valve adjustments/doohickey torsional spring locator hole

[Jud]

MY KLR had been acting funny for some time, getting an intermittent rich condition that ruined the idle and slow-speed running. Thinking "float or needle", i had the carb apart a couple of times without finding any fault. Finally Craig came over and took apart the coasting enricher. (Whenever Craig is around, it's pointless to try to work on your bike yourself; he can't help himself. I try to bear that in mind whenever it is time to mount tires.) Anyway, the little piston in there was varnished up, and would stick in the "enriched" position. Cleaning the piston and polishing it cured the rich condition, but uncovered another problem. From time to time in hot weather, my bike would stall at highway speed. It felt like it was running out of fuel. Sometimes I would have to stop and restart, while sometimes it would suffice just to slow down. Figuring on a fault with the petcock or its vacuum line, I had bought a blockoff plate that Jeff Saline made, but was unable to find it before I went to Sturgis, so I put up with this annoyance for several days in the Hills. I finally got around to installing the plate this weekend. Not only did it cure the stalling, it restored a few HP that were apparently being robbed by curtailed fuel flow. Maaatin suggested a while back that a weak petcock diaphragm might be behind some hot weather symptoms that we were trying to blame on vapor lock. Now I am inclined to agree, subject to the results of a few real hot weather rides with the new petcock set-up. Those will probably have to wait until spring.

[Rick Brown]

Hi Jud, Just got back from my first trip, the bike ran great and turned 26k just before I got back. A couple of months ago when I was preping for the trip I was having the same problem. Along w/ a new fuel line I tried a brand new diaphragm. In my case that didn't work, so I tried a temporary gasket as an experiment, then when I was sure, I went ahead and made a permenant replacement piece for the diaphragm. Like your bike it cured the problem. Just thought I'd mention that adding a new diaphragm may not cure the problem for whatever reason and to take a second look before thinking you can move onto some other part as the problem. By the way that's a one time observation, not a critsisim of diaphrams or a recommendation to bypass or modify anything. Rick From: Jud To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 4:35 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Things that plague old KLRs. MY KLR had been acting funny for some time, getting an intermittent rich condition that ruined the idle and slow-speed running. Thinking "float or needle", i had the carb apart a couple of times without finding any fault. Finally Craig came over and took apart the coasting enricher. (Whenever Craig is around, it's pointless to try to work on your bike yourself; he can't help himself. I try to bear that in mind whenever it is time to mount tires.) Anyway, the little piston in there was varnished up, and would stick in the "enriched" position. Cleaning the piston and polishing it cured the rich condition, but uncovered another problem. From time to time in hot weather, my bike would stall at highway speed. It felt like it was running out of fuel. Sometimes I would have to stop and restart, while sometimes it would suffice just to slow down. Figuring on a fault with the petcock or its vacuum line, I had bought a blockoff plate that Jeff Saline made, but was unable to find it before I went to Sturgis, so I put up with this annoyance for several days in the Hills. I finally got around to installing the plate this weekend. Not only did it cure the stalling, it restored a few HP that were apparently being robbed by curtailed fuel flow. Maaatin suggested a while back that a weak petcock diaphragm might be behind some hot weather symptoms that we were trying to blame on vapor lock. Now I am inclined to agree, subject to the results of a few real hot weather rides with the new petcock set-up. Those will probably have to wait until spring. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jud" wrote:

> > MY KLR had been acting funny for some time, getting an intermittent rich condition that ruined the idle and slow-speed running. Thinking "float or needle", i had the carb apart a couple of times without finding any fault. Finally Craig came over and took apart the coasting enricher. (Whenever Craig is around, it's pointless to try to work on your bike yourself; he can't help himself. I try to bear that in mind whenever it is time to mount tires.) > > Anyway, the little piston in there was varnished up, and would stick in the "enriched" position. Cleaning the piston and polishing it cured the rich condition, but uncovered another problem. From time to time in hot weather, my bike would stall at highway speed. It felt like it was running out of fuel. Sometimes I would have to stop and restart, while sometimes it would suffice just to slow down. Figuring on a fault with the petcock or its vacuum line, I had bought a blockoff plate that Jeff Saline made, but was unable to find it before I went to Sturgis, so I put up with this annoyance for several days in the Hills. > > I finally got around to installing the plate this weekend. Not only did it cure the stalling, it restored a few HP that were apparently being robbed by curtailed fuel flow. Maaatin suggested a while back that a weak petcock diaphragm might be behind some hot weather symptoms that we were trying to blame on vapor lock. Now I am inclined to agree, subject to the results of a few real hot weather rides with the new petcock set-up. Those will probably have to wait until spring. >

