[bulk] [dsn_klr650] kawasaki is asking us for input with an

[Bill Kinnison]

Washington State Patrol http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/pasfaqs.htm> website says: Can I use a plastic gas tank on my motorcycle? The gas tank must be approved specifically for use on public roadways. Check with the manufacturer or retail establishment for the intended use of the tank. If its intended use if for off-road only, it is not legal for use on public roadways. Found this on the Thumper forum. Their talking about converting dirt bikes to street legal dual sports. Every state requires what is called "The Federal Minimum Requirement" which consists of: Headlight with a high and low beam Headlight indicator light visible to the operator to show when the high beam is operating Horn - Some states mandate an electric horn Battery powered taillight and brake light which must operate for 20 minutes on battery power alone Rear view mirror Turn signals for motorcycles manufactured after 1/1/73 (Most States) Some states require speedometers and odometers Tires should be DOT approved Lights should be DOT approved Fuel tank should be DOT approved* *Even though the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard specifies steel gas tanks for street motorcycles, most states will not enforce this for converted dirt bikes. -- Bill - bill@... _____ From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of eddie Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2013 3:38 PM To: KLR650 list Subject: Re: [Bulk] Re: [DSN_KLR650] Kawasaki is asking us for input with an online survey The 08' and up bikes have modern fuses and I'm not sure where you heard street bikes have to have a steel tank. I know of at least one model that's had a plastic tank since 2001 - the Honda GL1800. I can't remember which bike it was. But, at some point I also recall working on a sport bike with a plastic fuel tank. Different footpegs, they probably have in their inventory somewhere. So, a few modest changes wouldn't hurt the price. The biggest change to cost, I see, would be if they got rid of the carb and went with fuel injection. If they can do it on the euro-spec Ninja 250 and the 300, why not the KLR? Increased h.p., mpg and reliability + no more tuning for altitude, etc...?? Sign me up! =) eddie

----- Original Message ----- From: Desert Datsuns To: DSN KLR650 Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2013 5:10 PM Subject: [Bulk] Re: [DSN_KLR650] Kawasaki is asking us for input with an online survey Keep in mind that all those "additions" cost money, and would raise the base price of a stock bike. The low introductory price is one of the reasons the KLR is so popular. I would only include no-cost changes, like the fuses and foot pegs. Also, having a plastic tank isn't possible. In order to be sold as a street bike motorcycles must have a steel tank. This is why all "real" street bikes have metal tanks. That's the difference between the Suzuki DRZ400E and DRZ400S. Ryan Phoenix [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[RobertWichert]

Wow! That stuff is great! Robert =================================

On 3/7/2013 7:37 PM, Jud wrote: > > Looks like you are talking about Ernie, not Eddie Bell. I have a > rooting interest in his fat foot. I saw the one he made for himself, > and badgered him until he made one for me, so mine has ser. # 0000002. > > Ernie didn't really want to make another one; he felt it was too > labor-intensive. When he delivered it to me, he was almost apolegetic. > I had told him to charge me whatever he needed to make me one. He was > deeply apologetic when he said he would have to charge me $35. Then he > realized I wasn't the only idiot who would gladly pay that kind of > money for a super-exclusive, super-blingy kickstand accessory. > > Of course, the exclusivity evaporated right there. Nor is mine too > blingy any more. The sparkle is hidden beneath layer upon layer of oil > mist and limestone dust. > > Now Ernie makes all kinds of alloy accessories for adventure bikes, > stuff like skid plates, light bars, that kind of stuff, mostly for GS > BMWs, but I think some other bikes as well. He sets up at rallies, and > always seems to have some useful odds and ends for sale. Ernie is one > of the genuinely good guys. > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > , "Michael" > wrote: > > > > I keep my KLR in eastern Tennessee and found it hard to keep the > stock kickstand from sinking into what is laughingly referred to as > "soil" there. I saw a reference to Eddie Bell's aluminum kickstand > boot on one of the forums and decided that would be better than my > little Dairyland puck. I ordered one and could not be more pleased. He > does a very nice job and sand blasts it which gives it an almost > sparkly appearance. > > I think he has some more. Eddiebell@... It was $45 including post > which I thought very reasonable. It will raise the stand a 1/4" on > pavement so if you have seriously lowered your bike you might want to > mill it out a bit but it seriously increases your footprint. Nice not > to worry about that sinking feeling. > > He makes some other goodies as well but I have no experience with them. > > > http://twinheadlighternie.smugmug.com/Dakota-Motorsports/Kawasaki-KLR-650/KLR/3463386_V3nrT5#!i=194657163&k=QJdwbrB > > > > Michael B > > > > -- Robert P Wichert P.Eng. Inc. LEED AP, HERS II, CEA +1 916 966 9060 FAX +1 916 966 9068 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]