a stupid way to die stalling at speed

DSN_KLR650
Post Reply
jokerloco9@aol.com
Posts: 327
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 1:24 pm

[dsn_klr650] a stupid way to die – stalling at speed

Post by jokerloco9@aol.com » Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:24 am

It sounds to me like there is nothing wrong with the bike. You are just running out of gas. Look at the owners' manual regarding the position of the petcock. I have noticed that at speed on the freeway, when the KLR runs out of gas and needs to go on reserve, it does not give you much warning. My 1974 Honda CB750 would kind of sag a bit, and give you plenty of warning that you needed to go on reserve. Also, when you do run out of gas, I am not sure if you can just switch to reserve, like old bikes, and the fuel just flows. I think there is a diaphram opened by engine vacuum, that only flows fuel with engine running. But I think there is a position that allows filling carb when dry. I personally don't remember, and I'm too tired to go find my owners manual to figure it out right now. There are plenty of others here that know the scoop. This may be why you had to goof around with the bike for 15 minutes to get it running again, to fill the carb bowl. So before you loose faith in the bike, determine if it was nothing more than just "operator error" Jeff A20 In a message dated 2/12/2008 8:19:29 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, mjmc335@... writes: Have been lurking for a couple of years and posted a few times, but here's a long one. After spending 6 months rehabbing my shattered elbow from a dirt ride on my 03 KLR last August, I'm back on the bike riding to and from work. Tonight my 05 KLR failed me a second time, stalling in the middle lane at 65mph after coming off the Dumbarton bridge here in the Bay Area. The bike has been ridden a few times and charged up so it didn't sit the whole 6 months. It also was filled with gas on Sunday and has 130 miles on this tank. The first stall was probably 10 or more months ago when the bike died with no lights or electrical power. After fiddling with it for about 10 minutes while standing about 18 inches from Freeway traffic, it started up and was fine for a few thousand more miles. I suspected it was the petcock because when it stalled, I turned on the reserve and even though it didn't' start up right away, it eventually did. Tonight the bike just died at speed. I immediately turned to reserve and barely made it to the right shoulder, which was about 3 feet wide. Luckily it had all electrical power (so the battery connection is not likely), neutral light, turn signal, brake lights, tail light, headlight, and starter. After trying 4 or 5 times it was turning over but not starting. I began pushing it to the exit, about half a mile away, hoping to get it started. I left the ignition on so the left turn signal would flash and I could hit my flashing brake lights for extra "attention". All the while thinking, "this is such a stupid way to die", on the side of the freeway pushing my bike in the dark waiting for someone not paying attention to plow into to the bike and me". In retrospect I should probably have just let the bike sit while standing on the outside of the barrier and then tried to start it later. After pushing a while the bike would start but when I dropped it into first it stalled, about three times. After pushing some more I tried it again and it started and held when in gear. I rode it to a gas station to check it, turning it off and starting again, but couldn't see anything obviously wrong and rode home. Total pushing time was about 10, maybe 15 minutes, with the ignition on the whole time. My first thought to the problem was gas; maybe the petcock or the valve is bad. Next is the safety start circuit because it would start and then die when going to first gear even with the kickstand up. Questions: Has anyone had the bike stall at speed and find out it was the clutch lever/side stand safety circuit? Any ideas on the petcock or anything else? I'm losing some confidence in this bike, the 03 hasn't had this problem though it was a slow speed stall that sent me into the dirt with the elbow shattering. That one was my fault but this stalling thing is spooking me a bit. Mike _Messages in this topic _ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/message/181560;_ylc=X3oDMTM3YmM3NXQ2BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQRncnBzcElkAzE3MDU xMjYyNjIEbXNnSWQDMTgxNTYwBHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA3Z0cGMEc3RpbWUDMTIwMjg3NjM1NgR0cGNJZ AMxODE1NjA-) (1) _Reply (via web post) _ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJxdGZlNzRiBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQRncnBzcElkAzE 3MDUxMjYyNjIEbXNnSWQDMTgxNTYwBHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA3JwbHkEc3RpbWUDMTIwMjg3NjM1Ng--? act=reply&messageNum=181560) | _Start a new topic _ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJkcjVodTZpBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQR