klr650 ----> fred hink <------

[rockiedog2]

I'm wondering about something that I know you old timer KLR guys will know about... I am in the thinking/preliminary planning stages for a 15000-16000 mile remote area(TDF)trip on my 2006 KLR650 this fall. It currently has 25000 miles. I am wondering at about what mileage do these things start getting weak/burning oil...I am thinking about having the topend (rings,valves,guides etc) done before leaving. It is currently running great and doesn't use any oil as long as it's changed about every 2500 miles or so. I'm not a maintenance fanatic and it has had reasonable maintenance but mostly has had the hell run out of it. I have put all the miles on it so I know its history...no problems there. I am a little concerned that it will start laying down on me before I get back...gulping oil or somesuch...the main priority is to do all that I can to get it as reliable as possible before leaving. I have utmost confidence in my mech. I am cheap but the money is really secondary. What do you high mileage veterans think? Is this overkill or a good idea or what? Thanks Joe

[rockiedog2]

I'm wondering about something that I know you old timer KLR guys will know about... I am in the thinking/preliminary planning stages for a 15000-16000 mile remote area(TDF)trip on my 2006 KLR650 this fall. It currently has 25000 miles. I am wondering at about what mileage do these things start getting weak/burning oil...I am thinking about having the topend (rings,valves,guides etc) done before leaving. It is currently running great and doesn't use any oil as long as it's changed about every 2500 miles or so. I'm not a maintenance fanatic and it has had reasonable maintenance but mostly has had the hell run out of it. I have put all the miles on it so I know its history...no problems there. I am a little concerned that it will start laying down on me before I get back...gulping oil or somesuch...the main priority is to do all that I can to get it as reliable as possible before leaving. I have utmost confidence in my mech. I am cheap but the money is really secondary. What do you high mileage veterans think? Is this overkill or a good idea or what? Thanks Joe

[fmhilton]

I'm not an old timer, but I have several friends with 80,000 plus on their KLR650... Doing regular maintance prior to your trip should give you assurance. Mike H

----- Original Message ----- From: rockiedog2 To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 7:53 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Hmmmm... I'm wondering about something that I know you old timer KLR guys will know about... I am in the thinking/preliminary planning stages for a 15000-16000 mile remote area(TDF)trip on my 2006 KLR650 this fall. It currently has 25000 miles. I am wondering at about what mileage do these things start getting weak/burning oil...I am thinking about having the topend (rings,valves,guides etc) done before leaving. It is currently running great and doesn't use any oil as long as it's changed about every 2500 miles or so. I'm not a maintenance fanatic and it has had reasonable maintenance but mostly has had the hell run out of it. I have put all the miles on it so I know its history...no problems there. I am a little concerned that it will start laying down on me before I get back...gulping oil or somesuch...the main priority is to do all that I can to get it as reliable as possible before leaving. I have utmost confidence in my mech. I am cheap but the money is really secondary. What do you high mileage veterans think? Is this overkill or a good idea or what? Thanks Joe [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jeff Saline]

On Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:51:33 -0000 "rockiedog2" writes:

> I'm wondering about something that I know you old timer KLR guys will > > know about... > I am in the thinking/preliminary planning stages for a 15000-16000 > mile > remote area(TDF)trip on my 2006 KLR650 this fall. It currently has > 25000 miles. I am wondering at about what mileage do these things > start > getting weak/burning oil...I am thinking about having the topend > (rings,valves,guides etc) done before leaving. It is currently > running > great and doesn't use any oil as long as it's changed about every > 2500 > miles or so. I'm not a maintenance fanatic and it has had reasonable > > maintenance but mostly has had the hell run out of it. I have put > all > the miles on it so I know its history...no problems there. I am a > little concerned that it will start laying down on me before I get > back...gulping oil or somesuch...the main priority is to do all that > I > can to get it as reliable as possible before leaving. I have utmost > > confidence in my mech. I am cheap but the money is really > secondary. > What do you high mileage veterans think? Is this overkill or a good > > idea or what? > Thanks > Joe

