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klr ownersmight find klr kle hybrid interesting
Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:31 am
by cmoreride
I own both of those bikes. Sure like the the motor of the KLE, and like the dirt potential of the KLR so someone with skill and motivation combined them. Ya I know custom, pricey, not feasible for the average owner. But I post not to start a debate but merely informore those who might find it interesting.
Interesting
welding on oem cycle parts
Posted: Fri Dec 03, 2010 4:52 pm
by mechanizeinc
Well, I looked around town for a scrap yard, casting house, fab shop or quality/inspection source that has an x-ray florescence spectrometer (hand held or otherwise) to inspect my parts and tell me exactly what material I have and therefore what requirements need to be met for welding. Namely, the type of rod used. This effort lasted a few weeks to no avail and finally I found a welder close to the house that welds a variety of cast aluminum regularly and has beautiful tig skills. I then hacked out a variety of nubbins from an old, ugly and bent (lower clamp) KLR650 clamp set and had him modify my KX450F clamps. It's done, pretty and on the bike. I started assembly last Friday evening and I'm now a few hours away from a running bike...
The gauge and ignition bosses on the upper don't concern me but the steering stops could see some abuse. Oh well, short of catastrophic failure, its nothing $500 or $600 worth of custom machined clamps can't fix.
Mechanician
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Saline wrote:
>
> On Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:07:16 -0000 "mechanizeinc"
> writes:
> > First, imagine you're broke.
> > Now imagine you need a vehicle and you decided to replace your
> > wrecked out KLR by building one from the ground up.
> > You've begged, borrowed, bargained and bought enough parts to build
> > a Frankenbike. "Que the theme for Sanford & Son."
> >
> > In an effort to eliminate one of the biggest shortfalls of the KLR
> > as designed, the suspension, you've come up with an upside down fork
> > set... the complete front end offa KX450F for a dang good price as
> > opposed to buying the stock stuff and required improvements. (FYI,
> > you still have to buy improvements for the KX450F front end if
> > grafting to a KLR.) Crap
> >
> > Emig makes a conversion stem. They also make upper and lower clamps.
> > Their version of the triples as opposed to the KX, include steering
> > stops on the bottom and bosses for the original KLR gauge cluster
> > and ignition on the top. I don't know how much they charge for the
> > set yet, gonna call Gary today.
> >
> > So the question is... how much risk is it worth to save some cash by
> > cutting off the front sliver of the gauge and ignition bosses in two
> > sections and welding them onto the front side (farthest away from
> > stem of camps)of the KX upper and weld two steering stops to the
> > bottom clamp?
> >
> > My immediate plan it to run without gauges and use an ignition from
> > a 70's Honda CB750 that has round tube mounts build in and clamp it
> > onto the bars or frame (realizing and accepting the loss of steering
> > lock.) Gotta have the steering stops, though.
> >
> > Thanks for your consideration,
> > Mech
> <><><><><><>
> <><><><><><>
>
> Mech,
>
> If I'm broke the last thing I'll need is a motorcycle. They aren't cost
> effective for transportation. : )
>
> But, if I decided to put one together and install upside down forks... I
> don't think the ignition and gauge cluster mounting would be a big deal.
> They only are needed for a minor amount of weight and aren't structural
> to the steering/suspension. If the welder knows what he's doing I think
> it could work well.
>
> As for the steering stops... That could be kind of iffy but still
> probably very doable with the right welder.
>
> One issue I see needing to be addressed is the material of the triple
> trees and also of the mounting parts and steering stops. If the
> materials aren't compatible the welding won't go very well. A detailed
> discussion of your expectations and the welders experience/skills and
> abilities will helpful in having a satisfactory outcome for the project.
>
> May I suggest the following for the welding part of the project. Good,
> Fast, Cheap. Pick two.
>
> Good luck with your bike project.
>
> 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
>
> .
>
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