that pesky oil drain plug...

[John . Crowell]

I am a newbie to the list and have just bought a 2000 KLR here in Kentucky. From reading what others have been paying for their bikes, I must have gotten lucky because I bought my bike with 596 miles on it (nubs still on tires!) for $3,825.00 out the door from a Kaw Dealer. I asked him "Why so cheap?" and he stated that he was almost given it on a multi-bike trade. I am happy and having a blast, about 300 miles clocked last weekend. John 00KLRA14 "Army"

[JJNeet1@aol.com]

The best price I've seen on new KLR650's was at a dealer in Portland, Oregon called Portland Motorcycle Co. They were selling 650's for $4500.00, and not charging any freigth and setup fees at all. Jon Neet

[Rick]

All I have to say is that you guys that live back east have it made as far as the prices on the new KLRs. I was cruising the traderpub.com. Just for giggles I searched nationwide. I found several places that were selling 06's for $4699. Out here in CA they are listing the 05's at $5199 or more. I don't get it.... Rick

[dolomoto@peoplepc.com]

I decided to change the oil in my "new" 89 KLR. I've ridden it about 1000 miles since I bought it last month. Things went pretty well but damn bro', that is the biggest damn oil drain plug I've ever seen. Upon further inspection, I noticed the washer was a mess, I've no idea how it kept oil from getting by. Then I realized the bolt I had in my hand was a hardware store piece and NOT a replacement drain plug. I reckon some previous owner needed a new bolt...And, there was part of the female threads coming out with the oil. I put the the bolt back in with about 2.5 L of fresh Castrol 10W40...(Amsoil seems rather extravagant for a KLR). I started the KLR..then the dripping started from around the plug.... Damn. I drove the cage the next day and spent 98 cents on two fiber washers. I drained the "new" oil...and it was filthy although it had less than 1 mile on it. Well maybe the engine just needed a good flush so I reached for the next couple jugs of Castrol. Changed out the crappy washer, installed 1 new fiber washer. Filled with new Castrol. Rode up and down road in front of house. Oil is leaking out around the plug profusely. Damn. Pulled the plug, drained the "new" oil into a container to put it back in the bike. It's much cleaner but there was a lot of debris that settled into the bottom. Anyway, I don't own a torque wrench, well actually I do but I used it one too many times as a cheater bar and it now graces the bottom shelf of my work bench-right next to the 4 way lug wrench with a broken stud from a 92 Lumina hopelessly jammed into the appropriate hole...and that is right next to the socket driver with a melted head that I used to use on the starter of my 89 Camaro....and that is right next to a small collection of Craftsman chisels..oops, I mean Screwdrivers that I need to return. Redneck Engineering rejects. Back to the KLR... I tightened the hardware bolt/drain plug a hair past what I thought was "about right". Put in "recycled" oil, being sure to reserve the nasty stuff that settled in the bottom. Restarted KLR. Still leaking, but just barely. I decided to ride it to work and bought a new replacement drain plug per the KLR FAQ's. M12x1.5. It came with a new washer. For sure I should torque the oil drain plug (and the other stuff) the the correct specification as determined by someone who's smarter than me..but hey, I'm not building the space shuttle, I'm just installing a drain plug! So, my Q's... Do you think the hardware store bolt did any damage? How much crap is "normal" after and extended oil change interval? What if the new plug leaks? Aww geez, time to get some more Jim Beam.... See ya down the road. Austin 89 KLR 650 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]