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27 Jan 2007
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tyre pressure
Hello Mutha.
The front tyre is supposed to be 1.5psi. Can yousend a pic of your tyre tread?
I am sure it is run through in the middle, ans has lots of tread on the outside.
Regards
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28 Jan 2007
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1.5 psi would only be for sand riding. I'm not quite sure what you mean.
I don't have a digital camera anymore, but I'll see if I can borrow one. You are correct, the majority of the wear is around the middle.
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki KLE500 '05 (May 06)
Previous Bikes - Hyosung GF125 (Oct 05 to May 06)
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28 Jan 2007
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tyre pressure
Hello Mutha.
The sand pressure is 100 kpa for front, and 150kpa for the back. The road pressure is 150kpa (21psi) for the front, and 225kpa (32psi) at the back.
Sorry I always get confused with the psi/kpa story.
Regards
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29 Jan 2007
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This is what I mean: the manual says 21 psi for the front, but most handbooks and people I've spoken to say 30 psi for the front. So far only the manual says 21 psi. I've tried both and feel wise 30 psi is better.
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki KLE500 '05 (May 06)
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29 Jan 2007
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Tyre pressure
Hello Mutha.
I have been running at the recommended pressure, and find it quite OK. If your tyre is wearing down the middle, then the pressure is too high. If it wears along the sides, the pressure is too low (although you might find that out the hard way before the tyre wears enough). If the tyre pressure is correct, the wear would be reasonably uniform, unless you do not do any corners on your way to work. The 150kpa sounded too low for me as well, but my tyre is wearing OK, and the cornering is fine even down to touching the footpegs in the corners.
Why are all the other guys so quiet. Are we the only guys on this forum? Come on guys give some input, just be careful to not mix up the units!
Mutha, a picture of the tyre tread might help a bit. If you have a cellphone that can take a pic, you can MMS the pic as well. +27795228937
Regards
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29 Jan 2007
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I have also been running on the recommended pressures and have had no problems. My guess (like the others here) would be that if you are getting centre wear you are running too high a pressure.
What problems do folks feel they are getting that is causing them to raise the pressure up? Is it the feel when cornering?
As I am new to the forum can I also ask if anyone has been able to find a rear hugger that fits? I know there appear to be no ones specific for the KLE, but I would have thought that one of another bike type might be similar enough. I want to try and save my rear sock and exhaust and my partners legs a bit from the crud during the winter. Has anyone managed to kuldge one to fit?
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29 Jan 2007
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[quote=paulwt]
What problems do folks feel they are getting that is causing them to raise the pressure up? Is it the feel when cornering?
The problem with too low pressure in the front is that the tyre will fold in under the rim, causing you to try and corner on the rim. The results are a bit rough. But if the tire is too hard,then you are making the contact patch way too small, giving you the same tar kissing effect.
There is a formula to calculate tyre pressures, using the tyre's maximum load rating and the weight on the axle.
I will try and find that.
Regards
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29 Jan 2007
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Not sure of the exact formula myself. However basically tyres are marked up with a load rating at a given maximum PSI. That represents the pressure you need to safely carry a load of the specified amount up to the speed rating of the tyre. So if the tyre is rated at 450Kg at 45psi then if you want to carry that load you must inflate the tyre to 45psi.
Potentially opposite to what one might expect, tyres that are underinflated overheat and may blowout. This is because the tyre wall flexes too much building up heat in the tyre. Tyres that are overinflated don't normally blowout (unless significantly overinflated). Instead they wear prematurely down the centre and reduce grip because of a reduced contact area.
I guess the formula would relate to the percentage of the full pressure for the maximum load. Probably with a minimum that is required to ensure the tyre sits properly on the rim. But would be interested to see if anyone finds it.
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30 Jan 2007
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Tyre pressure
Hello Guys.
Attached is the formulas, and a full explanation on tyre pressures for 4x4 vehicles. The same applies for bikes and bike pressures. Unfortunately, I do not have the proper equipment to weigh the final weight of my bike, myself and luggage, as well as the different weights between front and back axles.
If there is anyone out there that can help with this, give some input and let us apply it to these formulas and see where we get.
Regards
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5 Feb 2007
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Hi,
Have a tip: 
1. I have raised tail on my KLE with dogbones which I found in bikefarm
http://www.bikefarmmv.de/EN/tail-riser/index.php. Declaration said it raises 3cm but I had to extend my side stand for 5cm so that bike could stand normally again. I heavent measured it yet but I assume ground clearance is up for 4cm which is excelent if you like dirt ride, and got better front/rear wheel weight balance. Much better front wheel grip when bike is loaded+passenger for long distance travels  . Perhaps even better conrering but I have to test that little more   .
KLE looks mean, is mean  , pics will come in a few days, (I'm still testing 
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10 Feb 2007
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I run the front and rear at 250kPa for tar, and for gravel I use 150kPa front and rear. My front (Dunlop Trailmax) did not wear off in the middle, it was just to the side of the middle row of tread blocks. I replaced it today at 27122km with a Michelin Sirac, let's see how long that lasts!
The only reason I replaced it is because I have a drivers license test in two weeks, and it was just about at the wear limit in a few places, don't wanna take chances.
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12 Feb 2007
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Tyre pressure
Hello Nicki.
I suggest that you be very careful in the winter time on the wet roads with the front tyre that hard! 
Good luck with your road test. Maybe you must ask the guy how many sheep your license will cost.
Regards
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13 Feb 2007
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Sorry I haven't put that picture up yet; it will be coming eventually. 250kpa does sound quite hard, but it should be fine on wet roads. I'd love to know how you got 27,000km out of a set of Trailmax.
I'm beginning to wonder whether someone should phone Kawasaki and get a definitive answer on this. This debate has been raging for quite a while now.
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13 Feb 2007
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Tyre pressure
Hello Le Cap.
Your input please. 
Regards
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13 Feb 2007
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shock absorber
Hi all,
I have a problem with shock absorber on my KLE500 '93. It seems that I cannot find the proper identification code for it. Can anybody help me?
Quote:
Quote:
Originally Posted by beefjerky
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-manual-9079-7
Link to KLE500 manual. Scroll down a little bit to download. Has some good pics of the linkage, etc.
That manual has deficiencies. E.g. most of the part numbers are prefixes only, hard to determine which parts are common to the EX.
For example it lists the shock as a 45014. Almost every Kawi shock has 45014 as a prefix, you need to know the suffix as well.
EX500 shock p/n is 45014-1365, for example.
Mainly I'm curious about the shock rocker and dogbones.
Peaces me off. Haven't found much on the KLE out there.
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