Jud-- We talked of these things (as I had similar problems) just before you left for home; and I could not locate my backing plate since the move to the Black Hills. Typically, the day after you left--I found my backing plates as well! I experienced the same problems; using compressed air at 5 psi, incrementally to 25psi through the fuel cap vents helped my bike a lot. Maybe Jeff will comment--he had a similar problem out in (sic) MT area at 100F; his cure was to dismantle the gas cap and throughly cleanse the anti-siphon valves (bar-bell shaped) with wd-40. The following day at 103F, no more surging. See if you can get Craig to dismantle your fuel cap.... Others have had varying results with the gas cap cleaning--might it be because it is a series of problems that are manifesting themselves that are dirty anti-symphonic valves as well as a bad pet cock AND ethanol fuel combined? It make an otherwise perfect KLR a complete mess at temps above 95F; 95F being the temp that the exasperation/annoyance begins.... revmaaatin.

[Jud]

I have an IMS tank, so my gas cap is not the issue, but I did have a flat on the way to work this morning. Luckily, I was able to ride the last 2 miles on the flat, and fetched the bike later with my trailer. The bead is already broken.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "revmaaatin" wrote: > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jud" wrote: > > > > MY KLR had been acting funny for some time, getting an intermittent rich condition that ruined the idle and slow-speed running. Thinking "float or needle", i had the carb apart a couple of times without finding any fault. Finally Craig came over and took apart the coasting enricher. (Whenever Craig is around, it's pointless to try to work on your bike yourself; he can't help himself. I try to bear that in mind whenever it is time to mount tires.) > > > > Anyway, the little piston in there was varnished up, and would stick in the "enriched" position. Cleaning the piston and polishing it cured the rich condition, but uncovered another problem. From time to time in hot weather, my bike would stall at highway speed. It felt like it was running out of fuel. Sometimes I would have to stop and restart, while sometimes it would suffice just to slow down. Figuring on a fault with the petcock or its vacuum line, I had bought a blockoff plate that Jeff Saline made, but was unable to find it before I went to Sturgis, so I put up with this annoyance for several days in the Hills. > > > > I finally got around to installing the plate this weekend. Not only did it cure the stalling, it restored a few HP that were apparently being robbed by curtailed fuel flow. Maaatin suggested a while back that a weak petcock diaphragm might be behind some hot weather symptoms that we were trying to blame on vapor lock. Now I am inclined to agree, subject to the results of a few real hot weather rides with the new petcock set-up. Those will probably have to wait until spring. > > > Jud-- > > We talked of these things (as I had similar problems) just before you left for home; and I could not locate my backing plate since the move to the Black Hills. Typically, the day after you left--I found my backing plates as well! > > I experienced the same problems; using compressed air at 5 psi, incrementally to 25psi through the fuel cap vents helped my bike a lot. > > Maybe Jeff will comment--he had a similar problem out in (sic) MT area at 100F; his cure was to dismantle the gas cap and throughly cleanse the anti-siphon valves (bar-bell shaped) with wd-40. The following day at 103F, no more surging. > See if you can get Craig to dismantle your fuel cap.... > Others have had varying results with the gas cap cleaning--might it be because it is a series of problems that are manifesting themselves that are dirty anti-symphonic valves as well as a bad pet cock AND ethanol fuel combined? > It make an otherwise perfect KLR a complete mess at temps above 95F; 95F being the temp that the exasperation/annoyance begins.... > > revmaaatin. >

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jud" wrote:

> > I have an IMS tank, so my gas cap is not the issue, but I did have a flat on the way to work this morning. Luckily, I was able to ride the last 2 miles on the flat, and fetched the bike later with my trailer. The bead is already broken. >

Well that sucks. Having to change the tire in the 'dry' garage or a back porch vs. having a pretty NPS ranger-ette staring at 4, aging KiLeRista cracks hovering over my motorcycle tire along a dry, dusty gravel road. 'What we are doing?' I was beginning to wonder that myself...paused there next to the babbling brook and 4 glutial creases (more than one should repeat) hanging over that flat tire trying to break a K270 bead. Jud, ever the gentleman, pulls up his pants, and explains, "fixing a flat--ma'am". cough. 'You are going to fix a flat out here?' Great. Why is there always a doubting Thomasina when you don't need one.... More than one person was dismayed at the skill and eptitude. Yes Virgina, there are tire irons, talc, spare tube, electric pump, wd-40, and a stem snake. Not to mention the wrenches the grenchs and patches as well. About an hour later, tube replaced, two fuses replaced, and at least 3 sea-stories told, we were on our way again. at least that is how I remember it. smile. It is always better when I remember it. revmaaatin. the difference between adversity and adventure is the compleatness/usefulness of your tool kit. PS/ If you have recently 'tested' your batt powered tire pump, you should. If it blows the fuse on your bike, it will 'most-likly' blow the fuse on your budies bike as well. pps If your fuse blows while you are still wearing your ear plugs, you won't hear the fuse 'fizz' and you will walk over to your buddies bike and say, 'try this' and he, not having ear plugs will hear the blade fuse 'fizz', followed by this awell known and famous saying, "@@d#$!%^ tire pump" roughly translates as, "your tire pump is inop." yeah, ask me how I know....

