2008 - impressed - especially the motor

[Tengai Mark Van Horn]

Not on my bike. but it is currently holding together a 10" dry-rotted wheel barrow tire that my wife regularly loads up with about 300+ lbs of dirt. That tire is so bad that it could have been used to drain noodles before I Slimed it. How do you clean it for a patch? That's easy, the base IS water soluble (propylene glycol). If you don't have your CamelBak on you, lick it or pee on it and dry it of with a rag! Mark At 2:35 PM -0400 6/2/08, Chris Norloff wrote:

>Mark - has the Slime ever plugged a hole for you, that you know of? >Wondering how effective it is. > >What would you do to clean the tube if it holed and you had to patch it?

[Jeff Saline]

On Mon, 2 Jun 2008 11:34:54 -0400 "smthng else" writes:

> Hey all, > > Since there seems to be a fair bit of tire talk going on, I figure > it's a good time to toss this out... > > I need to buy/build a tire/tube kit for my '08. It's been longer > than > I care to mention since I've had to deal with tubes, so I'm a > clueless > moron. > > What's a good list of "stuff" that I need to fix punctures, > pinches, > tears, etc on the road or trail? Anyone got any specific items > they > prefer over others? I'm looking for small, reliable, easy to use > stuff. I don't mind paying a bit more for "good" tools instead of > using (breaking) cheap ones. What exactly do I need to take care > of > pretty much all tire/tube issues on the road, other than my > home-made > quick-jack thing? > > TIA! > > --Jonathan "smthng" Kalmes > Springfield, VA > 2005 Yamaha FJR1300ABS - "Blue Bayou" > 2006 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon - "Teflon" > 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 - It's here, but it hasn't earned a name yet. > > http://smthng.info > > "Look, the truth is, I've been trying to save the world, one person > at > a time, but, I'm meant for smthng bigger. Smthng important. I know > it > now."

<><><><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><><><> smthng, I've got a few minutes and have been thinking about this subject for a few days. My nephew bought another KLR last month and is coming out to my place for some wrenching and riding starting on Thursday. I just know he needs a flat fix kit for his bike. Here's pretty much what I use/carry and what I'll suggest to him. I carry my stuff all the time as flats don't happen only in the shop. Get some tank panniers so you can carry a first aid kit in one side and most of your tire repair stuff in the other. In my right pannier I carry: - spare front tube regular thickness - spare rear tube regular thickness - tire repair bag containing: patches large and small, fresh glue, tire lube (pre-mixed) in a small spray bottle, 35mm film container full of wheel bearing grease, small diameter pvc tube with a few feet of duct tape (good for covering wheel bearings and keeping dirt out), NAPA patch stitcher with roughening grater on one end, 12v air compressor with four electrical ends (SAE, BMW, Cigarette lighter, battery clips), high quality valve core removal tool and valve core repair tool, old sock for checking inside the tire and wiping my hands when I'm done. - tire irons (I have four short ones in an old sock) I also have two long tire irons in my tank bag after using them with Steve Rankin on De Tour in 2006. We fixed two flat tires on the trip and also swapped four tires when he bought a new bike in the middle of the trip. Additionally since I put a Nelson Rigg CL-650 tank bag on the rear rack I've been carrying some of my other tools. Just for flat repair I carry the bottom of a 5 gallon plastic bucket. I put 3 quarts of water in a bucket and marked the level. After I emptied it I cut the bucket on the level line. That gave me a drain pan, wash basin and wheel stand that protects the brake rotor. It's been real handy on the trail as the rotor fits inside the bucket so it's protected. With duct tape over the bearings I get no dirt in them. One last item I carry and have found very useful is a tire wizard. It's no longer commercially available so don't bother searching for one. It's one heck of a contraption used to break a bead, take a tire off or install a tire too. You have to have instructions for one unless you use it every day. Lots of moving parts and opportunities for experimentation. But I have never had a bead I couldn't break with just the tire wizard. I expect on Friday I'll be experimenting with just tire irons to break the beads on a couple of D606 tires that are getting changed out for Kenda K270s with heavy duty tubes. A guy can easily fix a flat without the bucket or some of the other tools and stuff I carry but I like the ease these extras provide for what is normally a less than fun job. And I have confidence when I get done I can continue a 3,500 plus mile trip without having to stop again to fix my repair. Some folks may wonder why I have 4 electrical ends on my air compressor. Well, I use BMW outlets on all my bikes. So I could get by with just the BMW end. But if I'm helping out someone I want to use their battery to power the compressor so the other ends make it easy to connect to whatever they have. Hope this is helpful. Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT

[smthng else]

On Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 8:49 PM, Jeff Saline wrote: lots of good info Thanks not only to Jeff, but to all the other good replies. This has been an excellent thread for me (and hopefully others). Feel free to keep them coming. But... almost everyone has mentioned something that I can't quite figure out... Core removers! What the halibut is the point of a core remover? I've used them plenty on Jeeps when airing down, but it's not like the K has a 35" x 15" tire on there. Is there some repair purpose that I'm missing? I can't see it taking more than 20 seconds to hold something on the valve to air down enough for a trail. --Jonathan "smthng" Kalmes Springfield, VA 2005 Yamaha FJR1300ABS - "Blue Bayou" 2006 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon - "Teflon" 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 - It's here, but it hasn't earned a name yet. http://smthng.info "Look, the truth is, I've been trying to save the world, one person at a time, but, I'm meant for smthng bigger. Smthng important. I know it now."

[E.L. Green]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "smthng else" wrote:

> Core removers! What the halibut is the point of a core remover? I've > used them plenty on Jeeps when airing down, but it's not like the K > has a 35" x 15" tire on there. Is there some repair purpose that I'm > missing? I can't see it taking more than 20 seconds to hold something > on the valve to air down enough for a trail.

The purpose of the core remover is for when you're initially putting the tube into the tire. If you take the core out and puff into the tube, you can get the wrinkles out and then let it go again so it'll deflate enough to let you stuff it in. Makes it a lot easier to get the tube to lie right. It also helps when you're taking the tube *out* of a tire, since it helps the tube to deflate really flat without you having to somehow hold the valve stem in while you're trying to wiggle the tube out of the tire. I also carry some talcum powder with me for powdering my tube. I find that seems to make my tires run cooler due to reduced fiction between tube and tire. Together with the spray bottle of diluted dishwashing soap and water that I carry for squirting bugs off my visor, this suffices to lube things enough to get the tire on fairly easily. If I'm on a long trip I have a small bottle of the biodegradable liquid soap handy for refreshing my spray bottle if needed (add a few drops of soap, add water, voila).

[E.L. Green]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "oldrider25" wrote:

> > I carry the Motion Pro box wrench/iron combo. They make it easier to > R&R the axle nuts than the OEM wrench, IMO. I use the MP irons to > break the bead on my tires as well.

I have one of those for my front axle (the "missing wrench"). I use it to break my bead on tires that are easy to break (all front tires, and back tires with soft beads like Kenda 270's). Just push the spoon end as far into the tire as you can shove it, place tire iron through loop, twist tire iron. Generally it goes "POP!". Applying the Bead Buddy with its pusher end facing *down* then usually holds the bead down while you then work the Motion Pro spoon onwards, or shove your second tire iron in there (I carry only two tire irons, the Motion Pro wrench/spoon, and the bead buddy. That's all I need for most tires, other than back tires that are a #$%@).

> If I'm with another bike, I'll > use their kickstand to break the bead. I have a 3rd short tire

Try to do that with a Conti TKC-80 or Avon Gripster rear. I dare you! You'll be oophing and grunting and shoving that kickstand into the fray with all your might and IT WILL NOT WORK. I guarantee you! I thus far have not found a way other than my giant C-clamp to break that $%@# bead on those two tires (both of which are tubeless tires by design and thus have a much stiffer bead than most tube-type tires). _E

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "smthng else" wrote:

> > Hey all, > > Since there seems to be a fair bit of tire talk going on, I figure > it's a good time to toss this out... > > I need to buy/build a tire/tube kit for my '08. It's been longer than > I care to mention since I've had to deal with tubes, so I'm a clueless > moron. > > What's a good list of "stuff" that I need to fix punctures, pinches, > tears, etc on the road or trail? Anyone got any specific items they > prefer over others?

Jonathan, After reading all the post/response to your initial question, I would like to offer--the best thing you can purchase for your tire repair kit is to install HD tubes in your tires before having a flat. I have been running HD tubes now for some 20,000 miles and nary a flat. No flats = Some dumb luck, but I would attribute most of it to the tubes offering additional protection, especially pinch protection from striking rocks, curbs, and furry objects. Of course, not riding in an area that is known for cactus, thorn trees and nails and/or ground hogs with switchblades is also helpful. Perhaps you have heard that some states actually allow their ground hogs to carry switchblades and encourage them to cut motorcycle tires while you are asleep. Some people blame the 'flat-fairies'--an Irish folklore--for those flats they find first thing in the morning, but that is nonsense. It is actually a well-trained militia of ground hogs with switchblades causing all those flats. WHY IS IT TOLERATED!!!! The politicians say flats are good for the economy. If you are the local motorcycle shop, all those extra flats, ruined tires, rim protectors, and inner tubes is like having an alternative to the current economic stimulus package that is arriving this month in your mail box. So, there you have it. If you should even think of changing what you are doing, you will be impeding the economy. shrug. Its up to you to decide to do the right thing. revmaaatin.

