KLR riders out there

**bart** · 18th August 2009, 21:23

Originally Posted by Woodman

Thought as much, 23000k is pretty good I spose.
The previous owner did 11000ks and must have really abused it the bastard.

Haha...........just about choked. I only got about 7000 out of my last chain. I'm not known for looking after my gear though.

Cleaning the DRZ yesterday, I discovered why not to use waste car oil for chain lube. Makes a fooking mess of everything.

**JATZ** · 18th August 2009, 21:48

Originally Posted by Woodman

Thought as much, 23000k is pretty good I spose.
The previous owner did 11000ks and must have really abused it the bastard.

Faaaark, I think I've only done about 5000 (but I'd have to check my records)on the DR's chain and it's toast, I try to lube it every fill of the tank, sometimes it doesn't happen

**pete376403** · 18th August 2009, 21:59

I've got 15000 on my KLRs chain and it's still in very good condition. Still between the first two adjusting marks on the swingarm. Don't have a Scott or similar oiler (but would like one) but I am pretty anal about lubing the chain manually, using either aerosol sprays or else the heavy 'sticky" chain oil.
Makes a hell of a mess around the front sprocket area but if it keeps the chain and sprockets alive, I can live with that.
Probably about 75 / 25 % sealed roads / gravel or dirt roads.

**marks** · 18th August 2009, 22:01

Originally Posted by JATZ

Faaaark, I think I've only done about 5000

you're a rough bastard though - unlike granma woody

Originally Posted by pete376403

I've got 15000 on my KLRs chain and it's still in very good condition. Still between the first two adjusting marks on the swingarm. Don't have a Scott or similar oiler (but would like one) but I am pretty anal about lubing the chain manually, using either aerosol sprays or else the heavy 'sticky" chain oil.
Makes a hell of a mess around the front sprocket area but if it keeps the chain and sprockets alive, I can live with that.
Probably about 75 / 25 % sealed roads / gravel or dirt roads.

you got your swingarm etc all back on?

**JATZ** · 18th August 2009, 22:05

Originally Posted by pete376403

I've got 15000 on my KLRs chain and it's still in very good condition. Still between the first two adjusting marks on the swingarm. Don't have a Scott or similar oiler (but would like one) but I am pretty anal about lubing the chain manually, using either aerosol sprays or else the heavy 'sticky" chain oil.
Makes a hell of a mess around the front sprocket area but if it keeps the chain and sprockets alive, I can live with that.
Probably about 75 / 25 % sealed roads / gravel or dirt roads.

Did you get your muffler sorted ?

**Howie** · 18th August 2009, 22:07

I'm at about 21000km on my chain and sprockets, and still have plenty of life left in them, Have hardly had to adjust my chain at all, I do run a scott oiler on it though.

**Woodman** · 18th August 2009, 22:39

Originally Posted by Howie

I'm at about 21000km on my chain and sprockets, and still have plenty of life left in them, Have hardly had to adjust my chain at all, I do run a scott oiler on it though.

Mine only really started to need adjustment regularly after about the 21k mark. No scott oiler here though, but am pretty good at lubing it.

**warewolf** · 19th August 2009, 00:18

Once you need to adjust it frequently it's at end of life. You can measure the pitch against the wear limit if you want to get all empirical about it. Presumably there is a spec in your manual? The KTM books say 272 mm for 18 pins (ie span of 17) with 15kg load. IME beyond 270mm she's pretty rooted, is very loose on the sprockets and needs regular adjustment. That's for a 520 chain, but 525 and 530 are the same pitch - just different width.

Oh, and don't forget if your chain is poked, so are your sprockets.

23,000km is pretty good from my perspective. I get around 15,000km on the chain & rear sprocket, and 2 front sprockets.

**pete376403** · 19th August 2009, 21:25

Originally Posted by marks

you got your swingarm etc all back on?

Yup, all good. Did you do the linkages etc on yours?

**pete376403** · 19th August 2009, 21:28

Originally Posted by JATZ

Did you get your muffler sorted ?

Its physically a bit large for the KLR, even though its quite a bit lighter but I could use it on the GS1100 (Suzuki, not BMW). However if you'd like it back please say the word.

**Woodman** · 19th August 2009, 21:32

Originally Posted by warewolf

Once you need to adjust it frequently it's at end of life. You can measure the pitch against the wear limit if you want to get all empirical about it. Presumably there is a spec in your manual? The KTM books say 272 mm for 18 pins (ie span of 17) with 15kg load. IME beyond 270mm she's pretty rooted, is very loose on the sprockets and needs regular adjustment. That's for a 520 chain, but 525 and 530 are the same pitch - just different width.

Oh, and don't forget if your chain is poked, so are your sprockets.

23,000km is pretty good from my perspective. I get around 15,000km on the chain & rear sprocket, and 2 front sprockets.

yea , sprockets look fine, but i will replace the rear one only cos have not long put a smaller one on the front.

**marks** · 19th August 2009, 21:34

Originally Posted by pete376403

Yup, all good. Did you do the linkages etc on yours?

not yet - I've got quite a bit to do to it (chain/sprockets/fr brake pads/fit heavier rear spring/lube the back end/ fit bash plate - for a XR650??) so I keep putting it off and going riding....