KLR650 Only Thread......

[rdnman]

Originally Posted by RandoCommando

I replaced mine with 3000 miles on the bike.
It was broken, but did not cause any damage.
The spring was still intact.
I think when the spring breaks, it causes the most damage.
Even though my lever was broken, it was still in the same location.
Maybe I got lucky?
I thought it was better to spend about $100 for doohickey parts then have to do hundreds of dollars of engine work.
Mind you, the 2008 KLR bikes had an improved doohickey put in.
Mine is on a 1999 KLR.

Who's did you purchase? any better than others?

[RandoCommando]

Originally Posted by rdnman

Who's did you purchase? any better than others?

My replacement doohickey kit came from Happy Trails.
It was the EagleMike kit.
You can order direct from EagleMike.
http://www.eaglemike.com/

[sparkymcgee]

Originally Posted by NHMatt

My 08 was fine with oil the first 4000 miles. I was always checking it and it was always fine. I was running Rotella in it since day one. I got too lax on my oil checks because it was never low until Friday when I pull off the exit to my house and hear a loud ticking. It was low on oil and cooked the exhaust journal. I guess it takes the breaking in before it starts to really burn oil. Mine has 5000 miles and is in pieces in my back yard right now.

Your story is what made me freak out and check it when I normally wouldn't. So thanks. It doesn't make any weird noises, so hopefully it is ok.

[rdnman]

Originally Posted by RandoCommando

I used 1 tablespoon per gallon of water.
I used 23 gallons of water in the plastic tub to submerge the tank as best as possible.
Getting air out of the tank while it's upside down in the tub was a PITA, but I think I got it all out.
This tank will be stored as a back up tank in case I damage mine.
Either that, or I'll sell it.
I'm wondering if the screw holes will need to be re-tapped after this is done.

The holes looked pretty crusty. If a screw holds don't touch them. If not try a heli-coil. My original 87 klr was on it's third tank because the rear mount broke and it would leak gas. It had 16000 on it when I sold it. I brazed the mounting bracket and to my knowledge it never broke again. If I wanted to preserve my tank I would get a plastic one and save the original.

[SkiBumBrian]

Originally Posted by rdnman

Has anyone actually had a problem with the stock Doo hickey??

Very many, me included. It is rare it causes catastrophic failure, but it does happen. Is it worth risking a total engine lock up at 60 MPH? Easy, cheap job. Just do the doo.

[two trackin fool]

Did mine ! She's a 2009
Doohicki was fine at 5000miles but the spring was just sitting there not doing a dam thing !

Your choice . To me, I ride all over - It's cheep Insurence .

[innathyzit]

my doo spring was broken and just hanging there at about 18000kmsish.

Was quiet etc but the internet said i should replace it so of course i did because it was on the internet.

[R Brown]

I ordered a kit with the torsion spring from Eagle Mike to have on hand. I checked mine at 1,700 miles while at a tech day with Lt. Dan at GSM Moto Rent. I adjusted it. After that first adjustment, the spring was slack and would not have adjusted anymore. Instead of pulling it down later, I went ahead and replaced it with the one from E.M. Glad I did.

[Aprilia]

Originally Posted by RandoCommando

I used 1 tablespoon per gallon of water.
I used 23 gallons of water in the plastic tub to submerge the tank as best as possible.
Getting air out of the tank while it's upside down in the tub was a PITA, but I think I got it all out.
This tank will be stored as a back up tank in case I damage mine.
Either that, or I'll sell it.
I'm wondering if the screw holes will need to be re-tapped after this is done.

Having spent many years taking on old bike projects, dealing with a rusty tank is pretty much the norm. I've used your method many times but about 10yrs ago I used a kit from POR15. Its their motorcycle tank repair kit. And unlike Kreem their product has lasted for many years after treatment. Key with any product like this is to follow the instructions EXACTLY. If it says roll the tank for 20 min it doesn't mean to take a 5 min break during...roll for 20 min.

