rat dog ride

[Craig Highline]

I e-mailed the outfit about using these with Progressives. This was the reply: *Yes, these preload adjusters work with the progressive springs. My friend who has progressive springs on his KLR said he did not need a spacer at all with the new adjusters. The new spacers that are included in the set are made of pvc. Just be sure to put the washer that is included on top of the spring between the new adjusters and the spring. Thanks, Frank* They seem to be selling as fast as they're posted on e-bay for $125 a set. They also have them for a variety of sport bikes at a much cheaper price. Still debating on buying a set or two as I have 3 bikes Craig Highline CO KLR Rider A2/A13/A19 Colorado Springs [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Craig Highline wrote:

> > I e-mailed the outfit about using these with Progressives. This

was the reply:

> > *Yes, these preload adjusters work with the progressive springs.

My friend who has progressive springs on his KLR said he did not need a spacer at all with the new adjusters. The new spacers that are included in the set are made of pvc.

> Just be sure to put the washer that is included on top of the

spring between the new adjusters and the spring.

> > Thanks, > Frank* > > They seem to be selling as fast as they're posted on e-bay for

$125 a set. They also have them for a variety of sport bikes at a much cheaper price. Still debating on buying a set or two as I have 3 bikes

> > > > Craig Highline > CO KLR Rider > A2/A13/A19 > Colorado Springs

List, Hmmm. Is it just me? Nice discussion, but forgive me if I don't get on the train. I've read this thread with a great deal of curiosity. I am thinking, that this really defines--FARKLE very well Not to rain on any one's parade, and who am I to say, "Yikes--now that is farkle", cough. My bikes are a rolling show case for Progressive, Arrowhead, Dual Star, Watson, and HT. cough. OF COURSE: my stuff is ALL armor, necessary for my survival.... But, for $125? Yes:You do get a very nicely machined piece of gear. But be realistic for a moment. Most likely, you will make adjustments in ~1/4 inch increments with this fancy, smancy preload adjuster. Most likely, you can/do achieve the same results with PVC pipe cut to the 'correct' length. Most likely, you will only have two 'weights' (total mass of the bike) that are important to you.--one where you ride solo, and one where you ride solo, loaded like a rented mule (which is rare). You can experiment slightly with the lengths, moving, replacing the PVC preload spacers until it is just right. I did, made two adjustments to the preload adjuster length--before it satisfied my 'non-racing' experience/ability/calibrated buttocks. That 'easy- adjust' preload is attune to installing race tuning, cough, nice, but necessary? (the original post was a well written, thought out post! but needed the caveat, Plan A: $125. Plan B: ~$4 and a little killerista time and thought(s). For a small amount of money, you can take the recommended lengths ie. of two inches (sic) on the progressive springs and make 4 sets of spacers for less than an estimated $4, less if you scavenge the pieces; vary each set +/- 1/4 inch each. For a small of effort, you will pay yourself $121. $121! That's 4.8 boxes of .223 50g V-Max cartridges! (I digress). or twelve bags of horse, sweet feed. (You guys/gals do ride horses, when you can't ride the KLR, right?) shrug. It's your money, cough, unless you just like to farkle. Then, you have hit a home run. revmaaatin. who does not buy fancy chrome (cage) wheels farkle either ps. speaking of farkle--I have yet to replace ONE single item that I have armored to protect--though I got very close on the GDR when some 'mean-old-rock' shoved my radiator into my fan cage and broke off the fan--then again, I did not buy the 'less-than-robust' C-shaped rad protector installed by the previous owner, nor would I buy one like it again

[albatrossklr]

Hey Rev... Never met a horse who offered me a ride.... Have met a few who wanted to race my bike.. albatross who likes other life forms that run free

> > For a small of effort, you will pay yourself $121. > $121! > That's 4.8 boxes of .223 50g V-Max cartridges! (I digress). > or twelve bags of horse, sweet feed. > (You guys/gals do ride horses, when you can't ride the KLR, right?) > >

[Doug Pippin]

