KLR Subframe Upgrade Kit

[04klr]

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alright enuf with the footpeg jokes! yea they bust real good, but I'm gettin good at fixing them! (footpeg fix, take four). Here's the problem, when a not particularly light rider has a belly landing while riding the "venerable" klr, the Dual Star centerstand, if not installed to the letter of instruction, can and WILL "shear" off a bolt or two. You must insure (jack the bike up under the stand, or mash with a ball peen) that thec-stand flangedoesn't wedge against the bolts or, when you have the inevitable high speed belly landing thestand can take out the bolt. That being said ALL of my bolt bustings have occured at speed and only after a masssive whack on terra firma, yup I bust em real good, tho I've never heard of anyone else having the problem. I've now got Heli coiled bolts on each side and thec-stand simply can't shear the bolts offa no mo! (hogged out the stock dual star holes)

 

[klrman]

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I thought I was the only one capable of high speed belly landings Have you ever thought what may have happened if you did not manage to hang on when that happens?... just a thought as last week I had images of death when it happened to me

That make sense about the 10.9 bolt being more flexible than the 12.9. The more rigid the less flex. Will try and find that bolt in Kamloops as you suggested. Thanks!

KLR04, may I ask what you mean about the "Helicoil bolt"? If you can give more specifics and that cured the problem then I'm in for it too. I know this won't be my last bellylanding anyway and the center stand is something that I need.

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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Just curious... why do you need a centre stand on the KLR? It's easy to lube the chain with out one, a bike crutch (or a friend - even a brother) will help in changing tires/fixing tubes and you won't lose ground clearance or add weight.

 

[klrman]

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Well, when I work on the forks or oil the chain or do anything where I need to support the bike, I seem to always have to lift the bike and I must be getting older, because my back really hurts when I lift it by myself on to a milk crate. When I oil the chain, I really like to spin the wheel several times and lube everything that way to get it lubed well. The old MX bikes weighed nothing, but the KLR's get heavy when one trires to lift them on a crate. I'm not 24 anymore Most of the time I'm alone when I need to lift it and my wife can't help, so, the center stand look a mighty good for an old man "47". Spirit is able....body not so able anymore!

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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Makes sense, maybe if I was as young as you, I'd want one too!:hf:

I've found the motorcycle lift from Canadian Tire ~$90 is great for doing all that stuff at home. On the road, for lubing the chain, I tip it onto the sidestand, put it in first and let the chain idle around as I spray it. I know, I know - safety. You can also do it with the engine off and just spin by hand. But, since you already have the centre stand... Just go ride!:tup:

 

[Scottiedogg]

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I think if I actually owned a KLR ( it will be a cold day in he##) I would feel a great sense of relief knowing I could go to the great KLR Guru, Yak_KLR650, for any question covering the spectrum of being a KLR owner:tup:





Muuhhuuuaaaa!

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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I'm glad to see that even the unenlightened recognise true wisdom.:dude:

 

[klrman]

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Everybody knows that only enlightened beings get KLR's.. or should I say "Real Men" get KLR's and the "Boys" get Suzuks. :dr:

That's pretty funny Yak when you said "If I was as young as you"..hahahah! anyway.... since Dual star has the center stand on back order forever, I may just get that lift from Canadian Tire if I can find it. Pretty neat idea too to put the bike on it's side stand and put it in first.. very ingenius:clap: That's the thing with KLR owners, an inexhaustible stream of wisdom. :dude:

 

[Yak_KLR650]

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It only works on the side stand if you disable the side stand safety switch. Otherwise it will die when you put it in gear. Think about the safety aspects before you do it - potentially riding away with your side stand down. :shock:

I'm not too much older than you, 4 years only. I know what you mean, that bike is heavy to pick up at 51. My last bike was 550 pounds and much easier (I was much younger!)

Got a chuckle the other night, Joker and I arrived at the coffee shop, fast, him on one wheel, and the harley rider sitting on the patio was going to say "slow down there, young fellers", until we took off our helmets and he saw we were older than he was!

 

[joker650]

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Yak_KLR650 wrote:

It only works on the side stand if you disable the side stand safety switch. Otherwise it will die when you put it in gear. Think about the safety aspects before you do it - potentially riding away with your side stand down. :shock:

I'm not too much older than you, 4 years only. I know what you mean, that bike is heavy to pick up at 51. My last bike was 550 pounds and much easier (I was much younger!)

