New far Northern California KLR'er

[microbc]

Been reading all I can about the KLR and thought I should say hello and thanks to all who post information to this forum. I have learned alot and love my new '07" black KLR650.

Here is a picture of my new '07' with some farkles!

Rear case (WalMart tool box that matches the yellow and black)
Aviator night vision boxes as panniers
Bell tank bag
Front crash cages
WalMart ATV seat cover
KTM front fender brace
35W driving lights
FatFoot kick stand extension
Radiator cooling mod
3 KLR (BMW) stickers

Lots more to do and to doo!!

Hoping for a far Northern California (Chico/Redding area) tech day so I can learn more!



Art

[Les]

Art, welcome to the family! NICE lookin ride!!

[microbc]

Thanks Les,

It is amazing how quickly one can get addicted to this bike. All broken in now and runs like a charm. I enjoy adding the farkles almost as much as I enjoy riding it!

Art

[nooner818]

Welcome microbc!

You're not that far north...

From me!

I live up above Chico in the foothills. If you ever want to ride up here, let me know. I know more than a few places to ride between here and Lake Almanor.

PM me anytime! And, if you need help with your Doohickey or anything else, my shop is always open.

[microbc]

Hi Nooner,

Thanks for the offer! I might take you up on both parts. I relocated from Rhode Island a few years back and lived in Paradise and worked in Chico when I first got out here. I live in Cottonwood now.

This is my 1st bike in alot of years and it was the best decision I have made! I love it!

Art

[Farmer1949]

Art,

Looks like you are ready for the Continental Divide Trail. I too am new to this KLR hobby. I got an 08 in July and am really enjoying it. I have a couple of questions for you:

1) Did you make your rear racks? If not where did you buy them?

2) Did you make the KLR/BMW stickers? Surely no one sells them in this day and age....copyrights and all...

If you haven't already, be sure and check out the ADV forum...lots of good info there also,,,,,

http:///forums/forumdisplay.php?f=29

Hopefully there will be some NorCal group rides this Fall/Winter....

[microbc]

Hi Farmer,

Congrats on your new bike and hobby! I bought the racks off a forum member on here but they sell the exact same ones on ebay for $75 + $12 shipping (I paid $70 shipped new). Search ebay for "KLR650 RACKS". They are the square ones and not the curved one's.

The stickers are sold by a member of this forum, can't remember his name but if you search for stickers he will come up. I think it was $10 for 3 stickers.

I would love to get a far northern CA tech day going so us newbies could learn how to do the doo and check the oil screen, etc...

Post some pic's of your bike!

Art

[FrDon]

Welcome Art!

Don+

[nooner818]

Originally Posted by microbc

I would love to get a far northern CA tech day going so us newbies could learn how to do the doo and check the oil screen, etc...

I've done about a dozen doohickeys in this area and I've done my own oil screen. Let me know if you want to host a tech day. I'd be happy to help out.

Or, if you'd like to come up here to the "hinterlands" and get yours done, I'd be pleased to "doo" it for you!

[Farmer1949]

Art, since you asked...now I know what my wife feels like showing her pictures of our daughter's recent wedding....
Here are a couple of pics...IMHO, the best upgrade is the 14T front sprocket...increases RPM by 7-8% and really helps slower driving, around town or trail....not good if high speed driving is really important.....I tend to drive no more than 55-65...hey, I'm an aging farmer and do as I wish!!! The second best up grade is to get rid of the stock seat....I am looking forward to a NorCal tech day.....

Caution....Shameless, Near-Thread hijack ahead.........Sorry in advance...

Also would like to do an offroad ride with a group from here, not too technical though....I'm thinking of Arnold (Highway 4) to Highway 108 on FS roads...Any interest?

[dtrides]

Also new to the KLR family! I am in Fortuna at the other end of HWY36! Maybe meet in the middle some time for lunch. I just returned from 1000 mi ride last week down and around Monterey for the last AMA race of the season. Had a great time ( except for the weapon of ass destruction called a seat) and gave my friend on his Duc a fit trying to keep up in the twisties.

[microbc]

Hi Farmer,

Nice looking bike. I was torn between the 08 in Green and the 07 in Black. Went with the 07 (being the penny pincher I am) and spent a few bucks on farkles! I find my stock seat with the atv pad to be very comfortable although the bike is at the top of the height limit for me.

Hopefully there will be a tech day in N. California (Chico or North) soon.

Art

[microbc]

Hi DT,

That would be cool to meet somewhere with a group from this forum and get to know each other and take a ride. I am a noobie with the off road stuff but love going off the pavement and exploring.

I don't mind the stock seat and it is even "good" with the ATV seat pad on it. Must be all the extra padding I add to the equation!

Art

[dtrides]

Hi Art. Heading out with friends on Sunday towards Redbluff on 36. If you think you will be out and about, soot me a PM and I will give you my C# and details. Probably wont know more till tomorrow nite. Always good to meet fellow motorcyclists. I will be on my KLR and friends on TLS and Buell. I think they want me to take my CBR1KRR so I can keepup, little do they know....Take care, Duncan.

[ajpags]

How did you mount the aviator boxes? I bought a set of 3 of them from Coleman's a while back, and have my PackRat sport racks coming this week as well. I'm just not sure if I need to do anything special to mount them. Will just some bolts with fender washers work ok?

[microbc]

I needed to drill and bolt 4 flat pieces of steel for the rack (you could weld them).

Two on each rack, one horizontal near the top and bottom.

I then drilled through the flat steel and box and secured with bolts, washers and wing nuts on the inside of the cases.

I could put them on and take them off in about 10 min.

I don't have the KLR anymore so I can't show you any pictures of the actual set up.

When you match the boxes up once the racks are installed you will see exactly where you need to add the flat pieces.

I used 1.5" x 1/8" flat stock cut to length.

Hope that helps!

Art

[ajpags]

Awesome - that's what I was thinking too, but wanted to confirm my lunacy.

[GLDave]

Originally Posted by microbc

Hi Farmer,


I would love to get a far northern CA tech day going so us newbies could learn how to do the doo and check the oil screen, etc...



Art

Hi neighbor, nice to meet you! Figure out the when and where for a tech day, and I'll be there with tools.

[Oakbough]

NORKLR's (pronounced NOR-CAL-R-S) unite! Its cool to see so many folks around. If any of you make it out to the Humboldt coast or feel like gettn gritty in the Six Rivers NF let me know It's a bit further north but sweet riding. Otherwise a tech day would be sweet.