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Thread: getting a "buzz" out of my new (to me) Klr.

  1. #1
    DSBC Participating Member 04klr's Avatar
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    getting a "buzz" out of my new (to me) Klr.

    At darn near precicely 4000rpm, the spring (heavy Eibach) on the rear shock resonates with a wicked vibration, I swear I can hear and feel it thrum, if touched at 4k it's impossible to hold a finger to. The juducious application of throttle (up/down) can make the spring ramp up and down like a guitar string? This vibration ends up at the footpegs (3 sets) bars (1 set), and my butt. Being a big single vibration is a given, should this vibration concern me re: engine longevity, or is it just the nature of this beast just carry on, ans ay thanks for the massage. In diagnosing the vibration (over 3100k and several days) the engine seems pretty much vibration free, or at least as free as 648cc of kLr can be and the vibration certainly mellows some once well past 4k rpm. What do you think, should I just try to enjoy the buzz, or is this something bigger?
    thx.
    I went to the zoo the other day. The only animal there was a dog. For sure it was a Shitzoo.

  2. #2
    DSBC Participating Member 250ccforme's Avatar
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    Did your other KLR(s) do this? If "No", then it's possibly something bigger. Check in at a KLR specific forum to see if others with that size engine have the same thing giong on. Counterbalancer off a notch??

  3. #3
    DSBC Participating Member 04klr's Avatar
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    the last two klR's were not like this, and it's the something bigger I'm wondering about.
    I went to the zoo the other day. The only animal there was a dog. For sure it was a Shitzoo.

  4. #4
    DSBC Participating Member Kitimat KLR's Avatar
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    Just a thought, if you haven't already, check the upper and lower bushings at the mounting points for the shock. There could be some play between the "original" bolt and the "new" hole in the aftermarket shock...if you get my drift!
    Also, I'm sure you've already looked at the engine mounting bolts, subframe etc.

    Have you had a peek at the doohickey (counterbalancer) ...if it had already failed and someone unknowingly reset the adjuster bolt then the tension could have been lost ...and the chain / weight is just flapping around.....

    BTW - Just under 4000rpm was the "sweet spot" for my (ex)KLR
    Last edited by Kitimat KLR; 07-06-2012 at 04:02 PM.

  5. #5
    DSBC Participating Member Island Hopper's Avatar
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    Hi Wayne, a harmonic vibration at certain revs is often caused by something being loose, like a motor mount bolt... Then again your pretty savvy about that kind of stuff and probably already did the checks...

    You may end up having to buy a 640 to get something smoother...

  6. #6
    DSBC Participating Member John M's Avatar
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    My KLR has a "medium" harmonic around 4000, but up to it, and once past it, it smooths out. I think the other guys are on the right track with a loose mounting bolt or similar. Consider giving the spring another click of preload as well. Last, did you check you doohickey? It may be that a quick visual inspection is called for.

    Let us know what happens.

    John

    **Edit - I see that the doohickey has already been mentioned, and you have an upgraded spring.... My money is on a counterbalancer issue. J.
    Last edited by John M; 07-08-2012 at 08:06 PM.

  7. #7
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    Fore sale, just another commuter bike, never ridden to Church...........

  8. #8
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    sometimes just undoing, checking retightening/torqueing things makes problems like this disappear. It's probably worth the time and effort to get the tools out, just to see if you find anything? I wonder if that a/market spring maybe needs some plastic caps/collars, that were perhaps missed when it was installed? just throwing a few ideas out ,hoping to be of some help.

  9. #9
    DSBC Participating Member 250ccforme's Avatar
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    04KLR, this video may take your mind off that noise for a few moments:
    http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...postcount=8618


  10. #10
    DSBC Participating Member 04klr's Avatar
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    After 9000+ k I wuz begining to accept the "BUZZ" for what it was, after all it is just a Klr. But then as planned I got to doing the Doo, as all should do, and found the doo was done, as in done in, kaput, busticated, finito, sayonara. A shock indeed to pull the case and see the broken Doo with the broken piece fortunatly held captive (somehow). Yikes! changed the doo and installed a torsion spring, and the vibration is wayy better, now it just shakes like a kLr, and is pretty good til well past 5k rpm, and I can even almost make out cars in the rear view mirror! After three klR's and having changed three doo's this is the first one found in serious trouble. It's been said before, just Do the Doo.


    I went to the zoo the other day. The only animal there was a dog. For sure it was a Shitzoo.

  11. #11
    DSBC Participating Member John M's Avatar
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    Good think you caught it before something baaaaad happened!

    That looks like a factory doo. Why did I think you had it replaced already?

    Anyway, I expect you're all good now.

    J.

  12. #12
    DSBC Participating Member 04klr's Avatar
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    I was yet to do the doo, good thing I did or I'd be the dum dum in doo doo.
    I went to the zoo the other day. The only animal there was a dog. For sure it was a Shitzoo.

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