klr's everywhere

[Jeff Gronert]

Been off the list for awhile but wanted to add this to the archives and ask if anyone's heard of this type of engine failure. or a way to prevent it. At approx. 60.K miles the circlip that holds the front, left, balancer weight on the shaft came off. This allowed the balancer weight to contact the rear of the stator rotor breaking off the one-way starter clutch retainer. A piece of the retainer got between the cam chain crankshaft sprocket causing the cam chain to 'jump timing'. The resultant valve timing error caused the piston to contact the intake valves, bending the valves. The stock doohicky and balancer chain were fine, (I've got a washer under the doohicky adjustment bolt). AAA special RV/motorcycle coverage worked great, 60 miles of towing is covered. This towed me from the Santa Monica Mtns back to home in Long Beach with 7 miles to spare. Thanks, ~Jeffers ~CaffeineRacer~VTR996~KLR651~ Los Angeles, California, USA http://www.labiker.com/members/?JeffGronert

[Mike Torst]

Sorry to hear about your engine. One thing I keep in mind w/ circlip usage - the sharp side goes toward the point of outward pressure, and I never reuse them if possible. Good luck with the repair work! Mike Torst Las Vegas -----Original Message----- From: Jeff Gronert [mailto:jeff.gronert@...] Sent: Friday, July 02, 2004 2:34 PM To: DSN_klr650@egroups. com (E-mail) Subject: [DSN_klr650] KLR engine failure Been off the list for awhile but wanted to add this to the archives and ask if anyone's heard of this type of engine failure. or a way to prevent it. At approx. 60.K miles the circlip that holds the front, left, balancer weight on the shaft came off. This allowed the balancer weight to contact the rear of the stator rotor breaking off the one-way starter clutch retainer. A piece of the retainer got between the cam chain crankshaft sprocket causing the cam chain to 'jump timing'. The resultant valve timing error caused the piston to contact the intake valves, bending the valves. The stock doohicky and balancer chain were fine, (I've got a washer under the doohicky adjustment bolt). AAA special RV/motorcycle coverage worked great, 60 miles of towing is covered. This towed me from the Santa Monica Mtns back to home in Long Beach with 7 miles to spare. Thanks, ~Jeffers ~CaffeineRacer~VTR996~KLR651~ Los Angeles, California, USA http://www.labiker.com/members/?JeffGronert List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . Yahoo! Groups Links

[Jeff Gronert]

Just spreads the pressure of the bolt clamping down on the doohickey so the pressure doesn't distort it. If it distorts the the adjustment slot the spring tension can't take the slack out of the balancer chain when you loosen the bolt. ~Jeffers What does the washer under doohickey bolt do?? Thanks Mark Jeff Gronert wrote: Been off the list for awhile but wanted to add this to the archives and ask if anyone's heard of this type of engine failure. or a way to prevent it. At approx. 60.K miles the circlip that holds the front, left, balancer weight on the shaft came off. This allowed the balancer weight to contact the rear of the stator rotor breaking off the one-way starter clutch retainer. A piece of the retainer got between the cam chain crankshaft sprocket causing the cam chain to 'jump timing'. The resultant valve timing error caused the piston to contact the intake valves, bending the valves. The stock doohicky and balancer chain were fine, (I've got a washer under the doohicky adjustment bolt). AAA special RV/motorcycle coverage worked great, 60 miles of towing is covered. This towed me from the Santa Monica Mtns back to home in Long ! Beach with 7 miles to spare. Thanks, ~Jeffers ~CaffeineRacer~VTR996~KLR651~ Los Angeles, California, USA http://www.labiker.com/members/?JeffGronert List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[ustaownbmw]

In last week have seen green one with army star on front in Golden CO, green one coming towards Lyons CO from Estes yesterday and red one today on Hover here in Longmont CO. Did first "real" trail ride outside of Estes yesterday - a little more than I shoulda been doing in my sneakers, jeans and in a light rain. Alone on very rocky offroad vehicle trail with pretty big ups and downs near Pearson Park. Passed full-on trail guy (with chest protector, etc). Tried to flag him down to get his opinion as to whether or not I should turn back. No response. Pressed on with no trouble. Did bang my knee pretty hard on the luggage rack after I had post ride meatball sub back in the big city (Slongmont). Lesson learned. Time to get a rollcage as I am hooked on the dirt now. Never would have negotiated this stuff on my R100GS much less the R1150GS - both sold now in favor of a "true" dualsport. Loving my A18 - 4800 miles in 3 months and no further than 50 miles as the crow flies from homebase yet. Leaving for Playa del Carmen on July 30 for 5 month commitment - will come back for the bike and ride her down if I decide to stay after that. Jim A18 ustaownbmw