Suspension problems in Oaxaca.
 

Hey.
Finally got some problems with my klr650 2005. Was starting to think that it was going to be all smooth sailing ;)
In Oaxaca city atm with no oil left in the rear shock absorber. Very bouncy riding but still works.
Does anyone know where I might get a new shock in southern Mexico?
Where does the police take it's bikes?

Thankful for any suggestions!

Would mounting one of these help me at all? http://www.allballsracing.com/37-1010.html

I would avoid "All Balls" products unless this is your absolute last resort. Bad reputation for everything they make. Cheapest, low quality Chinese junk out there. Most of their seals DO NOT FIT and LEAK.

Get onto KLR.net and ask for help/advice on this. Lots of KLR knowledge there or on other KLR forums, even on ADV Rider.

IMO, that dealer in Puebla is your best bet. If he's good he will be able to rebuild your KLR shock using OEM Kawasaki parts (hopefully not All Balls parts).

Or, he may be able to sell you a used or new shock. A NEW shock is going to cost a fortune, so rebuilding would be your best option cost wise.

But finding a qualified suspension technician that knows how to handle your Kayaba (KYB) shock may be a challenge. With luck, the dealer in Puebla will know someone who can do this PROPERLY. Poorly done shock rebuilds will leak ... sooner rather than later.

A proper rebuild with quality seals should last 10 years.

bier

I've already ordered the seal kit :/
I read some mixed reviews regarding the product but decided that $25 and a seemingly straight forward installation warranted a try. Just need to find a place where I can compress my spring.
Also ordered 15wt shock oil to prevent it from bottoming out.
Not sure about stock, 5, 10?

What's really confusing me is that although the klr is quite popular as a motorcycle for the police here there doesn't seem to be a single kawa mechanic in the state. I would prefer to head south rather than backtrack to Puebla...

In any case, the shock seems completely out of oil atm so worst comes to worst and I botch it the ride would be just as shit as it is now ;D

BTW, this happened just as I rolled into San Jose del Pacifico and simultaneously I lost the rear brake completely due to worst quality pads ever (gave me around 1000 miles.
No zipping along mountain trails for me :(

There are some good mechanics in Oaxaca (from reports I've read ... never met them or used them), but one guy had his Trans rebuilt on his DR650 in Oaxaca.

Pretty serious job and once done, rider made it to the US on same bike, no trans problems. So good guys out there ... your job is to find someone good who can crack that KLR shock for you.

IIRC (my last KLR was 1998) you can remove the spring without compressing it. (if you know how!) I would read up on the forums or ask questions. This is not hard stuff. (but that's coming)

The harder part is cracking into that Kayaba shock without ruining it. If you search, you will find tutorials on doing this. Probably not U-tube ones, but written out with pics (if your lucky).

With some decent tools you should be able to do this yourself, or at least supervise a local mechanic to make sure he does it right ... NEVER, ever leave them alone. You need to BE THERE. (trust me on this one)

The other thing you'll learn once you start reading up is that your shock will need a Fresh Nitrogen charge. Common Auto shocks need this too ... so any
decent Taller that does suspension work should be able to re-charge it.
DO NOT use too much pressure or OVER charge it as it will BLOW OUT your fresh seals. I believe Kawi lists a spec on this. (owners manual)

I believe 5 wt. oil is standard. I would not go over 7 wt. (mix 5 wt and 10 wt 50/50) Most experts would insist to use 5 wt. and add a heavier spring, but since you can't do that, go with 7 wt.

It will be plenty. It's the Nitrogen that will help the most (controls rebound damping ... very important) The problem is ... unless you modify the oil passages within the shock ... a heavier oil will only screw things up. Get it?

If the shim stack and washers are modified correctly, you may be able to use a heavier oil with good results, but this is a bit tricky so, I'd leave things alone, use 5 wt or maybe 7 wt.

I'm sure your reading and research will cover this if you get onto a good thread on one of the forums. Lots of good info out there!

I assume you've cranked up your pre-load? If it's bottoming out continually, even on mild roads, then I would either get another (heavier) spring or take weight off the bike.

Be sure to inspect and re-grease the linkage bearings when you've got it apart.

Good luck with the ALL BALLS kit, hope it fits and lasts ... a while!

TIP: Guatemala City has lots of Bike shops and KLR's are not unknown.
bier

If you end up having to ride the bike with the blown shock, try looping a tie down over the seat, and attaching the hooks to the swingarm. Crank it down until you compress the suspension by 1/3 or 1/2. It helps a lot with the pogoing. I have puked two OEM rear shocks on my KLR, about 15,000 miles on a Progressive now, so far, so good.

Guatemala
 

Here goes the contact info for the Kawasaki dealer in Guate city

Contáctenos

Great thank you! Apparently unable to order from the store I wanted to use without a paypal acc. so might just head up to Puebla or cross the border instead. Pretty nice city =)

Puebla is great and the food there even better .

If you decide to go south : In Guatemala it is very easy to buy anything online and shipping from Miami to Guate is very fast 24-26 hours and also pretty cheap $5/lbs , tax included .
rapiditoexpress

Parts arrived a couple of days ago and I was determined to have a crack at it. Thought I could file away the washer stamped to the nut holding the piston in place but turns out it's too close to other components so took it in to the Yamaha dealer in Oaxaca. Should be done tomorrow.
Bonus pic of a crazy butterfly with"windows" on its wings.
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Suspension all fixed now. If anyone need help in Oaxaca go to Yamaha Dakar in the south of town near the university. The mechanic is called Efren. He's got a clean shop and speak very good English. He's also got a super nice friend who rides motocross and can fill your shock with hydrogen. Super guys both of them. Pm me or write here if anyone needs details on how to fix your suspension in Oaxaca ;D