Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Kawasaki Tech
Kawasaki Tech Kawasaki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Kawasaki riders only.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 22 Jul 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Nicholasville,Ky.U.S.A.
Posts: 93
Unhappy KLR died on the Klondike Highway

We hauled from Ky. to near Glaicer Park in Mt. Unloaded and riding was great while it lasted. After Watson Lake to Carmacks on the Cambell Hwy.and camping beside the Yucon I smelled oil burning. Naturally I blamed it on the Honda in front of me after all hadn't I bragged to the Harley guys we had met about the legenary reliabilty of KLRs?But after lunch break a cloud of smoke rose from my bike and back on the trailer it went. Pulled apart for a peak in Dawson City I wondered what this new vent hole in the cam cover was about.The bearing surfaces for the ex. cam were so worn away the decompressor unit punched the hole.I flew home from Anchorage according to the plan,but didn't store the KLR for my return trip.It's still on the way home on the trailer,so deeper investagation will have to wait.
P.S. I had to eat plenty of humble pie because I was adamant that we didn't need no stinking support truck!
__________________
ride,smile,repeat as nessasary
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2 Aug 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Idaho, USA
Posts: 212
Please do let us know what the cause of this catastrophic failure turns out to be. It sounds like there may have been a failure of oil delivery to this part of the engine for some reason. Thanks for the report.

Mike
Idaho
www.rtwrider.net
__________________
Mike
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Aug 2006
Ride Far's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Central New York
Posts: 344
Yeah, very interested in the root cause of this failure. Hope you post once it's determined. Thanks & good luck.
__________________
http://ridefar.typepad.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Nicholasville,Ky.U.S.A.
Posts: 93
Exclamation klr died on Klondike

Well now I know and have acceped that I am responsable for murdering my engine.No real excuses I just failed to keep an eye on the oil level.
When the bike got home I drained the oil and only got 1.5 qt.s out of it.Now I've bought a '06 motor off E-bay so I'll plug and play hopefully.
Oh yeah I'm going to put a Check oil EVERYDAY note to self near the Instruments.
__________________
ride,smile,repeat as nessasary
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 28 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Nicholasville,Ky.U.S.A.
Posts: 93
Cool KLR died on Klondike

The 1.5 qt.s that came out includes .75 qt. that I put in just before the end.Even without oil the sight glass is dark and hard to see through.
I'm not so paitenly waiting for the delivery of my E-bay purchased 1000 mile '06 motor.I will take better care with it ,I promise. I got it for $1350.00,try that with a F-650!
__________________
ride,smile,repeat as nessasary
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 28 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Nicholasville,Ky.U.S.A.
Posts: 93
I forgot to talk about my riding style. I tend to have a heavy throttle hand ,the day before I finished killing it we rode the Richardson Highway,400 miles of mostly gravel.If I got in front and failed to chaeck the mirrors I would eventually look back and find myself alone.Nothing too extreme,65to70 on gravel I'm comfortable running 70-75 allday on hardsurface. This likely factors into the oil disappearing somewhat.
__________________
ride,smile,repeat as nessasary
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 14 Sep 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 303
KLR oil leak

I know the damage on the KLR 650 from one of my own vehicles but have not seen it happening myself as it was before I took over Le Cap.
The disintegrating cam journal is caused by lack of oil. The ex cam on the decompressor side is furthest from the oil feed into te cam journals and will thereby be affected by intermittend oil supply first. The location on the hot side of the cylinder head might contribute as well.
The fit of the decompressor under the valve cover is quite tight and the decompressor quickly knocks a hole into the valve cover once the journal goes. I would put the low oil level as culprit and the hole in the valve cover as sign of the engine exitus.
All my older KLR's (KL650C) started to use oil after 55000 to 60000 km. The oil consumption would reach 1.5l / 1000 km at around 70000 to 75000 km making a rebore necessary. On my lower mileage engines (KL 650A 2004 / 2005 +/- 30000 km) the oil consumption is still marginal.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cassiar Highway: British Columbia normw Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 9 20 Jan 2007 19:33
Trans Amazon Highway balam Travellers Seeking Travellers 4 24 Apr 2005 21:25
Karakorum Highway Pakistan DianaLMartin West and South Asia 5 16 Jun 2004 23:48
Highway Pegs for Africa Twin mattpope Honda Tech 1 4 Feb 2004 23:34
Sahara updates and Highway news Chris Scott North Africa 5 27 Jan 2002 16:27

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:18.