Just ordered my doohickey finally

[Desert Dualie]

My '09 is creeping up on 6000 miles, so I'm way overdue for a doohickey change. My engine is pretty noisy, especially at or near idle, so I am hoping to hear/feel a major improvement with this mod. I ordered everything from schnitz this morning, so I assume I'll be doing this work next week sometime. Any tips, tricks, feedback that any of you have would be great! I am also considering going to the hotcams when I am ready to change the exhaust. I am betting some of the noise I am hearing is the KACR. We'll see!

Of course I'll post up the results and findings when I have them!

DD

[Green Machine]

I would recommend that you read some of the How-To's here as well as all the other resources on the net.

KeithM - http://klrworld.com/forums/index.php/topic,3183.0.html
Marknet is also a fine example of the how-to. http://www.klr650.marknet.us/doohickey.html

Do replace the rotor bolt.

[Dirt_Bag]

Not to  but im doing mine at a up comming Tech day.
Just so there are people there that have done it several times if I need help.
Also the torsion spring will never have to be changed out.

[Norms 427]

I'm new to KLRs but from what I've read didn't Kawasaki upgrade that part in their 2008 re-do of the motorcycle?   So I'm wondering why the Doo is needed on 2008s and later.  Have there been actual failures of these new ones?   

[JV]

Mostly for the peace of mind. The spring is giving the most trouble on the later models. I'm thinking I read something of a sloppy sit on the shaft but not too sure on that one.

[Desert Dualie]

I have read several stories, and have seen pictures of plenty of new model klrs with no spring tension at all, and some who've lost the spring altogether. I only recall reading one story of the actual tensioner breaking. It just isnt doing anything in there as it is. My bike has a very noisy chain. Looking forward to the remedy.

Got a call from Schnitz, apparently almost everything I ordered was out of stock, so It'll be a week or so before they get it to ship. They called me right away to let me know, which was great. It annoys me a little that they had nothing in stock, I would've ordered elsewhere had I known. I ordered a motard fender and a uni filter as well. Oh well, at least they had great customer service

[CWAY]

I changed the doo on my 08 at 800mi and the spring had no tension at all.

[Desert Dualie]

Thats

I changed the doo on my 08 at 800mi and the spring had no tension at all.

That's what I am expecting to find on mine as well. How do you feel about the results of the mod, was it immediately apparent that it was quieter/smoother?

[CWAY]

Well I did it bass akwards and installed the eagle doo with the short long spring that came with the lever because TPI did not have any torsion springs at that time. It really did not notice anything at the time. Just last week I ordered some doo kits from Eagle Mike with torision springs with one extra t-spring for myself and poped it in the other night and was suprised to see the long spring had very little tension on it again. Now I notice a big difference in the sound of the engine it is much quiter.

[Desert Dualie]

Well I did it bass akwards and installed the eagle doo with the short long spring that came with the lever because TPI did not have any torsion springs at that time. It really did not notice anything at the time. Just last week I ordered some doo kits from Eagle Mike with torision springs with one extra t-spring for myself and poped it in the other night and was suprised to see the long spring had very little tension on it again. Now I notice a big difference in the sound of the engine it is much quiter.

Awesome, thanks!

[Desert Dualie]

Well I just finished the Doo install, My '09 had less than no tension on the factory spring. In fact it had at least a 1/16" of slack in it. Pretty awesome kawasaki... s---heads.

Anyway, install went really well, pretty straight forward. I had watched several install videos on you tube several times, so I thought it was pretty easy to do. Still nerve-wracking though!!

I am glad I ordered gaskets, as I did need them. All in all it went great!

The chain noise seems much diminished, now I can REALLY hear the KACR. But that will hit the garbage bin one of these days when I put cams in the bike.

[snakeshack]

Cool. Nothing like peace of mind knowing you did something good for your bike!

My sprig was slack also! What is Kawasaki thinking! All they have to do is change the springs!  Who knows, maybe they bought enough springs to last them until 2012 when they stop making the bike!

[Dirt_Bag]

I did my Doo on Saterday... Good thing the springs was still in one piece. The bad is it was just sitting there loose. Only 3,200 on the 09.
3 other 09's with the same results. And a 07 with some tention?

[Desert Dualie]

Kawasaki really should be beaten about the head and shoulders for this! 

[snakeshack]

+1 ON THAT!

[DUBL-A]

Sweet!

I did this on my 07 but now it looks like I'll need to do it on my 09

Since the 08+ has an upgraded balancer, do they sell just the spring?

[Dirt_Bag]

Sweet!

I did this on my 07 but now it looks like I'll need to do it on my 09

Since the 08+ has an upgraded balancer, do they sell just the spring?

Since your in there why not replace the upgraded one. With a real upgraded EM doo. The Em is tighter and stronger. and with the torsion spring, You never have to open it up again. Just adjust it.

[Desert Dualie]

+1 You want to replace the adjuster, the '08+ bikes do have an "upgraded" adjuster, but it's just upraded from Really s---ty to Slightly less s---ty 

[DUBL-A]

Good point guys

[snakeshack]

+1 You want to replace the adjuster, the '08+ bikes do have an "upgraded" adjuster, but it's just upraded from Really s---ty to Slightly less s---ty 

   So true!

[Iron Horse]

Follow the instructions. Of course. But be aware of all the little washers and needle bearing here and there. Go slow putting it back together.

DAMHIK.   

[wncklr]

Just did my "do" after I loosened the adjuster at 6000 mi and the chain actually got looser.  The chain was slapping around in the case bad, so no riding until the parts came from Happy Trails.  I was a little confused about where to drill for the torsion spring, Mikes directions included with the part said 5:30 position but the website he directs you to shows it at about 7:00.  I drilled both holes and put it 5:30 so if I ever need more tension it will be an easy fix.  Another note:  It is really hard to reassemble the bike on the side stand because the starter gears want to slide out, at least get some blocks of wood to put your bike on if you don't have a lift.

[Dirt_Bag]

7:00 is the posision you want to use. Just grip it with some needle nose pliers and it's a done deal forever. Just don't be a caveman and bend the spring.
On the kickstand would be hard. Better to lean it against something the other dirrection.

[Iron Horse]

That bastard was a pain to get over the hump. But yes, the t spring at about 7.