Round The World ready KLR

Frank

Explorer
*************SOLD************

For sale is my 2009 KLR 650. What you see is a result of a NASA engineer (the previous owner) who took a 2009 KLR650 chassis and engine and modified it for a worry-free trip to South America, but was never able to go on the trip. The attention to detail is second to none and I have retained that as the owner. The current mileage is 13,825, but will go up.

Please allow me to explain in detail. This bike was stripped to the frame and completely rebuilt from the ground up. Virtually everything on the bike has been modified or replaced and had attention put to it in some way or another, mostly by the previous owner. You can see the extensive list of modifications below and note that this is not a typical KLR, rather a simplified bike ready for anything. I have been on a few small, extended weekend trips with it, and ride it back and forth to work and it has always performed flawless.

I bought it a couple of years ago and changed very little, doing preventive and routine maintenance items, like grease and oil. The bike primarily only receives ethanol free fuel, which is best for carburetors.

While the list of modifications is extensive, the bike is still as simple as a KLR can be. It could be argued that it’s now simpler than Kawasaki built it from the factory.

Here is a list of the modifications to this bike:

ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND EXHAUST:
Modified factory exhaust drilled out inner muffler baffle
Installed HMF spark arrestor screen and downturned muffler tip
Upgraded to Eagle Manufacturing idler balancer lever (the doo)
Upgraded to Eagle Manufacturing torsion spring
Replaced 12x40 rotor bolt
Upgraded to DesmoParts stainless steel fastener engine kit with Permatex antiseize
Upgraded to Cometic inner left side engine case gasket with Permatex sealer
Upgraded to Cometic outer left side engine case gasket with Permatex sealer
Upgraded to Schnitz Racing K-type magnetic drain plug
Upgraded to HIFLO HF123 premium oil filter
Installed Motion Pro 1” oil filter magnet
Removed air injection system (AIS)
Welded air injection system feed tube closed
Upgraded to Eagle Manufacturing security oil fill cap
Replaced exhaust manifold gasket
Installed K&N crankcase breather tube filter
Installed Cometic 0.010” cylinder base gasket – compression ratio increased to 9.85:1
Installed JE Pistons 685 forged piston kit from Schnitz Racing at 4000 miles

AIR/FUEL SYSTEM:
Removed airbox snorkel
Installed Koubalink extended T-handle fuel screw
Upgraded to UNI foam air filter
Drilled carb slide to 7/64”
Installed Y-filling to float bowl vent line
Upgraded to KLX jet needle with circlip in #2 position
Replaced main jet with 142.5
New spark plug with dielectric grease
Adjusted fuel mixture screw out 2 ½ turns
Idle at 1050 RPM
Upgraded to stainless carburetor bolts with Permatex antiseize
Upgraded to Stead Engineering alloy choke plunger
Plugged carburetor vacuum lines
Cut down fuel valve feed straw to 1” above reserve feed
Rebuilt petcock with custom Viton fluoroelastomer gasket to convert to gravity feed
Upgraded all petcock fasteners to stainless steel socket head cap screws
Installed clear fuel hose
Flipped both carburetor clamps upside down for better access while tank is mounted
Drilled 5 1” holes in airbox and door, installed UNI filtered air vents UFV-6
Advanced exhaust cam by 1 tooth

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:
Replaced and re-routed some wiring
Upgraded to Hella horn, single install
Installed USB hard line to front dash
Installed Deltran battery tender quick connect
Installed Oxford heated grips for sportsbikes
Upgraded to Road Rocketeer Brake! LED taillight
Upgraded to Happy Trails Odyssey battery kit
Installed Eastern Beaver single horn relay kit
Installed Eastern Beaver Power Center 8 fuse panel under seat
Relocated fuse block to side cover
Installed Eastern Beaver dual H7 headlight relay kit
Installed Eastern Beaver handlebar auxiliary light switch
Installed Kuryakyn black universal LED battery gauge
Applied 'Black Magic' Insta-Cling Window Film with 5% VLT to the battery gauge
Eliminated side stand safety switch
Relocated inline fuses underneath rear seat
Eliminated clutch safety switch
Added split loom tubing and wrap to wiring harnesses
SW-Motech rear turn signal extenders
Installed HID projector housings
Upgraded headlights to DDM Tuning Dual 35W Slim Ballast HID H1 4500K
Installed AdMore Lighting LED55-T-TS brake/turn signals in GIVI topcase
Replaced dash lights with (3) WLED-W-120 Cool White SuperBrightLEDs
Replaced neutral indicator with WLED-G-120 Green SuperBrightLED
Replaced turn indicator with WLED-G5 Green SuperBrightLED
Replaced high-beam indicator with WLED-B-120 Blue SuperBrightLED
Replaced license plate bulb with 67-W15 Cool White SuperBrightLED
Installed HELLA Optilux 6-LED light bar

COOLING SYSTEM:
Installed Thermo-Bob radiator bypass system
Installed CV4 temperature strip on cooling reservoir
Installed coolant temperature face overlay from Watt-Man

WHEELS, TIRES AND DRIVETRAIN:
Modified sprocket cover to accommodate 17 tooth sprocket
Replaced rear sprocket with Sunstar 42 tooth
Upgraded to Eagle Manufacturing prevailing torque nut
Replaced rear axle carter pin with axle clip
Installed no-loss valve caps
Avon Distanzia front tire AM43 90/90-21 54V
Avon Distanzia rear tire AM44 130/80R17 65H
Metzeler 21” Type A front tube
Metzeler 17” Type A rear tube
All swing arm and axle bearings packed with Amsoil synthetic grease

