Hey all you KLR650 owners. Just thought I'd pass along what I learned recently about a loose steering stemnut on our bikes.
I've always known that this was a KLR problem because of poor dealer PDI prep. I've kept on eye on mynut since new, it never seemed to move, but I never did put a wrench on it to check it's tightness. Well I sure was surprised in late August, while riding the KVR out near Summerland and 9500km on the odometer, that I could start to feel some looseness in the handlebars over the big bumps. Once I got home, I promptly forgot about it, went on another ride a few weeks later, ah nuts, hope I don't screw up the bearings while I continue to ride.
Okay so back at home, I find the procedure toremedy the problemon the internet and she's now good as new. If you're thinking all you need to do is tighten that bignut you see peeking out at you from under your handlebars, wrongo mister, your nuts will be tight, but your head will still be shaking.
Have a look at the step-by-step procedure with pictures on this site, multisurfacemotorcycling, and if you've never visited this site before, well do some surfing, Mr. Carl has some quite interesting opinions on our favorite pasttime.
http://multisurfacemotorcycling.com/klrpage/steering_p1.htm
BTW my nut (27mm) was loose enough that I didn't need a wrench to loosen it more. It's also good to know that the handlebars will prevent the nutfrom backing itself all the way off so that you'll lose it.
Happy riding,
Paul
I've always known that this was a KLR problem because of poor dealer PDI prep. I've kept on eye on mynut since new, it never seemed to move, but I never did put a wrench on it to check it's tightness. Well I sure was surprised in late August, while riding the KVR out near Summerland and 9500km on the odometer, that I could start to feel some looseness in the handlebars over the big bumps. Once I got home, I promptly forgot about it, went on another ride a few weeks later, ah nuts, hope I don't screw up the bearings while I continue to ride.
Okay so back at home, I find the procedure toremedy the problemon the internet and she's now good as new. If you're thinking all you need to do is tighten that bignut you see peeking out at you from under your handlebars, wrongo mister, your nuts will be tight, but your head will still be shaking.
Have a look at the step-by-step procedure with pictures on this site, multisurfacemotorcycling, and if you've never visited this site before, well do some surfing, Mr. Carl has some quite interesting opinions on our favorite pasttime.
http://multisurfacemotorcycling.com/klrpage/steering_p1.htm
BTW my nut (27mm) was loose enough that I didn't need a wrench to loosen it more. It's also good to know that the handlebars will prevent the nutfrom backing itself all the way off so that you'll lose it.
Happy riding,
Paul