Wilsons Sandbox

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Randall Marbach wrote:

> > Hi ALL > > My Harbor Freight Folding Trailer set up for 2 motorcycles is for sale. > My new KLR/Enduro sidecar will not fit on it so I am buying a bigger trailer. >

Hi Randy! and those considering a trailer-- Absolutely ++1 on trailers! How big a trailer do you need? Always, 20% larger. smile. Trailers: They are the cheapest pickup truck you can buy. I got a killer deal on a used 5x8, 14" wheel, expanded-wire bed trailer before a KLR ever owned me,(which comes first, the trailer or the bike; chicken or the egg?) buying it as a utility trailer knowing a good deal when I saw one. Line it with cardboard and you have a 'tight' container for yard mulch, etc. The downside of a trailer is their 'foot-print' when not in use. I know some of you live where you have covenant agreements where you are not allowed to have a car on the street! It must be in the driveway, and a boat/toys/trailers cannot be seen from the street. all of which is nuts. anyway-- After the KLR arrived, I added 3 pieces channel iron vertically to the front cross beam (wheel positioner)so that it will take a variety of motorcycle combinations. I have added 40+ tie down points on this trailer, initially using commercial D-Rings, then, used single chain-links from a log chain welded to the frames. Initially, it had some 6 tie down points, then I added some to give better fairing clearance, then some at the rear to keep the back of the bikes from bobbling around. The Chain Links: I laid out a length of chain (1/4 or 5/8 inch) on the floor of the tractor-supply store/Lowe's/Ace, etc and started to break every other link with their furnished bolt cutters to obtain whole links for welding onto the trailer. If you are careful where you cut the links, the cut link can also be added as a tie down point. If the link is cut 'in the middle' to obtain a full link for a tie down point, the middleish cut link is just waste. Cut it close to the end and it gives enough to also be useful as a welded tie down point. These chain links are about 20%/cost of a commercial D-ring. On a 5x8 trailer: I can load 4 dirt bikes of various sizes (presently = 300/225/100/100) on this trailer if carefully loaded--three pointed forward, one pointed aft; but only two KLR 650 at a time plus a small dirt bikes if the KLR's are not decked out with saddle bags. (I don't trailer the KLR a lot--but if we are doing night transits--the bikes go on trailers due to deer strikes, etc.) so, How big a trailer do you need? Always, 20% larger. smile. Randy--Hopefully your new trailer will be big enough for the sidecar and a solo dirt bike as well. if not, shrug, you might be wishing for 20% larger! revmaaatin.

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

> > Hi all > > I presently have 36,000 km (not miles) on a DID X ring chain. The stretch appears within limits but all the rollers are loose, that is I can easily move them around with 2 fingers. Is this a sign of a soon to be replaced chain or is it normal. Chain was fed a diet of WD-40 (50% of the time) and Castrol motorcycle lube (other 50%). > > thx > > Brian >

Brian-- Like a lot of questions, if you ask, you probably already know what is 'best'. smile. +1 on you for discovering it at home (I hope it is at home) and NOT on the road somewhere--being consumed by skeeters and such. At face value, I'm thinking you need to feed your bike a diet of new chain and sprockets. shrug. or at the very least, those parts should be resting on your workbench or under your desk (where all new sprockets are stored). Loose rollers in them selves is not fatal, but if they are floppy lose and feathered at the joint, "Houston, we have a problem." If I kept riding it with your described conditions, cough, the outcome is highly predictable. smile. I would also be carrying tie downs with me so somebody can trailer you home if it [soon] goes South on you. I certainly would be hesitant to ride a long distance with what you describe. Many KLR problems are exacerbated because we refused an invitation to perform maintenance. = what happens when that chains finally lets go. Some here will attest/have done horrible damage to their bikes when a chain failed. Sometimes it just spits out the chain, sometimes it wraps itself aroung the c/s. My experience has been fairly beneign; I have discovered/had two: One in the driveway--rollers were falling off the bike as I lubed the chain! The other one 50+ miles from home: rear sprocket teeth failed; but all was not lost. I had plenty of skeeters to keep my company for two hours until the cavalry rescued me. Just a IMO thing--I have gotten the best mileage from OEM sprockets/chains and less mileage from everything else. Whatever you buy to replace it, it all bears watching--the replacement stuff never lasted as long as the OEM (for me). revmaaatin.