrote: >> a high revving >> motorcycle engine? > > Uhm, this is the KLR list. The ZX6-R list (16,500 RPM redline) is over > thataway . >

Yeah, my car revs higher than my KLR. Of course the list does boast of one high rev(er). Matt Knowles - Ferndale, CA - http://www.knowlesville.com/matt/motorcycles '99 Sprint ST - for going fast and far (2CZUSA) '01 KLR650 (A15) - for exploring the North Coast backroads '97 KLX300 & '01 Lakota - for playing in the dirt '79 KZ400 - just because it was the first vehicle I ever owned

[Jeff Saline]

On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 03:01:53 -0000 "zx111990" writes:

> Hi, I just bought a 2003 KLR 650. I know this has ben probably asked > > a thousand times, but, what type of oil should I use. The bike > needs > a oil change and I was wandering if there is any type of oil I could > > purchase at places such as WalMart or Autozone.... > > Also, I am 6'3" and was wandering where i can get a stronger spring? > > What brand and what store and what type. > > Thanks in advance for any help. > > Larry H > 2003 KLR 650 > San Antonio, TX

<><><><><><><> <><><><><><><> Larry, I suggest you try Rotella 15w-40 dino oil. Analysis shows it's good for at least 1,500 smiles and I'm thinking it'll still pass at 2,000 smiles but haven't got there yet. I've got test results from 1,000, 1,250 and 1,500 smiles so far and from a few bikes. Valvoline is only good for maybe 1,000 smiles and is sheared from a 40w to a 20w. I suggest you stop at a NAPA store and get a new crush washer for the drain plug. It's part number 704-1371 and cost is about $1. It's a 12 mm blue soft washer. You won't need as much torque on the drain plug to get it to seal which will be good for the case threads. This washer will also last a long time and is good for multiple oil changes. When you change the oil filter make sure you save the metal tube in the middle of the filter. It only goes into the oil filter compartment in one direction. The o-ring on the oil filter door is usually reusable. I have probably 15 oil changes on my o-ring and it's still good. I suggest you contact Fred at www.arrowheadmotorsports.com for your suspension questions and needs. He can take good care of you. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT