New (to Me) 2000 Kawasaki W650

[pjensen641]

A really crappy pic. I'll have to get some better ones...




Definitely looks wide at the bars, but I liked the clear view they give. Not sure if they will vibe too bad or not. I think they compliment they W style well. There are black ones available too, but the chrome seems a better match for a stockish bike. Not sure they are still making them. Not too many places sell them anymore (genuine Napoleons are "Baren" labeled). I found these on ebay new.

[the_wes]

Originally Posted by zwish

Also, Wes, are your fenders that you cut down the stock fenders? I've been wanting to do that.

Yes, they are the stock fenders - cut down by the previous owner. I'll be replacing them though as I want a tad more coverage on the inside rear.

Originally Posted by ORexpat

Nice RR , the_wes. Thoroughly enjoyed your photos.

thanks

[rulle_retard]

Originally Posted by zwish

Very cool! Did you lower the bike at all? How is the bike without a front fender, do you feel the need for a fork brace? Lastly, is the the stock rear fender but cut down, or is that a different one all together. Definitely dig it. I'm hoping to get in deeper with changing some stuff up on mine.

Thanks! No I haven´t lowered the bike at all, it probably are higher than original because of all the weight I have taken off :) I cant notice any big difference without front fender, have been thinking of get a fork brace but they are expensive! The fender is aftermarket but I have powder coated it black and pushed it in a bit so it got even shorter than it was before.

[Speedo66]

Originally Posted by pjensen641

A really crappy pic. I'll have to get some better ones...




Definitely looks wide at the bars, but I liked the clear view they give. Not sure if they will vibe too bad or not. I think they compliment they W style well. There are black ones available too, but the chrome seems a better match for a stockish bike. Not sure they are still making them. Not too many places sell them anymore (genuine Napoleons are "Baren" labeled). I found these on ebay new.

I also have those mirrors on my bike. You can turn the mirrors 180 degrees so the wider part is on the inside. They still work fine for me like that, and give a much narrower look, and better for lane splitting.

As far as the tail light with a stock fender, my True Value hardware store carries chrome carriage bolts that fit and look original for the 2 bottom holes. I stuck a vintage looking aluminum Lucas style tail light on it, and used the chrome bolts for the bottom holes.

[Barnone]

Originally Posted by Speedo66

I also have those mirrors on my bike. You can turn the mirrors 180 degrees so the wider part is on the inside. They still work fine for me like that, and give a much narrower look, and better for lane splitting.

Speedo66,
Good idea. Also can you get a decent rear view if the mirrors are under the bars?

[Pigford]

Lovin' the photo's and info over the last 2 x pages.....

These bikes are just so versitile, they looks perfect in so many different styles; Standard or Cafe Racer or Dirt Bike

[RustyStuff]

Originally Posted by Barnone

Speedo66,
Good idea. Also can you get a decent rear view if the mirrors are under the bars?

I think he means turning the mirrors on there pivots, not fliping them upside down.

Thanks for the pic.

[pjensen641]

Better pic of the mirrors...once again, excuse the dirty wheels and shop

[Speedo66]

Originally Posted by Barnone

Speedo66,
Good idea. Also can you get a decent rear view if the mirrors are under the bars?

Haven't tried it, and bike is in the shed with some distance of 2 foot uncleared snow between me and it, and my boots don't go that high.

[pjensen641]

Whoa. The W thread was getting buried way too deep in the sea of threads!

Anyone been out riding? I took my new W out for about 100 miles. Wind was blowing like hell and only in the mid 40's. The low bars helped with the wind! New Race-Tech front and Koni rear shocks made a definite difference in ride quality!

After returning, I decided to do the bevel gear backlash adjustment mentioned in the following article and in the service manual. Has a neat cut-away drawing of the engine too.

Article

My W is quiet for about the first 15-30 seconds at cold start up and the the backlash noise crops up pretty quickly and is significant. I have listened to a few idling on youtube and they don't seem as noisy (hard to tell though). I have read the cautionary tales about people messing with the bevel gear assembly. Usually that is if parts are removed though. The manual and article mention that 70° adjustment in either direction is a maximum limit. I found that I could make a significant reduction in clatter by moving around 10°. Only the lower joint needed a bit of adjustment. I still have backlash noise, but I figured I would error on the loose side rather than risk a binding situation at start-up. I also wonder if the splines in the bevel gear shaft aren't a little loose after 40K miles. Anyone else have a significant clatter from the bevel gear side?

BTW, didn't know if anyone else had found the online version of the Service Manual.

Here

[Barnone]

I've been riding everyday on the W650 or the Ural Yamal, sometimes both. One of the advantages of being in SW Florida. Nice weather but no curves or hills. I'll be in mc heaven riding in a few months , W North Carolina.



A little gathering of Urals at the local BMW dealer last Saturday. Mine on the left,

[GoonerYoda]

Took mine out the other day.

[ORexpat]

Took mine out yesterday; mid 40's too. Only took the heated vest and it wasn't enough after about an hour. Should'a used the jacket and gloves, just don't keep the heat up at stoplight . . . .

Looking northeast across the Puget Sound from Kitsap Peninsula to southern Whidbey Island.



Beach buildings at Hansville.

[Barnone]

ORexpat,
Happy to be back in the Pacific North Wet?

[ORexpat]

Just getting unpacked, and loving it out here!