KLR tech day in Fort Worth [Archive]

dualsportrider

02-15-2006, 09:41 PM

I want to have a small KLR tech day in Fort Worth this Saturday or monday
(holiday for me) or next Saturday. I do not have a lot of room, but I do have lots of tools and one motorcycle jack. I want to do my 5000 mile valve adjust (I have not attempted one as of yet). If anyone has any experience I would love to have some help. Let me know if anyone is interested and we
will go from there. Other dual sporters welcome.

klrno2

02-21-2006, 04:48 PM

Didja get any takers? Didja do the valve adjust? If so, was is difficult?

dualsportrider

02-21-2006, 05:29 PM

klrno2

02-21-2006, 05:34 PM

Thanks for the invite, but I'm in the process of packing up and moving out of Texas.. :wave:

It's only a TDY assignment, but for at least a year...although I'm gonna have to learn how to do it, my husband Scooter will most likely get stuck with the job for both of our KLRs.

In the meantime, we should get lots of good riding in our new location in New Mexico.

Looking forward to a post tech day report though.:clap:

Voltar

02-21-2006, 08:06 PM

As a way to support stuff like this, I'll provide a free copy of the KLR ShimCalc software to the whoever is holding the tech day. (see www.ironjungle.com)

Voltar

Tourmeister

02-22-2006, 12:07 AM

Do any dealers actually stock shims? Or are we forced to order them?

Voltar

02-22-2006, 05:23 AM

Do any dealers actually stock shims? Or are we forced to order them?

I have four on my desk that I will mail you. They are a 255, 230, 250, 260.

Voltar

Photojojo

02-22-2006, 06:57 AM

As a way to support stuff like this, I'll provide a free copy of the KLR ShimCalc software to the whoever is holding the tech day. (see www.ironjungle.com (http://www.ironjungle.com))

Voltar

You da man Voltar

klrno2

02-22-2006, 08:25 AM

You da man Voltar

:clap:

Tourmeister

02-22-2006, 12:39 PM

:tab Well, I have not actually checked my valves yet :oops: So I don't know what I need. Is there a commonly needed size(s)? I was thinking I'd like to have them on hand so I don't have to sit with the bike apart waiting for shims to show up.

cmartin

02-22-2006, 12:54 PM

If you need shims, the BMW store stocks them and they fit the KLR.

Tourmeister

02-22-2006, 12:55 PM

I prefer to avoid my nearest BMW dealership ;-)

cmartin

02-22-2006, 01:01 PM

I prefer to avoid my nearest BMW dealership ;-)

Well then, you can order from Chicago BMW and get a 20% discount off of list price.

When I had my KLR, I found the shims to be cheaper from BMW than KLR dealer.

What ever floats your boat.

Tourmeister

02-22-2006, 01:05 PM

Ohhh... I did not think of that! I ordered all my GS stuff from them and they had great prices and service! Thanks for the reminder :thumb:

Photojojo

02-22-2006, 02:14 PM

I ordered my shims from Dual Star.

3.95 per shim or 89.95 for a box of shims that includes Two (2) of all shims shown in red plus a retrieval magnet and cool plastic case with sliding clear lid
Dual Star (http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Brand/Kawasaki/klr%20650%20valve%20shims.htm)

Arrowhead has a 16 valve shim kit for $71.95 or 4.95 each.

Arrowhead (http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/parts_frames.html)

I would say the two times I ordered from Arrowhead it was faster than the one time I ordered from Dual Star.

cmartin

02-22-2006, 02:44 PM

Shims are $3.20 each from Chicago BMW + freight.

My local BMW dealer (Perry's BMW of Ft. Worth) just traded me shim for shim when I had my KLR.

Voltar

02-22-2006, 07:17 PM

Arrowhead has a 16 valve shim kit for $71.95 or 4.95 each.

Arrowhead (http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/parts_frames.html)

I would say the two times I ordered from Arrowhead it was faster than the one time I ordered from Dual Star.

I used to get all my KLR stuff from Fred at Arrowhead. He is the greatest!

Scott, about the shims..... I took these out of my KLR on an early shim change. Most likely they will not help you as the shims get thinner as the KLR beds in. But, it you need them you can have them.

After about 10K miles my valves on both of my KLRs stayed very stable. But... you don't want to delay the first check. They can tighten up pretty quick. I don't know if you have done the KLR valves, but they are very easy. But... not as easy as you old GS.

