The 650 Dakar Thread - Page 103

rob feature · 01-28-2010, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uhuru

I love my 2005 Dakar and don't want to sell it, but I find that I'm now enjoying longer trips, essentially all tarmac. So, I'm interested in understanding the pros and cons of using a 19" front rim and tire on this bike. 19" seems like it would be better for those long two lane highway trips than the 21". I would keep my 21" rim and tire.

I'm thinking there may be sidestand problems created with going to a 19 inch front tire and rim, but would this change require a shorter sidestand? Can I expect notably improved handling on twisties and highways with a 19" front wheel? What else is involved, what should I be thinking about on this?

I have a Dakar and 2 sets of wheels...19/17 street combo and 21/17 knobs. I use a hockey puck on the sidestand full time...works perfectly for both setups. Gotta have the puck with either setup though.

rob feature · 01-28-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WU7X

Can you tell me something about the shims? Are they a standard size that I can find locally, or do I have to go through a BMW dealer to get them? I'd like to find a box of them like the guy in the ChainGang DVD has. I can't imagine getting everything pulled apart and then having to wait a couple of weeks to get the correct shim size mailed to me.

The shims are 29mm for the single spark FI and twin spark carbed bikes. Shims from a KLR 650 will fit...and you may find a Kawi dealer more easily than a BMW dealer. I'm not that familiar with the FI twin spark under bucket shims, but they're a much smaller diameter.

Quite a few of these bikes never need to be adjusted. Or rarely. Mine, however, has needed adjustment the majority of the time they've been checked....luck of the draw I guess. I've found them tight and loose.

rob feature · 01-28-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Throttlemeister

Anyone have a good idea of aftermarket windshield that fits a 2005 and newer 4 bolt that is more upright like the 3 bolt shields the older Dakar's had?

I got the factory shield but on full left lock the brake master cyclinder hits the shield.

Any one trim the factory shield and get good results?

John

I trimmed my 3-holer to knock out the buffeting. It worked.

For the Winter, I bought a Wunderlich...works wunders! Really keeps the wind off when it gets cold. They make a few 4-hole models I believe (different heights)

You need to take some patience and perhaps a dose of ingenuity along...the tolerances are a little, eh, loose

WU7X · 01-28-2010, 09:21 PM

Rob,

Thanks for the information. The closest bike dealer to me just happens to be a Kawasaki dealer! I'll have to go down and talk with them.

Wonderful information!

Dale, the Old Fart

hairyghost · 01-28-2010, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dang

Sorry I blendered the explanation. Glad Shearboy figured it out.

No worries Dang. I assure you there was no sarcasm directed your way.

Uhuru · 01-29-2010, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob feature

I have a Dakar and 2 sets of wheels...19/17 street combo and 21/17 knobs. I use a hockey puck on the sidestand full time...works perfectly for both setups. Gotta have the puck with either setup though.

Thanks, Rob. This is exactly what I am thinking of doing--two different sized front wheels. And thanks for the hockey puck tip for the sidestand. I figured there would be some issue like that.

rob feature · 01-29-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uhuru

Thanks, Rob. This is exactly what I am thinking of doing--two different sized front wheels. And thanks for the hockey puck tip for the sidestand. I figured there would be some issue like that.

Well, as you've probably figured out, the stock sidestand is too short out of the box. You really need to either make it longer or put a foot on it. But another benefit of the hockey puck is that you can put your sidestand down in pretty much anything...mud, saturated ground, sand, etc. and your bike won't fall over

. Well worth the dollar and the trip down to the Hockey Stop.

herrhelmet · 01-29-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob feature

Well, as you've probably figured out, the stock sidestand is too short out of the box. You really need to either make it longer or put a foot on it. But another benefit of the hockey puck is that you can put your sidestand down in pretty much anything...mud, saturated ground, sand, etc. and your bike won't fall over

. Well worth the dollar and the trip down to the Hockey Stop.

