KLE tips, tricks and other technical stuff - Page 11 - Horizons Unlimited

**JULESKLE500** · #**151** 30 Jul 2007

Hi Kumuya
I have never tried to adjust the camshaft chain, but I have heard that it is quite tricky, so be careful. Have you got the manual? If not, look for it in the forum and do not attempt to do it without instructions ( I work repairing aircraft and never do anything without checking at manuals first). If you have never checked it maybe you could consider to take it to a workshop and ask to be there during the repair to watch them and learn for the future.
Best regards

Jules

**Luuk** · #**152** 9 Aug 2007

he pleco and radiohead and other southafricans i'm leaving for afrika (southafrika or namibia) overland from holland in 5 weeks. just 3 questions. what kind of coolad do you use in SA. and what kind of oil 10-w40/ 10-w50 or something else? any other modifications recomended?

**JULESKLE500** · #**153** 10 Aug 2007

Hi everyone,
I want to replace the headlight bulb and install a more effective one. The usual H4 is almost like a candle and I have heard about Philips Motovision or Premium (motorcycle specific bulbs) or Nightguide and VisionPlus (car bulbs).
Have any of you tried any of these bulbs? Is it noticeable the upgrading of light?
I also know about Phillips Rally 100W, but they are not legal, and they end burning the headlight itself, darkening it, and because of that I have rejected the idea of trying one of those.

see Philips bulbs here
Motorcycle and scooter lighting

**Kumuya** · #**154** 11 Aug 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by JULESKLE500

Hi everyone,
I want to replace the headlight bulb and install a more effective one. The usual H4 is almost like a candle and I have heard about Philips Motovision or Premium (motorcycle specific bulbs) or Nightguide and VisionPlus (car bulbs).
Have any of you tried any of these bulbs? Is it noticeable the upgrading of light?
I also know about Phillips Rally 100W, but they are not legal, and they end burning the headlight itself, darkening it, and because of that I have rejected the idea of trying one of those.

see Philips bulbs here
Motorcycle and scooter lighting

Hi,

I use H7 VisionPlus and is OK, In city I don't see the difference except that the car drivers think that I'm on high beam, but on roads with no light they do their job, is real more light than at regular bulbs.

**dakar wannabe** · #**155** 19 Aug 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kumuya

Hei! Nobody out there can help me with my qustion about battery?

@ pleco - Specs for spark plugs for KLE 400 are applied for models since 1993 - maybe is something worked on your bike or somebody did something like I want .... to change engine caqpacity from 400 to 500 .... but I still wonder if it worth the effort to do something like this or not .... because if I do this it will becme a kle500 but is sure that I will have problems with other parts

What mileage has your bike? Mine has almoust 44.000 Km and nothing changed to engine but is not working like a brand new and started to give signs of fatigue

I think is time to get engine down and rebuilt it ... what are your opinions?

Thank you

I've got the same problem with my battery! Still the 9Ah one but loses it's charge quite quickly, I'll buy a new one from a reptuble battery dealer and let you know what' cooking!

Also try a sealed unit!! no maintenance on these batteries!

**dakar wannabe** · #**156** 19 Aug 2007

Hi to all the KLE buds!!

I got a problem with my timing chain tensioner, the tensioner (front one) is fine, but the pin connecting it to the engine at the crankcase are missing! I bought a new one but does not know how to install it, nowhere in the manaul they show how to install it!! There is a hole for it to fit but what keeping it there?? Please let me know!!

**Pleco** · #**157** 25 Aug 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luuk

he pleco and radiohead and other southafricans i'm leaving for afrika (southafrika or namibia) overland from holland in 5 weeks. just 3 questions. what kind of coolad do you use in SA. and what kind of oil 10-w40/ 10-w50 or something else? any other modifications recomended?

Hello Luuk.
We use normal antifreeze, mixed at the normal ration. I use castrol GTX (think it is 20W50) Very freely available, and works extremely well. We do not have the freezing winters here, so the 20 oil is fine. Please let us know what the conditions are like where you ride, as first hand experiences are much better than news reports.

