KLR riders out there

[Howie]

Had a look at mine recently, the doo was ok (gen II) but the spring was far too long, and if it was the correct length, would put far too much tension on the chain, so I've replaced it with one a bit shorter and a bit weaker.

Still no closer to the 685 piston

I installed the torsion spring, which des seem to put a reasonable amount of tension on the chain, hopefully they have worked it out correctly!!

[pete376403]

The Gen IIs (I suppose the Gen Is are the same) have rubber either side of the crank balancer chain crank. As far as I can tell the side plates of the chain bear on this. (noise or vibration damping, maybe?) Anyway, my theory is if the chain is over tensioned by the doo spring all its going to do is force the chain to cut into the rubber, effectively loosening the chain tension. Adjust the doo and it forces the chain onto the rubber some more. While filling up the oil with bits of hard rubber - these end up in the strainer under the clutch.

The spring I put in was adequate to tension the chain without over doing it. I guess time will tell.

I also advanced the exhaust cam one tooth (klr650.net, eagle mikes MC mod)

(PS Howie - I've still got that low profile drain plug if you want it)

[Woodman]

I also advanced the exhaust cam one tooth (klr650.net, eagle mikes MC mod)

Just read up on this, bloody good cheap (well free) mod with a real noticeable difference apparently. Will do it shortly myself. Have you taken it for a ride yet?

[pete376403]

Going to try and get out for a wee blat tomorrow

[Howie]

(PS Howie - I've still got that low profile drain plug if you want it)

yep sorry I keep forgetting about that. I can call in sometime this weekend if your around. i think I still have your address somewhere.

[Woodman]

Going to try and get out for a wee blat tomorrow

Done mine this arvo, then went for a 1/2 hour hoon. Not sure if there is any noticeable difference. How'd yours go?

[pete376403]

Got sidetracked, ride never happened. Maybe tomorrow.

Also EagleMike says that the gen IIs had the cam timing retarded for emissions reasons, so this mod would be more effective on II (which I have) than a I (which I believe you have).

Leaving the airbox door off apparently makes quite a difference, which could be ok for a bike that never goes off the highway.

If I can notice any difference I'll be happy.

[Woodman]

Changed my mind about the exhaust cam mod after todays ride. Goes like a rocket (well maybe a well thrown javelin) especially between about 3k-5k. No loss anywhere else so I won't change it back

Edit, just worked out my kilometerage after todays ride and i wasn't caning it. 15.5km/l is a bit less than prior to the jetting mods last week. Might try replacing the 150 main with the 140 and see what happens. Bugger cos its going so well.

[pete376403]

I went for a wee ride, I think there's an appreciable difference - not wheelie-in-third-gear power but seems just a bit perkier.

[Normlas]

Hi All,
yesterday I came back from an awesome 4 week, 7500 km tour of the South Island, a dream trip including; Molesworth station, Rainbow Road, Dansys Pass, Old Dunstan Road, Nevis Trail, Skipper Canyon and a few other fantastic gravel rides, camping wild and living free off the back of my mildly farkled '08 KLR. No dramas other than a new rear tyre in Greymouth and a new chain in Christchurch, but all went great.

About 50km short of home, on the Southern near Manurewa, I hear a loud clicking noise, look down and see my left foot is covered in oil and the engine stopped pretty much immediately, I coast to the side of the motorway and watch the oil pour out of my poor wee girl pieces of engine casing on the ground........

Closer inspection shows a 3cm hole on the top of the engine case just behind where the cylinder meets the main engine body - see pics. AA to the rescue.

I am gutted about such a crap end to such an awesome adventure, she's booked into the shop for next week but looks pretty terminal to me....... anyone got a spare engine for an '08?

[pete376403]

When I read your post I immediately thought "doohickey" but that hole is in the wrong place. If it was a DR650 thats about where third gear or parts thereof would make an appearance.

Where you keeping an eye on the oil level during the trip?

Keep us informed of what the shop finds.

[Owl]

yesterday I came back from an awesome 4 week, 7500 km tour of the South Island

Sucks about your engine dude!

Don't suppose you were traveling through Hunterville yesterday with two others?

[Normlas]

Sucks about your engine dude!

Don't suppose you were traveling through Hunterville yesterday with two others?

Nope, had camped out in the Urewera's and came back via Murupara and Cambridge yesterday, this was a solo run, I even managed to do a very low speed drop that morning turning out from the campsite and cracked/scratched the front fairings - yesterday was really not my day (especially after all that incident free gravel I'd just done! )


Will get some vids up at some stage, had a gopro and have 100gig of footage from all those tracks.

Pic is somewhere on the Nevis

[Padmei]

Unusual place to be broken there, bad luck my friend. Still you did have a bloody good ride. Up till a year agop I did have some spare engine cases for a KLR

[Woodman]

Bugger...Looks like a gearbox issue to me.