Monday, June 01, 2020

Kawasaki KLR650 Tengai Restoration and Mods


Restorations and Modifications I've done on my 1990 KLR650B Tengai:

Full Crash Bar 
Custom-made by "Evil Chop" facebook manufacturer from Romania
However  I heard that he's not making them anymore except for group buys



EagleMike Doohickey kit
Upgrade to the weak stock Balancer Chain Adjuster Lever which could destroy the engine.
You need a special wrench (or easily make one) to install it




Thermo-Bob 2
Stabilize engine temperature swings and eliminates cylinder hotspots
Kawasaki cut corners in the KLR cooling system, and the Thermo-Bob modifies KLR's cooling system to operate like automotive systems have for decades.  In stock form, the KLR runs too cool in colder climate. 


Centre stand
Ebay "Kawasaki KLR650 CENTER STAND 1987-2018" from seller carlspowersportssupply
Note that:
The "step lifter" will hit the passanger footpeg bracket. I just simply shorten it by few cm's.
The rear wheel would not lift sufficiently without the extension but installing it will make lifting the bike difficult. I don't install it and just put a rock once the bike is on centrestand. Much easier



Ricochet bash/skid plate
From MXStore Australia



Eaglemike KLX Jet kit 
Improves the fueling of KLR650 to be less tractor-like and more linear feel throughout the rev range.
This is fully-reversible jetting change with no need to drill etc



Happy Trail racks and panniers
I bought the "gen-2" rack as it was available cheap locally instead of shipping from the USA.
The gen-2 rack does not fit Tengai perfectly, only one rear mounting is able to align.
Note that both gen-1 and gen-2 racks will require a tab to be welded to Tengai's subframe - or if you're lazy like me just use pipe clamp. It' secured enough


Ebay Heater Grip
"7/8 inch 22mm Motorcycle Universal Heated Molded Handlebar Hand Grips Warmer"
It's got 4 temperature settings which can be operated using left hand. I connect it using a relay patched to the day running light cable

T-Mod
To prevent carburettor to starve from fuel when doing water crossing, add a plastic T-connector on the breather hose



Ebay Generic X-Grip motorcycle mount
Very strong and has already got a USB charger to make a neat installation


Note: updated with Wireless (!) charger which works very well and obviously no more worries of charging in rainy conditions:




Ebay Cigarette-lighter and USB charger
Cigarette lighter socket to power up tyre pump etc and 2 USB charger. 
Some versions have voltage indicator also. I wired it directly to the battery as it's got a switch. Useful when the motorbike is not running



Ebay 52L Top box
Great capacity but the latching to base is not strong enough for dirt riding/pot holes and mine had came off once. I ended up bolting it permanently.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/52L-Motorcycle-Storage-Box-Luggage-Scooter-Topbox-Rear-Top-Tail-Latch-Secure/184200063416?hash=item2ae32de9b8:g:hkMAAOSwd5FeYl50



Tubeless tyre mod
Using generic tube to convert the spoked rim to Tubeless tyre



Front gear 14T
The stock 15T is great for all-round road and dirt. I've tried 16T and it's great if you do 110kph+ trips 
14T is great for dirt and you lose 5kph and ended up doing 95kph at 4500rpm on freeways.
Note that Tengai's front sprocket is much thicker than KLR650. It's got 12.8mm thinckness


Supercheap ToolPRO  300mm
Great to organise toolbox, tyre lever etc. and can move between bikes quickly


1" Raising link
Added 1" ride height to reduce scraping using 121mm raiser:

The raising link raised the bike to 1" and also contributes a firmer feel to the spring.




Top Gun 7.4kg Rear Spring
On fast dips and fully loaded the rear bottoms out frequently. For my 91kg of weight I upgraded the rear spring using Top Gun 7.4kg replacement

Youtube video of the process here: 



Tyres
My main criteria is 50/50 handling and ease of installation, in case I need to fix punctures on the road. The compromise of softer compound is tyre life
Rear: Dunlop D605 4.6-17
Front: Continental TKC80

I convert them to tubeless as per video here:

KTI Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
Emergency locator, hope I never have to use it but necessary when heading into remote areas


Tengai Service Manual
I always carry a .pdf copy of the service manual on my phone... just in case
Download link: 






1 comment:

Unknown said...

Very informative and extremely well put together.
Obviously a man for detail!