Do not hand out sweets to the kids, ( there are no dentists around for them) and be careful of snatching thieves. Do not leave anything unattended that can be snatched. Keep smaller notes, and have change available at the border posts. Any and every "official" person will try and get you excited. This is their national sport. Keep calm and patient. The moment you loose your cool it can take a long time to get sorted again.

I am jealous of your trip, but enjoy it! Please ride careful, as the inside of an African hospital is no fun.

Regards

**Luuk** · #**158** 26 Aug 2007

thanks for the tips. 3 more weeks before we leave. i want to go today

**TDMalcolm** · #**159** 14 Sep 2007

Hi Barry, A bit late in response but only just seen it, My 2007 spec 500 only has one h/light on at a time....would be better if it could have both for high beam

....TDMalcolm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radiohead

My 2007 spec KLE500 low beam operates high beam and low beam independently. One globe on at a time only. A lot of other bikes have this system, so I thought that this was the way it was on my bike.

But then I had a squizz through the service manual (that I downloaded from this forum...thanks man!!), and it says that on high beam, both globes should be lit.

Before I go searching for blown fuses etc, I want to know what other guys have.

Maybe mine is a different spec from the model in the service manual (although they don't suggest this (they usually specify that certain things may not apply to certain spec models)).

Any feedback from other owners would be appreciated.

Cheers
Barry

**TDMalcolm** · #**160** 14 Sep 2007

HI Guys, Just a by the by...If you deviate from the correct road going presures you will experiance premature tyre wear or worst case, disintergration due to heating of the tyre structure,

i have seen this happen on a car tyre, not good...worse for us on two wheels

cheers TDMalcolm

Quote:

Originally Posted by muthaf9cka

This is what I mean: the manual says 21 psi for the front, but most handbooks and people I've spoken to say 30 psi for the front. So far only the manual says 21 psi. I've tried both and feel wise 30 psi is better.

**Remus** · #**161** 3 Oct 2007

Hi guys! I know that LOTS were asking for a downloadable manual for KLE400 ('99).

Is my turn to ask.

After that, we can discuss technical stuff and parts and anything related with this lovely bike. So, can anyone help? My email address will be: remusv@paradise.net.nz. Cheers

**TDMalcolm** · #**162** 22 Oct 2007

Hi fellow KLE dudes

, Hows about some input regarding what tyres you use and why?

I will have to change mine soon (oem trailmax-3500mles)

, i do more on than off road..(if you disallow my 4" graveled 100mtre drive)

It seems that this subject has been touched on but not dicussed in depth, with quite a few makes and models? of tyre available for our beloved kle, it makes sense to have your thoughts

yes!
TDMalcolm

**suncasin** · #**163** 30 Oct 2007

Hi to all dear KLE fans
I have question, I am short leg man so every time Im on KLE Im touching ground with my leg fingers, does enyone have any ideas how to lower a KLE seat, I dont want to mess up with lowering suspension.
tnx and chears

**poppykle** · #**164** 30 Oct 2007

I picked up my KLE two weeks ago

and the dealer recommended 30 psi in the front and 30 - 32 in the rear for road work. He said the manual recommends 21 but said the higher pressures would be better.

I am also getting my seat reshaped by an upholsterer, he is moving the "bump" back approx 3". It will mean that the pillion seat will be very short but I never carry a pillion for any great distance. You should be able to get an upholsterer to take a few inches out of the foam to lower the seat height. A friend had his KLR seat reshaped and lowered, he said it was great (he is only about 5'6"). No change to the seating comfort but the lower height makes it easier to place you feet.

**royzx7r** · #**165** 1 Nov 2007

That seems quite a lot extra pressure to me, dont forget that the psi will go up quite a bit when the tyre gets hot.

I would stick to 21psi if I were you and 32psi in the rear.

If you go off road, you would lower those pressures.

good look!