KLR riders out there

[warewolf]

I must say I find this all quite intriguing on such a rugged under-stressed relaxed old-skool supposedly well-proven engine.

[Padmei]

You having a go?

[Box'a'bits]

Hmmm .. 11 mins for a bite.....Must be the bikes are made to a budget. The owners seem to have to finish them.

[NordieBoy]

I must say I find this all quite intriguing on such a rugged under-stressed relaxed old-skool supposedly well-proven engine.

Straightened your rims yet?

[Padmei]

Hmm I went to browse a 640 thread - but hey everyone's selling or sold them? Gosh what's that all about?

Bashing KLRs are like shooting fish in a barrel - there's better game around than that.

[Woodman]

I must say I find this all quite intriguing on such a rugged under-stressed relaxed old-skool supposedly well-proven engine.

My theory is that they started building the engines first to get the military diesel contract because apparently the crank and top end is way over engineered, which it has to be to handle a diesel top end. Then a bean counter came along and told the designers that if they keep building the bike this well it will never sell to the public because they will cost $3000,000 each. Anyway the engineers told the bean counter that if he wants a bike to sell that he better build it himself. So he did and he started where the engineers left off, at the doohickey.
The rest is history.

[NordieBoy]

My theory is that they started building the engines first to get the military diesel contract because apparently the crank and top end is way over engineered, which it has to be to handle a diesel top end. Then a bean counter came along and told the designers that if they keep building the bike this well it will never sell to the public because they will cost $3000,000 each. Anyway the engineers told the bean counter that if he wants a bike to sell that he better build it himself. So he did and he started where the engineers left off, at the doohickey.
The rest is history.

Sooooo.....

The built the crank and top end and then ran out of money for the rest...

But shooting fish in a barrel is so much fun and easier than proper fishing

[warewolf]

You having a go?

Not really. Is the problem really that bad? Or are people over-thinking it and over-engineering a solution? I mean, burning that much oil is a Ducati characteristic - they've got lots of different solutions to it. Surely these things should go forever even with gross neglect. It's true, I read it on the interweb thingy.

But my, the fish are jumping into the boat tonight.

Must be the bikes are made to a budget. The owners seem to have to finish them.

Thought that was a DR..."farkler's dream"? KLRs supposedly have all the fruit.

Straightened your rims yet?

My plan is to aim for rocks on the _other_ side. Haven't fixed the stand yet, either.

Hmm I went to browse a 640 thread - but hey everyone's selling or sold them? Gosh what's that all about?

Sharing the wealth. Just as many fellahs raving about just having bought the best bike they've ever had?!

My theory ... cost $3000,000

Those b@stard bean counters!! That's why mine's got soft rims. I would a thought they'd've recouped their costs now that they've sold 3000,000 of the things??

[NordieBoy]

My plan is to aim for rocks on the _other_ side. Haven't fixed the stand yet, either.

Or the starter...

[Woodman]

Actually i just like fecking about with it in the shed. I think klrs super simpleness is why people do feck with them a lot which can cause issues.
The oil burning doesn't bother me too much really and there are theorys out there that they do find an optimal level and just stay there, but I do believe mine is getting worse.

[NordieBoy]

Actually i just like fecking about with it in the shed. I think klrs super simpleness is why people do feck with them a lot which can cause issues.
The oil burning doesn't bother me too much really and there are theorys out there that they do find an optimal level and just stay there, but I do believe mine is getting worse.

You're not just riding faster?

The simpleness is why DR owners seldom leave them stock either.
That and they are both cheap enough that you don't feel you have to buy the latest and greatest accessories because otherwise you'll de-value it.

[Woodman]

You're not just riding faster?

The simpleness is why DR owners seldom leave them stock either.
That and they are both cheap enough that you don't feel you have to buy the latest and greatest accessories because otherwise you'll de-value it.

have done more long tar rides than normal, which is where they traditionally burn more oil or blow it out the breather?

Not riding faster, can't be, don't crash nearly as much, although my lower crash rate started when I fitted the intimate maneaters.

[stormtrooper]

The old tried and tested 87 KLR still running smooth with 80,000 on the clock and no oil burn, i have been doing the general maintance that you would expect for a bike like this, but woundering if you guys know of any good mods and things to keep and eye on or replace as the ks get higher, have been doing some ruggered bush bashing with a standard front sprocket, feels abit long in the tooth anyone tried playing around with the gearing, would be interested to findout what works best on and off road.

STORMTROOPER

[pete376403]

Hey stormtrooper, have you replaced the doo in your motor yet? I'd like to see one out of a high km motor. I wonder if overtightening the retainer bolt when adjusting was one cause of the things breaking. Spring breakage is another issue, probably caused by vibration.

Going down a tooth on the front sprocket might make things a little easier off road, and possibly up a couple of teeth (17) for the road to drop the revs a bit http://members.cox.net/watt-man/Installinga17.htm

[Padmei]

Hey stormtrooper. I've run a 14 tooth for a while. Offroad it is very good & on road not too bad if you keep around 100ks. Any higher & it starts feeling like you need another gear.

I don't think there'd be much more to replace on an older bike than a newer one. Mine's 08 19K & replaced doo, several tyres, front sprocket, chain, wheel bearing - cush drive needs doing, also greased all rear end & steering head etc. Wonder how many ks you'll get out of the old beauty?

Woodman - Dunno about the oil burning thing. I don't mind topping up every month or so but after every ride could become a pita. What would be the next thing - carbon tipped barrels?