swing arm/fred/jeff

[bradklr650]

Today I left the house (sw Wa) at about 7 and heading up into the Cascades wanted to do a loop around Mount St. Helen's. Ran up back highways to Morton and out Hwy 12 to Randle and FR 25. This is a nice road with literally hundreds of dirt roads in the Gifford Pinchot Natl Forest, great place to play. The roadway south to the Columbia river was still closed, too much snow over 3500' but I played around quite a bit before turning back to home. Till then I saw maybe a total of 20 cars in 150 miles, the roads paved and dirt were empty, it was great. I get home around 4:30 after 340 miles, hose the bike off, and decided to some little maintenance before I put her to bed for the day. So I'm lubing the chain, checking the tires and battery after this I decide to try some trials type stuff in the front yard. Rural area, big turn around type drive with varying degrees of slope, grass, big and little trees. One part of the slope is about 70 degrees downslope for about 4', good size drop off, all grass. This the part of yard I just back the truck up to and ride the bike down into the bed. I'm playing around going up & down, at walking speed or less, just goofing off, you know how it is, after a bit I see 3 HD riders setting at the end of the driveway watching me putt about the yard. These guys were quite impressed with the way the bike just crawled up the hill. One asked if it would loft the front end, so I "just had" to do a couple of wheelies up and down the driveway, while trenching my gravel driveway. All 3 were asking how much, any problems etc., very interested in the bike. They took off and maybe be d/s converts, but I think they will at least wave next time. As I'm putting the girl to bed feeling mighty proud of myself, I don't notice the lawn mower, which I hadn't put away last night. As I rode into the barn, I caught the mower handle on the bottom seam of the tank. Bent it slightly (the tank damn it - not the mower), not noticeable but popped the silver paint right out. Damage to bare metal an area about 1/8" in width and 2"'s long. So I need some advice on how to repair this, do you touch up with both the color and a clear coat touch up?(is there a clear coat touch up?) Or would just the touch up paint? Is there a cheaper and/or easier to find touch up paint than the Kawasaki product. Is there any wisdom on a paint match for an A15's silver tank. It's not a noticable area so a perfect match is not that important but what is important the prevention of further paint coming off. Any help? Brad

[tedfshred]

---

> need some advice on how to repair this, do you touch up with both

In your neck of the woods, can't you just leave it be and one day a matching color fungus will just magically appear? I'm waiting for snow to come off up there also, I love getting a little mileage on the edge of the tires up Windy Ridge.

[imperial477664]

Hi Everyone, Just got back for a 2 day dualsport event here in Oregon. For anyone interested, here is my story in text and photos. http://community.webtv.net/ForTheLoveOfTheSport/THEBLACKDAWG2002 Thanks Dave Salem OR KLR650 SpitFire

[imperial477664]

Hi Everyone, Just got back for a 2 day dualsport event here in Oregon. For anyone interested, here is my story in text and photos. http://community.webtv.net/ForTheLoveOfTheSport/THEBLACKDAWG2002 Thanks Dave Salem OR KLR650 SpitFire

[Kurt Simpson]

