was 2008 turn signals break to easily!!!/now new tire comments

[David C.]

At 07:38 AM 4/20/2008, DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com wrote:

>6a. Wobble > Posted by: "stevedyer" stevedyer@... mongoklr > Date: Sat Apr 19, 2008 3:59 pm ((PDT)) > > >Changing the D607s to TKC80s has resulted in a wobble at highway speeds. >Begins oscillation of about 1/2 second at ~70mph indicated, growing in >amplitude as the speedo passes 75mph. Similar symptoms with air pressure >in both tires at 26 and with pressure bumpedup to 35.5; maybe slightly less >at the higher pressure. This did not exist with the D607s. Have any of >you experienced similar issues with this type of tire? I don't remember >seeing mention of it here. > >Steve >A13

I have EXACTLY the same problem, only with Kenda K270 tires. When I bought my '88 two years ago it had street tread tires (don't remember which). I changed them out to Kendas and immediately got a wobble at any speed over 65. The amplitude increases as the speed increases. I balanced the wheels and tires, and the rear took several ounces. This helped some, and raised the wobble speed to about 75 or so, sometimes a little lower. Higher air pressure SEEMS to help a little, but not much. I tried removing the big windshield, cutting down the stock windshield, no windshield, no side cases, etc, nothing makes much difference. I am beginning to think it may be a function of more aggressive tread tires, although others have reported using Kendas at high speeds with no problems. My next set of tires will probably be Trailwings. I should probably change the steering head and wheel bearings to see if that makes much of a difference, but the bike only has 24K miles on it. BTW, I am also running raising links and an IMS tank. Dave C

[John Hill]

Complicated subject. Two conditions exist with front end shake; a harmonic or "mechanical" problems.Okay so they aren't that different but I find them in different ways. For the harmonic, run your bike up to speed and then get off the gas and let it slow down on its own with your hands off the bars. Check at various speeds but be careful because some harmonics can be strong and take the bike down. One of the best ways to more harmonies out of your speed range is bar end weights.These can be due to mechanical pullers as will. This will make your bike feel steadier even under acceleration. Mechanical problems include head, tires, etc... In your case, raising links gave you a steeper head angle which is going to make the bike less stable at speed. More aggressive tread may be less stable but I run 606s and TKs without problem, even canyon carving. With normal geometry, if you have a problem, balance the wheel again but re-setup the front-end from scratch to get rid of any tweaks you might have picked up while off-road.

> > BTW, I am also running raising links and an IMS tank. > > Dave C >

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "John Hill" wrote:

> > Complicated subject. Two conditions exist with front end shake; a > harmonic or "mechanical" problems.Okay so they aren't that different > but I find them in different ways. > > For the harmonic, run your bike up to speed and then get off the gas > and let it slow down on its own with your hands off the bars. Check > at various speeds but be careful because some harmonics can be strong > and take the bike down. One of the best ways to more harmonies out of > your speed range is bar end weights.These can be due to mechanical > pullers as will. This will make your bike feel steadier even under > acceleration. > > Mechanical problems include head, tires, etc... In your case, raising > links gave you a steeper head angle which is going to make the bike > less stable at speed. More aggressive tread may be less stable but I > run 606s and TKs without problem, even canyon carving. With normal > geometry, if you have a problem, balance the wheel again but re-setup > the front-end from scratch to get rid of any tweaks you might have > picked up while off-road. > > >

The wobble that you attribute to "harmonics" is frequently the result of running insufficient rear spring preload, or too weak a spring for the load. Set the sag, adjust the steering head, and make sure that the bike is otherwise correctly assembled (wheel alignment, wheel bearings, swing arm bushing). Don't carry heavy loads high and to the rear. In all likelihood, your bike will not wobble.

[Jake Wilson]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Scott St. Hillier" wrote:

> > I have an '08 KLR650 and I love it... I have had 3 turn signals

break!

> There is this cheap rubber boot that hold the lens assembly to the

metal

> base which allows you to mount it to the bike. The rubber boot is > insufficient in strength. These turn signals are $78.00 a pop to > replace. Has anyone found a replacement turn signal that can be

mounted

> to the existing mounts on the bike? > > Thanks > -- >

~~~~This has become a known issue with some 08' KLR's. Kawasaki will warranty the turn signal. They did for me. I too had three break. The first I replaced with a used part sourced from this board, when two more broke I went back to the dealer i bought from and they in turn contacted Kawasaki who said "no problem, we'll replace the broken stalks @ N/C" From what I was told, either there has been more than one vendor supplying KHI with the rubber piece that breaks, or the one vendor that has built the rubber piece has had some quality control issues but the bottom line is this is a known issue and they will replace the stalks @ N/C for you Speaking of warranty issues with my 08' KLR, the right fork seal has leaked and that too was replaced via warranty. I got my bike back from the dealer about a week ago after dropping it off for the turn signal replacements and the fork seal R&R, then the next time I went to fill up the fuel tank and reset the tripmeter, the push button trip meter would not reset, so another warranty claim is into Kawasaki. I stopped by my local dealer yesterday to show the service mgr. this new problem Other than the aforementioned problems, this bike has been a joy to own and ride. I had the dealer install a new Pirelli MT 90 ST tire on the rear to replace OE Dunlop when the bike was in for the warrnty work last week. About 3100 miles on that rear tire when it was replaced. Less than 2mm tread depth on a few spots at that mileage. Normally I do my own tire work but recently fractured a bone in one of my fingers and figured this was a good excuse to let someone else swap Jake's rubber for a change The MT 90 ST Pirelli is touted as a 90/10 tire. Since I use my KLR mostly for street with an occasional off road foray, I decided to go with this tire, and I heard good things about this tire so decided to try it. I haven't had the tire on there long enough to give any meaningful feedback other than it's a great improvement over the worn out OE tire. It hasn't rained here since this tire is on but dry grip with the limited corner carving (here in flat fla.=:-) I've done with it, grip is good, so is straight line stability with the oe front still installed. Bike is quite stable riding at an indicated 80 MPH on interstae slab with new rear Pirelli and oe front Jake Reddick Fla.