--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Curt Van Weelden"
wrote:
>
> A friend of mine told me that he has a 13 tooth front sprocket but he
> can't remember where he got it. I see reference to these in the
> archives, but no sources. Does any one know of source for these? I
> have the 14 and the prevailing torque nut, but 15 to 14 didn't make
> enough difference for me.
>
> Curt
>
Curt,
I bought mine from 'Fred' at
http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/
follow the links. He also has the 14, 15, 16. And the bigger rear
sprockets also. A SIDEBAR comment: Fred mentioned to me when I first
called him 4 hears ago, "The KLR likes RPM's above 3000" that is, if
you can keep the bike around/NLT 3000ish, the bike will be happier, and
so will the 'pilot'. I have found this to be good advice, and anytime
I have gotten in trouble, stalling, falling, flopping, sometimes
resulting in getting pinned under the big-green-pig, it was when I have
let the Rpm's get low. Some of which is 'operator technique' but we
are all students of the zin-killerista, shrug, so we share are foibles
and fauxpaws. shrug. and occasionally learn something in the process.
Now, having said all this, that is really why you are wanting the 13T
sprocket--for better offroadability. However, there is a 'better'
solution, as described 2 paragraphs below....
Required: Unusual disclaimer-I send money to Fred, Fred sends parts.
shrug.
That said, I have not had to use the 13T. Yet.
Why? Well glad you asked. smile.
If you have been following along, the past month/year(s) the better
set up (perhaps) would go to a 14/45T rather than the 13/43 that you
are looking at. I am fairly certain that you could use the 106T chain
without out any difficulty if you just added the 45T sprocket. If my
memory is correct, many have done this very thing.
Our friend and fellow poster--Jeff Saline, about 3years ago first
mentioned his use of the 14/46 combination for anything non pavement,
and the 16/46 for long distance pavement work--and in the past week has
mentioned it again. I also now use a 14/46--so powerful that my bike
now sports 'John Deere' on the front Cowl. What had still been a
handful at 14/43 (especially in the rocks/boulders) has now become an
absolute joy to ride the Dakota prairie trails, moraine fields and rock
ridges.
The proof in all this occurred in early fall, Jeff and I rode through a
Black Hills, SD area that is usually '4-wheeler' domain--and when some
locals learned that we rode the big-green-pigs down the trail built for
fire suppression bulldozers, they just shook their heads. (and so did
I) The trick was the gearing--14/46 (alternate would be the 14/45) and
an absolute joy--but I said that already. smile.
There may be a 'down-side' for some--but very little for me. You are
going to give up some top end speed, i.e. at the 75+mph speed that many
love to ride at, will be at a cost of some 1000rpm's faster over stock
gearing--and most likely a subsequent increase in oil consumption
(experienced by many), but not all. shrug. Maybe going a little
slower is not a bad thing, especially when falling down. shrug. The
benefit of going slow in the KLR power band of 3000rpms in first gear
without monkeying/slipping the clutch constantly. Perhaps slipping the
clutch is an easy task during the first hour of off-road riding, but
incresing difficult to do easily as fatigue sets in.
and now, THE NKLR content, yawn. It has been snowing here...and
thawing and freezing. As usual for this time of year, I begin to
commit KLR adultery...frequently...and I have had to revert to the
manly-man alternate 1HP 4x4 KLR with built in (cough) crotch warmer
rather than the A-15 electric hand warmers. Chasing the cows in a
stout wind/low wind-chill is still a tough go...even with the furball
heater below the saddle working its heart out.
The hard part has been getting on the horse with all the extra
clothes...an interesting proposition to saddle up with all the extra
clothes! Almost as hard as getting the leg over the 35hp KLR with
luggage while wearing a full winter costume. All things being equal,
wind chill, is about the same. shrug. The thrills are about the
same...except the 1hp model, has a mind of its own. Which is not
always bad....
revmaaatin.
ps One last thought...that comes to mind of having a KLR that is more
dirt-worthy...when the big pig is about to fall down, let go of the
handlebars and GET OUT OF THE WAY. (Yes, I am shouting). About to fall
down is when you find yourself passing through ~89degree's of angle of
bank (=near horizontal). YIKES: Don't be the one left holding on the
the bars with your legs on the pegs. Getting pinned under it is less-
than-the-hot-setup...and you are likely to get a 3m to 1 year penalty
of NO-KLR while the surgeon pins your bones back together. shrug. and
so it goes...as many here can attest.
smile.
But who would have it any other way?