How To Install a Kawasaki KLR650 Doohickey Counter Balance Chain Tensioner Installation Instructions

[@esteemedfustilarian]

Good video. Most guys are capable of following mechanical directions-unscrew this, pull that, etc.-but explaining “This chain pulls on this counterweight that offsets the motion of the cylinder,” puts instructionals like this in a whole different category. Actually *teaching* what's going on. Maybe that kind of stuff is just common knowledge for some people. For amateur DIYers, it's a huge help. Thanks!

[@Rmstatorinc]

Awesome, thanks for the feedback Bryce!

[@Shipfixer]

Great explanation and video on the doohickey install. To the point and didn't take half an hour to tell it. Instant LIKE!

[@thinknotforever]

One of the best Doo Hickey videos every, thank you thank you!

[@Rmstatorinc]

No problem! Glad it helped out!

[@eminiscalperpro9729]

Wouldn't the traditional spring included in the kit do the job just as good as the torsion spring? I've heard they have a lot more tension than the stock spring. I think eagle mike's kit only comes with the torsion spring now, but Biker's Run comes with both. Great video

[@Rmstatorinc]

Thanks, I have owned many KLR's, and found broken OEM springs in multiple bikes. I have used the Eagle Mike kit many times with great success, so it is my preferred method.

[@1ronhall]

Excellent video .... thank you

[@Rmstatorinc]

No problem, thanks!

[@neurozero]

use the new washer that kit comes with because the eagle mike doohickey is thicker than stock the washer has to be thinner. new washer is thinner . changed one doohickey using all the klr videos on youtube, NOW I AM AN EXPERT.

[@Rmstatorinc]

Great!

[@yiorgospolycarpou6777]

Thank you very much for the video. Very well explained! My question is regarding the engine if it is actually touching on the frame on this side of the engine. My 1993 is touching but it has a dent under the left tube, so maybe it was pushed up. Can you please confirm if it is normal to touch or not. If not, how many mm space is there ? I appreciate your reply! Thank you!

[@Rmstatorinc]

Sorry I don't have a KLR here any more to measure. The engine should not touch the frame though, that is for sure. It sounds like your bike may have been dropped and the frame or motor mount is bent.

[@yiorgospolycarpou6777]

@@Rmstatorinc Thank you for your prompt reply! God speed my friend!

[@nseriousget8165]

pause at 5:15 and: just a crazy idea, but why wouldnt you replace original spring with peace of stainles steel wire, you could simply hook wire throu that lever, tention it and wrap arround it arround that pin that holds spring, than wire would hold sprocket tensioned, and wouldnt let him budge neither back nor forward. (?) you basicly wouldnt need doohickey at all, lol

[@Rmstatorinc]

Try it out and let us know! I've always used the Eagle Mike doohickey kit on many KLR's and never once had a problem, so I stick with it!

[@anotherboredgenius283]

howdy... you do need the doohickey, as all chains stretch over time - thus the need for a take-up spring (of some kind) and the handy, external tensioner-adjustment nut...

[@olneymaryland77]

Great video, but, you can't show me the drilling of the hole for the torsion spring nor attaching the torsion spring to the doohickey. The parts I need to see!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Rmstatorinc]

Sorry, the video shows them installed, hope that gives you enough information.

[@gregbristowe3057]

I have 2017 model with 1800klm's on it does this later model still have this problem and if so at how many klm's should I change it. thanks , great video by the way

[@Rmstatorinc]

Kawasaki changed the counterbalance chain tensioner on 2008+ models. They were much more reliable, but still known for a few issues. Eagle Mike makes them for the later models as well. The process should be very similar.

