Installed new barkbusters

I finally got tired of my makeshift hand guards.  They did the job, but one of them had cracked during a trail drop at some point.  I ordered these from Amazon.com and they arrived in less than two days!  I should have waited until I had new grips to install them, but oh well...

Front brake rotor upgrade

I agree with the majority of KLR owners on this:  the stock front brake is weak.  I swapped front wheels with my other bike (and put a new Heidenau K60 on the wheel), uprading my bike and retrofitting the other back to stock brakes.

Back in Black

I realized soon after painting the plastics army green, that I preferred black.  I used Krylon Fusion satin black, after scuffing the green paint with 400 grit sandpaper and cleaning with Prepsol.

Rattle-can paint job in my backyard

The Fairing looks very 'Darth Vader' in black

Aligned rear axle

I used the string method to align the rear axle.  The chain adjusting marks no longer agree, but the chain bounces much less while running in 1st gear on the swing arm stand.  With the adjusting marks in agreement, the axle was about 3mm skewed.  After the initial adjustment, the chain was too tight so I loosened it by turning both adjusters equally in the same direction and then double-checked the alignment.  Torquing the axle seemed to cause the chain to tighten and bumped the alignment off, by about 1mm.  After checking alignment at several locations on the rim, I decided it was within specs.

I made these jigs to verify the swingarm / axle alginment

Installed new chain and sprockets

Today I installed the new chain and sprocket set that I had purchased in the Fall of last year.  The chain was at its limits and the sprockets were worn a bit.  I upgraded to a 16 tooth front sprocket, hoping to keep the revs lower at highway speeds.

new o-ring chain and 16 tooth front sprocket

the master link wouldn't budge, so I had to dig out my Dremmel rotary tool

I should have removed the countershaft nut before the rear tire, so I had to clamp it with the old chain

the nut spun right off with the transmission in neutral and the old chain clamped as pictured above

the larger sprocket and new chain cleared the stator wiring fine

now we have some adjustment room

Tach / speed data before sprocket change

Damn school buses kept slowing traffic this morning, so I never made it to my target speed.  See pics.

45 MPH = 2600 RPM

50 MPH = 3000 RPM

62 MPH = 3600 RPM

66 MPH = 4000 RPM

Rode to Utica, IL

Today I rolled the bike out from the storage unit, installed the battery, inflated the tires, topped-off the oil and took it for a 70 mile ride to Utica.  Right now, I'm at Duffy's Tavern waiting for my Ruben sandwich.  I had to use hand warmers on the way out.  I am very happy with the new Seat Concepts saddle, so far.

Seat upgrade

After some research on DIY seat mods, and hours online looking at available aftermarket seats, I decided to get the Seat Concepts kit.  I couldn't find any negative opinions about it, and it looks like an easy install.

Unfortunately, the electric stapler that I had was not up to the task.  I found a local upholster who was willing to do a small job, and I'm glad.  It turned out really, really nice.  Looking forward to getting it mounted and taking a trip!

Just prior to removing the old cover and foam

I paid extra for a 'tailbone cutout'

Frank let me snap a couple pics of him working

He was very kind to do the job while I waited.  I watched and learned.

A short nap in the mud

Today, I dropped the bike for the first time.  The trails were in perfect condition, except for a few spots.

With my appetite for dirt wetted, I just found this 50 mile ride in Wisconsin:

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?14771-Pictorial-of-The-30th-State/page23

It is a shared-use trail called Cheese Country Monroe to Mineral Point Trail.

I found it here:  http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134301

Direct link to this and other area trails:  http://www.tricountytrails.com/

07777.7

I took a nice ride this morning, following the Fox river south on Route 31 from Wayne to Oswego and returning on the other side via Route 25.  Later, on the way to work I noticed that the odometer was going to roll through a cool number and pulled over to take a picture.

Yes, its a useless blog post and I am a nerd.  I have been busy with other things lately and figured that I should update this blog to keep it flowing...