<><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><> Joe, I don't have much top end experience on the KLR but if I was messing with mine I would not be putting stock KLR parts in there. I'd upgrade to the 685 kit available from Schnitz Racing. I don't care about extra power since it's a KLR but the reports on the 685 kit say no oil burning issues, smoother than the stock piston and rings and also a bit more power with the stock head, exhaust and carb. No other mods needed to get a good running engine with the kit. Cost is about $300 for the piston, wrist pin and rings and gaskets. Don't forget to add a head gasket or buy one from the dealer. I suppose cylinder boring would cost between $60 and $100 depending on who you use. If I was going into a top end on an engine with 25,000 smiles I'd also replace the valve seals while I was in there. For a trip like you're planning I'd probably rebuild the carb with new jets, needle, slide and diaphragm and o-rings/rubber parts. I'd adjust the valves and lube the rear suspension linkage and steering head bearings. I'd open the forks and clean them and replace the seals with OEM seals, put in new springs and 10 weight fork oil. The rear shock would get rebuilt or replaced. Brake pads would get changed right before the trip as would brake fluid. I'd put in a new battery and change the engine coolant. If I didn't have a Thermo-Bob I'd install one. I'd also put in a new spark plug and get a new air filter. A new fuel filter would be installed and a spare carried on the bike. I'd also make sure the wheel bearings and rear sprocket carrier bearing were lubed and spinning smoothly. I guess I'd also put on new sprockets and a chain. Last thing I'd do before leaving is change the oil and filter and install a NAPA soft washer (Part Number is 704-1371) on a magnetic low profile drain plug. Then I think I'd be comfortable with the bike for that ride. 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 ____________________________________________________________ Click now for professionally poured concrete solutions! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw2976odB6CsImJ39nwXa0Uih6cSvcBJXsoK565AzrmLaAPTO/

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "rockiedog2" wrote:

> > I'm wondering about something that I know you old timer KLR guys will > know about... > I am in the thinking/preliminary planning stages for a 15000-16000 mile > remote area(TDF)trip on my 2006 KLR650 this fall. It currently has > 25000 miles. I am wondering at about what mileage do these things start > getting weak/burning oil...I am thinking about having the topend > (rings,valves,guides etc) done before leaving. It is currently running > great and doesn't use any oil as long as it's changed about every 2500 > miles or so. I'm not a maintenance fanatic and it has had reasonable > maintenance but mostly has had the hell run out of it. I have put all > the miles on it so I know its history...no problems there. I am a > little concerned that it will start laying down on me before I get > back...gulping oil or somesuch...the main priority is to do all that I > can to get it as reliable as possible before leaving. I have utmost > confidence in my mech. I am cheap but the money is really secondary. > What do you high mileage veterans think? Is this overkill or a good > idea or what? >

Just ride it. Mine has 46k and does not use an inordinate amount of oil. I'd want it to be obviously smoking to justify a top end rebuild. Redoing it does not always cure the oil consumption. I know, it should, and usually does. But there is always that uncertainty until you actually fire it up. Why trade away a known good commodity?

[roncriswell@sbcglobal.net]

Mine started smoking pretty good around 25,000 so had a top end job done and no smoke at 50,000. 2 friends went ahead and did the 685 kit and port job at about that milage. Their bikes haul ass now. Gives them up around 50 horse they claim. Wheelies are much easier now. 50 would be good. Criswell

On Feb 16, 2009, at 7:51 PM, rockiedog2 wrote: > I'm wondering about something that I know you old timer KLR guys will > know about... > I am in the thinking/preliminary planning stages for a 15000-16000 > mile > remote area(TDF)trip on my 2006 KLR650 this fall. It currently has > 25000 miles. I am wondering at about what mileage do these things > start > getting weak/burning oil...I am thinking about having the topend > (rings,valves,guides etc) done before leaving. It is currently running > great and doesn't use any oil as long as it's changed about every 2500 > miles or so. I'm not a maintenance fanatic and it has had reasonable > maintenance but mostly has had the hell run out of it. I have put all > the miles on it so I know its history...no problems there. I am a > little concerned that it will start laying down on me before I get > back...gulping oil or somesuch...the main priority is to do all that I > can to get it as reliable as possible before leaving. I have utmost > confidence in my mech. I am cheap but the money is really secondary. > What do you high mileage veterans think? Is this overkill or a good > idea or what? > Thanks > Joe > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Bogdan Swider]

