KLR Doohickey adjustment

If you haven't adjusted your balancer chain tensioner in a while, this is how to do it on your Kawasaki KLR650

[@JoeImburgia]

This video came out when I was 13 years old. Now I’m grown up and have a KLR of my own

[@Bigrignohio]

Thank you for the video. I just realized that, at over 4k miles, mine had not been adjusted yet. While the manual may state 78 inch-pounds the factory must have torqued it much higher! I was worried it would never come loose. On my '09 I did not have to remove the factory skid plate as there was enough room to work around it.

[@germanpickle]

glad it helped

[@markyoung2295]

I have the same plastic case shield. With crash bars a pain in the ass to get off. Took my dremel with a cut off wheel and cut enough away so the adjustment is an easy access.

[@rockyryan1321]

is the procedure the same for 08 and newer? thanks

[@germanpickle]

good suggestion

[@germanpickle]

I don't have an '08 or newer, but my understanding is that the process is the same.

[@paulm2550]

Thank you

[@frstone3]

I have a 2014 and must have missed this when I read through the manual so its never been done. 20,000 miles on it but not making any angry noise. I just went to adjust it and the bolt was already loose. Think its ok?

[@mal-wx6tu]

No, it's not, the spring could be broken if the Eagle Mike replacement hasn't been done, obviously not torqued right at the factory, I would open it up as the chain must be slack.

[@rockyryan1321]

thanks!

[@germanpickle]

No problem

[@igorg003]

Did mine today on a 2004. N the spring as broken. Good thing I didn't ride it more then I alteadycdid..has 2900 miles on it

[@toadcalister925]

Awsome!

[@Albee213]

Maybe I am missing something here, but is there a 1/4 inch torque wrench? I see 3/4, 1/2 and 3/8ths.

[@germanpickle]

Yes you can buy 1/4 inch drive torque wrenches

[@7in7in7in]

I find it better to give the bolt head a tap - this shocks the actual area in need of attention.

[@march11stoneytony]

Mine has never been adjusted. I'm not even sure if the doohickey was done! Is this adjustment process the same for the stock piece as it is for the doohickey? Thanks

[@germanpickle]

yep. only difference between the stock and upgraded doohickey is it's strength. they look and function identically. Okay they look a little different because they're made a little different, but functionally speaking they look the same.

[@march11stoneytony]

Thanks! I've just learnt however that if the doohickey had not been done yet, that you should not adjust it because it could lead to a failure.

[@MakingCentsInTrucking]

Just curious as to what happens if you don't adjust? What are the symthoms? Does it cause harm to the engine? Please don't answer if your guessing.

[@bersekerzizer193]

your bike will have potencial issues at idle and low rpms

[@Search4Goods10]

My doohicky has already been done, I've put maybe 10k on my klr since ownership and I know the guy before had done this, my question is do I continue doing this adjustment, if so, how often?

[@germanpickle]

Perform the adjustment with every oil change. It adds 2 minutes to the job and is a good time to do it as you're already down there.

[@seanhammon6639]

Thanks. Do you need to drain the oil first?

[@germanpickle]

No adjusting the doohickey does not require an oil change. However, making it part of your oil change routine may be beneficial as you won't forget to do this. I parted ways with my KLR about 6 years ago. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. :)

[@seanhammon6639]

@@germanpickle Thanks man. Much appreciated.

[@march11stoneytony]

Do you have to replace gaskets often?

[@march11stoneytony]

Lol nevermind! Should've watched the entire video before asking questions!

[@mal-wx6tu]

Only if they are damaged, they will leak oil.

[@dl3g3nd45]

what were the torque specs?..

[@germanpickle]

Tighten bolt to 8.1n-m / 6 ft-lbs / 72in-lbs

[@dl3g3nd45]

thanks....im restoring my 92 klr 650. ive never adjusted the balancer chain tensioner before.

[@germanpickle]

Awesome. Good luck. If you're doing a restore, consider replacing the balancer chain tensioner with a fixed version. they were common breaking parts on the KLR. parts can be purchased here. www.eaglemike.com/KLR650-2007-and-earlier_c2.htm

[@dl3g3nd45]

ive been very curious of the doohickey but i have never made the adjustment for it...im almost afraid to mess with it?

[@dl3g3nd45]

my bike has almost 20,000 miles on it

[@ladyk108]

iv undone the bolt till the point it leaked a bunch of dirty oil

[@jwiebe003]

LadyK me too, what did you do?

[@brockclouser1500]

Joshua Wieberg take apart the cases lol

[@1silvervespa]

Maybe do a clean half round cut out so you do not need to remove the Skid Plate ....humm.

[@neeGrowsCarryAIDS]

The skid plate is so easy to take off it wouldn't be worth the effort to try and make some sort of hole you would only make the skid plate weaker

[@1silvervespa]

It's Plastic .....a small half round cut in that spot not going to affect anything .....

[@jerrythecoo3295]

I hope for the 2014 model,Kawasaki has rectified this. And hopefully considered going from chain drive to Shaft.

[@TomtheS_AI]

Shaft drive on a duel sport? wtf...

[@Bigrignohio]

Shaft drive would increase the cost and may not even be possible given the amount of suspension travel. My understanding is that Kawasaki refuses to call the balancer chain tensioner a "flaw", just like the oil burning issue in the '09-10 model. For them to make such a change would be to admit the initial design error and possibly cause a service bulletin (with the associated costs) to be issued.

[@jerrythecoo3295]

Yeah I'm pretty sure you hit it on the head. As for a shaft drive in an Dual purpose it wouldn't be a bad thing,.....Honda has had shaft drives on 3 wheelers& Quads & they've proven to be worthy. I also agree that Chain would be cheaper& easier out in the middle of Gods Country.......... I'm a fan of chain drive,...... Just kicking the though that's all. :) Peace. I see quite a few videos on the Dohicky issue,....... Such a big hassle for a small part.

[@jerrythecoo3295]

Did they ever figure out why it consumed so much oil past a certain speed?

[@rubiconnn]

+T0mpkinz BMW has been doing it with their R bikes for decades. Ural's have shaft drives. It's a bit heavy, but way more reliable and less maintenance than a chain.

[@germanpickle]

you turned it out too far.