Voltar

ilv2wheels

02-23-2006, 01:07 AM

Ed:
Don't forget to call if you need some Arrowhead shim sizes, still hope to make it though.
BTW, Perry sold his BMW dealership to the Yamaha - Suzuki folks on 121 near 820, and I don't know if they'll swap or have some on hand, never checked on this, you might give them a call. Take your micrometer / calipers and 1 known KLR shim for reference, just in case.

Note this comment shamelessly pirated from the KLR 650 FAQ:
"shims from an '87 BMW K75S and '82 Yamaha Seca 750 are the same diameter. (Beware, there are also 29.5mm shims, which will not work.)"

Tourmeister

02-23-2006, 01:37 AM

:tab Hmmm... looks like I need to host another KLR maintenance day, or perhaps even a full weekend!

:tab I know the valves have been checked at least once. The bike had 3500 miles on it when I got it. I have not checked them since but really want to even if it is not yet required. So what are the common shim sizes for an early check like this? Is Fred's kit worth the cost? I don't want the bike down for a week while I wait for new shims to show up.

:tab Other things on my to do list:

-Swap 16 tooth front sprocket out for the stock 15 tooth sprocket
-Progressive springs in forks with lighter oil (has 15 wt right now)
-Inspect, clean and repack steering head bearings
-Inspect and lube swingarm pivot and linkages
-Intall maint free sealed battery
-Inspect/replace sparkplug if needed
-Flush Radiator
-Oil/filter change

I need to get on it!

Voltar

02-23-2006, 05:24 AM

:
-Swap 16 tooth front sprocket out for the stock 15 tooth sprocket
-Progressive springs in forks with lighter oil (has 15 wt right now)

Download GearCalc (www.ironjungle.com) to get a MPH vs RPM graph for the results you will see for each gear after the sprocket change.
I did a lot of highway driving and always left the stock gearing.

The Progressive springs make a wonderful difference! Also, the Moose skid plate is a cool and functional add on.

Voltar

Curtis

02-23-2006, 07:03 PM

It was changed to this weekend and I have one person who said he was going to try and make it. I am going to do the valve job this saturday no matter what. I got my video in today and will watch it and go from there. If you can make it you are welcome to come and help. Let me know.

What day are you going to do this? This weekend? Or have you done it already?
I've done them before and have the space to pull off a tech day. Or PM me and maybe I can ride down to your place to talk you through it.
Would like to meet a few more of the Westside Metro Mess KLR nuts. Sandy & Scott and I know each other.

Sorry to hear you're going to be TDY Sandy. Did I read that Scott was going to be left behind a while to get the bikes taken care of? If so you know you guys know you can bring them up here to work on.

A bunch of us are going to Clayton the weekend of the third. SO if ya'lll don't get them before them then maybe we'll plan to have a tech day up here at my shop the following weekend.

Sandy, You won't recognize the shop. It's finally getting put together better.
Work benches are finally where they're supposed to be.

Curtis

Tourmeister

02-24-2006, 02:11 AM

:tab Having had the 16 tooth on for a while, I am quite ready to get rid of it. It just makes the bike lug. I don't think it helps with the mpg. Cruising at highway speeds, it has a hard time doing more than about 80mph on level ground because it doesn't let the motor rev on up. Hard to maintain speed when I hit a hill. I've also done the 14 tooth on Wasabi's KLR and unless I was going to be in the woods a lot, I just don't think it is worth it.

So how do you know which Progressive springs to use? I almost never see anyone reference a part number. Is it one size fits all?

I have the skid plate already. Also have the Happy Trails radiator guard and highway peg bars. That was all on the bike when I got it.

Voltar

02-24-2006, 05:11 AM

:
So how do you know which Progressive springs to use? I almost never see anyone reference a part number. Is it one size fits all?

You will want the LR Progressive Springs. LR stands for a guy named Larry Rsomething.

Call Fred Hink at Arrowhead. My opinon is that he is the authority on KLR part and assc sales. I don't get paid to talk good about him, I just really really like the service amd personal involvement that he offers.

