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 George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree3Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 19 Apr 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 104
Question KLE Fork Change help

Hey all!

I have hit a small bump in my project of swaping the forks on my kle. I bought a set of wp43 forks and clamps, I also bought anothe OEM lower clamp to get the stem out and put it in KTM Clamps. But today I noticed that OEM stem is welded in place .

Any Ideas how deep the weld is? Can I just grind it off and press the stem out?


Thanks!
__________________
->Honda XL125V Varadero '08 sold
->Kawasaki KLE 500 '05 riding it, like I stole it
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Banjaluka, RS, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Posts: 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghosty_SLO View Post
Hey all!

I have hit a small bump in my project of swaping the forks on my kle. I bought a set of wp43 forks and clamps, I also bought anothe OEM lower clamp to get the stem out and put it in KTM Clamps. But today I noticed that OEM stem is welded in place .

Any Ideas how deep the weld is? Can I just grind it off and press the stem out?


Thanks!
Mill out a new stem for KTM tripples which accepts KLE bearings. I did that on my conversion. If you want schematics of my stem, I can send it to you.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Apr 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 104
Quote:
Originally Posted by svestenik View Post
Mill out a new stem for KTM tripples which accepts KLE bearings. I did that on my conversion. If you want schematics of my stem, I can send it to you.
I would like those schematics please.

I ground down the weld and took everything to my local mechanic to press it out. He has a industrial 250t press. Well lets just say that the end result wasn't what I expected , there goes 50€ down the drain.....


Thanks for the help!
__________________
->Honda XL125V Varadero '08 sold
->Kawasaki KLE 500 '05 riding it, like I stole it
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Banjaluka, RS, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Posts: 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghosty_SLO View Post
I would like those schematics please.

I ground down the weld and took everything to my local mechanic to press it out. He has a industrial 250t press. Well lets just say that the end result wasn't what I expected , there goes 50€ down the drain.....


Thanks for the help!
Don't worry. KTM tripples and new stem made from quality aluminum and you are good to go. You just need new steering head bearings.

Btw, you've got new mail .
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Apr 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 104
Quote:
Originally Posted by svestenik View Post
Don't worry. KTM tripples and new stem made from quality aluminum and you are good to go. You just need new steering head bearings.

Btw, you've got new mail .
Thank you very much, hopefully one day we meet and I can repay this with some

I don't have a KTM stem as I got the triples without it. I will get it made from inox or 7075 alu.


Thanks again!
__________________
->Honda XL125V Varadero '08 sold
->Kawasaki KLE 500 '05 riding it, like I stole it
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Banjaluka, RS, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Posts: 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghosty_SLO View Post
Thank you very much, hopefully one day we meet and I can repay this with some

I don't have a KTM stem as I got the triples without it. I will get it made from inox or 7075 alu.


Thanks again!
Better go with 7075 Alu, if you can find it. Also, you will probably have clearance issues between upper KTM tripple and those false air intake pipes around dashboard. You can freely remove them, they are for show only anyway.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 24 Apr 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 104
Well, I handed over the plans to my father to take them to work and see what he can come up with, only time will tell.

I checked the air intakes and was thinking of heating them up and moulding them out of the way, if it won't work I will remove them.

With the stem out of thy way, thanks to you svestenik, I can focus on the next important task- making a calliper bracket and wheel spacers.

I will update as soon as I have something to show or tell.
__________________
->Honda XL125V Varadero '08 sold
->Kawasaki KLE 500 '05 riding it, like I stole it
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 26 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: australia
Posts: 25
I'm watching this thread with interest, hope it all works well for you.

Southern Cross
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 27 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Windsor [near enough] NSW Aus.
Posts: 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Cross View Post
I'm watching this thread with interest, hope it all works well for you.

Southern Cross
Geez, you stalking me Wardy?

And you just bought the bloody KLE, why would you want to swap the forks?
I thought you liked how much better it was exiting your driveway than the Strom is.

These "little" bikes do get under the skin huh?

Even though the only riding I will be doing on mine for the next ten days straight is to and from work I'm loving mine.

When I get a weekday off maybe we will do a coffee run with some easy dirt and nice winding tar.


Ock.