On 2/16/09 8:48 PM, "Jeff Saline" wrote:

> > > > On Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:51:33 -0000 "rockiedog2" > > writes: >> > I'm wondering about something that I know you old timer KLR guys will >> > >> > know about... >> > I am in the thinking/preliminary planning stages for a 15000-16000 >> > mile >> > remote area(TDF)trip on my 2006 KLR650 this fall. > > Where exactly are you going? I m not good at acronyms; what s TDF? At the end > of the trip you d be at 40k miles, not that much. > > I don't have much top end experience on the KLR but if I was messing with > mine I would not be putting stock KLR parts in there. I'd upgrade to the > 685 kit available from Schnitz Racing. > > I agree with Jud on this one. Sometimes rebuilds don t turn out well. I > wouldn t do it before a long trip. If you re not burning oil just leave it > alone. > > For a trip like you're planning I'd probably rebuild the carb with new > jets, needle, slide and diaphragm and o-rings/rubber parts. > > Jeff has put in way more wrench time than I have but I don t get this one. May > carb, at 70k miles, had all the stock stuff still in it. It has experienced > Mexican gas, ethanol etc. with no noticeable damage. > > > I'd adjust > the valves and lube the rear suspension linkage and steering head > bearings. I'd open the forks and clean them and replace the seals with > OEM seals, put in new springs and 10 weight fork oil. The rear shock > would get rebuilt or replaced. Brake pads would get changed right before > the trip as would brake fluid. I'd put in a new battery and change the > engine coolant. If I didn't have a Thermo-Bob I'd install one. I'd also > put in a new spark plug and get a new air filter. A new fuel filter > would be installed and a spare carried on the bike. I'd also make sure > the wheel bearings and rear sprocket carrier bearing were lubed and > spinning smoothly. I guess I'd also put on new sprockets and a chain. > Last thing I'd do before leaving is change the oil and filter and install > a NAPA soft washer (Part Number is 704-1371) on a magnetic low profile > drain plug. Then I think I'd be comfortable with the bike for that ride. > > That stuff is all good advice. I d, of course, also carry spare fuses and > bulbs. You d have to have a plan for replacing tires and carry tubes. I ve > carried spare tires into Mexico. You can do it but it s a pain. > > Bogdan, an old timer in more ways than one > >

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Bogdan Swider]

First reply go scrambled-sorry, too much work to read. I ll try again:

> > Where exactly are you going? I m not good at acronyms; what s TDF? At the end > of the trip you d be at 40k miles, not that much. Ron was burning oil at 25k > but that s unusual. You could easily go another 40k. > I agree with Jud on this one. Sometimes rebuilds don t turn out well. I > wouldn t do it before a long trip. If you re not burning oil just leave it > alone. > > Jeff wrote: For a trip like you're planning I'd probably rebuild the carb > with new > jets, needle, slide and diaphragm and o-rings/rubber parts. > > Jeff has put in way more wrench time than I have but I don t get this one. May > carb, at 70k miles, had all the stock stuff still in it. It has experienced > Mexican gas, ethanol etc. with no noticeable damage. > > The other things Jeff advised- standard maintenance and drive train > replacement done maybe early is, as usual. spot on. > > You d have to have a plan for replacing tires and carry tubes. I ve carried > spare tires into places like Mexico, where they re hard or impossible to find. > You can do it but it s a pain. > > Bogdan, an old timer in more ways than one

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[roncriswell@sbcglobal.net]

