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KLE 500 Performance modifications needed. KLE 500 Performance modifications needed.
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  #1  
Old 22 Feb 2008
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confused
Can anyone shed any light on this - the standard spec. for the KLE (Kawasaki manual) is 44bhp and 30 ft/lb of torque.
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  #2  
Old 22 Feb 2008
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manufacturers never quote genuine rear wheel figures, usually an "optimised" crank figure. Also, i read somewhere that the newer KLE500's only produce 38bhp (kawasaki number).
so a genuine 39.5bhp at the back wheel isn't bad. good flat torque curve too.
however, looking at the graphs, the exhaust is seriously strangling the top end, so a full system replacement would liberate the 8K-10K power, making fast road work a lot more fun.
thanks for the jet info, i will file it, and when the manufacturers warranty has run out........
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Old 22 Feb 2008
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As Joe said. Manufacturers usually give the power figures at the crank. There is a big power loss between the crank and the rear wheel and in the real world the figures at the rear wheel are the important ones.

I'm quite happy with the results. Now the KLE is only 3HP shy of a tuned f650gs dakar (in total bhp, but still 10 less lbs torque).

F650 GS Dyno Runs FAQ



Joe. If you want the bike to make more power at the high end you will need to replace cams for a gpz500 and I asume the ER5 has them too. The problem is you will sacrifice a bit of low and med range performance to achieve this and considering the KLE is a dual purpose and not really a highway cruiser I don't see the real gain in doing this.

In Australia the maximum speed limit is 110 on hwy and the KLE easily does it in 6th gear at about 5 1/2k - 6 1/2k rpm and still delivers an ok economy.

I read in the link that is somewhere in this same thread that one of the problems with the exhaust is its design because one of the extractors is longer than the other one and has a bend. A custom system will sort this out but not sure what could happen with the bash plate and centre stand if you have one.

Riding the bike now is so much different, smother throughout the entire range and quicker to top speed.

Loving it.

Will
Last edited by munecito; 23 Feb 2008 at 00:50.
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  #4  
Old 26 Feb 2009
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Hi there guys

First time here on the forums.
I have just recently encountered a really sad happening with my KLE 500 (2005). On the way to work on the highway cruising at about 120 km/h, my bike just slowly started to lose its power. so i decided to slow down and pull over to the side of the road. There was a really loud and heavy "knocking" sound when i lightly revved to get an idea of what was happening.

Turns out my motor seized up due to lack of oil, which i am actually quite adamant on checking.

Anyways, so this is gonna cost me a huge wad of cash (R18 000) to repair, as all the bearings need replacing, as well as, Crank, Conrod, all gaskets and seals, clutch plates, and so fourth.

I just thought that maybe it would be easier to locate a complete running 2nd hand motor, but that is proving to be more difficult than i thought.

I live in South Africa, Johannesburg.

Anybody got any ideas on what i can do ? Desperate for help !!!
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  #5  
Old 2 Mar 2009
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ebay's always a good place to start.

KAWASAKI KLE500 KLE 500 ENGINE 17,000 MILES on eBay, also Kawasaki, Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Parts Accessories, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 19-Mar-09 17:10:44 GMT)

You could ask them if they would ship it to you,just a thought.
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  #6  
Old 16 Aug 2009
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hi there im new here and read this

Quote:
Originally Posted by KILLRAD View Post
Hi there guys

First time here on the forums.
I have just recently encountered a really sad happening with my KLE 500 (2005). On the way to work on the highway cruising at about 120 km/h, my bike just slowly started to lose its power. so i decided to slow down and pull over to the side of the road. There was a really loud and heavy "knocking" sound when i lightly revved to get an idea of what was happening.

Turns out my motor seized up due to lack of oil, which i am actually quite adamant on checking.

Anyways, so this is gonna cost me a huge wad of cash (R18 000) to repair, as all the bearings need replacing, as well as, Crank, Conrod, all gaskets and seals, clutch plates, and so fourth.

I just thought that maybe it would be easier to locate a complete running 2nd hand motor, but that is proving to be more difficult than i thought.

I live in South Africa, Johannesburg.

Anybody got any ideas on what i can do ? Desperate for help !!!
was the sound similar to http://files1.mailboxdrive.com/mp3s-...com/926387.mp3 (theres no virus on the file )

regards

dr-boom
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