Oh, and maybe a set of Yamaha legs would be an option [if there is something in the right diameter that is]
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 27 Apr 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 104
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ockerstrom View Post
Geez, you stalking me Wardy?

And you just bought the bloody KLE, why would you want to swap the forks?
I thought you liked how much better it was exiting your driveway than the Strom is.

These "little" bikes do get under the skin huh?

Even though the only riding I will be doing on mine for the next ten days straight is to and from work I'm loving mine.

When I get a weekday off maybe we will do a coffee run with some easy dirt and nice winding tar.


Ock.

Oh, and maybe a set of Yamaha legs would be an option [if there is something in the right diameter that is]
Well since you mentioned Yamaha, my first option was a wr 426 forks and trees. Forks are 46mm which looked it would be the biggest I would go on KLE, but I couldn't find a good set, so I opted for WP43's. WP48 would be a bit of an overkill on KLE in my opinion, though the best preforming option of these three.
__________________
->Honda XL125V Varadero '08 sold
->Kawasaki KLE 500 '05 riding it, like I stole it
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 28 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: australia
Posts: 25
My first impressions riding the KLE ( I have owned it for just over 1 week) in respect to suspension is that it is nice and plush, it reminded me of my R1200 GS. I want nice plush suspension that gives me a good level of comfort on both gravel and less than good bitumen. For the moment I have no intention of changing anything until I have ridden enough miles, say 1000kms, and then evaluate.
I can't wait for my first road trip I might just shoot off one day this week and do a few hundred KMS.
Southern Cross
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 22 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 104
Hey!

Things on this project are moving along very slowly. Slower than I would want it to move. I have still not found the material for making a stem. No company wants to supply such small amount of aluminium.

The good news is that I have managed to find a set of head barrings from my local engineering shop. I have talked to the Kawasaki seller and he wanted 31€ per barring, that's 62€. To much for my taste. At the engineering shop I managed to get both for 35€.

They are FAG barrings, here are the OEM part numbers and dimensions:
92116-1009 BEARING-ROLLER,HR320/28XJ 28mm x 52mm x 17mm
92116-1052 BEARING-ROLLER,HICAP 32005JR 25mm x 47mm x 16mm
__________________
->Honda XL125V Varadero '08 sold
->Kawasaki KLE 500 '05 riding it, like I stole it
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 13 Aug 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 104
Progress

Hey all!

I know this thread was dead for a long time now but hopefully that will soon change.

I have been riding quite a lot so there was no time for wrenching, but I managed to do a few things. Mostly designing stuff for the conversion.

I have remade drawings of a stem that svestenik has sent me, thanks again mate, I have also made drawings for axle conversion from KTM (20mm/24mm) to KLE(15mm), inserts for top triple clamp and for handlebar mounts.

I still have to draw up wheel spacers, calliper bracket and ignition holder, but these will have to wait until I mount KTM forks on the bike.



Now I only need to do is give some of the plans to my father and some to a friend that has CNC equipment and wait for parts to be made.

Cheers!
__________________
->Honda XL125V Varadero '08 sold
->Kawasaki KLE 500 '05 riding it, like I stole it
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 29 Aug 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 104
Progress!

Well... After a looooong time I have made some significant progress. Today at work I managed to get the stem made to fit KTM Applied racing clamps and KLE barrings and nuts. Here is the result:


Pressed and glued the stem in the clamps and pressed on the bottom barring with a new seal:


Now I only need to wait for wheel axle reduction kit (from KTM 20mm to KLE 15mm), than I can mount the wheel and figure out what kind of wheel spacers I need to centre the wheel in the forks.

Till next time!

P.S.: Sorry for bad quality pics!
__________________
->Honda XL125V Varadero '08 sold
->Kawasaki KLE 500 '05 riding it, like I stole it
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 8 Sep 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 50
EPIC! nice work Ghosty!
Reply With Quote
Reply


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

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
KLE Foot pegs MadM Kawasaki Tech 10 21 Oct 2014 14:26
xt600 fork seals, how to split forks smokinrider Yamaha Tech 7 5 Dec 2013 20:43
1VJ and 3TB front fork mix? svakak Yamaha Tech 0 4 Feb 2013 18:07
kle 500 fork springs robroymc Kawasaki Tech 1 27 Jun 2012 13:43

 
 

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 23:17.