>>> chiodinc 10/30/2003 9:18:20 PM >>>

Route: Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, to South Dakota Custer State Park Mt. Rushmore Crazy Horse Memorial Deadwood & Lead (mining towns) South Dakota to Wyoming Devil's Tower National Monument (excellent dirt road East of site!) Bighorn National Forest Yellowstone National Park Grand Teton National Forest (at sunset with the tress changing colors) Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Wyoming to Utah and Nevada Highway 50 "The loneliest road in America" Reno Nevada to California Yosemite National Park San Francisco & Haight Ashbury Santa Barbara California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah to New Mexico King's Canyon National Park Death Valley National Park Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Flaming Gorge Zion National Park Bryce Canyon Grand Canyon Navajo National Monument Monument Valley New Mexico to Arkansas San Juan Mountains and Taos Tucumcari Big Texan Steak House (free 72 oz. steak if you can eat it within one hour) Total mileage = 6,610 miles Motorcycle: `93 Kawasaki KLR650 "multi-surface motorcycle". Zero mechanical problems, no flats! I did change the oil/filter and adjust the chain at the halfway point in Santa Barbara, California. It was totally transparent transportation, no problems or worries at all. Very different from my usual long distance ride (ST1100) as I cruise the KLR at 60-70 mph vs. 80-?? mph on the ST and take more frequent breaks than the ST, BUT the dirt road options the KLR afforded offset the extra time to travel distances and less weather protection than the ST1100. High Points: 1) Campground and hiking trails in Henry Cowell State Park just North of Santa Cruz, California. Quiet, well laid out and in the middle of a redwood forest. 2) Campground in the Flaming Gorge near Lake Mead, Nevada. Camp among wind sculptured sandstone spires and cliffs. Make sure to watch the sunset/sunrise as the sandstone changes colors. 3) A foreign couple in a rented mini-van miles from nowhere on a dirt road with a flat tire. Neither one knew how to change a tire, let alone use a jack. They went from crying to laughing when they realized they had "been saved" and got back on the pavement. Quote from them...."We heard all bikers in the States were trouble and rude!" 4) Spending the night in a saloon at an abandoned western movie set. Imagine waking up in the saloon used in the movie "The Outlaw Josie Wales"! 5) The "Old Coast Highway" (dirt) in Northern California. Nice dirt road through California redwood groves.....awesome! 6) Motel room at the "Relax Inn" in Tucumcari , New Mexico. $19/night with the old fashioned wall mounted gas heater that cooks! Heaven after spending the day in 30 degree weather on a "dirt bike"! 7) Dirt road through Custer State Park in South Dakota. Stopped to watch a very nearby herd of buffalo when I realized the other half of the herd was on the other side of the road hidden in a ravine. Big bull stood 20' from me snorting and stomping. Smile and wave as the herd moved on. Awesome creatures! 8) Elk make an annoying squealing sound, especially in the middle of the night right outside your tent...glad he didn't need to pee! 9) No hassles by "the man", no speeding tickets! Lessons Learned: 1) Taking a "multi-surface" motorcycle paid off in spades; as the best, most interesting roads were dirt. Never would have experienced them on a "street only" motorcycle. 2) If you need "hard walls" for the night, a good suggestion is the KOA. They rent "Kamping Kabins" for $30/night. Small log cabins with 4 beds and mattresses, electric outlets, lights and a kick-butt heater, you supply the sleeping bags. In addition, you can take advantage of all the usual KOA features such as laundry, internet connections, travel store, hot tubs etc. 3) KLR reduces the possibility of speeding tickets. 4) If you get cold, wet or are just not having fun for whatever reason...STOP and fix the problem, it doesn't get any better by suffering through it. Hypothermia and dehydration can creep up on you quickly without notice if you are unaware, not to mention turning an enjoyable ride into misery. 5) Traveling in September/October/November means few tourists, cool temperatures and no problem finding campsites or motel rooms. Just be aware that some of the campgrounds may be closed or shut down services (showers) for the off season. 6) "Road Closed" signs only pertain to "other people" not on multi- surface motorcycles.... 7) Car drivers in Nebraska will tailgate you for miles, no matter how fast or slow you are riding, even though there is no one else on the road. Usually had to pull off the road to get them to pass. Herd mentality I guess. 8) Hotel Nevada in Ely, Nevada. 1920's hotel with a pristine 1948 Indian Chief and 1947 Harley Knucklehead displayed on the casino floor. Next motorcycle adventure: Copper Canyon in Mexico or the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina? Ride like your life depends on it! Chuck Chiodini PS Photos at: http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/chiodinc under Yellowstone 2003

[scttotis]

I always liked reading these when thinking of getting a KLR, so here goes. I have some 500 motorcycle miles under my belt, all KLR in the last couple of months. I have gone from total fear in the surburban streets to my first freeway stint for a couple of miles last night. Justly, because I was a lot more dangerous to myself in those first few day when I had no muscle memory at all to operate the KLR. At first I had to fight the fear , "what am I doing this for, this is stupid", and took the trips downtown on Sunday mornings, to the grocery store, etc. I also bought an MP3 player and the audio tapes of "Twist of the Wrist II" and listened to it while driving to Colorado for XMAS vacation in the car. Also did exhaustive searches on the internet, and of course found this invaluable forum. I found a 5 mile dead end highway with practically no traffic, where I practice hard stops to where now the back end lightens to zero at all speeds(50 or less so far) , max accelerations, smooth shifting, and countersteering, slow speed handling, rear tire skidding( still too chicken to lock the front for even a split second). That skill development in itself is I think the number one safety factor that accelerates the proficency, safety , and skill curve. Essential. I've searched the local paper for all motorcycle accidents available to figure how people make the final mistake, and it mirrors the Hurt Report. In this 500 miles I have experienced my glasses fogging up and having to find a safe way to pull off the road in traffic, seen a possum cross in front on a surburban street, almost been struck at a stop sign when I "faked out" the following driver by stopping at the sign again after the motorcycle in front of me crossed in a clear cross traffic situation, and on the first freeway trip was surprized at the way the bike was buffeted by the winds at 65mph. But, the fear factor goes down with all these experiences as proficiency increases and it appears to me that the risk is managable unless you succumb to the impulse to drive it recklessly. Please excuse the zeal, but that's what the KLR does for you. This is a blast, and I am beginning to think I bought the perfect motorcycle. Nimble and fast, and dare I say it, cool. It's a tall bike, you are up there. Do Harley , BMW, Motoguzzi Goldwing riders really have more fun? I don't think so. It's not possible.