[@gregbristowe3057]

thanks mate

[@zensempai7371]

I just did my 2007 doohickey , with a eagle mike kit . That part I replaced was just as beefy as the eagle mike one . That being said , the OEM spring had no more tension left . I replaced with a clock spring and the bike is a lot smoother and quieter now :)

[@homeromarrero1289]

Can you tell me how much is the price of ONE doohickey here in México is very hard to find pieces of Klr thanks a Lot answer me l Will aprecieate

[@Rmstatorinc]

We recommend the Eagle Mike Doohickey kit, you can order on his website. www.eaglemike.com/Basic-lever-kit-basic-doohickey-kit-blk.htm?categoryId=-1

[@donanator1447]

Guess I’ll look up torches.

[@Rmstatorinc]

OK!

[@dougiequick1]

Every single time I think about this "doohickey" deal my mind is just BLOWN AWAY that a huge successful company like Kawasaki would keep manufacturing the same low quality part for all those freakin years? I mean they HATE to have bikes fail under warranty, they HATE to lose reputation...it just makes ZERO sense to me? My thinking is that these things can't possibly have much of a failure rate at least for the first 10-20k miles ....maybe a lot of it is just that there was a time early on where some defective parts got through and the klr community has never let go of it because it was such a pisser....That and this Eagle Mike provides an obviously stronger part which gives anyone the warm fuzzies it wont break. ....LOL ...but STILL for a hundred bucks or whatever a mechanic's time and the parts might cost? Average guy lavishing his/her klr with spangles and upgrades is not going to be the only one gambling that MAYBE kawasaki didn't mess up a weld again... ....It just bugs the crap out of me they did not soothe the klr community WAY earlier with a new part(s) ...I just want to get the kawasaki executive that decided NOT to upgrade to a new part/part number WAY before the 2nd gen...want to get him bound hand and feet in a damp basement with a million candlepower light in his eyes and his testicals wired to a KLR's 50kv ignition coil and just keep nailing his sack about 500 times asking each time "WHY? tell me WHY once again you refused to spend pennies and fix this?" ...Is that sick of me? I mean Really?

[@Rmstatorinc]

Excellent rant Dougie! It is definitely a real problem. A couple years ago I bought a 2003 KLR650 with 9000 miles on it. While upgrading the stator, I decided to check the doohickey. The original was still installed (case had never been off), and it was broken. The spring was broken as well, and laying in the bottom of the cover. It is a real problem, and can cause a serious failure if not addressed!

[@taterlysaladman9377]

There is a HUGE disconnect between USA Kawasaki---that is the importers out in California, and the Kawasaki company. I have dealt with USA Kawasaki several times, they are assholes. You can get a manager, write letters, I even contacted the Heavy industries Kawasaki and reported all the shit they pulled on me. The same guys called me and asked me how they could help. Kawasaki bikes are made well and the same model being made for so many years shows the quality. But they repeat their mistakes for years because of the shitheads at USA Kawasaki. Also, I have tried to get warranty work done and the Kawasaki dealers in the US will always get approval for payment from Kawasaki before they will fix anything, because all too often the boys in Calif. will try to get out of paying for warranty work.

[@MindBodySoulOk]

I see no reason to remove the old spring or at least remove it without taking off the inner case

[@ericescude9018]

the spring itself is also a failure mode. if you can remove it without removing the inner case do it however you really don't want to accidentally drop it into the lower case. also removing the inner case makes it easier to drill the anchor hole for the torsion spring if you will adding one.

[@Rmstatorinc]

I highly recommend removing the inner case to replace the spring. They are absolutely a failure point, I have had it happen on a couple (low mile) KLRs. Definitely worth removing the case to do it correctly and not risk losing parts inside the crankcase.

[@wtr948]

Kawasaki should be ashamed by now but NO.....they still making these pieces of crap. Maybe if you dummies would stop buying the KLR they would stop making it.

[@christopherduby5330]

No faith in yourself come on film the guts of process brother

[@christopherduby5330]

Then you can show people what to do if they have to struggle with the tools

[@Rmstatorinc]

The only part of the process not shown is drilling the small hole in sidecase, as this is difficult to film. Instructions with the doohickey kit explain this procedure clearly.