The Doohickey(balance chain) Adjustment You Must Do(per Kawasaki)

Seen lots of confusion on the Facebook groups about doing the dohickey versus adjusting it. Some guys that don't know think it the same thing being talked about. This is what Kawasaki themselves require to be done periodically.
AND TO REIDERATE THE TORQUE SPEC FOR THE BOLT IS INCH POUNDS NOT FOOT POUNDS DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN!

[@RADIOACTIVEMASCULINITY]

I like that you showed the service manual directions. Thanks for the information 💪

[@tieoneon1614]

Thank u for the correct video, and showing the service manual. Just watched one saying u had to lay the bike on its side LMAO. Then watched one where bro turns bolt out 1/4 turn {wrong} then cranks it super tight {VERY wrong, thats what cracks the arm}. 115lb torque is for the '22 and newer, 78lbs is for the older Gen's that had the weaker spring arm

[@claytonrichardson4619]

Awesome, had no idea it was that simple, does make complete sense, it's under spring load and simply pops tight when the lock down bolt is loosend, thanks!

[@paulwojnar2291]

Awesome. I didnt even know you could adjust it. Never had a manual. Thank you very much!!!!

[@aussie1546]

i did it for 1st time other day and tapped slowly with rubber hammer. I heard spring sound after few smacks. Re tighten to specs and good to go. Thank you

[@jimdoolan2277]

Well done great video did my one at 5000 km didn't know anything about it till I seen your video 😀 Thanks for shearing it Cheers ✔️ 🍻

[@patinaz6758]

Ha ha. I like how every "expert" in the KLR forum screaming 115 in-lbs is way to much. They know more than the engineers who put together this motor and service manual.

[@PP-wz7mp]

"Social media" is full of bullshit.

[@jerkyjosh]

Kawasaki changed the bolt on the 2022 and later models. It is a different part number now.

[@GunsNBudder]

For Gen 1 and 2, it's 78"#.

[@M9A1MAN]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you

[@datchallenger]

recommend adjusting after you set to dead top center.

[@greglierman5569]

Thanks for the video. Great information, much appreciated!

[@KLRon650]

I needed to see this, well done!

[@RVAMotorsports]

Good video, straight to the point. There's no excuse for not doing this when the oil is changed!

[@miraclo3]

you need to get the bike up to temp first. doesn't say it but highly recommended.

[@chrisparsons3141]

Hadn't heard that one before. Thanks.

[@mtscott1]

Thanks for posting.

[@anthonya8412]

Always helpful tips. Thx

[@russellscott5199]

This is important but the "doohickey" replacement is not necessary on the 2nd and 3rd Gen KLR's unless you really, really over torque the adjustment bolt which could crack the "doohickey", and then over time engine vibration could cause it to break. So never overtighten the adjustment bolt and you are good.

[@nicholasaxelberg8167]

Great video!

[@rogerpayne3161]

Awsome no bs video. Some make a 15 min video for this. I didn't reliaze it was this simple thanks

[@shaneshields4464]

Thank you!👍

[@denverc1962]

Thank you! Thank you! I just subscribed!!!

[@FullThrottleJunkie]

i like the kickstand foot you did

[@2talltimadventures]

Thanks brother, just trying to be resourceful.

[@jezecat1]

Just a note: Kawasaki DID improve the "DooHickey" in the Gen 2 models. Beefed up quite a bit. There is a video on You Tube making a comparison.

[@2talltimadventures]

They did improve the doohickey itself but not the spring that holds the tension on it

[@ty5642]

Perfect! Thanks!

[@joseph401]

Thanks for the info

[@TechnMoto]

Good info 👍

[@karlmcnichols6125]

Thank you

[@expandingknowledge8269]

Good info. Probably should have started bike to make sure it was running properly after the adjust.

[@heretohear8662]

There's a video on that: Smoking engine after doohickey adjustment. LOL!

[@notblind5982]

Thanks !!

[@ezequielmiramontes8662]

Awesome

[@TNZZ_650]

I’ve unscrewed mine too much and now it won’t screw in no matter jow many time I turn clockwise! What do I do?

[@toddbenfield6546]

👍 where did you get the tank pad

[@2talltimadventures]

Sides... amzn.to/42xp8Ta Back... amzn.to/3TwVFVg

[@colt2206]

Great video. You don’t need to change dohikey. It’s a scam telling people this schange is nessecary

[@2talltimadventures]

I can assure you it's not a scam. While the doohickey itself doesn't fail as often now the springs on them still do. There has already been numerous documented cases from 2022 owners that it is still a problem. I'd rather take an ounce of prevention rather than have later problems.

