1987 KLR 250 Valves - KLR650.NET Forums - Your Kawasaki KLR650 Resource!

halloran · 07-30-2004, 07:48 AM

I have an 1987 KLR 250 that previously worked fine, I was riding one day when I suddenly felt a huge decrese in power and the bike turned of and locked up. Smoke poured from the exhaust. I had a full oil tank, full petrol tank, full of water in the radiator and everything seemed to be fine. I started it and took it home, But it seemed to have another gear. 6 instead of its usual 5, The decrese in power and performance was still showing and it barley made it back. I left it and went back home. The next tday i ride it again to check for improvements, I get about 26kilometres out of it (still with decreased performance) and then It stops again but this time without the smoke. I thought everything was ok, so i left it. Later I try to start it and there is no compression and it wont start. It backfires every 20 or so kicks and just lays limp. I ask my usual mechanic about the problem and i am told it common for a KLR to blow the valve and I would need a new one.

Do you think this is the problem. Please help i know that was long but i am desperate.

mudwalker · 07-30-2004, 01:17 PM

First off, sorry your klr is sick.

My 99 klr250 is a 6-speed as I think all of them are.

Questions, have you or anyone else ever adjusted the valves on this bike? I understand lack of valve adjustment is the primary killer of the klr250. I would like to know when this happens, what actually fails, the cam or the valves or what. Maybe some one else will join in and let us know.

How many miles are on this bike?

I would go ahead and pull the valve cover and take a peek in there.

Let's get some input here guys we got a klr down

robsta · 08-02-2004, 02:05 AM

I am no mechanical whizz but to start with I think a compression test would be required.
The internals need to be examined for damage as well as the valves. If the motor has seized up and freed itself minor work may be needed ( rebore and new rings maybe).
It sounds sick and to ride it now will do no good. I doubt if it will improve by itself.
Considering how much a 1987 model is worth it might not be financially viable to spend much. Ask your mechanic to give you an estimate. If it is couple of hundred AUS$ then it might be a goer but at some point you have to be careful you are not throwing good money after bad.
Hope it works out for you mate.
Please post again and let us know what happens
On ya
Rob

halloran · 08-02-2004, 04:02 AM

thank you. Your help was much appriciated. I had been warned by my local dealer abou the problem before but i think that the previous owner must have not of treated the bike too well. But i shall seek the costs of repairing it.

07-30-2004, 07:48 AM	#1
halloran Occasional Poster Super Cool Since: Jul 2004 Postings: 2	1987 KLR 250 Valves I have an 1987 KLR 250 that previously worked fine, I was riding one day when I suddenly felt a huge decrese in power and the bike turned of and locked up. Smoke poured from the exhaust. I had a full oil tank, full petrol tank, full of water in the radiator and everything seemed to be fine. I started it and took it home, But it seemed to have another gear. 6 instead of its usual 5, The decrese in power and performance was still showing and it barley made it back. I left it and went back home. The next tday i ride it again to check for improvements, I get about 26kilometres out of it (still with decreased performance) and then It stops again but this time without the smoke. I thought everything was ok, so i left it. Later I try to start it and there is no compression and it wont start. It backfires every 20 or so kicks and just lays limp. I ask my usual mechanic about the problem and i am told it common for a KLR to blow the valve and I would need a new one. Do you think this is the problem. Please help i know that was long but i am desperate.

08-02-2004, 02:05 AM	#3
robsta A Regular Super Cool Since: Oct 2003 Postings: 84	I am no mechanical whizz but to start with I think a compression test would be required. The internals need to be examined for damage as well as the valves. If the motor has seized up and freed itself minor work may be needed ( rebore and new rings maybe). It sounds sick and to ride it now will do no good. I doubt if it will improve by itself. Considering how much a 1987 model is worth it might not be financially viable to spend much. Ask your mechanic to give you an estimate. If it is couple of hundred AUS$ then it might be a goer but at some point you have to be careful you are not throwing good money after bad. Hope it works out for you mate. Please post again and let us know what happens On ya Rob __________________ Always look on the bright side of life

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07-30-2004, 01:17 PM	#2
mudwalker Member Super Cool Since: May 2004 Postings: 18	First off, sorry your klr is sick. My 99 klr250 is a 6-speed as I think all of them are. Questions, have you or anyone else ever adjusted the valves on this bike? I understand lack of valve adjustment is the primary killer of the klr250. I would like to know when this happens, what actually fails, the cam or the valves or what. Maybe some one else will join in and let us know. How many miles are on this bike? I would go ahead and pull the valve cover and take a peek in there. Let's get some input here guys we got a klr down

08-02-2004, 04:02 AM	#4
halloran Occasional Poster Super Cool Since: Jul 2004 Postings: 2	thank you. Your help was much appriciated. I had been warned by my local dealer abou the problem before but i think that the previous owner must have not of treated the bike too well. But i shall seek the costs of repairing it.

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