Kawasaki KLR650 Timebomb & WTF is a Doohickey?

Inside Every KLR650 There Is A Ticking Timebomb, The Balancer Shaft Tensioner!
Your Complete Doohickey/Balance Chain Tensioner Kit - bikersrun.com/collections/klr...
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00:00 KLR650 'Hello Timebomb'
01:56 Enter The Balance Shaft Chain Tensioner
02:51 FAIL #1
03:23 FAIL #2
03:53 Yeah But Not My Bike
04:20 Bring On The Solution & WTF is a Doohickey
05:41 Inspection & Disassembly
09:28 Well There's Your Problem
10:12 Fixing The KLR on a Budget
12:37 Tensioner Shaft Installation, Doh!
13:15 Balance Shaft Alignment Check
14:00 Would You Like One Spring or Two With Your Doohickey?
14:51 Drill Baby Drill!
16:00 Installation
20:38 Wrap UP!
#rodrideswrenches #KLR650 #doohickey #chaintensioner

Пікірлер: 43

  • @randyhanlon4746
    @randyhanlon47468 ай бұрын

    I will never do this myself, but I enjoy watching you do it so I can see all of the internals. Well done.

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    8 ай бұрын

    If you own a KLR I am sure you can do it!

  • @knottstilting
    @knottstilting7 ай бұрын

    This is seriously the most visually impressive KLR KZread thumbnail ever, literally clicked on this video just because it was such an amazing thumbnail - only to be completely blown away when the thumbnail animated and led into the video itself!! unbelievable - and awesome 🙌 🏆 well done sir 👏

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    7 ай бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @thodkats
    @thodkats8 ай бұрын

    Your best video production (and content) so far! Thanks!

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    8 ай бұрын

    Wow, thanks!

  • @bogusm8940
    @bogusm89408 ай бұрын

    Wow! With all the special effects you sure are putting a lot of time into these videos. Very nice job! Not so sure I’d tackle something this big. I might just take it to you. 😅😅. Thanks again Rod!

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    8 ай бұрын

    Thank you very much! I make videos first and foremost based on what would entertain me and to the best of my ability at the time. Fortunately the latter is improving and I apricate you noticing.

  • @TheMasonjarz
    @TheMasonjarz8 ай бұрын

    Great video! I had a 2002 years ago and Burnaby Kawasaki installed an Eagle Mike version for me so it was great to see the process. Rod, you make the best how-to videos on KZread!

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    8 ай бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @firestorm755
    @firestorm7558 ай бұрын

    It's not dissimilar to the vtr1000 cam chain tensioner issue. In that case a thin torsion spring can snap inside the tensioner resulting in destruction. A manual tensioner in that case solves the issue totally. Honda never admitted a fault and it sounds like Kawasaki have a similar issue with the klr. It's great that parts and information is out there to solve these issues.

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    8 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the view. This weekend I discovered a chain issue inside my VFR1200 Engine so Honda is up to their old tricks again...

  • @GlideYNRG
    @GlideYNRG8 ай бұрын

    Awesome video as usual mate. My old 94 DR650 Had a similar issue with the balance change tensioner needing attention every 5000km... Cough... Not sure when it was last done but it rattled like an old Lanz Bulldog. Was way out of whack and buggered the chain.. Been tempted by the KLR For some time. One day... 😁. Ahhh. Don't tell my ST.

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    8 ай бұрын

    Thanks for sharing & the view!

  • @timothymidkiff2894
    @timothymidkiff28948 ай бұрын

    Suzuki s40 and savages had issues with the chain adjusters.

  • @shawkard
    @shawkard8 ай бұрын

    Absolutely superb content . Very educational , instructional and most of all very clear. Please keep producing material . Do you have anything on 2015-2023 BMW R1250 RTLE or similar as this is the bike I’m coming back to after 17 years away from motorcycling in the UK 🇬🇧☀️😎👍

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    8 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the kind words. Nothing yet for the BMW you mentioned but you never know what winds up in the garage next...

  • @shawkard

    @shawkard

    8 ай бұрын

    @@RodRidesWrenches thanks and very much look forward to future content ☀️😎👍

  • @SMILEYRLR
    @SMILEYRLR5 ай бұрын

    Thanks for listing part numbers.

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    5 ай бұрын

    Happy New Year!

  • @Werkmaster666
    @Werkmaster66618 күн бұрын

    Good video. I have seen this fail on people that did the modification. Cause of it primarily failing is over torque as you stated in beginning of video.

  • @BikesnBBQ
    @BikesnBBQ2 ай бұрын

    I have a 22’ KLR with just shy of 15K miles. Waiting currently for my supplies to arrive before I do the Valve check/Adjustment. I suppose I’ll more strongly consider doing the balancer chain tensioner/doo gadget. I plan on seeing how many miles the KLR will last or if it lasts longer than me before riding isn’t an option. 100K miles? Aloha 🍍

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    Ай бұрын

    There is little you can do other than pull the side case cover to inspect to see if the tensioner spring, which was broken on mine, is still intact. I do feel more secure in the idea of having the torsion spring and standard spring in place.