ncnBzcElkAzE3MDUxMjYyNjIEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDbnRwYwRzdGltZQMxMjAyODc2MzU2) _Messages_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/messages;_ylc=X3oDMTJkdGJ2OHJkBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQRncnBzcElkAzE3MDUxMjYyNjIEc2VjA2Z0cgRzb GsDbXNncwRzdGltZQMxMjAyODc2MzU2) | _Files_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/files;_ylc=X3oDMTJlM2g0ZmViBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQRncnBzcE lkAzE3MDUxMjYyNjIEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDZmlsZXMEc3RpbWUDMTIwMjg3NjM1Ng--) | _Photos_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/photos;_ylc=X3oDMTJkYmdwdGg3BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQRncnBzcElkAzE3MDUxMjYyNjIEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDcGhvdAR zdGltZQMxMjAyODc2MzU2) | _Links_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/links;_ylc=X3oDMTJlNWVvdWV1BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQRncnBzcElkAzE3MDUx MjYyNjIEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDbGlua3MEc3RpbWUDMTIwMjg3NjM1Ng--) | _Database_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/database;_ylc=X3oDMTJibWVnYmFrBF9TAzk3MzU 5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQRncnBzcElkAzE3MDUxMjYyNjIEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDZGIEc3RpbWUDM TIwMjg3NjM1Ng--) | _Calendar_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/calendar;_ylc=X3oDMTJjcWhqNjFiBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQRncnBzcElkAzE3MDUx MjYyNjIEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDY2FsBHN0aW1lAzEyMDI4NzYzNTY-) List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Member Map at: _http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650_ (http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650) (http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJjaTlzaWVsBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQRncnBzcElkAzE3MDUxMjYyNjIEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDZ2ZwBHN0aW1lAzEyMDI4NzYzNTY-) _Change settings via the Web_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/join;_ylc=X3oDMTJlZ2VqcDJhBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQRncnBzcElkAzE3MDUxMjYyN jIEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDc3RuZ3MEc3RpbWUDMTIwMjg3NjM1Ng--) (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: _Switch delivery to Daily Digest_ (mailto:DSN_KLR650-digest@yahoogroups.com?subject=Email Delivery: Digest) | _Switch format to Traditional_ (mailto:DSN_KLR650-traditional@yahoogroups.com?subject=Change Delivery Format: Traditional) _Visit Your Group _ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650;_ylc=X3oDMTJjaDU5Y2hnBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQRncnBzcElkAzE3MDUxMjYyNjIEc2VjA2Z0cgRz bGsDaHBmBHN0aW1lAzEyMDI4NzYzNTY-) | _Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use _ (http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/) | _Unsubscribe _ (mailto:DSN_KLR650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com?subject=) Recent Activity * 23 _New Members_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650/members;_ylc=X3oDMTJlbzJlNTE5BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQRncnBzcElkAzE3MDUxMjYyNjIEc2VjA3Z0bA RzbGsDdm1icnMEc3RpbWUDMTIwMjg3NjM1Ng--) _Visit Your Group _ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_KLR650;_ylc=X3oDMTJkYWFjOTIwBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzQ4ODM4NQRncnBzcElkAzE3MDUxMjYyNjIEc2VjA3Z0bARz bGsDdmdocARzdGltZQMxMjAyODc2MzU2) Y! Sports for TV _Access it for free_ (http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=13ogmcu33/M=493064.12016236.12445728.9977693/D=groups/S=1705126262:NC/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1202883556/L=/B=42DrEEL aX9U-/J=120287 6356558814/A=4767085/R=0/SIG=127pn01k0/*http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=49021/*http://digitalhome.yahoo.com/sports) Get Fantasy Sports stats on your TV. Yahoo! News _Get it all here_ (http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=13o5mbr9j/M=493064.12016309.12445701.8674578/D=groups/S=1705126262:NC/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1202883556/L=/B=5GDrEELaX9 U-/J=1202876356558814/A=3848627/R=0/SIG=10obc6i69/*http://news.yahoo.com/) Breaking news to entertainment news Find helpful tips _for Moderators_ (http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=13o8ulckf/M=493064.12016258.12582637.8674578/D=groups/S=1705126262:NC/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1202883556/L=/B=5WDrEELaX9U -/J=1202876356558814/A=5191954/R=0/SIG=112mhte3e/*http://www.ygroupsblog.com/b log/) on the Yahoo! Groups team blog. . _35843.10624.33772 **************The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. Go to AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Dirk Beer
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:09 am

