2008 KLR650 Lightening Project - Page 5

FastDoc · 08-01-2011, 01:39 PM

Think you could get a Hyabusa motor in there? :wink:

mjs91882 · 11-17-2011, 01:12 AM

what kind of tires do you have on the KLR? Do you like them?

SamM · 08-11-2012, 07:14 PM

The tires on the KLRE650 are Heidenau K60 50/50 dualsport tires. Best tires that I have ever used!

Last week, I got the bike back from the builder. His business took off last year and he was unable to finish it. We made arrangements to meet so that I could get it back. He got a good bit done but I will be forced to finish it myself. Here's a picture of the bike when I picked it up. I have already torn it apart to complete the fabwork.

First, I will be finishing the engine mounts and making new intakes. I have some interesting things planned for the bike. She may get a KTM 950 swingarm and Brembo brake calipers. The front might even be a radial Brembo caliper. It has been a long time getting to this point on the bike. Honestly, some of the work is not up to my standards and it will be changed a good bit from what you see in the pictures. I thought I get it back with much more finished on it. There is still a great deal of work left to do on this thing.

I'll post updates both here and in my thread on AdvRider.

EDIT: Added another picture.

[/b]

Weldangrind · 08-12-2012, 01:32 AM

Is the KTM swingarm a single-sided unit?

SamM · 08-12-2012, 12:10 PM

No, the KTM 950 is a dualsport. No single-sided swingarm there. I have to measure mine today, to see if it will fit the KLR frame. It looks to be too wide but I'm going to check anyway. If it's close I can make it fit. The idea there is to remove the KLR rear shock linkage suspension in order to lighten the bike more. We'll see!

SpudRider · 08-14-2012, 03:20 PM

Thanks for posting the update, Sam.

P.S. Did you notice the question you answered was 9 months old?

Spud

SamM · 08-16-2012, 03:32 PM

Yes, I did see that it was an older post. Been busy with other projects. Just got out of the hospital today. I'm looking forward to getting back to working on the KLRE. It's going to take about a week to get back up and around. The doctors have me on the couch. Nobody is here with me now, so I may sneak out of the house and walk out to the shop.

FastDoc · 08-16-2012, 03:38 PM

Hope you're OK and off to a fast recovery.

I find working on bikes good therapy myself too.

SamM · 08-16-2012, 04:04 PM

Thanks FastDoc!

Yes, I feel a lot better already. Had two stints put in yesterday. There was just one partial blockage but it required two stints. It was 75 to 80% blocked and was located at the front of my heart. Everything else was clean.

Very Happy with that! My mom has 5 stints and all of my grandparents died from heart disease. Everything changes from here. When I've recovered, I'll be working out, 40lbs has got to go and it's low fat-free healthy for me or I'm not even looking at it. I also have an ICD that was implanted back in 2003, so I've been a heart patient for years. Actually, I'm on my second ICD now but it's still got 8 years of battery left. As long as I take my meds, I'm good to go on that. Of course, now they've got me on 2 more. 3 per day and 2 baby aspirin it's too bad. I'm still kickin' so it's all good. These guys are good. I was awake during the entire procedure and they were great. Talked me through the whole thing. I start cardio rehab in 2 weeks.

A very thankfully to still be here,
SamM

FastDoc · 08-16-2012, 04:33 PM

AICD huh?

I remember when they were the size of a baseball and were implanted in the abdominal cavity. Lifesaver though. Now they are almost the same size as a pacemaker. Nice technology.

Sounds like it was your LAD that was stented. My compliments to your doctor, techincally that's not an easy artery and is frequently done with open heart surgery (CABG). He or she did good by you. :P

With a family history like that I'd eat like a bunny rabbit and live on a treadmill :wink: .

SpudRider · 08-16-2012, 04:49 PM

I'm glad to hear you surgery went well, and you are recovering rapidly, Sam!

We love having you here with us on these forums, and we always appreciate your interesting, informative posts.

Spud

SamM · 08-16-2012, 09:05 PM

Thanks everyone!

I got the first ICD back in 2003. The second was implanted in Dec. 2008. That's all associated with an electrical problem that I was born with, not with the catherization they did on Wednesday. I have V-Fib and V-Tac that I deal with on a daily basis. Three weeks ago, at my yearly appointment with my electrical doctor, I reported that my chest was tight and I had some left arm pain that was sporatic. The recent blockage is the first heart disease that I've really had to deal with. Been clean up until now. All of my levels were good except two, and they were just a little high. I can control that with diet. This was it for me. I'm not going back!

I feel good and was even out driving my Jeep Wrangler, until my mom found out and tracked me down. She then told the wife and they both yelled at me for awhile. I've never been a good patient. Hey, the wife and daughter shouldn't have left me alone! :roll:

On a sidenote: I also wanted to report that I recently sold my QLink X-Ranger 200 to my brother for $500. He then burnt the coil up because he didn't listen to me and put a battery in it. If anyone has a spare coil please let me know.