[@Mikethebike-ov1yp]

Maybe i,m lucky. My 2018 has done 65 000 kms without Doo replacement and runs well. I do the recommended adjustment as advised. Many long term Kawasaki mechanics i have spoken with, with + 20 yrs experience, have not had to do repairs to broken Doohickeys.

[@motorradmike]

Curious there is no description of this maintenance procedure or torque spec. in the owner’s manual. The only reference to this adjustment in the owner’s manual is in the maintenance schedule table; every oil change.

[@2talltimadventures]

It's in the service manual

[@motorradmike]

@@2talltimadventures Yeah, I know. My bike didn’t come with a service manual. The info should have be included in the owner’s manual that DOES come with the bike.

[@mikem1253]

maint manual? Which one do u use?

[@2talltimadventures]

@@mikem1253 www.kawasaki.com/en-us/owner-center/service-manuals/2022/KL650HNFAL

[@ivanhamlyn]

I just bought a used 2008 klr650 with 23 000km and the dohickey has never been adjusted

[@moto-G]

where did you buy the service manual? you have the link?

[@2talltimadventures]

Yes sir here you go they're a little pricey but worth every dime.... amzn.to/45VH37b

[@MrJmattr3]

What if the spring doesn’t have any tension? A lot of Gen 3 owners are not seeing any spring tension at 1k miles. Then you just added slack to chain.

[@2talltimadventures]

Then the doohickey has failed and needs replaced and update.

[@elwood62]

I never knew that this was something you were supposed to do. Is not adjusting it what causes failure? I bought my Gen1 used and it didn’t come with a manual so I had no idea. In more than 10 years of paying attention to KLRs and listening to people drone on endlessly about the doohickey I never heard anyone mention that it’s supposed to be adjusted at every oil change.

[@2talltimadventures]

No the failure is something different You're still supposed to adjust it. But in the older models the adjuster itself failed.

[@elwood62]

@@2talltimadventures good to know, thanks.

[@haroldyazzie3538]

Do i have to drain the oil to adjust it?

[@2talltimadventures]

Negative

[@Rafael-ct9qm]

Does that apply for a klr 650 adventure 2022?

[@2talltimadventures]

Yes sir

[@brick4321]

And how often should this be done?

[@jFlockerzi]

During the first oil change, and then, every time you change the oil henceforth.

[@VEDATOR_official]

Does anyone know what would happen if you never ever do this?

[@2talltimadventures]

The chain would just get slack and rattle most likely. If it doesn't get addressed long-term the bike could skip timing because the chain got so much slack.

[@VEDATOR_official]

@@2talltimadventures my chain has been making noise recently, in the front sprocket area. I never did this adjustment until watching your video today. Thank you. My bikes a 2022 with 2,000 miles. Hopefully I didn’t cause much or any damage. But i wonder why my chain is making noise, the chain doesnt seem, i think its in spec

[@loveistheanswer8137]

@@VEDATOR_official did it cure the noise after you adjusted it?

[@paulwojnar2291]

My Kawasaki dealer who specializes in more on/offroad and off road bikes has said that they have never had a KLR 650 come in with doohicky failure. There is a customer who I run into now and again there who has a 1999 KLR with 83,000 miles that he put on it. Running normal and never had any issues with the engine. He did replace his clutch safety switch once and dan control thermal switch. Thats nothing for that much use. My 2003 is at 31,000 and I havent had any issues other that those same safety switches and the cooling fan.

[@3dcycleparts]

After the first adjustment I do not recommend adjusting again until after the lever and spring have been upgraded.

[@friendlylenderspawnstore1472]

I plan on upgrading the doohickey to the eagle mike version so after that do I still do that same adjustment every oilchange ?

[@chrisparsons3141]

Haven't heard that one. What is the reasoning behind that?

[@3dcycleparts]

​@@chrisparsons3141 because the spring is the weakest link and they often are broken by a few thousand miles, I've seen them broken by 1,000 miles. Since the spring only serves a function during adjustment if you do not adjust it you know the only slack in the chain is from wear which is gradual. If you try to adjust it with a broken spring you will unknowingly introduce a bunch of slack into the system which will cause excessive wear at a much quicker rate.

[@chrisparsons3141]

@@3dcycleparts Appreciate the reply. Thanks.

[@natvega1]

So I guess putting an after market part before 8,000km is a lie, and that the doohicky blows up in your engine is also a lie, I guess it's lack of information,, and if you don't loosen and retighten that bolt every oil change you'll suffer problems.

[@dannyvan5792]

kawasaki now that proble , but de does nothing to improeve it , schame on you kawasaki