[dsn_klr650] a stupid way to die – stalling at speed

Post by Dirk Beer » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:58 am

Michael, I have had my 04 stall in freeway traffic several times. An extremely dangerous thing to happen, as you say. I traced my problem to the gas tank venting. The vent in the cap got plugged up and created a vacuum that prevented the gas from flowing. Opening the gas cap solves/prevents the problem. Could that be what happened? I'm actually surprised more people don't have this problem. It happens so consistently on my bike. Cleaning the little rubber vent parts fixes it, but only for a while. Dirk
On Feb 12, 2008 8:19 PM, Michael McCourt wrote: > Have been lurking for a couple of years and posted a few times, but > here's a long one. > > After spending 6 months rehabbing my shattered elbow from a dirt ride > on my 03 KLR last August, I'm back on the bike riding to and from > work. Tonight my 05 KLR failed me a second time, stalling in the > middle lane at 65mph after coming off the Dumbarton bridge here in > the Bay Area. The bike has been ridden a few times and charged up so > it didn't sit the whole 6 months. It also was filled with gas on > Sunday and has 130 miles on this tank. > > The first stall was probably 10 or more months ago when the bike died > with no lights or electrical power. After fiddling with it for about > 10 minutes while standing about 18 inches from Freeway traffic, it > started up and was fine for a few thousand more miles. I suspected it > was the petcock because when it stalled, I turned on the reserve and > even though it didn't' start up right away, it eventually did. > > Tonight the bike just died at speed. I immediately turned to reserve > and barely made it to the right shoulder, which was about 3 feet > wide. Luckily it had all electrical power (so the battery connection > is not likely), neutral light, turn signal, brake lights, tail light, > headlight, and starter. After trying 4 or 5 times it was turning over > but not starting. I began pushing it to the exit, about half a mile > away, hoping to get it started. I left the ignition on so the left > turn signal would flash and I could hit my flashing brake lights for > extra "attention". All the while thinking, "this is such a stupid way > to die", on the side of the freeway pushing my bike in the dark > waiting for someone not paying attention to plow into to the bike and > me". In retrospect I should probably have just let the bike sit > while standing on the outside of the barrier and then tried to start > it later. > > After pushing a while the bike would start but when I dropped it into > first it stalled, about three times. After pushing some more I tried > it again and it started and held when in gear. I rode it to a gas > station to check it, turning it off and starting again, but couldn't > see anything obviously wrong and rode home. Total pushing time was > about 10, maybe 15 minutes, with the ignition on the whole time. > > My first thought to the problem was gas; maybe the petcock or the > valve is bad. Next is the safety start circuit because it would start > and then die when going to first gear even with the kickstand up. > > Questions: > Has anyone had the bike stall at speed and find out it was the clutch > lever/side stand safety circuit? > Any ideas on the petcock or anything else? > > I'm losing some confidence in this bike, the 03 hasn't had this > problem though it was a slow speed stall that sent me into the dirt > with the elbow shattering. That one was my fault but this stalling > thing is spooking me a bit. > > Mike > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