Well I was going to reply to the pre-load adjusting thread but then said to myself why bother. However since revmaaatin replied I might as well chime in. Pre-load on both the front and rear springs on a motorcycle is adjusted to obtain the correct suspension sag so your forks and shock will work in the correct working range an give you good suspension action. It has nothing to do with the harshness or lack of harshness of the suspension. That's obtained by using the correct weight spring. The correct amount of pre-load will vary depending on the weight of the bike and the weight of the rider with all riding gear on. Once set will not need to change it unless of course you add a lot of weight ie luggage to the bike. So revmaaatin is correct. If you ride with and without luggage on the bike all you have to do is have two sets of spacers and change them when appropriate. I'm sure these pre-load adjusters are pretty but think of it, how often do you need to adjust your sag. You'd be much further off spending your money on the correct weight springs for the combined rider and bike weight or a set of emulators to give you better suspension action. Doug in NC ---------- At 08:59 AM 10/4/2008, you wrote:

>List, > >Hmmm. Is it just me? Nice discussion, but forgive me if I don't >get on the train. > >I've read this thread with a great deal of curiosity. I am >thinking, that this really defines--FARKLE very well > >Not to rain on any one's parade, and who am I to say, "Yikes--now >that is farkle", cough. My bikes are a rolling show case for >Progressive, Arrowhead, Dual Star, Watson, and HT. cough. OF >COURSE: my stuff is ALL armor, necessary for my survival.... > >But, for $125? >Yes:You do get a very nicely machined piece of gear. >But be realistic for a moment. >Most likely, you will make adjustments in ~1/4 inch increments with >this fancy, smancy preload adjuster. Most likely, you can/do achieve >the same results with PVC pipe cut to the 'correct' length. Most >likely, you will only have two 'weights' (total mass of the bike) >that are important to you.--one where you ride solo, and one where >you ride solo, loaded like a rented mule (which is rare). > >You can experiment slightly with the lengths, moving, replacing the >PVC preload spacers until it is just right. I did, made two >adjustments to the preload adjuster length--before it satisfied my >'non-racing' experience/ability/calibrated buttocks. That 'easy- >adjust' preload is attune to installing race tuning, cough, nice, >but necessary? (the original post was a well written, thought out >post! but needed the caveat, Plan A: $125. Plan B: ~$4 and a little >killerista time and thought(s). > >For a small amount of money, you can take the recommended lengths >ie. of two inches (sic) on the progressive springs and make 4 sets >of spacers for less than an estimated $4, less if you scavenge the >pieces; vary each set +/- 1/4 inch each. > >For a small of effort, you will pay yourself $121. >$121! >That's 4.8 boxes of .223 50g V-Max cartridges! (I digress). or >twelve bags of horse, sweet feed. >(You guys/gals do ride horses, when you can't ride the KLR, right?) > >shrug. > >It's your money, cough, unless you just like to farkle. Then, you >have hit a home run. > >revmaaatin. who does not buy fancy chrome (cage) wheels farkle either

---------- Doug Pippin 828-684-8488 d_pippin_89@... ---------- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Dan Bittner]

Hey Doug, When I initially posted about the preload adjusters, it wasn't intended to be a thread that I felt actually needed a reply to. It was just informational post about a product that I thought was very functional and well made, and that possibly others on list might be interested in. Nor was I inviting anybody to "get on the train". I do appreciate the correct definition of the term "Fargle" though, I thought it was just a somewhat generic term that applied to the accessories that many of us add to our bikes. I don't agree with, but will not debate with you, on your statement that preload " has nothing to do with the harshness or lack of harshness of the suspension" I have three bikes in the garage that all have preload adjusters on the front forks, two came that way from the factory, and my experience with them tells me otherwise. And one of them is a Kawi Concours, I doubt that Kawasaki put them on that bike for, to quote the Rev " to install race tuning " . Page 98 of my KLR owners manual states " The rear shock absorber can be adjusted by changing the spring preload and rebound for various riding and loading conditions ". The posts I read below makes me wonder why Kawasaki even bothered with the 5 position preload adjuster in the rear when they could have provided us with various lengths of pipe so we could disassemble the shock and install them as needed. They could have saved a few bucks, like they did when they didn't provide for adjustment on the front. I mean, how often do you adjust your rear preload ? Does anyone really have to have these preload adjusters on the front of their KLR. Absolutely not. When ridden within its limits the KLR is a very capable machine right out of box and I understand why many people leave them that way. But if you routinely ride it outside of those limits, it needs a little help. As for swapping back and forth with different lengths of spacers, how many times can you get away with that before you buggar up the fine pitch threads on those aluminum fork caps, which aren't the easiest things to get started while pushing down against the fork springs. Plus, I have better things to do with my time, like ride. So, if you need $121 for ammunition, horse feed or medication for a persistent "cough", don't waste your money on this clearly defined Fargle. Also I would like to apologize for not properly editing all my previous posts, that was rude. Dan Bittner (who has ridden all over the county in the last 3 years since retiring and not needed a tow truck or medical attention as part of the experience) Sacramento, Ca.