SUSPENSION AND STEERING:
Installed Eagle Manufacturing fork brace
Installed Cogent DCCD emulators/spacers, progressive springs and fluid set to 135 mm from top of fork tube
Upgraded to Cogent Dynamics ‘Moab’ rear adjustable shock (Ohlins) with Eibach Racing spring
Adjusted rear per Rick’s (Cogent Dynamic) recommendation: Spring set 7/3/4 tall, 15 clicks from closed
Steering head bearings packed with Amsoil Synthetic grease
Rear swing arm bearings packed with Amsoil Synthetic grease

BRAKES:
Installed nylon slide on rear brake lever pull
Installed KAW rear master cylinder guard
Upgraded to Happy Trails aluminum rear master cylinder mount
Upgraded stainless lines
Upgraded to galfner pads
ATE 'blue' DOT 5 synthetic fluid

CHASSIS:
Installed SW Motech engine guards
Installed SW-Motech steel skidplate
Upgraded to Barkbuster Storm offroad handguards
Glued rubber tank dampeners to frame
Replaced corroded battery holder cover and bracket
Installed Eagle Manufacturing subframe upgrade kit
Repainted skid plate & engine guards with Rust-oleum
Modified skid plate and engine guards to shock-mount to frame with isolation mounts
Installed Uni damping foam on skid plate
Upgraded to DesmoParts stainless steel fastener chassis kit with Permatex antiseize
Blue locktite on bolts and fasteners
Red locktite on subframe and peg bolts

BODY:
Upgraded to Acerbis KTM front fender
Made custom graphics from 3M Scotchlite Plus 680 Series Reflective Sheeting (removable)
Installed headlight lens mesh shield stone guard

ERGONOMICS:
Upgraded to ProTaper SE 7/8” ATV high bars in jet black
Installed Kaoko cruise control throttle lock
Installed ROX SpeedFX anti-vibration 2” riser for 7/8” bars
Upgraded to Madstad Engineering RoboBrackets adjustable 18” smoke adventure windshield
Upgraded all hand control hardware to stainless cap screws
Upgraded to MSR shift lever
Installed Twisted Throttle footpeg joint for M10 holes
Installed SW-Motech mirror wideners
Installed Happy Trails dash panel
Replaced footpeg pin with AVC footpeg bolt upgrade
Installed foam 7/8” Grip Puppies
Installed Vibranators for handguards with 8mm socket head cap 80mm (right) and 75mm (left)
Upgraded to Sargent World Sport Performance Seat, regular height
Installed Stompgrip tank traction pads
Upgraded to Dakota Motorsports extended clutch release lever arm
Installed GIVI backrest to topcase

LUGGAGE:
Mounted Wolfman Explorer Lite tank bag
Upgraded to SW-Motech aluminum tail rack
GIVI E55NT Maxia 3 Monokey top-case, padded
SW-Motech quick-lock adaptor plate for top case
Fabricated tool tube from 4.5” OD thin wall aluminum pipe and clamp-tight pipe end caps; tools included
Modified skid plate to mount tool tube with vibration-resistant 5/8” stainless hose clamps and 1/8” x 2” neoprene rubber bands
JESSE Luggage with keys
JESSE luggage rack


Bottom line:
I think that as a potential buyer, you cannot relate this KLR with others on the market. It’s in a league of its own and a fantastic motorcycle ready for thousands of miles and years of use.

Overall, the bike is in great condition, but there are a few items to address. I did not change these items because with the thought of selling it, these items could be better suited for the new owner to decide. The left grip is torn and needs to be replaced. The tires, while okay for another 1,500- miles or so, will need to be changed soon. I was also planning to replace the cush pads at the time of a tire change. The shock is becoming due for a service with Cogent Dynamics, which is something that should be considered with a new owner anyway. The shock is set for a 250 pound rider with 60 pounds of gear. Upon service and rebuild, the shock and spring can be prepped to suit to you and your style. This service costs about $100- through Cogent Dynamics, depending on what he does to suit your needs.

Though it’s not due, I will change the oil for the new owner with Amsoil Synthetic and install a hi-flo filter. I also have a box full of receipts and various parts that will go with the bike.

The bodywork is in great shape, but there are a few scratches here and there, to be expected with a dual sport motorcycle. It’s never been crashed, but has tipped over in the driveway a time or two. You will find a few scratches on the crash bars and panniers.

I am asking *************SOLD************ for the bike and open to offers and trade. Trades could be things like survival items, small dirt bike (50-125), Go-Cart, old simplicity tractor, tree service at my home, etc. plus cash. I’m open and can only say no. Cash, cashiers check, PayPal and credit card can be accepted (will split the fee’s with the buyer with PP or CC). A local bank does have the title and a bill of sale will be given with the bike, title to follow via certified mail.

I sold a KTM 950 a few years ago to a gentleman in PA and we used u-ship for the ship service and it worked out great. I have no problem assisting with shipping this bike anywhere and could also arrange a fly and ride into SBN, IND, ORD, DTW, or MDW. I will also ride the bike within 400 miles of zip code 46545, if I can arrange a flight back to SBN from your location.

Link to photos on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/junkyardracer/

KLR for sale by Frank Vest, on Flickr

KLR for sale by Frank Vest, on Flickr

KLR for sale by Frank Vest, on Flickr

KLR for sale by Frank Vest, on Flickr

KLR for sale by Frank Vest, on Flickr

KLR for sale by Frank Vest, on Flickr

KLR for sale by Frank Vest, on Flickr

KLR for sale by Frank Vest, on Flickr

*************SOLD************
 
Last edited:

Frank

Explorer
The buyer will also get a big file of receipts and various parts that pertain to the bike and its history.

IMG_4653.JPG
 

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