Fork brace and Rim lock - Horizons Unlimited

**HendiKaf** · #1 18 Apr 2006

Hi guys , I have a KLR650 03 fully prep for long trip and my last thing to consider is about rim lock , I never use these exept on my dirt bike , I am tempted to use it on the KLR to limit flat tire but I know that changing or fixing a tire with rim lock is a pain in the butt ,any exerience appreciated.
Regarding the fork brace , I bought one for my bike and it doesn't work with the DK80 tire ,the knobbie rob on it and I tryied to return to DualStar and they refused to take it back even after they admit that this problem do happen so be aware, ( I wil be selling the brace on Ebay preety soon)

**liketoride2** · #2 20 Apr 2006

Regarding rim locks, I think it depends on the type of riding you will be doing if they are worth the disadvanges, which you listed (in addition, it makes the wheel more difficult to balance but it can be done using a lot of weight). If you are going to be in tough, off-pavement terrain for any great distances rim locks may be worthwhile, especially on the rear. I did use them on my KLR for my rtw trip last year.

I've used the fork brace sold by Happy Trails with knobbies and experienced no problem with the tire contacting the brace. Of course, some knobbies are taller than others.

Mike
Idaho
www.rtwrider.net

**HendiKaf** · #3 20 Apr 2006

Hey Mike I went to your site and took a look at your pict , tell me how do you like the plastic tank ,is it worthit or just a toy gadget.

Hendi

**PatOnTrip** · #4 21 Apr 2006

Hi HendiKaf!

I read you want to use Rim lock to limit Flat tire on your bike???

Rim Lock does not prevent Flat tire. Rim lock are used to allow you to ride your bike with lower tire pressure and make sure that the tire will not slip on the rim and cut the valve under hard braking.

On the contrary, running with lower tire pressure increase the chances of having a flat tire. I prefer to ride with higher tire pessure and not to worry about flat. I got only one flat in 60 000km on my KLR and it was because of a nail used by students for manifestation in Bolivia.

Patrick

**liketoride2** · #5 25 Apr 2006

Hi Hendi,

Regarding the IMS plastic tank, I do like it and it does have some advantages over the stock tank:

1. More capacity. The stock tank is listed as 6.1 gallons, but most riders find a usable capacity of around 5.5 gallons. When I measured the capacity of my tank I found it to be 7.5 gallons, actually more than claimed by IMS. Of course it isn't all usable either unless the bike is laid down on it's left side so the residual gas moves from the right to the left, petcock side. I had to do this on one occaison on my rtw ride.

2. The available translucent version allows the fuel level in the tank to be visualized. I marked my tank with levels in half gallon increments so I could more accurately judge how much fuel I had used and how much was needed for a fill-up. This was particularly helpful in Russia where gas is always pre-ordered in a specified amount, and some of the pumps can't be shut off until that amount has been dispensed. If too much is ordered there will be gas all over the bike and ground.

3. Better crash protection for the radiator, fan, and coolant reservoir than the stock setup, even with guards like the Happy Trails Nerf Bars.

4. The plastic tank material is really tough stuff, a lot less likely to be puctured in a crash than the stock metal tank - it was hardly scratched in my crash in Siberia.

Some have complained of a poor fit of the petcock and leaks in this area with earlier versions of the IMS tank, but I had no such problems.

Hope this helps.

Mike
Idaho
www.rtwrider.net

**HendiKaf** · #6 25 Apr 2006

Thanks mike , I will get a larger tank before my next trip , HT doesn't have some for sale now but I found a company called TPI .
http://www.tpi4x4.com/KLR650/Body%20...Protectors.htm

I will try to found an IMS tank as I like the option of seeing the gas level.

Hendi

**reinhold** · #7 21 May 2006

Mike,
The green IMS tank that you have on your bike now....can you see the fuel through the plastic?
I want the green color but I thought I would have to stick with the white to see the fuel.
thanks...Rick

**HendiKaf** · #8 22 May 2006

yes you are right, the green is no very easy to se thrue.

**liketoride2** · #9 15 Jun 2006

Reinhold,

Sorry for being so late in responding to your question. The green tank I have is said to be translucent, but it is only partially so (there may be another green that isn't translucent at all, I'm not sure). The fuel level on mine really can't be seen looking at the tank from the outside. However, the fuel level can be visualized by looking into the tank through the filler hole, and by placing a finger against the tank on the outside and matching that to the fuel level (the finger can be seen from the inside), where the fuel level falls on the outside of the tank can be accurately determined. As mentioned in my earlier posts, I had placed marks (with a permanent marking pen) on the tank at half gallon intervals, so by using this method I could determine how much fuel was left in the tank fairly precisely.

Although not as convenient as a fully translucent tank, this isn't as complicated or difficult as it sounds.

Hope this helps.

Mike
Idaho
www.rtwrider.net