[Gary LaRue]

Rev; You are a sick puppy. You need industrial strength help. I LOVE it!! Lash ----- Original Message ---- From: revmaaatin To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2008 9:49:38 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Tire change kit? APerhaps you have heard that some states actually allow their ground hogs to carry switchblades and encourage them to cut motorcycle tires while you are asleep. Some people blame the 'flat-fairies' --an Irish folklore--for those flats they find first thing in the morning, but that is nonsense. It is actually a well-trained militia of ground hogs with switchblades causing all those flats. WHY IS IT TOLERATED!!! ! The politicians say flats are good for the economy. If you are the local motorcycle shop, all those extra flats, ruined tires, rim protectors, and inner tubes is like having an alternative to the current economic stimulus package that is arriving this month in your mail box. So, there you have it. If you should even think of changing what you are doing, you will be impeding the economy. shrug. Its up to you to decide to do the right thing. revmaaatin. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[albatrossklr]

So Rev, Can we get a bit of divine intervention to insure that they only slash the tires of heavy steel machines and leave our poor little KLRs alone? albatross (never hurts to ask)

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "revmaaatin" wrote: > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "smthng else" wrote: > > > > Hey all, > > > > Since there seems to be a fair bit of tire talk going on, I figure > > it's a good time to toss this out... > > > > I need to buy/build a tire/tube kit for my '08. It's been longer than > > I care to mention since I've had to deal with tubes, so I'm a clueless > > moron. > > > > What's a good list of "stuff" that I need to fix punctures, pinches, > > tears, etc on the road or trail? Anyone got any specific items they > > prefer over others? > > Jonathan, > After reading all the post/response to your initial question, I would > like to offer--the best thing you can purchase for your tire repair kit > is to install HD tubes in your tires before having a flat. I have been > running HD tubes now for some 20,000 miles and nary a flat. No flats = > Some dumb luck, but I would attribute most of it to the tubes offering > additional protection, especially pinch protection from striking rocks, > curbs, and furry objects. > > Of course, not riding in an area that is known for cactus, thorn trees > and nails and/or ground hogs with switchblades is also helpful. > > Perhaps you have heard that some states actually allow their ground > hogs to carry switchblades and encourage them to cut motorcycle tires > while you are asleep. Some people blame the 'flat-fairies'--an Irish > folklore--for those flats they find first thing in the morning, but > that is nonsense. It is actually a well-trained militia of ground hogs > with switchblades causing all those flats. > > WHY IS IT TOLERATED!!!! The politicians say flats are good for the > economy. If you are the local motorcycle shop, all those extra flats, > ruined tires, rim protectors, and inner tubes is like having an > alternative to the current economic stimulus package that is arriving > this month in your mail box. > > So, there you have it. If you should even think of changing what you > are doing, you will be impeding the economy. shrug. Its up to you to > decide to do the right thing. > > revmaaatin. >

[E.L. Green]

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

> After reading all the post/response to your initial question, I would > like to offer--the best thing you can purchase for your tire repair kit > is to install HD tubes in your tires before having a flat.

One thing I will point out is that running an HD tube in your rear tire at high speeds on the highway will cause a serious reduction in your tire life due to the higher tire temperatures caused by the heavier tube. For highway use, I run an HD tube in my front tire (*not* a super-HD tube though, that tends to cause instability in my experience), and a regular tube in the rear. A flat in the rear isn't as bad as a flat in the front -- a flat in the rear will make the bike a bit shakey but give you time to slow to a halt, a flat in the front will put you down.

[revmaaatin]

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

> > So Rev, > > Can we get a bit of divine intervention to insure that they only slash > the tires of heavy steel machines and leave our poor little KLRs

alone?

> > albatross > (never hurts to ask) >

Sure, my brother, Just reach over in your billfold and pull out a 'Franklin', write your request on it and mail it to.... sigh. Unfortunately, the KLR operates where the ratio of KLR to groundhog is much higher than heavy-steel M/C's to groundhogs. Just by statistical probability, it is never likely that a ground hog will ever even hear a v-twin. shrug. Might be why we ride there as well. It was recently suggested I need to buy one of those personal locator beacons...and I said, "Aren't you afraid of the groundhogs intercepting your signal?" Some degree of silence followed...and then a long sigh. There are still many un-believers...much work remains to convert those who think it is Irish-fairies that cause the flats.... I guess that is why they have sent me to liberate those who don't know any better. shrug. revmaaatin. yes, laughter is good medicine