07 KLR Doohickey

[ToadRide]

I have a new one and have been reading about this Doohicky thang. Has Kaiw fixed the problem or do I need to worry about replacing mine?

[ZED]

I suggest you briefly go over to klr650.net and do a search on the topic there.
I know the topic has been hashed to death there. Some say it has been fixed on the '08 models. The Eagle Mike deciples say it hasn't.

My expectation is that at the minimum they all suffer the same issue as our two '05s did. The tensioning levers were fine, but the stock spring was very long and therefore didn't offer much pull. I expect it would have eventually stopped making tension.

During the warranty period, I figure it's Kawi's problem. After that, I figure the kit is cheap insurance.


Hope that helps. Enjoy the Bike!

[fergie]

yes, youNEED too change it . adjust it every oil change. cheap insurance

[ToadRide]

Ya, for what it's worth, I'll do it next tuneup. But as I understand it, it is not self adjusting and if you are fastidious about keeping it manually adjusted, would this not solve the problem?

[ZED]

You do need to adjust it frequently. I find it makes a big difference in how smooth the engine is. Fortunately it is quick and easy to adjust. I adjust the doo more frequently than I change the oil.

The problems that have been reported historically with the doohicky range from spontaneous grenading of the part, thereby destroying your engine, to being perfectly fine.

The doohicky on both our KLRs were fine. They showed no excessive wear/deformation/etc. after about 12k. However they were almost out of adjustment due to the long factory spring. They likely would have had another 12k in them, but then they wouldn't have tensioned any more. Hence, the reason why I wouldn't sweat it too much on a new bike, but would end up doing it eventually.

All of this will become much more clear once you crack into the engine to do the swap.

[fergie]

there have been doohickeys that have grenaded in under 2000 km

[ZED]

fergie wrote:

there have been doohickeys that have grenaded in under 2000 km

Yes, and ones that have lasted. Hence my comment about warranty if it's a new bike.
It's not a black and white thing.

[Buckethead]

For what it's worth, when I pulled apart my new to me '89 the doo was fine, but the spring was fully relaxed and no longer adjusting. A new doo and torsion spring did make the bike much smoother. It's a very simple procedure, and the peace of mind alone is worth doing it in my opinion.

Cheers,

Matthew

[MTR SPORTS]

Hey ToadRide,

MTR SPORTS in Coquitlam, B.C. is one of the Canadian Distributors for http://www.klr650.com Parts and Accessories.

Wehave the Doohickey, Mefo Tires & Tubes, Skid Plates, ProgressiveSuspension Front and Rear Shocks, Stainless Steel Brake Lines by Galfer or Russell, Touring Box Brackets, Heavy Duty Engine & Water Pump Protector with foot pegs, Tank Guards, Oil Filters andWheel Bearing Kitsinstock to name a few items.

You can also check out the almost 4000 pages of our supplier catalogues for Off Road & Street Bikes, ATV, Snow Mobile & Personal Water Craft Parts & Accessories at http://www.wps-inc.com

For more information contact: Robert 604.838.4733 or sales@mtrsports.com


Just updated the http://www.klr650.com I had 1 too many .'s

[Flyfisher]

If it lets go before warranty is up Kawi will probably fix it, however how long do you want to be without your cycle. If it blows up your motor at 100+ Km/hr you could be fixing more than the motor.

It is an easy job and I am sure there are folks here that would be more than willing to give you hand.

Replaced mine at about 5000 Km, the doohickey was marked but in good shape, but the spring had no stretch so would not adjust anymore. The engine ran quite alot quieter after the job.

Some other problems are that the spring breaks early and sends the pieces throught the engine or can go through the cam chain drive and change the valve timing.

Like said before, go to KLR650.net and search doohickey and you will get all the answeres you need.

[04klr]

just doo the doo, just doo the doo, squaaawkk! just doo the doo

(even Polly knows to, doo the doo, )

[ToadRide]

MTR SPORTS wrote:

Hey ToadRide,

MTR SPORTS in Coquitlam, B.C. is one of the Canadian Distributors for http://www.klr.650.com Parts and Accessories.

Wehave the Doohickey, Mefo Tires & Tubes, Skid Plates, ProgressiveSuspension Front and Rear Shocks, Stainless Steel Brake Lines by Galfer or Russell, Touring Box Brackets, Heavy Duty Engine & Water Pump Protector with foot pegs, Tank Guards, Oil Filters andWheel Bearing Kitsinstock to name a few items.

You can also check out the almost 4000 pages of our supplier catalogues for Off Road & Street Bikes, ATV, Snow Mobile & Personal Water Craft Parts & Accessories at http://www.wps-inc.com

For more information contact: Robert 604.838.4733 or sales@mtrsports.com

Ha. Love how you click on theklr.650.com adress and get some gambling site.

[MTR SPORTS]

Hey ToadRide,

The http://www.klr650.com had one too many .'s

my appologies to all the gamblers.

Robert

[ToadRide]

Thanks for that. Nice to know there is somewhere close by with everything I need.

[Swinada]

If the doo is replaced, do you just go to the dealer and buy an other Kawasaki part or will that have the same weakness as the original part. Does it need to be replaced with an aftermarket part?
I need to know cause the previous owner of my bike said he had the doo changed at the dealers, wouldnt that mean that the same kawa part was installed?