Got a chuckle the other night, Joker and I arrived at the coffee shop, fast, him on one wheel, and the harley rider sitting on the patio was going to say "slow down there, young fellers", until we took off our helmets and he saw we were older than he was!

hahaha.....yeah those HD guys are always good for a laugh.

As a side note.....when ever one of them left or another rode bu we all had to wate untill they were 2 blocks away before we could resume our conversations.

 

[klrman]

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Hahaha Nothing like a helmut to cover our aging faces. Hey, I should try that... wheeling into my local Tim Hortons.. trouble is, knowing me, I will be stricken with bad luck and lose it just as I pull in and everyone will be pointing and laughing.

I have a Harley story from last week. Had my KLR parked on the curb in front of my house. A heavy set bearded Harley guy stopped and looked at the bike. KLR looked pretty bright as I just waxed the gas tank and coated the vinly and I came out of the house and he looked a little stunned to see me. Then he said..."uh..nice bike man".. then he thought about it and got hot under the collar and jacknifed off as if he was ashamed to admit he actually like a DP bike

 

[CLRMonster]

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Good question the subframe bolts snapping.



I have had them snap which in turn cause a substantial leak in my fuel tank were it mounts to that point. Now I ride with an aftermarket plastic tank.

Also be concerned with the foot peg bolts as I have had all of them strip out.

Currently I have both mounts welded on.

These issue may arrise due to my riding style, which is to go up what I may not be able to come down. LOL

 

[klrman]

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Makes me feel even better now that I drilled out the subframe! Just looking at those bolts feels like they would snap

 

[edzzed]

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[Proudman]

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I have an '08 KLR. Do I still need to upgrade the subframe bolts and dohickey, or was that just for the pre-2008s?

 

[sparklr]

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When I put my Motech crash bars on, it came with subframe bolt upgrade included. I assume that would be a yes. The Doohickey arm I believe got beefed up but the spring still is an issue, for peace of mind I would do it also.

 

[Proudman]

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Chuck is talking about hosting a Tech Day/BBQ. Hopefully it will be after I get back from Edmonton. I wouldn't want to miss a Tech Day but I really wouldn't want to miss a Chuck BBQ! :clap:

 

[Chuck]

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Proudman wrote:

Chuck is talking about hosting a Tech Day/BBQ. Hopefully it will be after I get back from Edmonton. I wouldn't want to miss a Tech Day but I really wouldn't want to miss a Chuck BBQ! :clap:

The BBQ idea was to intice those who have more experience & knowledge than me (that's about everyone who can turn a wrench) to help / advise with the DOO upgrade. I'm planning that for some time after my road trip (yeah, the darkside of DUAL Sport). I should have around 10 000 to 12 000 km on the '09 by that time and I think it'll be due. Have already spoken to Kitimat KLR about it.

 

[zoo]

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klrman wrote:

I just drilled out my frame and put in the thru bolt with the Dual Star subframe up grade kit. When I took out those little 6 mm bolts and replaced it with the heavy duty thru bolt, I was just wondering....has anyone actually snapped those little bolts? When I look at them, it is hard to believe Kawa never thought of through bolting that part of the frame. They look pretty weak and after doing the upgrade, I feel pretty good that I changed them as I ride 2 up with my wife sometimes on the trails and that is a lot of pressure on those little bamboo bolts.

Yep, mine snapped right off and left me sitting in the bush with my sub frame hanging there. Thank god for carry zap snaps on my cross bar on all my bikes. I carry about 10 zaps on my cross bar just wrapped in tap for road side emergencies and this was one of them. I have a Pelican case that rides on my rack so just the little weight and some serious off roading and snap.

I too drilled them out. also watch the two small bolts that hold the rack to the sub frame. Those also snapped off.

 

[zoo]

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Proudman wrote:

I have an '08 KLR. Do I still need to upgrade the subframe bolts and dohickey, or was that just for the pre-2008s?

I did my subframe bolts as well as the 2 small hex bolts holding the rack down to the sub frame. They both snapped. Only on hard off road riding though.

I did my doo hickey at 10000km. didnt need it though and still had plenty of tension on the spring.