[Jud]

I remember the fizzy pump and the talc. I remember breaking the bead and the pretty rangerette. I don't remember any butt-cracks, but that's not how my mind runs. I don't remember any "ma'am", either, especially in regard to women who are young enough to be the mother of my grandchildren. I have been up that very pretty creek before with another pretty woman, and I have to say it gets me thinking about pulling my pants down, not up. That's the way it is with a place of power like Black Fox. The stories keep accumulating, building up layer upon layer of memory. Then as the memory fades, the stories begin to fray around the edges...

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "revmaaatin" wrote: > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jud" wrote: > > > > I have an IMS tank, so my gas cap is not the issue, but I did have a flat on the way to work this morning. Luckily, I was able to ride the last 2 miles on the flat, and fetched the bike later with my trailer. The bead is already broken. > > > > Well that sucks. > Having to change the tire in the 'dry' garage or a back porch vs. having a pretty NPS ranger-ette staring at 4, aging KiLeRista cracks hovering over my motorcycle tire along a dry, dusty gravel road. > 'What we are doing?' > I was beginning to wonder that myself...paused there next to the babbling brook and 4 glutial creases (more than one should repeat) hanging over that flat tire trying to break a K270 bead. Jud, ever the gentleman, pulls up his pants, and explains, > "fixing a flat--ma'am". > cough. > 'You are going to fix a flat out here?' > Great. > Why is there always a doubting Thomasina when you don't need one.... > > More than one person was dismayed at the skill and eptitude. > Yes Virgina, there are tire irons, talc, spare tube, electric pump, wd-40, and a stem snake. Not to mention the wrenches the grenchs and patches as well. > About an hour later, tube replaced, two fuses replaced, and at least 3 sea-stories told, we were on our way again. > > at least that is how I remember it. smile. > It is always better when I remember it. > > revmaaatin. the difference between adversity and adventure is the compleatness/usefulness of your tool kit. > > PS/ > If you have recently 'tested' your batt powered tire pump, you should. If it blows the fuse on your bike, it will 'most-likly' blow the fuse on your budies bike as well. > pps > If your fuse blows while you are still wearing your ear plugs, you won't hear the fuse 'fizz' and you will walk over to your buddies bike and say, 'try this' > and he, not having ear plugs will hear the blade fuse 'fizz', followed by this awell known and famous saying, "@@d#$!%^ tire pump" > roughly translates as, "your tire pump is inop." > > yeah, ask me how I know.... >

[hansenj32]

On my 1st generation Kaw Z-1 and Yam XS850 (used the same shims) you brought each lobe to its max. lift, inserted a holding tool, ran the crank backwards until the lobe pointed away from the bucket and you could pop the shim right out. I got to where I could adjust those valves faster than a screw-type design. But the last time I was in the KLR, it didn't appear there was room for anything like that - so you're probably right. I just looked at my work sheet from the last time and I was able to set all (4) clearances at max. or .001" under - so I'll probably be okay this time around. Thanks for the response....ARRRRRR (that's for TLAPD Monday).

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jud" wrote: > > I seem to remember reading somewhere that depressing the buckets on a KLR did not work, or at least not very well. No doubt someone knows better than I. I have never found it troublesome to lift the camshafts, a lot easier than trying to coax those shims out of their recesses with the cams still in place. > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "hansenj32" wrote: > > > > It's been a few years since I've adjusted the valves on my A13 and I'm getting ready to check and probably adjust them again. As a refresher, I watched the gentleman's (2) videos on YouTube that cover checking and adjusting. One of the comments left for the adjustment video states that Motion Pro makes a tool for compressing the shim bucket so the cams don't need to be removed in order to change out shims. Have any of you used this method? After dropping the short screw from the chain tensioner into my sump last time (didn't stuff rags over the opening and was surprised by the different length), not removing the cams is really appealing if it can be done w/o scratching the cam lobes. > > > > Also, my doohickey replacement kit from Eagle Mike should be arriving today and I opted for the torsional spring. I've read several instructions and watched a couple of videos regarding the the location of the 1/16" dia. locating hole and none give any accurate dimension for the hole from the shaft bore. Any thoughts on that dimension or isn't it that critical? As stiff as the spring has to be, I'd think the radial distance should be close to keeping everything as concentric as possible. > > > > Jake > > >