I don't know if my case is that unusual Bogdan. The 2 guys I know that put the 685 kits in had the same oil burning scenario as did Zac from Oregon. Zac traded his KLR for a DR650 because of heavy oil consumption (like add every 250 miles). Curtis, one of the 685 kit guys who is a serious motorhead claims the stock oil ring is weak. I have been hearing stories of the new '08's with similar issues a lot earlier than 25,000. But you are correct, a lot of KLR's have heavy miles without this problem. Maybe it has more to do as where the KLR is assembled. Criswell

On Feb 17, 2009, at 9:02 AM, Bogdan Swider wrote: > > > First reply go scrambled-sorry, too much work to read. I ll try again: > > > > Where exactly are you going? I m not good at acronyms; what s > TDF? At the end > > of the trip you d be at 40k miles, not that much. Ron was burning > oil at 25k > > but that s unusual. You could easily go another 40k. > > I agree with Jud on this one. Sometimes rebuilds don t turn out > well. I > > wouldn t do it before a long trip. If you re not burning oil just > leave it > > alone. > > > > Jeff wrote: For a trip like you're planning I'd probably rebuild > the carb > > with new > > jets, needle, slide and diaphragm and o-rings/rubber parts. > > > > Jeff has put in way more wrench time than I have but I don t get > this one. May > > carb, at 70k miles, had all the stock stuff still in it. It has > experienced > > Mexican gas, ethanol etc. with no noticeable damage. > > > > The other things Jeff advised- standard maintenance and drive train > > replacement done maybe early is, as usual. spot on. > > > > You d have to have a plan for replacing tires and carry tubes. > I ve carried > > spare tires into places like Mexico, where they re hard or > impossible to find. > > You can do it but it s a pain. > > > > Bogdan, an old timer in more ways than one > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jeff Saline]

On Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:02:17 -0700 Bogdan Swider writes: First reply go scrambled-sorry, too much work to read. I ll try again: Where exactly are you going? I m not good at acronyms; what s TDF? At the end of the trip you d be at 40k miles, not that much. Ron was burning oil at 25k but that s unusual. You could easily go another 40k. I agree with Jud on this one. Sometimes rebuilds don t turn out well. I wouldn t do it before a long trip. If you re not burning oil just leave it alone. Jeff wrote: For a trip like you're planning I'd probably rebuild the carb with new jets, needle, slide and diaphragm and o-rings/rubber parts. Jeff has put in way more wrench time than I have but I don t get this one. May carb, at 70k miles, had all the stock stuff still in it. It has experienced Mexican gas, ethanol etc. with no noticeable damage. The other things Jeff advised- standard maintenance and drive train replacement done maybe early is, as usual. spot on. You d have to have a plan for replacing tires and carry tubes. I ve carried spare tires into places like Mexico, where they re hard or impossible to find. You can do it but it s a pain. Bogdan, an old timer in more ways than one <><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><> Bogdan, I believe TDF is short for Tierra Del Fuego at the bottom end of South America. My thinking on replacing the carb parts are the metal parts of the carb will wear over time. The needle will change shape and the jets will wear. The rubber parts have had a lot of use and will be getting fatigued. Thinking about this rebuilding the stock petcock might not be a bad idea for this trip too. : ) I think the "rebuild" will add a bit of fuel economy, reliability and performance to the bike. Having done the work he will be familiar with the entire workings of the carb and if something happens on the trip will have the knowledge to go through the carb. The "old" parts that are replaced could be brought along if desired but will take up some room probably better used for something "essential". I would rather go through a carb in my shop where I have tools, parts and comfort than on the side of the road 100 miles from anywhere that might have a remote chance of getting parts. Although your bike with 70K on it runs well, I bet if you did a total rebuild of the carb you'd notice improved fuel economy and performance too. I would probably not rebuild a KLR carb just to rebuild it when riding locally or in locations where parts are easily available. But for this trip I think it might make sense. 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 ____________________________________________________________ Click to learn how to become a world famous writer or poet. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw2MheRuJNeT1BPZItbhGOnbrmwYZtAMxhX5AifTuQC8Am6Bu/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]