You CAN bend your kickstand mount on the frame. I did it and no puck needed. Only needs to bend a small amount.

tmotten · 01-30-2010, 01:28 AM

What do you do? Bolt a big bar onto it and bend it with that?

Gravel Seeker · 01-30-2010, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonoran rider

Hmm this makes me a little nervous. I just ordered the trickle charge cable from a bmw dealership. Is charging through the acc port not a good idea?

I've trickle charged through a (homemade) aux socket for years without any issues

Gravel Seeker · 01-30-2010, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmotten

What do you do? Bolt a big bar onto it and bend it with that?

I'd like to know this aswell as I'd like a more upright bike when it's on the sidestand (and I don't wanna break the little tab off either in the process...

)

Sometimes it sort of almost leaves the front wheel off the ground and is a real bitch to push upright when fully loaded. Not sure if mine has bend even more since it was new..... What do you guys think ?

dang · 01-30-2010, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairyghost

No worries Dang. I assure you there was no sarcasm directed your way.

Never thought so Hairy. Besides, I've had worse here on adv.

Glad it worked out. I really get a rock solid feeling of dependability from our FI but it has a few little quirks like that.

dang · 01-30-2010, 06:22 AM

Mine not only has that aftermarket lengthening bit but I cut the bottom off a standard gs stand to add about another inch. I think the problem lies in the yoke that goes over the boss on the frame. When it's up my stand kind of flops up and down it's so sloppy at the attach point. It works for now but the foot is heading pretty far back when the stand is up. Pretty soon it'll be hanging out the back.

"I'd like to know this aswell as I'd like a more upright bike when it's on the sidestand (and I don't wanna break the little tab off either in the process... )

Sometimes it sort of almost leaves the front wheel off the ground and is a real bitch to push upright when fully loaded. Not sure if mine has bend even more since it was new..... What do you guys think ?"

Gravel Seeker · 01-30-2010, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dang

Mine not only has that aftermarket lengthening bit but I cut the bottom off a standard gs stand to add about another inch. I think the problem lies in the yoke that goes over the boss on the frame. When it's up my stand kind of flops up and down it's so sloppy at the attach point. It works for now but the foot is heading pretty far back when the stand is up. Pretty soon it'll be hanging out the back.

Mine is also very loose where it's attached to the frame (can't tighten it any more than it is), but I think I'll try to bend the tab first and then see where that leaves me.

sonoran rider · 01-30-2010, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravel Seeker

I've trickle charged through a (homemade) aux socket for years without any issues

good to know, thanks for responding!

01-28-2010, 09:21 PM	#1534
WU7X The Old Fart Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Spoke Can, WA Oddometer: 1,635	Shim info Rob, Thanks for the information. The closest bike dealer to me just happens to be a Kawasaki dealer! I'll have to go down and talk with them. Wonderful information! Dale, the Old Fart __________________ "Fiona" - 1982 R100RT - Hacked - EML suspension, Squire ST2 chair "You can tell a woman's mood by her hands. If she has a gun in one, she's probably mad."

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-30-2010, 01:28 AM	#1539
tmotten Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Australia Oddometer: 2,284	What do you do? Bolt a big bar onto it and bend it with that?

01-30-2010, 06:22 AM	#1543
dang Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Westport or Olympia WA Oddometer: 450	Mine not only has that aftermarket lengthening bit but I cut the bottom off a standard gs stand to add about another inch. I think the problem lies in the yoke that goes over the boss on the frame. When it's up my stand kind of flops up and down it's so sloppy at the attach point. It works for now but the foot is heading pretty far back when the stand is up. Pretty soon it'll be hanging out the back. "I'd like to know this aswell as I'd like a more upright bike when it's on the sidestand (and I don't wanna break the little tab off either in the process... ) Sometimes it sort of almost leaves the front wheel off the ground and is a real bitch to push upright when fully loaded. Not sure if mine has bend even more since it was new..... What do you guys think ?"