Voltar

ilv2wheels

02-24-2006, 08:50 PM

The fellow's name is Larry Roessler, a dirt / Baja rider in early days of long distance desert racing. IIRC, he won Baja on a bike and on 4 wheels.
The Progressive springs are the LRs, given the damping rod technology, you have to either cut down the stock spacers, or make some out of metal or PVC (KLR 650 FAQ has details). I cut down my stock spacers, starting with 3" long and got the right laden sag at 2.75" ( 250#). Fred had guessed at least 2.5", and said the included directions were off (listed 2") for all but the lightest riders.
If you're doing the front strongly consider at least an upgraded rear spring if not the LR 420 shock / spring combo. Together they made a world of difference.
The FW tech day is on for tomorrow (2/25), email Ed directly for directions, time.

klrno2

02-25-2006, 08:29 AM

What day are you going to do this? This weekend? Or have you done it already?
I've done them before and have the space to pull off a tech day. Or PM me and maybe I can ride down to your place to talk you through it.
Would like to meet a few more of the Westside Metro Mess KLR nuts. Sandy & Scott and I know each other.

Sorry to hear you're going to be TDY Sandy. Did I read that Scott was going to be left behind a while to get the bikes taken care of? If so you know you guys know you can bring them up here to work on.

A bunch of us are going to Clayton the weekend of the third. SO if ya'lll don't get them before them then maybe we'll plan to have a tech day up here at my shop the following weekend.

Sandy, You won't recognize the shop. It's finally getting put together better.
Work benches are finally where they're supposed to be.

Curtis

Hey Curtis...good to see you on this site !

Oh, and I highly recommend Curtis's doohickey ability to all you other KLRistas.:clap: He has lots of experience! :zen:

Curtis, nah, I wouldn't leave Scott behind...but our son will be staying in Texas. The KLRs and both XTs will go with us...:rider: Post pictures of your shop, so I can see the changes.

We will be moving by Thursday of this coming week...time is getting short.:eek2:

Tourmeister

02-25-2006, 11:22 PM

Sandy, I expect to see lots of cool pics of NM from the vantage point of nice overlooks with a KLR or XT in the pic ;-)

dualsportrider

02-26-2006, 12:43 AM

We had the tech day, only my bike, Tony Guzman and myself showed. We completed the valve adjustment, which it did need (we watched the KLR valve adjust video about 20 times and kept Mark's directions for reference. I started out just in spec on one of the intakes and both exhausts, on the tight side, but it was too tight on the other intake (left side). I had 260 shims in all four locations. We used 250 shims on both exhausts and intakes. Honda West (Kawaski dealer too) keeps a large supply of shims in stock, but they keep them in the service department, they are just $4.00 a piece. One of the shims was not right, it was a hair too big around, and would not seat. We took it back to Honda West and they checked it and gave us another and I watched him throw the bad order one away. The new shim did seat and we put back the valve guides and rechecked our adjustments. All was good but the right intake and it was too loose. We got a 255 shim from Honda West and it worked perfectly. I am now at .25 on both exhausts and .20 on both intakes. I also did the blue metric upgrade bolts on the sub frame and after putting the bike back together I took her around the block. She seems to be just fine. I want to thank Tony Guzman for his help and encouragement.

Tourmeister

02-26-2006, 12:48 AM

Cool. How much was the Vid? Do you think it was worth it?

Curtis

02-26-2006, 08:03 AM

Sorry I couldn't make it. I ended up fighting that lightning storm Saturday morning. Like 2 am!
Didn't get to bed until late yesterday evening, Blew my entire weekend.
I don't feel like even getting up today.

Curtis

Voltar

02-26-2006, 08:21 AM

Cool. How much was the Vid? Do you think it was worth it?

This is interesting because I had not watched the vid in about 5 years. Yesterday I took some old VCR tapes and moved them to DVD. The KLR valve adjust tape was one of those.

The video is very professionally done. Top notch stuff. Not some chessy light with car headlights web vid. As for cost, I think it is free if you donate to beast cancer.

Voltar

klrno2

03-07-2006, 06:40 AM

Sandy, I expect to see lots of cool pics of NM from the vantage point of nice overlooks with a KLR or XT in the pic ;-)

Well, we made it to NM. No chance to go riding yet, even though the weather was gorgeous this past weekend, still trying to get the house set up and purchase some furniture. I don't yet have new picks of views with a KLR or XT, but here's some quick shots from the front deck of our house.

http://klrno2.smugmug.com/photos/58891093-M.jpg

http://klrno2.smugmug.com/photos/58891080-M.jpg

A sunrise shot from our bedroom...
http://klrno2.smugmug.com/photos/58891075-M.jpg

And, a view from the back door...
http://klrno2.smugmug.com/photos/58891068-M.jpg

Yesterday evening, after dinner, Scott and I climbed on the ATV and accessed the Lincoln National Forest from our back yard, just to see the nearby trail and give our dogs a run. Wow, I'm soooooo stoked about living here! I expect to be able to host some rides this summer...:sun: