nklr rain gear - the good stuff?

[Jerry Pommer]

Hello all, After lurking for a few years, I've finally brought home one of my own - a 2001 with about 10k miles on it. The plastics are a little rough looking and it has been down a couple times, but not too bad looking. It makes a clattering noise when the engine is loaded, which I've verified is due to the non-functioning doohickey. I pulled the left outer cover yesterday and pushed the lever with a screwdriver to apply at least *some* tension on the chain to quiet it down a bit. It appears that the spring is broken or at the end of its pull, so I'll be ordering the kit soon. The bike is unmodified except for the shifter, which looks like one of the aftermarket choices. It too is bent from the last tip-over. This is gonna be fun!

[Jerry Pommer]

Jerry Pommer wrote:

> Ronald Criswell wrote: >> These engines are pretty noisy if you lug them. >> >> criswell >> On Sep 10, 2007, at 5:02 PM, Jerry Pommer wrote: >> >>> Hello all, >>> >>> After lurking for a few years, I've finally brought home one of my own - >>> a 2001 with about 10k miles on it. The plastics are a little rough >>> looking and it has been down a couple times, but not too bad looking. >>> >>> It makes a clattering noise when the engine is loaded, which I've >>> verified is due to the non-functioning doohickey. I pulled the left >>> outer cover yesterday and pushed the lever with a screwdriver to apply >>> at least *some* tension on the chain to quiet it down a bit. It appears >>> that the spring is broken or at the end of its pull, so I'll be ordering >>> the kit soon. >>> >>> The bike is unmodified except for the shifter, which looks like one of >>> the aftermarket choices. It too is bent from the last tip-over. This is >>> gonna be fun! >>>

Drat!!! I was almost home from work when I happened to look down at my left boot to see it drenched in oil! I must have torn the gasket when putting that left outer cover back on, because it gave way and oil is pumping out of the seam at a most impressive rate. At least I caught it before it emptied out altogether.

[Jerry Pommer]

Ronald Criswell wrote:

> Whoops, good luck on that. > > criswell > On Sep 10, 2007, at 7:49 PM, Jerry Pommer wrote: >> >> Drat!!! I was almost home from work when I happened to look down at my >> left boot to see it drenched in oil! I must have torn the gasket when >> putting that left outer cover back on, because it gave way and oil is >> pumping out of the seam at a most impressive rate. At least I caught it >> before it emptied out altogether.

What I find odd about it is that it is squirting out of the seam at the 10 o'clock position of the outside rotor cover... well above the oil level. How is it getting way up there and forcing it's way out? It's spitting out with the engine pulses.

[a14@att.net]

> What I find odd about it is that it is squirting out of the seam at the > 10 o'clock position of the outside rotor cover... well above the oil > level. How is it getting way up there and forcing it's way out? It's > spitting out with the engine pulses. >

Most of the components under that cover are splash lubricated. The lower run of the chains and the balancer counterweights splash oil up from the sump to lubricate components that are not fed otherwise. Walt

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, a14@... wrote:

> > > Could you use a camping tent, seam-sealer to help with the leaks?

I

> > am just guessing, but does it leak at the seams? > > > > There are at least a few different seam sealers. Read the > label and check if it is applicable for your jackets material. > there are also treatments you add to the washing machine. > > > > revmaaatin. who recently got very wet, and cold, and annoyed with > > his two piece 'sprinkle-suit' that was asked to keep me dry > > (no virginia, it is not rain gear if it does not keep you dry) > > > > This is why I always shake down locally any new gear, modifications > or the bike in general after maintenance before setting out on > a trip. If you can't wait for a good storm or don't want to ride > in the rain intentionally have someone spray you with a hose to > check your raingear for leaks. > > Walt >

Hi Walt, The cold wet 'trip' was the shake-down for a follow on trip. Maybe a shakedown should be a little shorter, but mine was the 120 mile commute home from the med-helo gig, in a hard rainstorm. I knew it was raining when I saddled up, and wanted a thorough check of how well the Firstgear, two piece suit worked. When I left, I had no expectations of the gear other than give it a try. Seemed well enough for the first 45 miles (I got a peak at the bank temp/sign: 57F), then it shortly there afterstarted to leak, or at least I was feeling the leak; and the leak, well, it invited its friends, and they threw me a shower to celebrate. and it was nearly a wreck--my poor feet looked like cranberries when I got the boots off at home. I got out of the rain ~90 mile mark, but by then, my 'booties' had failed the test, and I was wet at the waist/groin--as well as full wet hands--of which heated grips took care of that. The return trip was a 'sprinkle-ride' and the two piece worked OK. Thus, I have discovered that I own a sprinkle suit, not a rain suit. In defense of the rain suit, it may have been the riding jackets fault, as it is a 'long' Fieldsheer and the rain top may not have given a good seal, etc. Thanks for the insight/experience. revmaaatin.