My Kawasaki KLR650A1 from 1987

This section of the website contains information about my Kawasaki KLR650. This motorcycle did replace my Yamaha XT350 as primary vehicle. On the first of June in 2002 I bought my first motorcycle. The XT was bought with the intention to learn how to drive but this enduro was so much fun that I drove 5000km / 3125 miles the first month. Unfortunately it had not a lot of power and after I had driven approx. 14000km / 8750 miles I bought myself a Kawasaki KLR650.

Why this bike? Well my uncle bought an KLR650 a month earlier and it seemed cool to have 2 similar bikes and from that moment on the story begins. My KLR650 wasn't that young anymore (he is after all from 1987 and had only 30 000km / 18750 miles on the tacho) and the first winter I took the engine apart, coated the frame, renewed almost every part and it ran real smooth. Yes, it ran real smooth.

The crankshaft of my KLR650A1 broke down in August 2004. The big end bearing was completely messed up but that wasn’t such a big deal. The real problem was: the crankshaft wasn’t straight anymore. The former owner repaired the KLR without any caution and has damaged the crank while replacing the distribution sprocket . To fix this he welded the crankshaft which caused it to bend.

But before the engine broke down I had lots of fun and I have made some modification on the KLR of my uncle. We replaced the stock exhaust, changed the carburetor for a flatslide. You can also find some dynojet results of these modifications. For more information about the mods click on the link on the right.

A picture of the KLR when I bought it

A picture of the KLR after the rebuild

The result after coating the frame and painting the engine and bodywork. Now I only need a different engine so my KLR can ride again. On the picture you can see I dind't only changed my KLR but also the KLR of my uncle. Everytime when went go the Belgian Ardennes and stop in Malmedy then the two bikes were an eyecatcher. I really miss my KLR