XRL owners sign in.

[Sierra Thumper]

Originally Posted by bp_josh

How complicated is it to take the swingarm off and put it back on? Will I have to wrestle with the rear shock (compress it or something) to reassemble it? My bike lift is a floor jack with a piece of wood on it to go under the bash plate.

If I do take it off, I assume I should either re-grease or replace a couple parts while I'm in there right? What will need attention?

I want to paint it, but I'm trying to decide if it's worth the hassle.

Unless your swingarms badly scarred/scraped up, or you know you need to replace some parts in it, I wouldn't pull it just to paint. Its a dirt bike, its nice to have them look good within reason, but unlike a streetbike, they're going to fall over plenty, get scratched/scraped up from brush/tree's/rocks etc.
Plus your painted swingarm will scratch up and peel faster than you'd like......you need to powdercoat it if you want to color it. If you want something pretty to ride that you can make look sweet, and keep it sweet, get a streetbike My streetbikes look pristine.....my xrl looks good, but I don't worry NEAR as much about its looks as my streetbikes.
Personally I'd get a couple of cool swingarms stickers, slap them on and be happy......thats what I just did

[bp_josh]

Should have specified I'm not going for 'pretty', I'm going for 'someday I want to paint my bike in flat khaki or military colors because I don't like neon motorcycles and shiny metal, but the plastics seem like a lot of work so I'll start with the easy bits like the bottoms of the forks and swingarm.'

You're right though, I do need to pick up a cheap old Magna or Madura or something so I can fuck around with paint schemes and rat styles.

[ThumpnRed]

Originally Posted by bp_josh

How complicated is it to take the swingarm off and put it back on? Will I have to wrestle with the rear shock (compress it or something) to reassemble it? My bike lift is a floor jack with a piece of wood on it to go under the bash plate.

If I do take it off, I assume I should either re-grease or replace a couple parts while I'm in there right? What will need attention?

I want to paint it, but I'm trying to decide if it's worth the hassle.

It is not that big of a deal and you should take everything off once in a while to clean and check all of the bearing. You'll want to take off the tank (to get to the seat) and the seat to make it possible to get to the upper shock bolt.
I did a how-to thread over on TT about removing the shock. http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/945...l#entry9885700 It will give you an idea of what it involves. Bear in mind, you dont have to remove the shock, but I would just to clean and inspect everything. At the end my series of picture on the htread, you would only be left with loosening and removing the swingarm bolt.

[fritzcoinc]

Originally Posted by Schultz!

Fritz you hurt me allot !

Never have I claimed to be one of them Engineers.... I was and am a technician, my brain wasn't removed of all practical common sence at graduation.( i kid i kid)

You’re a Technician.
Then I’ll need to make my case in much, simpler terms.
It is like driving a truck without a steering wheel trying to make adjustments to something that cannot be accurately measured. You are just ambling along swerving from one ditch to the other. Knowing more precisely where you are allows you to position your truck where you want it to be in the lane.
Why would ANYBODY, let alone a technician, go to the trouble to measure sag? To even get close you need an assistant. It just struck me like a bolt of lightning, more Technicians need, job security.
All you need is the bike on a stand and a metal ruler to measure spring length and the measurement will be spot on.

[Dooga]

Installed my Moose skid plate, noticed my oil was disastrously low and topped up. Added Hippo Ears.

[bomber1965]

XR650L owners are always asking how to get the airbox into the frame with the shock installed. This owner made a video.



Jump to the 3 minute mark if your in a hurry.....

[Schultz!]

Originally Posted by fritzcoinc

You’re a Technician.
Then I’ll need to make my case in much, simpler terms.
It is like driving a truck without a steering wheel trying to make adjustments to something that cannot be accurately measured. You are just ambling along swerving from one ditch to the other. Knowing more precisely where you are allows you to position your truck where you want it to be in the lane.
Why would ANYBODY, let alone a technician, go to the trouble to measure sag? To even get close you need an assistant. It just struck me like a bolt of lightning, more Technicians need, job security.
All you need is the bike on a stand and a metal ruler to measure spring length and the measurement will be spot on.

Funny you mention a truck with "suggestive" steering my 93 ram W250 handles just as you describe and it has one of them new fangled steering wheels


As far as sag vs shock spring measurement all I can say is this if you want to account for the ratio of the suspension measure sag, if you don't want to account for the suspension ratio measure the shock spring.

What was the mercury girls number again... I could use her "assistance" in measuring some "sag"

[Ben99r1]

I tested out my xr650l with a xr600 exhaust without the insert. It is a little loud for highway speeds. But with earplugs or headphone help to reduce the drone. On the trail it helped a lot with throthol response. I really think that it added more power to the bike. I am getting some popping on decel. Anyone running this set up did you have to rejet the carb? I have Dave's mod done rt know. But am thinking I might have to go up to 55/160 or 55/162.

[Brown Falcon]

Originally Posted by Ben99r1

I tested out my xr650l with a xr600 exhaust without the insert. It is a little loud for highway speeds. But with earplugs or headphone help to reduce the drone. On the trail it helped a lot with throthol response. I really think that it added more power to the bike. I am getting some popping on decel. Anyone running this set up did you have to rejet the carb? I have Dave's mod done rt know. But am thinking I might have to go up to 55/160 or 55/162.

With my insert removed I had popping on developing. After swapping in a 55/158 combo the popping is much better. I found it too loud on the highway without the insert, but it is great with my modified insert.

I did Dave's mod and have snorkel removed and k&n filter. 2.5 turns out on mixture with insert removed iirc

[mendoteach]

Originally Posted by Schultz!

Funny you mention a truck with "suggestive" steering my 93 ram W250 handles just as you describe and it has one of them new fangled steering wheels


As far as sag vs shock spring measurement all I can say is this if you want to account for the ratio of the suspension measure sag, if you don't want to account for the suspension ratio measure the shock spring.

What was the mercury girls number again... I could use her "assistance" in measuring some "sag"

I doubt you would have much sag if you got a hold of her and she came over Maybe lift, but no sag.

[fritzcoinc]

Originally Posted by Schultz!

Funny you mention a truck with "suggestive" steering my 93 ram W250 handles just as you describe and it has one of them new fangled steering wheels


As far as sag vs shock spring measurement all I can say is this if you want to account for the ratio of the suspension measure sag, if you don't want to account for the suspension ratio measure the shock spring.

What was the mercury girls number again... I could use her "assistance" in measuring some "sag"

Sag should only be a measure of boobs.
Jill is OK as is!

[mendoteach]

Anyone ?


What oil you all run ?

[beechum1]

Sent my motor off to CW. looking forward to the results. Have a ride in Baja at the end of Jan. Maybe time to do some suspension service while I have the bike apart.

[purpledrake]

Originally Posted by Dooga

Installed my Moose skid plate, noticed my oil was disastrously low and topped up. Added Hippo Ears.

Hey, Dooga,

Those Hippo Ears are huge! Tell us what you think of them. Are there any other brands that you considered? Do they come off easily? And, do you have bark busters installed underneath them?

PD

[Ben99r1]

Does anyone have a right side panel?(exhaust side) I crashed on the trail and it melted. I am looking to buy one, does anyone have one for sale in white?
Thanks Ben