New to the KLR250

[Jumper219]

Hey,

I'm new to motorcycles, bought an '01 KLR250 for $1,450 this past August, I think it was a steal. As far as I can tell everything is stock, it runs, and the body is just about immaculate, except the previous owner put some stupid bullethole stickers on it. Now for the questions, I'm new to riding, although I have experience with ATVs. I've already done some riding behind my house in the woods and feel reasonably confident on it. What upgrades do you recommend? I'm just looking for opinions trying to decide if I want to change anything, I'm a little under 6' and weigh about 160lbs so far I havent felt any problem with the amount of power the bike has but I also have not spent much time on the road.

Here's what I'd like to change:
Luggage Rack: I think that little bag on the back looks stupid.
Turn signals: Anybody have any suggestions on some smaller ones that are tighter to the body
Mirrors: Suggestions on where to get some better replacements.
*Will take any other suggestions for changes*

Also, just found out, family was riding it while I was away at college and now the carb is leaking gas like crazy from the overflow line, anybody have any idea what's wrong with it? Should I just take it to a mechanic for that?

This is an awesome forum, cant wait to hear the discussion. Ride On

[Hurricane]

Your carb float needle is stuck and not sealing off and or your tank vent line is stopped up causing the tank to put excess fuel pressure on the needle.Either is an easy fix. Put some fresh fuel and SeaFoam additive in the tank and put a few miles on it. a good carb cleaning usually remedies all ills if all else fails.

[Jumper219]

Thanks Hurricane , I'll give the seafoam a shot!

Also, I've seen alot on here as well as on other websites, looks like everybody recommends checking the valve clearance.  It looks like the previous owner took great care of it, has just a little under 6k miles on it. Should I check the valve clearances? It seems like this link has a pretty good explanation, http://home.earthlink.net/~klr250informationexchange/toolkit.htm I'll try going off of that. New to the world of doing my own mechanical work.

Still looking for any suggestions on mirrors, turn signals, or luggage racks.

I know I'm asking quite alot, bare with me.

Ride on!

[Hurricane]

The KLR 250 does require more valve checking than most bikes .Usually when you can't keep the idle set at a certain rpm and or its harder to crank the exhaust valves are too tight.My experience is to check them at least every 6K.Remove the seat,tank,upper engine mount ,cooling fan motor,spark plug wire and temp sensor wire,then valve cover.Remove the two plugs on the left side of the crankcase and turn the engine with a socket over counter clock wise thru the bottom hole on the crank till the intake valves open and close then go past that approx 1/3 turn and line up  the letter " T ".It lines up in the upper inspection hole.Adjust all valves at 0.23mm and button it back up.No parts required.Then set warm idle at 1400 rpm.The valves will be slappy and happy.

[Jumper219]

Thanks for the instructions, I'm back at school but I'll be going home soon enough and I'll give it a shot when I get there.

[Jumper219]

Is there a good step by step explanation of how to adjust the valves of a 250 on here? I found Patmans which looks great, just trying to read and visualize as much as I possibly can before I start the project, I'm pretty nervous, it'll probably be the most mechanically intensive thing I've ever done.

[Hurricane]

I posted it for you just two posts back.Any questions shoot me a pm and i will walk you thru it.Piece of cake.