Wilsons Sandbox

> Walt, > I am guessing your solution-suggestion would be a fender washer. For > those who might not know: Those large flat washers that are about > 10% hole, and lots of flat metal-'washer', rather than the std washer > that is about 90% hole and 10% metal. Take your large oval head screw > (~1/4"?) with you when you go. cough. Or are we to guess, the screw > got away with the battery cover? I believe it is the same screw > (pitch and size) as holds on the plastic side covers just below the > seat, and you should be able to find one available at any place that > has a large selection of metric bolts, etc. > > On another note, thanks for the Odeysey battery input. > > revmaaatin. >

Yes a fender washer would be ideal. Stacking a larger washer with the proper one would work too. A few more notes on the Odyssey battery. When I told you about my first one only lasting 3 years I failed to mention I used a 1.5A charger with it which is bad. The rules for charging an Odyssey are completely different. The one that fits the KLR should be charged with 6A minimum. There is no limit on the upper end as they like amps. The more the better. The high dollar Odyssey charger is actually made by Shumacher and the Shumacher Smart chargers were recommended by Odyssey before they marketed their own. I bought the Shumacher 6-12-25A Smart charger for about $55. It will charge any type of battery except those the MC charger covers or extremely large ones (or very small ones like cell phones of course). Also I checked the Battery Mart site and they raised the prices to list. I paid $40 less when I bought mine. Walt

Friends, Here a few of my latest riding experiences. Last week, while I was passing, overtaking, two 18 wheelers, on a two-lane road, all of a sudden my engine died. I thought, Oh my! But after a few confusing seconds, I saw that my ignition key had flipped backwards. So, I turned it on again, almost did a wheelie, and got myself out of harm s way. My ignition key has two more keys on it, so I keep it tensioned with a small spring, to avoid rattling, and a bit of fishing line. I have rerouted this set up, to avoid repeat performances of this kind of excitement. I still have the sidestand switch, but the neutral gear switch has long been eliminated, unecessary and problematic. If the sidestand switch gives me issues, I think I can just cut the wire? Is that good thinking? Yesterday morning I left my friend s house in the green hills where I was visiting at daybreak, but less than one mile down the road the front tire was wholly flat, same Oh my again. But I carry a wooden prop, so I can lift up the front wheel just clear off the ground. It is a piece of half inch by two inch timber more or less. But it not a safe reliable prop, if it slips away, the bike without the front wheel will fall. So I dug out a few pebbles from the side of the road, one of them must have been about 75 pounds, to put under the skidplate, as a safe guard. And that warmed up my circulation, as the mountain air was pretty cool, perhaps around 19 Centigrade. I must agree that a motorcycle lift is very nice for old geezers, and every one in general, because yes indeed, my back was protesting after about one hour of bending down. The Slime (R) that was in the tube did cause me no problem, since I changed the tube. The valve had been torn out of the tube, so the Slime did no good. When I order the parts for the waterpump seals and gaskets, I plan to order more Slime, for small punctures it could be good. When I drove back from my swimming hole, there were a few horses by the side of the dirtroad. I said good morning, but one of the horses snapped at me, and twisted my rightside rearview mirror. Probably a overzealous mother. Anyhow, the mirror can stand up to horsebites better than my arm. The bike is using coolant, so I guess it is time to do a waterpump ovedrhaul? Why did the lowering links not work well with my bike, and others seem to have a good time with them? Did I abuse the rear suspension too much? Well, I thought that was the idea of having this thing. Enjoy your springtime riding, Jacostarica. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

On Sun, 23 Mar 2008 07:00:51 -0700 (PDT) Jacobus De Bruyn writes:

> Friends,

SNIP

> I still have the sidestand switch, but the neutral > gear switch has long been eliminated, unnecessary and > problematic. If the sidestand switch gives me issues, > I think I can just cut the wire? Is that good > thinking?

SNIP

> Enjoy your springtime riding, Jacostarica.

<><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><> Jake, I guess it depends on which wire you're talking about just cutting. : ) What I've done on my KLR is to remove the cable and switch from the bike. I connected the two electrical wires to the switch so they complete the circuit. That works well for me. Glad you were able to handle the flat tire without incident. It's not often I hear of a flat front. On pavement bikes it's almost always the rear. Best, 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