----- Original Message ----- From: Doug Pippin To: DSN_KLR650 Yahoo Groups Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2008 11:05 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Fork Preload Adjusters Well I was going to reply to the pre-load adjusting thread but then said to myself why bother. However since revmaaatin replied I might as well chime in. Pre-load on both the front and rear springs on a motorcycle is adjusted to obtain the correct suspension sag so your forks and shock will work in the correct working range an give you good suspension action. It has nothing to do with the harshness or lack of harshness of the suspension. That's obtained by using the correct weight spring. The correct amount of pre-load will vary depending on the weight of the bike and the weight of the rider with all riding gear on. Once set will not need to change it unless of course you add a lot of weight ie luggage to the bike. So revmaaatin is correct. If you ride with and without luggage on the bike all you have to do is have two sets of spacers and change them when appropriate. I'm sure these pre-load adjusters are pretty but think of it, how often do you need to adjust your sag. You'd be much further off spending your money on the correct weight springs for the combined rider and bike weight or a set of emulators to give you better suspension action. Doug in NC ---------- At 08:59 AM 10/4/2008, you wrote: >List, > >Hmmm. Is it just me? Nice discussion, but forgive me if I don't >get on the train. > >I've read this thread with a great deal of curiosity. I am >thinking, that this really defines--FARKLE very well > >Not to rain on any one's parade, and who am I to say, "Yikes--now >that is farkle", cough. My bikes are a rolling show case for >Progressive, Arrowhead, Dual Star, Watson, and HT. cough. OF >COURSE: my stuff is ALL armor, necessary for my survival.... > >But, for $125? >Yes:You do get a very nicely machined piece of gear. >But be realistic for a moment. >Most likely, you will make adjustments in ~1/4 inch increments with >this fancy, smancy preload adjuster. Most likely, you can/do achieve >the same results with PVC pipe cut to the 'correct' length. Most >likely, you will only have two 'weights' (total mass of the bike) >that are important to you.--one where you ride solo, and one where >you ride solo, loaded like a rented mule (which is rare). > >You can experiment slightly with the lengths, moving, replacing the >PVC preload spacers until it is just right. I did, made two >adjustments to the preload adjuster length--before it satisfied my >'non-racing' experience/ability/calibrated buttocks. That 'easy- >adjust' preload is attune to installing race tuning, cough, nice, >but necessary? (the original post was a well written, thought out >post! but needed the caveat, Plan A: $125. Plan B: ~$4 and a little >killerista time and thought(s). > >For a small amount of money, you can take the recommended lengths >ie. of two inches (sic) on the progressive springs and make 4 sets >of spacers for less than an estimated $4, less if you scavenge the >pieces; vary each set +/- 1/4 inch each. > >For a small of effort, you will pay yourself $121. >$121! >That's 4.8 boxes of .223 50g V-Max cartridges! (I digress). or >twelve bags of horse, sweet feed. >(You guys/gals do ride horses, when you can't ride the KLR, right?) > >shrug. > >It's your money, cough, unless you just like to farkle. Then, you >have hit a home run. > >revmaaatin. who does not buy fancy chrome (cage) wheels farkle either ---------- Doug Pippin 828-684-8488 d_pippin_89@... ---------- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Doug Pippin]