Weldangrind · 08-17-2012, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamM

When I've recovered, I'll be working out, 40lbs has got to go and it's low fat-free healthy for me or I'm not even looking at it.

You're very consistent. You've lightened the bikes as far as they could go, and now you're working on the rider.

Good for you! I hope for a speedy recovery for you.

SamM · 08-17-2012, 04:23 PM

Wish that I would have thought more about dropping my weight before now. Honestly, I go about 210 but at 5' 10" that's too much for me. The love handles must go. Thanks for the well wishes! It's much appreciated.

As everyone knows, it's important to my plans to drop extra weight from the bikes. I'd like them to be multi-functional. It really looks like I will keep the KLX and turn it into my off-road/commuter bike. It's perfect for commuting and light enough to do some lightweight camping and trailriding. The displacement will be increased to 351cc sometime this Winter. With this mod and a new Mikuni carb that bike will be hard to leave at home. I've ridden it on the interstate and the bigger displacement will really help this bike.

The wife has me confined to the couch after my little stunt yesterday. I guess driving the Jeep the same day I get of of the hospital wasn't the best move. I'm chomping at the bit to get out in the shop with the KLRE. I've got a plan to fix the frame and add the 950 swingarm. The first move is to make a build table and a jig. That should be easy. Hopefully, in a few days I'll be back at it.

FastDoc · 08-17-2012, 05:15 PM

Your wife loves you. Women can be a PIA but that's how they show love. :P

Myself, I prefer cats but that's another story. :roll:

Glad you are improving. BTW you are probably already about the skinniest guy in W. VA as it is!

The KLX is one of the best all around small bikes a guy can have. It is a good dirt bike, commuter, sport bike, even an ultralight tourer. It excells in none of those roles but is good in all of them, and that's an accomplishment, especially at the price. Plus it's a reliable safe, unstressed machine that will hold up for decades. :wink:

Be pretty good as a 275 lb 351cc machine though! 8)

08-01-2011, 01:39 PM	#61
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Think you could get a Hyabusa motor in there? :wink: __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

08-11-2012, 07:14 PM	#63
SamM Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,194	The tires on the KLRE650 are Heidenau K60 50/50 dualsport tires. Best tires that I have ever used! Last week, I got the bike back from the builder. His business took off last year and he was unable to finish it. We made arrangements to meet so that I could get it back. He got a good bit done but I will be forced to finish it myself. Here's a picture of the bike when I picked it up. I have already torn it apart to complete the fabwork. First, I will be finishing the engine mounts and making new intakes. I have some interesting things planned for the bike. She may get a KTM 950 swingarm and Brembo brake calipers. The front might even be a radial Brembo caliper. It has been a long time getting to this point on the bike. Honestly, some of the work is not up to my standards and it will be changed a good bit from what you see in the pictures. I thought I get it back with much more finished on it. There is still a great deal of work left to do on this thing. I'll post updates both here and in my thread on AdvRider. EDIT: Added another picture. [/b] __________________ 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara MOAB 2005 BMW E53 X5 2011 Schutt Industries LTT-HC LQG trailer 2017 Coleman CT200U 1978 Yamaha SR500E 1979 Yamaha XS650 Special II
	0

08-12-2012, 01:32 AM	#64
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Is the KTM swingarm a single-sided unit? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

08-12-2012, 12:10 PM	#65
SamM Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,194	No, the KTM 950 is a dualsport. No single-sided swingarm there. I have to measure mine today, to see if it will fit the KLR frame. It looks to be too wide but I'm going to check anyway. If it's close I can make it fit. The idea there is to remove the KLR rear shock linkage suspension in order to lighten the bike more. We'll see! __________________ 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara MOAB 2005 BMW E53 X5 2011 Schutt Industries LTT-HC LQG trailer 2017 Coleman CT200U 1978 Yamaha SR500E 1979 Yamaha XS650 Special II
	0

08-14-2012, 03:20 PM	#66
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Thanks for posting the update, Sam. P.S. Did you notice the question you answered was 9 months old? Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

11-17-2011, 01:12 AM	#62
mjs91882 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lake George Ny Posts: 249	what kind of tires do you have on the KLR? Do you like them?
	0

08-16-2012, 03:32 PM	#67
SamM Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,194	Yes, I did see that it was an older post. Been busy with other projects. Just got out of the hospital today. I'm looking forward to getting back to working on the KLRE. It's going to take about a week to get back up and around. The doctors have me on the couch. Nobody is here with me now, so I may sneak out of the house and walk out to the shop. __________________ 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara MOAB 2005 BMW E53 X5 2011 Schutt Industries LTT-HC LQG trailer 2017 Coleman CT200U 1978 Yamaha SR500E 1979 Yamaha XS650 Special II
	0

08-16-2012, 03:38 PM	#68
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Hope you're OK and off to a fast recovery. I find working on bikes good therapy myself too. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

