Wilsons Sandbox

hispeedprc@... wrote:

> Anybody had experience replacing the costly factory chain with > aftermarket/industrial chain using a master link? Hate to spend $200+ > on a ratty old KL 600...

Aint it amazing how much extra we have to pay for couple of bright plated links to help sync the balancers? Mister_T

Well, I can say a 500cc single with no balancer is certainly rideable. I was doing 300mi every weekend on my '78 SR500. But because that bike was designed from the ground up to shake, a lot of things are different- handlebar clamps that sit in rubber bushings, rubber isolated seat mounts, etc. Both my SR500's have basically stock motors, and most everything else is aftermarket or homemade. In the '78 case, I replaced things as they gradually broke (shook apart) from metal fatigue. If you think a KLR likes to unbolt itself now, remove the balancer and see what happens. I was just reading an archive copy of KLR-DSN, there is a guy (sorry, don't have the printout handy) who builds oversize KLR motors, up to a 770 with the balancer removed. Having had a bike with and without, I'll keep the balancer. I wish it was gear driven, but for $5000 brand new what can you do? Devon A15 78 SR500 81 SR500 Jim Niday wrote:

> With all of this discussion on the life of balancer chains and sprockets, > I'm wondering if any one has just removed the whole mess. Is a 650cc single > rideable without any counter balancing? When I rode a Harley, it ended up > being a chopper because I got tired of replacing everything that broke or > fell off. Might the same thinking work here? > Jim > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Support Dual Sport News by subscribing at: > http://www.dualsportnews.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Jim Niday wrote:

> With all of this discussion on the life of balancer chains and sprockets, > I'm wondering if any one has just removed the whole mess. Is a 650cc single > rideable without any counter balancing?

[...] It's possible, put the rights weights in the right places and you can make a single pretty smooth, at a particular rev. The classic book "Tuning for Speed" by Phil Irving describes some simple procedures and calculations for doing so. Removing the shafts in the KLR is a tricky business, the front shaft runs the waterpump. I guess the shaft could have the weights removed and a short chain made to drive the front shaft only. Owners of singles with a lone, gear-driven counterbalance shaft can laugh quietly. Mister_T

Hi Rob, just wondering if maybe your idle speed is too low,if you're aiming around 1000rpm then the automatic compression release is kicking in and can cause quite a clatter. 1300rpm seems to be optimum for my A12. It's a noisy engine at the best of times but you get used to it......cosmo -- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "cdn_flyboy2003" wrote:

> Hello, > > A few days ago I posted a message about my new A17. It now has a > wopping 85 km on it and the chain noise from the engine is worse > that when I got the bike at 10 km. I can now hear the noise when > standing 6 feet away from the bike as it idles. Is this a normal > part of breaking in the KLR? Unfortunatly I'm 1500km from the > nearest Kawi dealer. > > Anyone's thoughts would be greatly apreciated. > > Rob

If your sure its the balancer chain, try adjusting it. Just behind the left side of the skid pan (need to take it off) there is a rubber plug on the bottom of the engine. The adjuster is under the rubber plug, loosen about 1/2 turn to 3/4 turn lightly tap it and retighten the bolt. This in theory allows the balancer to be pulled under spring tension to snug the balancer chain. http://klr6500.tripod.com/balancer.htm Mark has documented some of these things and has done a wonderful job sharing this info. Dooden --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "cdn_flyboy2003" wrote:

> Hello, > > A few days ago I posted a message about my new A17. It now has a > wopping 85 km on it and the chain noise from the engine is worse > that when I got the bike at 10 km. I can now hear the noise when > standing 6 feet away from the bike as it idles. Is this a normal > part of breaking in the KLR? Unfortunatly I'm 1500km from the > nearest Kawi dealer. > > Anyone's thoughts would be greatly apreciated. > > Rob

Good point cosmo But after a nice fresh Jakes doohickey, and valve adjustment.. it sounds sweet now. For all purposes, my engine is new too with less than 2000 miles on it. Might also add to can_flyboy2003 is your oil level low ? Bike on level ground standing up straight the oil should be inbetween the lines on the inspection window on the right side of the engine, I like my oil level towards to top of the glass. Dooden

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "cosmoboj" wrote: > Hi Rob, just wondering if maybe your idle speed is too low,if you're > aiming around 1000rpm then the automatic compression release is > kicking in and can cause quite a clatter. 1300rpm seems to be > optimum for my A12. It's a noisy engine at the best of times but you > get used to it......cosmo > > -- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "cdn_flyboy2003" > wrote: > > Hello, > > > > A few days ago I posted a message about my new A17. It now has a > > wopping 85 km on it and the chain noise from the engine is worse > > that when I got the bike at 10 km. I can now hear the noise when > > standing 6 feet away from the bike as it idles. Is this a normal > > part of breaking in the KLR? Unfortunatly I'm 1500km from the > > nearest Kawi dealer. > > > > Anyone's thoughts would be greatly apreciated. > > > > Rob