who knew this video would still be relevant 7 years later !!! thx, just bought a 99 klr650 wgitout any knoledge on the machine and this being a week spot i'll adress it.
Great video.. I did my new 2017 klr last fall after about a month of ownership for 2 reasons.. 1- I’m a big guy (250☹️).. 2- I put on my 38/45 liter touratech panniers I had from my old gs.. they’re really a bit big for the bike but I just love having them while traveling.. After doing the upgrade.. I will say it was much more stressful drilling through than I thought, but I was very careful and it turned out great. I torqued the drill through bolt to 35ft-lbs and used red loctite and the locking nut.. I have no concerns about crushing the frame tube and it is definitely much stronger than before. However, after doing this once.. I would probably just upgrade my bolts next time and use red loctite.. simply because after realizing how tough the frame already is.. I think it would be perfectly fine that way too.. yes I think the drill through is stronger, but I also think a bolt upgrade kit and red loctite with proper torque would be more than sufficient.. just my opinion/experience.. thanks again for the video 👍
I just did this and sorely regret it. On my first 2007 KLR I just did a bolt upgrade, no drill through. No problems after 10 years. I just did the drill through and sure enough I did not get a nice clean hole and drilled through that inner tube. MY new long bold is not a snug fit. I cranked it down but am very concerned that I will be crushing that backbone tube over time. We'll see what happens. Again, if the original problem was weak bolts from the factory, the solution is new stronger bolts, no drilling necessary.
Beast, gotta disagree with you. It should be completely drilled out and a new bushing installed at the larger exterior diameter to take the load and prevent crush of the tube.Only good solution. next would be the double bolt upgrade.IMO
Took it for a spin the other day, nothing harsh yet. I am wondering if one could just put a short section of tubing inside the big backbone tube from the open end (vs. cutting out the inside skinny tube for a bushing. Then, assuming the through bolt crushes the backbone tubing slightly, the inside tube should be able to take the pressure once everything is tightened up.
who knew this video would still be relevant 7 years later !!! thx, just bought a 99 klr650 wgitout any knoledge on the machine and this being a week spot i'll adress it.
Great video both in quality and information. The "Pro's & Con's" is a great approach.
This is a great video showing exactly what to be aware of if you are considering this popular upgrade. Thanks!
Thanks for this, having the kit and pondering the install and you had some good points.
No problem 👍
Great video.. I did my new 2017 klr last fall after about a month of ownership for 2 reasons.. 1- I’m a big guy (250☹️).. 2- I put on my 38/45 liter touratech panniers I had from my old gs.. they’re really a bit big for the bike but I just love having them while traveling.. After doing the upgrade.. I will say it was much more stressful drilling through than I thought, but I was very careful and it turned out great. I torqued the drill through bolt to 35ft-lbs and used red loctite and the locking nut.. I have no concerns about crushing the frame tube and it is definitely much stronger than before. However, after doing this once.. I would probably just upgrade my bolts next time and use red loctite.. simply because after realizing how tough the frame already is.. I think it would be perfectly fine that way too.. yes I think the drill through is stronger, but I also think a bolt upgrade kit and red loctite with proper torque would be more than sufficient.. just my opinion/experience.. thanks again for the video 👍
I just did this and sorely regret it. On my first 2007 KLR I just did a bolt upgrade, no drill through. No problems after 10 years. I just did the drill through and sure enough I did not get a nice clean hole and drilled through that inner tube. MY new long bold is not a snug fit. I cranked it down but am very concerned that I will be crushing that backbone tube over time. We'll see what happens. Again, if the original problem was weak bolts from the factory, the solution is new stronger bolts, no drilling necessary.
Beast, gotta disagree with you. It should be completely drilled out and a new bushing installed at the larger exterior diameter to take the load and prevent crush of the tube.Only good solution. next would be the double bolt upgrade.IMO
Headed to the Tucson area (from Albuquerque more or less), loaded with gear. Will report back. WIsh me luck.
Took it for a spin the other day, nothing harsh yet. I am wondering if one could just put a short section of tubing inside the big backbone tube from the open end (vs. cutting out the inside skinny tube for a bushing. Then, assuming the through bolt crushes the backbone tubing slightly, the inside tube should be able to take the pressure once everything is tightened up.
Any update. I saw you also left comment on Tim 2 wheel
One more magic KLR mod...Take your stock bolts out and thread lock them and you will be fine. I am heavy and have 26K on my bike with no issues.