08-16-2012, 04:04 PM	#69
SamM Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,194	Thanks FastDoc! Yes, I feel a lot better already. Had two stints put in yesterday. There was just one partial blockage but it required two stints. It was 75 to 80% blocked and was located at the front of my heart. Everything else was clean. Very Happy with that! My mom has 5 stints and all of my grandparents died from heart disease. Everything changes from here. When I've recovered, I'll be working out, 40lbs has got to go and it's low fat-free healthy for me or I'm not even looking at it. I also have an ICD that was implanted back in 2003, so I've been a heart patient for years. Actually, I'm on my second ICD now but it's still got 8 years of battery left. As long as I take my meds, I'm good to go on that. Of course, now they've got me on 2 more. 3 per day and 2 baby aspirin it's too bad. I'm still kickin' so it's all good. These guys are good. I was awake during the entire procedure and they were great. Talked me through the whole thing. I start cardio rehab in 2 weeks. A very thankfully to still be here, SamM __________________ 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara MOAB 2005 BMW E53 X5 2011 Schutt Industries LTT-HC LQG trailer 2017 Coleman CT200U 1978 Yamaha SR500E 1979 Yamaha XS650 Special II
	0

08-16-2012, 04:33 PM	#70
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	AICD huh? I remember when they were the size of a baseball and were implanted in the abdominal cavity. Lifesaver though. Now they are almost the same size as a pacemaker. Nice technology. Sounds like it was your LAD that was stented. My compliments to your doctor, techincally that's not an easy artery and is frequently done with open heart surgery (CABG). He or she did good by you. :P With a family history like that I'd eat like a bunny rabbit and live on a treadmill :wink: . __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

08-16-2012, 04:49 PM	#71
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	I'm glad to hear you surgery went well, and you are recovering rapidly, Sam! We love having you here with us on these forums, and we always appreciate your interesting, informative posts. Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

08-16-2012, 09:05 PM	#72
SamM Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,194	Thanks everyone! I got the first ICD back in 2003. The second was implanted in Dec. 2008. That's all associated with an electrical problem that I was born with, not with the catherization they did on Wednesday. I have V-Fib and V-Tac that I deal with on a daily basis. Three weeks ago, at my yearly appointment with my electrical doctor, I reported that my chest was tight and I had some left arm pain that was sporatic. The recent blockage is the first heart disease that I've really had to deal with. Been clean up until now. All of my levels were good except two, and they were just a little high. I can control that with diet. This was it for me. I'm not going back! I feel good and was even out driving my Jeep Wrangler, until my mom found out and tracked me down. She then told the wife and they both yelled at me for awhile. I've never been a good patient. Hey, the wife and daughter shouldn't have left me alone! :roll: On a sidenote: I also wanted to report that I recently sold my QLink X-Ranger 200 to my brother for $500. He then burnt the coil up because he didn't listen to me and put a battery in it. If anyone has a spare coil please let me know. __________________ 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara MOAB 2005 BMW E53 X5 2011 Schutt Industries LTT-HC LQG trailer 2017 Coleman CT200U 1978 Yamaha SR500E 1979 Yamaha XS650 Special II
	0

08-17-2012, 04:23 PM	#74
SamM Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,194	Wish that I would have thought more about dropping my weight before now. Honestly, I go about 210 but at 5' 10" that's too much for me. The love handles must go. Thanks for the well wishes! It's much appreciated. As everyone knows, it's important to my plans to drop extra weight from the bikes. I'd like them to be multi-functional. It really looks like I will keep the KLX and turn it into my off-road/commuter bike. It's perfect for commuting and light enough to do some lightweight camping and trailriding. The displacement will be increased to 351cc sometime this Winter. With this mod and a new Mikuni carb that bike will be hard to leave at home. I've ridden it on the interstate and the bigger displacement will really help this bike. The wife has me confined to the couch after my little stunt yesterday. I guess driving the Jeep the same day I get of of the hospital wasn't the best move. I'm chomping at the bit to get out in the shop with the KLRE. I've got a plan to fix the frame and add the 950 swingarm. The first move is to make a build table and a jig. That should be easy. Hopefully, in a few days I'll be back at it. __________________ 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sahara MOAB 2005 BMW E53 X5 2011 Schutt Industries LTT-HC LQG trailer 2017 Coleman CT200U 1978 Yamaha SR500E 1979 Yamaha XS650 Special II
	0

08-17-2012, 05:15 PM	#75
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Your wife loves you. Women can be a PIA but that's how they show love. :P Myself, I prefer cats but that's another story. :roll: Glad you are improving. BTW you are probably already about the skinniest guy in W. VA as it is! The KLX is one of the best all around small bikes a guy can have. It is a good dirt bike, commuter, sport bike, even an ultralight tourer. It excells in none of those roles but is good in all of them, and that's an accomplishment, especially at the price. Plus it's a reliable safe, unstressed machine that will hold up for decades. :wink: Be pretty good as a 275 lb 351cc machine though! 8) __________________ Happy to serve.
	0