  • @Rick081808
    @Rick0818083 ай бұрын

    That looks like alot of work

  • @Mikethebike-ov1yp
    @Mikethebike-ov1yp6 ай бұрын

    WOW.

  • @emmettturner9452
    @emmettturner94528 ай бұрын

    “Doohickey.” Triggered? ;)

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    8 ай бұрын

    Don't worry he said. The doohickey was done, he said. Maybe a little...

  • @user-lz2cd5kf4f
    @user-lz2cd5kf4f2 ай бұрын

    Ola de Uruguay te veo,le pregunto lleva los 2 resortes?

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    2 ай бұрын

    Sí, se instalaron ambos resortes.

  • @user-lz2cd5kf4f

    @user-lz2cd5kf4f

    2 ай бұрын

    Gracias

  • @Mikethebike-ov1yp
    @Mikethebike-ov1yp5 ай бұрын

    I have a 2018 KLR. Am very aware of the reported issues with the tensioner- they are everywhere on USA YT posts and there is incredible alarmist reports that if not addressed, your motor may explode with numerous examples showing this, being posted. Following purchase of my bike, i did some local research here in OZ given that it is on paper a serious issue. Very mindful of the costly replacement and the cracking of your casings- not desirable unless indicated. None, i repeat none of the long term Kawasaki specific mechanics that i have spoken with, many with 20 years plus experience with these bikes, have had to do tensioner failure repairs. Many have done the replacement at owners requests. I have chosen to take a punt and do the mandatory tensioner adjustment (rarely to never mentioned in most US posts about this issue) at suggested service intervals, rather than replace it. The bike has now done close to 70,000 kms and purrs like it did when bought- it hasn't exploded!!!. I May be lucky or............ Oz mechanics have suggested that if you are hearing undue or new noise- "bring it in".

  • @jsned2502
    @jsned25023 ай бұрын

    Everybody relax, you will have a hard time finding someone that had the doohicky break and even harder time finding one that caused damage. Its the internet not real life.

  • @elwood62

    @elwood62

    2 ай бұрын

    My tensioner spring broke but the bike still ran fine. I found it in the oil filter screen when I was replacing the clutch. If I get another KLR I might do it as a winter project but not because I’m actually worried about it.

  • @smudgemo
    @smudgemo8 ай бұрын

    The seller lied or someone lied to him. I don't even own a KLR and I know what a doohickey is.

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    8 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the comment & view!

  • @SRPARKER69
    @SRPARKER6926 күн бұрын

    Thank you for speaking in adult language. Like you, I find it childish to refer to it as a doohickey. How about making a video about turn signals? Yeah another annoying term that we all hear is “blinkers”. Drives me bat shit crazy. If you’re an adult, please speak like one.

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    18 күн бұрын

    Well we all grow up, not all of us adults and certainly not all the time... 🙃

  • @javierc2726
    @javierc27264 ай бұрын

    The edit on this video is really horrendous

  • @vintagebikes4215
    @vintagebikes42155 ай бұрын

    Using the plastic wire brush on a rotary tool to clean gaskets is an error...it is changing the shape of the metal, slightly. I do not expect to see unwise moves from you. Stop being lazy and start cleaning gaskets properly. An idiot working on one of my bikes did exactly as you are, damaged mint engine cases for a museum restoration doing what you are doing. In a word, "don't." The proper way to remove old gaskets is with sharpened wood, or with a razor blade in skilled hands, very little angle. Done correctly, neither damages the aluminum at all. Quick finish with 3m pad on edge. HAND WORK ONLY...NO ROTARY TOOLS.

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    5 ай бұрын

    I understand why you say that, there is a LOT of misinformation out there. I will stick to what I know and was taught to me by technicians far better than I am. Do not confuse the bristle wheels I am using with the tight nylon Roloc discs that can round the edges of magnesium or aluminum. You can't grind an edge with a plastic brush held at a 90 degree angle to surface and as I have said, it is also far easier to screw up a gasket surface with an ill placed bladed tool than with the pneumatic you saw in the video. Happy New Year!

  • @vintagebikes4215

    @vintagebikes4215

    4 ай бұрын

    OK, thanks for responding.

  • @MrApmech
    @MrApmech7 ай бұрын

    Total BS. If you don’t rev piss out of the motor this will never happen.

  • @RodRidesWrenches

    @RodRidesWrenches

    7 ай бұрын

    WTF does revving the engine have to do with the balance chain tensioner? You 1 obviously did not watch the video and two you obviously don't even own a KLR so take your nonsense somewhere else. Not only is this a very well known issue, it has been documented by others multiple times over.