Dan You may have ridden all over the county in the last 3 years since retiring but that doesn't mean you know how to set up a suspension. Maybe you should spend a little time reading to learn proper suspension theory. And maybe you should learn how to read an e-mail post. I did not use the word Fargle in my post or refer to ammunition, horse feed or medication for a persistent "cough" And you reference to using a different length pipe on the rear shock is just silly. Do you know how the pre-load is set on the rear shock? Obviously not from your reply. My reply was to inform KLR users that a $125 pre-load adjuster is just a waste of money that could be better spent on improving the performance of the inadequate KLR stock suspension. For those that like pretty farkles on their bike I think they should buy the pre-load adjusters and adjust them every time they ride. Doug ---------- At 09:15 AM 10/5/2008, you wrote:

>Re: Fork Preload Adjusters > Posted by: "Dan Bittner" ltrcman@... ltrecman > Date: Sat Oct 4, 2008 3:08 pm ((PDT)) > >Hey Doug, > >When I initially posted about the preload adjusters, it wasn't >intended to be a thread that I felt actually needed a reply >to. It was just informational post about a product that I thought >was very functional and well made, and that possibly >others on list might be interested in. Nor was I inviting anybody to >"get on the train". I do appreciate the correct definition >of the term "Fargle" though, I thought it was just a somewhat >generic term that applied to the accessories that many of us >add to our bikes. > >I don't agree with, but will not debate with you, on your statement >that preload " has nothing to do with the harshness or >lack of harshness of the suspension" I have three bikes in the >garage that all have preload adjusters on the front forks, two >came that way from the factory, and my experience with them tells me >otherwise. And one of them is a Kawi Concours, I doubt >that Kawasaki put them on that bike for, to quote the Rev " to >install race tuning " . > >Page 98 of my KLR owners manual states " The rear shock absorber can >be adjusted by changing the spring preload and rebound >for various riding and loading conditions ". The posts I read below >makes me wonder why Kawasaki even bothered with the 5 >position preload adjuster in the rear when they could have provided >us with various lengths of pipe so we could disassemble the shock >and install them as needed. They could have saved a few bucks, like >they did when they didn't provide for adjustment on the front. I >mean, how often do you adjust your rear preload ? > >Does anyone really have to have these preload adjusters on the front >of their KLR. Absolutely not. When ridden within its limits the KLR >is a very capable machine right out of box and I understand why many >people leave them that way. But if you routinely ride it outside of >those limits, it needs a little help. > >As for swapping back and forth with different lengths of spacers, >how many times can you get away with that before you buggar up the fine >pitch threads on those aluminum fork caps, which aren't the easiest >things to get started while pushing down against the fork springs. >Plus, I have better >things to do with my time, like ride. > >So, if you need $121 for ammunition, horse feed or medication for a >persistent "cough", don't waste your money on this clearly defined Fargle. > >Also I would like to apologize for not properly editing all my >previous posts, that was rude. > >Dan Bittner (who has ridden all over the county in the last 3 years >since retiring and not needed a tow truck or medical attention as >part of the experience) >Sacramento, Ca.

---------- Doug Pippin 828-684-8488 d_pippin_89@... ---------- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jim Douglas]

Doug Pippin wrote:

> > Dan > > You may have ridden all over the county in the last 3 years since > retiring but that doesn't mean you know how to set up a suspension. > Maybe you should spend a little time reading to learn proper > suspension theory. > > And maybe you should learn how to read an e-mail post. > I did not use the word Fargle in my post or refer to ammunition, > horse feed or medication for a persistent "cough" > > And you reference to using a different length pipe on the rear shock > is just silly. Do you know how the pre-load is set on the rear shock? > Obviously not from your reply. > > My reply was to inform KLR users that a $125 pre-load adjuster is > just a waste of money that could be better spent on improving the > performance of the inadequate KLR stock suspension. > > For those that like pretty farkles on their bike I think they should > buy the pre-load adjusters and adjust them every time they ride. > > Doug > > ---------- > At 09:15 AM 10/5/2008, you wrote: > >Re: Fork Preload Adjusters > > Posted by: "Dan Bittner" ltrcman@softcom. net > ltrecman > > Date: Sat Oct 4, 2008 3:08 pm ((PDT)) > > > >Hey Doug, > > > >When I initially posted about the preload adjusters, it wasn't > >intended to be a thread that I felt actually needed a reply > >to. It was just informational post about a product that I thought > >was very functional and well made, and that possibly > >others on list might be interested in. Nor was I inviting anybody to > >"get on the train". I do appreciate the correct definition > >of the term "Fargle" though, I thought it was just a somewhat > >generic term that applied to the accessories that many of us > >add to our bikes. > > > >I don't agree with, but will not debate with you, on your statement > >that preload " has nothing to do with the harshness or > >lack of harshness of the suspension" I have three bikes in the > >garage that all have preload adjusters on the front forks, two > >came that way from the factory, and my experience with them tells me > >otherwise. And one of them is a Kawi Concours, I doubt > >that Kawasaki put them on that bike for, to quote the Rev " to > >install race tuning " . > > > >Page 98 of my KLR owners manual states " The rear shock absorber can > >be adjusted by changing the spring preload and rebound > >for various riding and loading conditions ". The posts I read below > >makes me wonder why Kawasaki even bothered with the 5 > >position preload adjuster in the rear when they could have provided > >us with various lengths of pipe so we could disassemble the shock > >and install them as needed. They could have saved a few bucks, like > >they did when they didn't provide for adjustment on the front. I > >mean, how often do you adjust your rear preload ? > > > >Does anyone really have to have these preload adjusters on the front > >of their KLR. Absolutely not. When ridden within its limits the KLR > >is a very capable machine right out of box and I understand why many > >people leave them that way. But if you routinely ride it outside of > >those limits, it needs a little help. > > > >As for swapping back and forth with different lengths of spacers, > >how many times can you get away with that before you buggar up the fine > >pitch threads on those aluminum fork caps, which aren't the easiest > >things to get started while pushing down against the fork springs. > >Plus, I have better > >things to do with my time, like ride. > > > >So, if you need $121 for ammunition, horse feed or medication for a > >persistent "cough", don't waste your money on this clearly defined > Fargle. > > > >Also I would like to apologize for not properly editing all my > >previous posts, that was rude. > > > >Dan Bittner (who has ridden all over the county in the last 3 years > >since retiring and not needed a tow truck or medical attention as > >part of the experience) > >Sacramento, Ca. > > ---------- > Doug Pippin > 828-684-8488 > d_pippin_ 89@bellsouth. net > > ---------- > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > >

Fargle/Farkle - both terms are gay and interchangeable! I suggest SPOM, Shi% Put On Motorcycle!

[Jim Mastrantonio]

Is Rat Dog Ride going to happen? Does not look like very many people have signed up for it. What part of Tillamook Forest are they meeting at? Brown Camp or Lees Camp? There is only one week to ago. What is the status of this ride? Jim [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Dan Bittner]

Doug, Thanks for the advice and pointing out my lack of knowledge on suspension tuning. I'll do a Google search on the subject and hopefully by this time tomorrow I'll be an expert on it too. I'll work on those e-mail skills also, but may I suggest in the mean time that you review your original post on the subject dated on Saturday, Oct. 4th, 2008 , 11:05 AM. Your post included comments made by another party on the forum, hence my references to Fargle, horse feed, ammo and medications. I guess you forgot about including that other commentary. I bought these adjusters, installed them on my bike and experimented with them on a ride of a couple of hundred miles and was impressed with what they do. I do travel a lot, sometimes with more gear than other times, so yes, I adjust my preload a lot. I was, and am, enthused about them so I took the time to write a review for others who were interested in them. I think having the ability do some tuning on both ends of the suspension while on fly is a good thing. Not everyone is into installing emulators, new springs and suspension theory, a person with minimal wrench skills can put these on a stock bike and make a nice improvement. You, however, because of your superior knowledge on suspension tuning, are able to tell without even having seen these things, let alone try them out, that they are worthless in function and are a waste of money. How stupid these motorcycle engineers are for equipping so many models with fork preload adjusters. You should clue them in too. My comments on the rear shock weren't meant to be silly, I was aiming more for sarcasm. Sarcasm because anyone who is arrogant enough to start a post on a public forum with the this condescending sentence, and I quote " Well I was going to reply to the pre-load adjusting thread but then said to myself why bother" deserves no better in my book. Why bother indeed. Dan Bittner Sacramento, Ca.