[Pat (M)]

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

> > I always liked reading these when thinking of getting a KLR, so here > goes. I have some 500 motorcycle miles under my belt, all KLR in the > last couple of months. I have gone from total fear in the surburban > streets to my first freeway stint for a couple of miles last night. > Justly, because I was a lot more dangerous to myself in those first > few day when I had no muscle memory at all to operate the KLR. At > first I had to fight the fear , "what am I doing this for, this is > stupid", and took the trips downtown on Sunday mornings, to the > grocery store, etc. I also bought an MP3 player and the audio tapes of > "Twist of the Wrist II" and listened to it while driving to Colorado > for XMAS vacation in the car. Also did exhaustive searches on the > internet, and of course found this invaluable forum. I found a 5 mile > dead end highway with practically no traffic, where I practice hard > stops to where now the back end lightens to zero at all speeds(50 or > less so far) , max accelerations, smooth shifting, and > countersteering, slow speed handling, rear tire skidding( still too > chicken to lock the front for even a split second). That skill > development in itself is I think the number one safety factor that > accelerates the proficency, safety , and skill curve. Essential. I've > searched the local paper for all motorcycle accidents available to > figure how people make the final mistake, and it mirrors the Hurt > Report. In this 500 miles I have experienced my glasses fogging up and > having to find a safe way to pull off the road in traffic, seen a > possum cross in front on a surburban street, almost been struck at a > stop sign when I "faked out" the following driver by stopping at the > sign again after the motorcycle in front of me crossed in a clear > cross traffic situation, and on the first freeway trip was surprized > at the way the bike was buffeted by the winds at 65mph. But, the fear > factor goes down with all these experiences as proficiency increases > and it appears to me that the risk is managable unless you succumb to > the impulse to drive it recklessly. > Please excuse the zeal, but that's what the KLR does for you. This is > a blast, and I am beginning to think I bought the perfect motorcycle. > Nimble and fast, and dare I say it, cool. It's a tall bike, you are up > there. Do Harley , BMW, Motoguzzi Goldwing riders really have more > fun? I don't think so. It's not possible.

= = = = = = reply = = = = No apologies necessary - the rest of us cheer your enthusiasm! You seem to be doing all the smart things with brain & body to make yo-sef a better, safer, more aware rider; the kind everyone is proud to call "fellow KLR-ista." Ride safe and ride often . . . Pat M WA A14

[matteeanne@yahoo.com]

It is quite alright to have fear. You lose that fear and you are setting yourself up to crash. Of course as soon as possible take the local safety course, and thats all fine and dandy, but what you really need to do is go somewhere that you cant hurt others, and do stupid stuff. Light it up, slam on the breaks, turn this way and that. Get some good handguards and an engine guard, and take it to/and past the limit. Fall down, know what it feels like. I have never crashed, neither car nor bike. Ive dropped em,(Laying down a dirt bike does not count as crashing btw) and been a passneger in both cars and bikes that wrecked. I believe I owe it all to the fact I was raised with a mini bike between my legs and was driving Mom's beat up old datsun truck when I was 13. I did donuts, got sideways, brodies, and learned how to drive with no stress at all, it was all fun. I think most people that wreck never considered a vehicle as fun, and as a result freek out when it is go time. I can honestly say that hitting the brakes is my solution only part of the time, I use the gas pedal/throttle just as often if not much more. I am scared now that I am old, but not too scared. I am cautious I guess. Again, get out somewhere where you are not a threat to anyone, and spend hours just doing little corners, big corners, burn some rubber, pop a wheelie (tough on a KLR, sit back on the seat in 1st gear, and slowly get to 5000 rpm, then gun it (hang on!) and slowly throttle down. I can get a wheelie in second popping the clutch, but you may want to hold off on that one for a while. Have fun with it. Realize your gonna rip off a couple chunks here or there, anddon't let it bum you out. Your thumper is a big bike. If someone you know has a 250, or even a 175, try it out, you'll think your on a mountain bike compared to a 650. Whatever you do, don't start coming up with lame ass excuses not to ride, and park the thing in the garage until it rots. Weve all seen this ad "1989 KLR with 800 miles "Ran great the last time I started it". Ride baby, ride! Sean A-18 9000 miles on it, millions on two wheels. --- scttotis wrote:

