Just saying hi..

[nurserobbi]

Hello to everybody here! I am new to this forum and kind of a new old rider. I grew up riding dirtbikes, stopped riding when I got a car and discovered boys (I shoulda stuck with the bikes, they'd have been a LOT less trouble) picked it up again in my 20's with a Honda XR175 then got busy with kids and school and just started riding again within the last couple of years. My other bike is a Suzuki DRZ125 which is a sweet little bike for the dirt but I began wanting a nice little commuter for the twisty wine country roads that I ride on my way to work. My boyfriend thought a KLR250 would be the perfect bike for me and kind of surprised me with this fun little project. So far we (and by that I really mean me and then taken off and done the right way by him, lol) have replaced the master cylinder (taken from a ninja 250 parts bike the boyfriend had laying around), a new ignition switch, we rebuilt the petcock, cleaned up the carburetor, put air in the tires, cleaned the gas tank and she's up and running! So far so good. Still have a lot to do before she is the reliable commuter, but she is definitely on her way!
Oh, and I am wondering when the radiator fan should kick in? I let her sit and idle today and get fairly warm and nothin'.. no fan. Is there a point where it starts up, and what would that point be? I haven't googled this yet so I apologize for asking people here first.
Oh, and please, please, please, go easy on me if I sound kinda like a dumb rookie- I am no mechanic 

[JV]

  nurserobbi!

The fan appears to be powered the same way as the older 650s. At the bottom of the radiator is the thermal switch that energizes a relay closing contacts to power the fan.

If you touch the wire lead coming from the relay going to the thermal switch to a frame ground the relay should close and the fan start. You might be able to hear the click as you should be able to do this without the bike running.

Some tie in a toggle switch from the wire to ground and use the switch to keep the fan running when the going is slow.

If the fan does not start when you ground the wire pull apart the connector going to the fan and check for 12V on the wires coming from the relay to the fan when you do the jumper to ground test.

If you DO have 12V then either your connector may have not been connecting properly (corroded) or the fan motor itself is bad.

If you DO NOT have 12V when you do the test replace the relay and try again.

There appears to be no separate fuse for the fan as on the 650s. Hope this helps.

Scroll down about half way on this link for a wiring diagram.

http://klr250.blogspot.com/

[oldstove]

  nurserobbi. The two of you ought to have that thing running great in no time. Although I own the 650 KLR, I've ridden my buddies KLR250, and have to say, its a blast to ride. Enjoy!

[Mel Brooks]

Welcome nurserobbi!!!   

Awesome to have another lady rider on the forum. Good luck with your KLR, and if you have any questions, just post 'em up. We have a very knowledgeable and friendly group here.

And you don't sound like a dumb rookie to me.   

[HotShot]

  to the forum nurserobbi. Please don't ever feel that you mite ask a dumb question. The guys & gals on this forum will be more than willing to help you out. Farkel  diease runs wild on this forum so beware.   

[toyotapunk85]

Nurserobbi, welcome to the forum. The fans are on temp switch and will only kick on if it gets hot enough. I've only ever had mine kick on once after running full bore up a huuuuge hill in 3rd-4th gear at redline the whole time. These bikes should run at right about center of the temp gauge. So if yours runs right around there it's fine and shouldn't have to worry about the fan. And to really not have to worry about overheating issues drain out the old coolant and get yourself a gallon of Engine Ice. It works amazingly well.

[nurserobbi]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the advice on the fan and the great welcome!

[SPANKY]

   nurserobbi !   

[gunny]

A 250 Barbie bike, how cool is that ! Welcome and have. Blast, lots of great people like Mel to give advice on the 250. Post up tour location, you might be surprised how many members may be near you.

sent from my G'zOne Commando

[MrBob]

 I really enjoy working in my 250 - they're so simple and rugged.
BTW, lets not forget that this is Nurses Week. I'm still trying to think of something special to do for myself.