Stuarts KLR650

This morning I added a 12v outlet upfront to my KLR so I can run a lead into my tank bag (which is still coming) and plug in my battery charger.  This is a video summary of the work done.

Some thoughts for a logo…..

Thanks to Tim from KLRWorld.com for designing this one for me;

When Tim has the time he has offered to print, cut and send out to me which is very generous. I can’t wait.

With the weather forecast to be 37C and sunny, we headed off at 8am this morning to try and beat the heat. After a cool ride around the out skirts of Canberra we headed down to Coppings Crossing, followed by Uriarra Crossing and the Cotter. After a small break we headed down south to Tharwa for a meat pie and cool drink then back home.

A shortish ride of about 133kms in total and all tar. Once I get the crash bars on I will get more adventurous.
Here are some pictures taken along the way.

What does every good thumper need, but a Staintune Pipe.  I ordered the pipe with the bike but did not fit it until I ran the bike in a little.  I was advised that by using the stock pipe with more back pressure may help to seat the rings better.

Anyhow it was time to fit the pipe.  The process is very straight forwars and only took about 15 mins.

Remove the right side cover.  Unbolt the clamp and two botls attaching the silencer and slide it out.  Reverse this process to install the new pipe.

The new pipe is VERY loud.  Despite assurances that it meets Australian standards (<94db), it is still very loud.
I will be arranging to take the bike to have it checked out.  The bike does go alot better though.

The stock exhaust weighs in at 4.5kg whilst the Staintune was only 2kg.

After reading this post;   http://klrworld.com/forums/index.php/topic,1813.0.html
I decided that I would order the Stainless Steel body and engine bolt kits from Desmoparts.com for $68.  This price is probably a little high, but in years to come after salt water crossing and some possible neglect I will be thankful.  Apart from looking cool they should not rust.  I fitted most bolts with either lock tight or anti sieze, depending on where they were.  If I was to start this task over again I would buff all bolt heads first to give them that nice shiny look.

These picture do not do it justice, I will need to take a photo out in the day light of these bolts.

I was very excited about getting the Coocase and as you can seen in my short video I was a little disappointed that it was damaged on arrival.  Removing the small screws supplied and fitting larger self tappers has fixed the problem and it is more secure then it would have been new anyhow.

First part to fitting the Twisted Throttle Alu-Rack was removing the stock plastic rack.  This was straight forward and pretty easy.

Next was to install the new rack.

Followed by the Coocase and its adapter plate.  The wiring was a little tricky to identify the correct colors to ‘tap into’ however this wiring diagram from klrworld.com forums was very helpful.

The Coocase has rear break lights, remote for locking, unlocking and arming the alarm.  Very Cool.
Not so sure I will want to take this when I go off road though…..

Fitting the centre stand was pretty straight forward and makes working on the bike so much easier now. Putting the bike up on the centre stand can be a little trickey at first, but once you get the technique right it is easy.

Pros: Makes the bike stable when parked and easy to work on. Will be invaluable when changing flat tyres and servicing out on the road.
Cons: Is quite heavy. Is a little tricky at first to work out how to get the bike on the stand with out a foot lever.

I picked up my new KLR this afternoon. I have been following the run in procedure and allowing the bike to cool down between rides.
Some brief photos of the very first ride home, in the garage and a long lap around the block;

I have finally purchased the KLR650.
I got it for $9,200 from Canberra Motorcycle Centre (my local dealer) including Staintune pipe, on road costs and the bike will be derestricted. I can pick it up on Monday and it can not come quickly enough.