Wilsons Sandbox

NEVER !! Long time ago Jake (RIP) sent a care package out to me with a note and some bolts, told me to make sure I use RED locktight and torque them in place of the stock bolts, been in since and YES I offroad current tires are Dunlop D606 Front and a Kenda K-270 rear which by the way suck on Chicago's roads since migrating south. Dooden A15 Green Ape ( With some airtime logged ) --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "eddiebmauri" wrote:

> > The thread about replacement of the Sub-frame Bolt got me wondering. > Here is my question, "those of you who have had a Sub-frame Bolt > failure, do you use your KLR off road much? How common is it to see a > Sub-frame Bolt fail in cases where someone rides mostly, if not > exclusively, on the street/highway, no off road? > > Eddie >

Off-roading would be one way to create the conditions to damage the sub- frame bolts. The sub-frame, which is separate from the main frame, carries your weight, any saddlebags, and any thing put on the rear rack. The OEM bolts could break if you are a relatively light person doing a lot of off-road miles where you are banging into the seat while hitting bumps, etc. OR/ The OEM bolts could break if you and all of the gear (saddlebags & stuff on the rear rack) are up at 300# and staying on the hard roads (plenty of bumps that cause the suspension to flex too). The shearing energy put on those bolts could be the same, either way. You have to call it. I haul a lot of stuff on the expanded rear rack and saddlebags plus I lost my 'girlish figure' years ago. I upgraded my bolts. Don R100, A6F --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "eddiebmauri" wrote:

> > The thread about replacement of the Sub-frame Bolt got me wondering. > Here is my question, "those of you who have had a Sub-frame Bolt > failure, do you use your KLR off road much? How common is it to see a > Sub-frame Bolt fail in cases where someone rides mostly, if not > exclusively, on the street/highway, no off road? > > Eddie >

There really isn't a whole lot to it. The bike hasn't changed much over the years and having picked up my own KLR just recently, I went through the same questions. I settled on looking for a '97 or newer KLR 650, doohickey done and progressive springs. My own little mods have been the LED turn signals (and diode), UFO front fender and the almost-free radioator guard and water pump guard. Oh, the Afrika-Single light switch and circuit breakers to replace fuses, and the Odyssey battery. My next step is likely the rear fender and a 17" front wheel. Necessary mods is doohickey, suspension and front fender. I can't speak for the big front brake as I don't have it myself, but everyone with it says that it's a must-do. Basically, the more it has done, the more it's worth. If you want one completely decked out with not TOO many miles on it, look for a 2001-2003, suspension, corbin seat, big brake, all the nerf bars, handle bars, light switch etc etc, but prepare to pay $3000-#3500 for something like that. The '08 isn't on my radar as I don't pay depreciation on anything. It doesn't sound like it's improved a whole lot over the previous models, other than lights and aerodynamics.

> -----Original Message----- > Behalf Of Tim Gornall > now, but my new interest is the KLR. Any recommendations on models, > years, etc, to look for, or stay away from.