DR650 Fuel Filter Problem
In previous articles, we have discussed the few problems concerning Suzuki’s great DR650SE. In each case we’ve suggested a fix. The Top Gun
More KLR650 Assembly Screw-ups
Bruce Redding Mexican Rally Car champion, Air Race Champion and long time master
Avoiding Danger in Mexico, Part I
Oh how I long for the good old days in Baja when Alan Dietor (the best dirt rider I’ve ever ridden with) and I used to wander all over Baja without ever encountering (other than flat tires) or even hearing of a major problem, human or mechanical. To be sure, riding in the early 1970s […]
Timbo Lewis is Argentina Bound
Tim Lewis, citizen of Arkansas and the
Adjustable Pre-Load Fork Caps
We understand that among the new products released recently are pre-load adjustable
DR650 Important Service Suggestion
Once again, we have Elden doing double-duty on articles, so a short tip this month for DR650 riders. We at Top Gun are pretty anal about our motorcycle maintenance. In the areas of
Summer Gearing
Rod Morris recently talked to a customer concerning gearing his KLR650 down to 14/49 or 51.
Shearing Forces and the KLR650
At first I wondered why Pauline and I with our gear all loaded onto the KLR650 never broke a stock upper sub-frame bolt. With over 40,000 miles two-up on and off- road carrying approximately 375lbs on the sub-frame, we should – according to the so called experts on the Internet – have been bitten by […]
Mel Clark
Todd’s Note: We had Elden pull double duty this month with FFT and Technical Insights.
“Meredith” has KLR Transmission Problem
Several months ago, Jay Bass, Rod Morris, and I were north bound in Baja near Punta Prieta when we passed three north bound KLR650s which we later found out were piloted by Phillip Orth of Sierra Vista, Arizona and two female companions. Meredith, one of the two ladies, phoned me the other day from Mexico […]
KLR650 Drive Chains 101
As you probably know, there are three drive chains in a KLR650 engine; one drives the cams, one drives the balancer system/water pump, and the third drives the rear wheel. The balancer and rear wheel drive chains are probably the most abused in motorcycledom. Why you ask? The rear wheel drive chain, despite living in […]
48,000 Mile KLR650 Tune-up
I’d like to open by apologizing to our readers for goofing off on my lack of information
KLR650 Balancer System
We commend Tim Carrithers of
Suspension 101
As you may know, we at Top Gun have introduced two custom rear springs (sold byMMP) for the stock KLR650 rear shock; a 6.6kg and a 7.4kg.
Traveling Around Africa on a KLR650
I recently got a beautiful picture post card from Bill Kamps of South Padre Island, Texas. The photo is of Hout Bay and Chapman
Fasteners That Hold: Flange Bolts are In; Flat Washers are Out
The other day I found a used, 6×1.0x12mm Torx bolt with its flat washer still attached, lying in my driveway. I picked it up and immediately went to my KLR650 to check the two ignition switch fasteners. Bingo, one was missing and one was coming loose. I
Tale of Two Failed KLR650
I always chuckle a bit when I hear stories on the Internet about the Kawasaki
Welcome to Fuel For Thought
Note: Due to time constraints, Webmaster Mark at www.multisurfacemotorcycling.com will no longer be adding a monthly “Fuel For Thought” article. He will however, continue to maintain the website with its treasure trove of informative articles, procedures, and all of the past Fuels. MMP will still operate its storefront from the site as well. We want […]
2008 KLR-650 Observations
Over ten years ago I built a KLR650 using part of a KLR650B Tengai front end including larger disc (same diameter as the 2008); stoppier two-puck brake; and front fender which had a light, built-in fork brace. I used KLR650 inner fork tubes, progressive springs, and modified stock dampeners to improve action. I had fork […]
More on KLR650 Broken Subframe Bolt
Note – We apologize for the late production of this month’s Technical Insights. We lost a
Will the troublesome 23 year old KLR600/650 engine balancer system be fixed on the 2008 model?
In my 17 year, 209,000 mile career with the KLR650 I
Is There a New Engine Balancer System for the 2008 KLR650?
To quote the factory,
DR650 Potential Problems and Fixes
In the first half of 2005 I purchased two new motorcycles from House of Motorcycles in San
Compare and Contrast: The 650s
As you may know, the weather south of the border in Baja is getting to be just about
Welcome to Technical Insights!
Our webmaster at “topgunmotorcycles.com”, Todd Vosper, has asked me to revive the old
