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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



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  #1  
Old 25 Nov 2008
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Kle500 Project - Help needed

So i am starting to get all the bits and pieces ready for my project/retrofit of my kle to turn it into a more dual spot bike. there is some rust on the bike and the paint seems to be peeling so i will start with taking the panels off and seeing if i can clean and re spray the areas with out a full break down of the bike.

i have fog lights, 12v power socket, hand guards, new bars and windshield on back order.

what i need help for is the following.

1 - any other idea that you think are good

2 - bar expensive touratech where can i get upgraded srings for the front forks

3 - are upgraded springs realy needed at all and just stay with stick and up the pressure to 12-15psi?

4 - scott oiler are they any good or just waste of money?

5 - THE MAIN ITEMS I NEED YOU HELP WITH ARE AS FOLLOWS

(i) dimensions for the centre stand used for the kle and if anyone has an idea of the material used.

(ii) dimensions for the crash bars.

(iii) best way to carry fuel.

yes i know its the cheap way out but i have the welder and help ready so want to try cut cost and make the centre stand myself. as for crash bars and pannier rack they should be ok and make the with bike in front of me using 19mm 2mm thick tubing.

all the help would be greatly appreciated and if people want i can keep the threat goin with updates as go along...just warning it will be a long and drawn out thread as the parts will be slow getting to me and with work demands i wont get the time i would like to do it so may be over a long time that i will do this.

John
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Old 30 Nov 2008
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Hi John

Some sites I have come across in the past with KLE parts. I've not needed to use any of them and the postage is usually prohibative to South Africa, but they may be useful to you:

Motorcycle Accessories - MAD (fork springs for GBP92)

Wemoto Home (check the shop link - they have some comprehensive KLE part listings)

JF Motorsport GmbH - better.stronger.more - online.store

WELCOME (ZA site - given that you will get ZAR13 for 1 Euro, shipping could be worth while)

Technologie & Ecologie : Motorbike - Kawasaki 500 KLE (nice site, but I'm sure you must have come across it)

Good luck with the project and keep us posted and updated!!
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Old 1 Dec 2008
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hey thanks for that i will look through them tonight during work.

ya will keep you all posted
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Old 8 Dec 2008
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Pleasure!! Look forward to hearing how the project proceeds!!
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Old 15 Dec 2008
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I wouldn't be arsed getting a scott oiler. Unless you're planning on putting another 3 or 4 chains on the bike, it's hardly worth your while. You can get a brand new chain a sprocket kit for €70.

You might be biting off more than you can chew trying to make a center stand. They're pretty complicated things. You're welcome to take a look at mine if you want, but you mentioned you need a different stand for your model. If money's an issue would you not just be better off fixing the kick stand? And just jack it up when you need to work on it?

I'd be interested in fitting a pair of those fog lights. A guy was behind me this morning with a pair of them and they gave great visibility.

For a cheap alternative to pannier boxes, Look at what this dude did with army ammo boxes and spaghetti tins!

BMW F650 (UK and Ireland) :: View topic - Slimline panniers
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Old 15 Dec 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyT View Post
I wouldn't be arsed getting a scott oiler. Unless you're planning on putting another 3 or 4 chains on the bike, it's hardly worth your while. You can get a brand new chain a sprocket kit for €70.

You might be biting off more than you can chew trying to make a center stand. They're pretty complicated things. You're welcome to take a look at mine if you want, but you mentioned you need a different stand for your model. If money's an issue would you not just be better off fixing the kick stand? And just jack it up when you need to work on it?

I'd be interested in fitting a pair of those fog lights. A guy was behind me this morning with a pair of them and they gave great visibility.

For a cheap alternative to pannier boxes, Look at what this dude did with army ammo boxes and spaghetti tins!

BMW F650 (UK and Ireland) :: View topic - Slimline panniers
ya i am going to either make my own tins or use ammo tins for the panniers.

ya not sure about centre stand. be nice addition as jacking it up with the fecking exhaust underneath be some pain. lads i work with would make up the stand for me if i had the sizes etc for it.

the fog lights are still on hold as i am not sure whether having them on and heated grips would kill the battery
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Old 15 Dec 2008
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tommy,

just so you know, look up my posts on biker.ie and there is a thread under fog lights.

the lights will be the mini 55w spots from halfords. they are 35euro
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Old 16 Dec 2008
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I might wait till you fit them and see if they work (hehe).

Had a read of that post. Hadn't thought about them blinding motorists.

I was looking at a pair of them on a beemer the other day (front ones), and they looked like they would be the first thing to go if you dropped the bike. I was very impressed with how they looked in my rear view mirror though. You couldn't miss them, and there was no mistaking it was a bike – unlike some of those twin headlights.
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Old 16 Dec 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyT View Post
I might wait till you fit them and see if they work (hehe).

Had a read of that post. Hadn't thought about them blinding motorists.

I was looking at a pair of them on a beemer the other day (front ones), and they looked like they would be the first thing to go if you dropped the bike. I was very impressed with how they looked in my rear view mirror though. You couldn't miss them, and there was no mistaking it was a bike – unlike some of those twin headlights.
i was going to tuck mine under the front fairing so if dropped bike they wouldnt get hit. ya the beemer lights are on the side and seem to be in the line of damage if dropped
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