ilv2wheels
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2005 9:15 pm

a stupid way to die stalling at speed

Post by ilv2wheels » Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:23 pm

Top posted for convenience. I don't have any clarification about the side stand switch, but when my clutch switch went out it went through the same starting ritual a couple of times, thankfully without dying in traffic. I did discover a neat and simple, reversible way to do the bypasses. I took one of those Scotchlite T-taps (one side straight through, the other blocked 1/2 way down) and drilled out the blocked side (before I clamped down the connector) then put it across the two wires, and clamped it down. A little dilectric grease too. It worked for both the stand and clutch switches. Quick, easy, effective and reversible, without having to trace or cut any wires. Try it. Tony G. A16 Fort Worth, TX
> > I also noticed you had a question regarding the kick stand switch
causing
> the bike to die. > > Yes, it can. Again, I forget the details, but is well documented
here.
> > I believe the answer is go to klr faq on the internet, you
will
> figure out where to go, and read the FAQ's about the KLR, and
scroll down, and I
> think there is info on the kick stand problem and how to check and
disable it.
> > But don't quote me here. But you are going in the right direction. > > Jeff A20 > > > In a message dated 2/12/2008 10:43:17 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, > mjmc335@... writes: > > > > > Thanks for the response I appreciate the ideas. I'm > pretty sure it's not out of gas since That tank was > filled and then run only 130 miles, it gets to at > least 200 before going on reserve. The petcock almost > never gets moved, I fill before going to reserve, so > it's run many tanks to near 200 miles before refill > without problems. > > I have two KLRs and the other one doesn't do this, I'm > sure it's not operator error, though it's always a > possibility. > > Thanks, > Mike > > --- _Jokerloco9@..._ (mailto:Jokerloco9@...) wrote: > > > It sounds to me like there is nothing wrong with the > > bike. You are just > > running out of gas. Look at the owners' manual > > regarding the position of the > > petcock. > > > > I have noticed that at speed on the freeway, when > > the KLR runs out of gas > > and needs to go on reserve, it does not give you > > much warning. My 1974 Honda > > CB750 would kind of sag a bit, and give you plenty > > of warning that you needed > > to go on reserve. > > > > Also, when you do run out of gas, I am not sure if > > you can just switch to > > reserve, like old bikes, and the fuel just flows. I > > think there is a diaphram > > opened by engine vacuum, that only flows fuel with > > engine running. But I > > think there is a position that allows filling carb > > when dry. I personally don't > > remember, and I'm too tired to go find my owners > > manual to figure it out > > right now. There are plenty of others here that > > know the scoop. This may be why > > you had to goof around with the bike for 15 minutes > > to get it running again, > > to fill the carb bowl. > > > > So before you loose faith in the bike, determine if > > it was nothing more than > > just "operator error" > > > > Jeff A20 > > > > > > In a message dated 2/12/2008 8:19:29 P.M. Pacific > > Standard Time, > > _mjmc335@..._ (mailto:mjmc335@...) writes: > > > > > > > > > > Have been lurking for a couple of years and posted a > > few times, but > > here's a long one. > > > > After spending 6 months rehabbing my shattered > > elbow from a dirt ride > > on my 03 KLR last August, I'm back on the bike > > riding to and from > > work. Tonight my 05 KLR failed me a second time, > > stalling in the > > middle lane at 65mph after coming off the Dumbarton > > bridge here in > > the Bay Area.
> > > > Questions: > > Has anyone had the bike stall at speed and find out > > it was the clutch > > lever/side stand safety circuit? > > Any ideas on the petcock or anything else? > > > > I'm losing some confidence in this bike, the 03 > > hasn't had this > > problem though it was a slow speed stall that sent > > me into the dirt > > with the elbow shattering. That one was my fault but > > this stalling > > thing is spooking me a bit. > > > > Mike > > > >

Randall Marbach
Posts: 404
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2003 6:57 pm

[dsn_klr650] a stupid way to die – stalling at speed

Post by Randall Marbach » Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:54 pm

----- Original Message ---- From: Tumu Rock To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 10:08:58 AM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: A stupid way to die stalling at speed Any environmental conditions at play? Rain, cold, meteorites? I had my bike stall on me twice in temps that were approaching freezing with high humidity or rain. I've written it off as carb icing. ..... Did you do the carb vent T-Mod? see the FAQ. HTH Randy from Burbank ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 15 guests