> > > I always liked reading these when thinking of > getting a KLR, so here > goes. I have some 500 motorcycle miles under my > belt, all KLR in the > last couple of months. I have gone from total fear > in the surburban > streets to my first freeway stint for a couple of > miles last night. > Justly, because I was a lot more dangerous to myself > in those first > few day when I had no muscle memory at all to > operate the KLR. At > first I had to fight the fear , "what am I doing > this for, this is > stupid", and took the trips downtown on Sunday > mornings, to the > grocery store, etc. I also bought an MP3 player and > the audio tapes of > "Twist of the Wrist II" and listened to it while > driving to Colorado > for XMAS vacation in the car. Also did exhaustive > searches on the > internet, and of course found this invaluable forum. > I found a 5 mile > dead end highway with practically no traffic, where > I practice hard > stops to where now the back end lightens to zero at > all speeds(50 or > less so far) , max accelerations, smooth shifting, > and > countersteering, slow speed handling, rear tire > skidding( still too > chicken to lock the front for even a split second). > That skill > development in itself is I think the number one > safety factor that > accelerates the proficency, safety , and skill > curve. Essential. I've > searched the local paper for all motorcycle > accidents available to > figure how people make the final mistake, and it > mirrors the Hurt > Report. In this 500 miles I have experienced my > glasses fogging up and > having to find a safe way to pull off the road in > traffic, seen a > possum cross in front on a surburban street, almost > been struck at a > stop sign when I "faked out" the following driver by > stopping at the > sign again after the motorcycle in front of me > crossed in a clear > cross traffic situation, and on the first freeway > trip was surprized > at the way the bike was buffeted by the winds at > 65mph. But, the fear > factor goes down with all these experiences as > proficiency increases > and it appears to me that the risk is managable > unless you succumb to > the impulse to drive it recklessly. > Please excuse the zeal, but that's what the KLR does > for you. This is > a blast, and I am beginning to think I bought the > perfect motorcycle. > Nimble and fast, and dare I say it, cool. It's a > tall bike, you are up > there. Do Harley , BMW, Motoguzzi Goldwing riders > really have more > fun? I don't think so. It's not possible. > > > > > > > > > > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: > www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: > www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > DSN_KLR650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > > > >

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[kdxkawboy@aol.com]

In a message dated 2005-01-11 9:49:06 PM Pacific Standard Time, scttotis@... writes:

> > Please excuse the zeal, but that's what the KLR does for you. This is > a blast, and I am beginning to think I bought the perfect motorcycle. > Nimble and fast, and dare I say it, cool. It's a tall bike, you are up > there. Do Harley , BMW, Motoguzzi Goldwing riders really have more > fun? I don't think so. It's not possible. >

Sounds like you're making a right good start at becoming a motorcyclist. And I'd agree the KLR is a pretty good bike. When I rode mine on the AMA Colorado Rockies tour there were two BMW GS1150s, two RS1150s and two BMW Luxo Tourers, two Harelys, three Gold Wings and an ST1100. No one on the tour saw much of me as I was always off looking for another section of dirt road but by the end of the ride they felt like they had missed out on the real fun. Pat G'ville, Nv [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Randall Marbach]

Pat wrote:

> Sounds like you're making a right good start at > becoming a motorcyclist. And

Not just a motorcyclist.. but a Dualsport Motorcyclist. I've been a motorcyclist all my life; with the KLRs, I'm just now learning to become a dualsport cyclist. To me, dualsporting is on a higher plane(zen-wise, I guess) than just motorcycling. When people ask me what my hobby is, I now tell them "Adventuring Touring". It is only type of motorcycle I plan to own from now on. HTH Randy from Burbank --- kdxkawboy@... wrote:

> > In a message dated 2005-01-11 9:49:06 PM Pacific > Standard Time, > scttotis@... writes: > > > > > Please excuse the zeal, but that's what the KLR > does for you. This is > > a blast, and I am beginning to think I bought the > perfect motorcycle. > > Nimble and fast, and dare I say it, cool. It's a > tall bike, you are up > > there. Do Harley , BMW, Motoguzzi Goldwing riders > really have more > > fun? I don't think so. It's not possible. > > > > Sounds like you're making a right good start at > becoming a motorcyclist. And > I'd agree the KLR is a pretty good bike. When I rode > mine on the AMA Colorado > Rockies tour there were two BMW GS1150s, two RS1150s > and two BMW Luxo Tourers, > two Harelys, three Gold Wings and an ST1100. No one > on the tour saw much of > me as I was always off looking for another section > of dirt road but by the end > of the ride they felt like they had missed out on > the real fun. > > Pat > G'ville, Nv > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: > www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: > www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > DSN_KLR650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > > > >

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