Sunday, August 1, 2010

KLR Update

With the engine pulled I'm doing some real thinking on whether I want to split the crankcase to do an inside repair.  I'm very tempted to take my time and try a repair from the outside to avoid having to shim the crank preload without all the specialty tools involved.  There is another way that is tempting as well - rounding out the hole in the crankcase and using an expansion plug.  No matter what I do, fabricating a stronger skid plate is definitely on the list for a winter project.

I think I'll sleep on it and see how I feel in the morning.  I've got the rock out and all the metal fragments removed - one good reason to split and strip the case would be to check the case bearings and really verify there was no damage from a low oil condition.  I've always loved working on motorcycles, from my very first Kawasaki 30 years ago, and this one is no exception - the important thing is to get it back together and get back on the saddle!  Cheers and good night . . .

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

So glad your not busy. LOL Love ya little bro

Bloviating Zeppelin said...

Because if YOU don't do it then the nearest Kawasaki dealership is, what, 900 miles away?

BZ

Alaska Steve said...

Exactly right BZ - life on an island requires a fair amount of self-sufficiency, and the whole reason for having a KLR out here is to make repairs as needed by myself to help prepare for that big ride from Prudoe Bay to Patagonia on 2 wheels . . .

Lori said...

OMG! Looks like quite a project you've gotten yourself into!

Bloviating Zeppelin said...

Oooo, Steve, good point. Are you gonna do it with that specific KLR? And when are you thinking of doing that?

BZ