Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Kawasaki Tech
Handy with KLR Electrics, London? a plea for help Handy with KLR Electrics, London? a plea for help
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Kawasaki Tech Kawasaki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Kawasaki riders only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16 Apr 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 24
Handy with KLR Electrics, London? a plea for help
Hi guys - leaving for South Africa in October. After a test run around Belgium and France my '88 KLR 650 is developing some not so clever electrical problems.

My electrics have come and gone in stages - but now were at a stage where they are ALL gone. The bike still starts and rides on a bump start - but thats it. The electrics have obviously been 'altered a bit' by a previous owner - and whilst I've gone over the fuses and the connections, I'm just not sure how to go about diagnosing.

In the spirit of wanting to learn a bit more about the bike I'm taking half way round the world, if anyone knows a bit about KLR electrics of bike elecrics in general and is in the London area (I'm SE16) I would be ever greatful if you're able to shed some light or impart some wisdom - repayment of sincere gratitude, cold and possibly a pub lunch is on offer.

Cheers

Tom
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 May 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Grenada MS
Posts: 15
Do the lights come on? My first thought would be to remove the battery, make sure all the connections are clean and that the ground wire has not broken. Be sure to check BOTH ends of the battery leads

Hope that helps

Lee
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 May 2010
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,971
Same thing happens to my KLR on a semi-regular basis. So far, it has always been the battery ground connection. Worst, of course, after rough roads. Worse yet, for no apparent reason, just as it gets dark in remote places while it starts raining.

I stopped fastening my seat, since it stays put perfecly with the bungie I always have looped over it anyway. This makes tightening the battery post a five second job.

Do not mean to be insultingly obvious, if you´re far past this stage....but that´s been my experience (78,000 miles and going strong).

Mark

(from just outside "The hottest city in Brazil" per Lonely Planet guide)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Jun 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 24
thanks - new problem
In the end it did end up being simple - A busted connector and really weirdly, the connector posts of the battery terminals were completely corroded - I say weird, because the battery was only a month old.

Any way - new problem now: Bike was stolen and had the ignition cut. I then recovered it from the street 3 days later. (they got bored of pushing)

Anyway - I resoldered the ignition and it all worked fine for a day. In the morning it was dead again. Turned out two of my solders had come off inside the ignition barrel. I think at this point I put them back in the wrong order - When i tried the elec. starter the motor turned but I had no spark.

Now I have fitted a new ignition barrely BUT I'm not getting any spark still!

There is no charge reaching the CDI. Any idea what could be interrupting the flow between the ignition switch and the CDI?

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Norwich,Ontario,Canada
Posts: 1,058
After the theft/recovery no telling what the cretins migt have tried with the wiring.
Recheck all connections esp. the wires to the sidestand ignition lockout. If the wire from that is half plugged in to the block beside your ignition relay switch next to the carb left side it will look right but still prevent starting.
__________________
http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 16 Jun 2010
phoenix's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London / Dublin
Posts: 339
From personal experience, I can second the issue with the side stand switch, which is on the left hand side, half-way up, and seems to have a habit of coming loose. Also, the clutch switch at the lever is prone to acting up when rain gets in there, so the CDI thinks the clutch is out (only an issue if the bike is in gear). Also, if the bike was nicked, and the ignition was cut / played with / shorted, there's a good chance you have a dead CDI, hence no spark. A company called Ignitech in the Czech republic sell a plug-in replacement for the original CDI (it was marketed for the 600, if i remember correctly), which worked well, but I ended up finding a second hand OEM one, and putting it back in, to keep that side of things as stock as possible.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Solar Powered Laptop - might come in handy. Alexlebrit Communications 2 30 May 2009 16:16
very very handy website! PocketHead TRAVEL Hints and Tips 1 24 Aug 2008 07:05
Handy waterproof storage "safe" Martynbiker TRAVEL Hints and Tips 5 16 Oct 2007 10:32
Documents - Handy Hints Martynbiker TRAVEL Hints and Tips 3 3 Oct 2007 08:29
Electrics - Ahh! Tony Robson Yamaha Tech 3 7 Sep 2003 00:37

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:47.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top