----- Original Message ----- From: Doug Pippin To: DSN_KLR650 Yahoo Groups Cc: ltrcman@... Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008 12:33 PM Subject: Re: Fork Preload Adjusters Dan You may have ridden all over the county in the last 3 years since retiring but that doesn't mean you know how to set up a suspension. Maybe you should spend a little time reading to learn proper suspension theory. And maybe you should learn how to read an e-mail post. I did not use the word Fargle in my post or refer to ammunition, horse feed or medication for a persistent "cough" And you reference to using a different length pipe on the rear shock is just silly. Do you know how the pre-load is set on the rear shock? Obviously not from your reply. My reply was to inform KLR users that a $125 pre-load adjuster is just a waste of money that could be better spent on improving the performance of the inadequate KLR stock suspension. For those that like pretty farkles on their bike I think they should buy the pre-load adjusters and adjust them every time they ride. Doug ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Randall Marbach]

Thanks Dan for the time and energy you took to write up a great report on these adjusters. I, for one, will be adding a set of these adjusters to my XMAS list based largely on the quality of the feedback you presented in your report. Thanks again. Randy from Burbank ----- Original Message ---- From: Dan Bittner To: DSN_KLR650 Yahoo Groups DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>; Doug Pippin Sent: Sunday, October 5, 2008 6:21:04 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Fork Preload Adjusters Doug, Thanks for the advice and pointing out my lack of knowledge on suspension tuning. I'll do a Google search on the subject and hopefully by this time tomorrow I'll be an expert on it too. I'll work on those e-mail skills also, but may I suggest in the mean time that you review your original post on the subject dated on Saturday, Oct. 4th, 2008 , 11:05 AM. Your post included comments made by another party on the forum, hence my references to Fargle, horse feed, ammo and medications. I guess you forgot about including that other commentary. I bought these adjusters, installed them on my bike and experimented with them on a ride of a couple of hundred miles and was impressed with what they do. I do travel a lot, sometimes with more gear than other times, so yes, I adjust my preload a lot. I was, and am, enthused about them so I took the time to write a review for others who were interested in them. I think having the ability do some tuning on both ends of the suspension while on fly is a good thing. Not everyone is into installing emulators, new springs and suspension theory, a person with minimal wrench skills can put these on a stock bike and make a nice improvement. You, however, because of your superior knowledge on suspension tuning, are able to tell without even having seen these things, let alone try them out, that they are worthless in function and are a waste of money. How stupid these motorcycle engineers are for equipping so many models with fork preload adjusters. You should clue them in too. My comments on the rear shock weren't meant to be silly, I was aiming more for sarcasm. Sarcasm because anyone who is arrogant enough to start a post on a public forum with the this condescending sentence, and I quote " Well I was going to reply to the pre-load adjusting thread but then said to myself why bother" deserves no better in my book. Why bother indeed. Dan Bittner Sacramento, Ca.

----- Original Message ----- From: Doug Pippin To: DSN_KLR650 Yahoo Groups Cc: ltrcman@... Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008 12:33 PM Subject: Re: Fork Preload Adjusters Dan You may have ridden all over the county in the last 3 years since retiring but that doesn't mean you know how to set up a suspension. Maybe you should spend a little time reading to learn proper suspension theory. And maybe you should learn how to read an e-mail post. I did not use the word Fargle in my post or refer to ammunition, horse feed or medication for a persistent "cough" And you reference to using a different length pipe on the rear shock is just silly. Do you know how the pre-load is set on the rear shock? Obviously not from your reply. My reply was to inform KLR users that a $125 pre-load adjuster is just a waste of money that could be better spent on improving the performance of the inadequate KLR stock suspension. For those that like pretty farkles on their bike I think they should buy the pre-load adjusters and adjust them every time they ride. Doug ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650Yahoo! Groups Links