You're tank in my opinion is in great shape. Personally, I'd still pick up the POR15 product. As for threads...yes, run a tap through it. For drying I tape a hair dryer to the inlet. The KLR tank has some deep recesses that take a while to dry out. Good luck!

[RandoCommando]

Originally Posted by Aprilia

Having spent many years taking on old bike projects, dealing with a rusty tank is pretty much the norm. I've used your method many times but about 10yrs ago I used a kit from POR15. Its their motorcycle tank repair kit. And unlike Kreem their product has lasted for many years after treatment. Key with any product like this is to follow the instructions EXACTLY. If it says roll the tank for 20 min it doesn't mean to take a 5 min break during...roll for 20 min.

You're tank in my opinion is in great shape. Personally, I'd still pick up the POR15 product. As for threads...yes, run a tap through it. For drying I tape a hair dryer to the inlet. The KLR tank has some deep recesses that take a while to dry out. Good luck!

Thanks Aprilia!
Yeah. The tank is in great shape compared to most, if not all of the rusty tanks I saw on YouTube videos.
Can I buy POR15 at a local store? Or is it something I have to order off the net?
I want to protect this tank for future use by me or someone else.
After all, aside from a few scratches, this tank is in great shape.
No dents or dings anywhere.
If it wasn't for the scratches, it would look new.
Even the paint is nice on it.

When I pull the tank out of the tub later, I'm going to see how the threads are for the petcock.
If they need to be tapped, I'll go buy a one size bigger tap, and new screws for it.

[IDRIDR]

Originally Posted by rdnman

Has anyone actually had a problem with the stock Doo hickey??

I attended a doo tech day a few months ago. About 12 to 15 bikes there. One of the group had a broken doo spring. We installed the Eagle Mike product to replace stock ones.

[Aprilia]

Originally Posted by RandoCommando

Thanks Aprilia!
Yeah. The tank is in great shape compared to most, if not all of the rusty tanks I saw on YouTube videos.
Can I buy POR15 at a local store? Or is it something I have to order off the net?
I want to protect this tank for future use by me or someone else.
After all, aside from a few scratches, this tank is in great shape.
No dents or dings anywhere.
If it wasn't for the scratches, it would look new.
Even the paint is nice on it.

When I pull the tank out of the tub later, I'm going to see how the threads are for the petcock.
If they need to be tapped, I'll go buy a one size bigger tap, and new screws for it.

My local Auto Paint supplier keeps the kit in stock but plenty offer it online. Even Amazon carries it... POR15 KIT

Why tap to larger size? I'd re-tap current threads regardless. Once done you can quickly determine their condition. In my experience the treads will be just fine.

[Nitro1970]

Originally Posted by bunghole

2011 klr w 3300 miles

I never had any oil burning issues when I was using Rotella 15 40. When I switched to Mobile 4T 10 40 at 2500 miles, I burned a qt in 800 miles. Any thoughts?

When I used Valvoline 20w-50 in my '11 it would use/burn oil like crazy (with around 3K miles on the bike). After and oil change I could ride a hundred miles or so i'd have to add so I didn't plan on getting to far from some place I could buy oil. Pissed off I was! Switched to Rotella T and haven't had issues since. I may have to add just a little at the 1200-1500 mile mark with aggressive riding but nothing like the Valvoline. Next oil change is coming due and thinking on giving the plain jane Castrol GTX 10w-40 a try.

[nakedwaterskier]

Has anyone actually had a problem with the stock Doo hickey??

Yes...But, when I had my doohickey side blow up it was caused by the heavy counterweights
wearing out the bearings. I had done the upgrade.

If I went into this topic any further, I might start criticizing another forum.

[redog1]

Originally Posted by two trackin fool

Did mine ! She's a 2009
Doohicki was fine at 5000miles but the spring was just sitting there not doing a dam thing !

Your choice . To me, I ride all over - It's cheep Insurence .

Did mine at 12K and had the same situation, no tension at all on the spring.