Ducati Monster Forum

So ive been wanting a klr for awhile.  I found an 85 needing work for $400.  Apparently it quit running 12 years ago. Guy was riding it and it dumped a bunch of oil out the pipe and it quit. It comes with a spare motor that needs cam bearings.  I know I should run away from it but its so cheap. Im planning on looking at it Saturday and may make an offer. Any of you yahoos want to talk me out of it?

Not me; sounds like a real winner. Since I didn't know the difference, I did a quick look around, and it sounds like the biggest difference between the 600 & 650 is a slight power difference & a whopping 50 lbs., 286 vs. 337. Lots more aftermarket for the 650, but Bike Bandit at least has prices listed for a full slate of OEM parts for the KLR 600.  I say go for it.

It's old, parts get harder to find, on top of that it hasn't ran for 12 YEARS! $400 really isn't a deal for a machine in that shape, $200 maybe, fixed and running you could probably find one for $600-$800. It is "cheap" but it's not relatively cheap to what similar bikes that age go for. On top of that the "spare" engine doesn't sound like it's much better. If the spare was a runner then I'd say go for it, even ar $500, but it ain't, so not more than $300.

Remember, your time and aggravation is worth something, and 400$ isn't.

In the end it will still be a KLR with skinny forks and the worst brakes in the industry.  But then again I really dig
fixing up old bikes.  In the end, when I get them all pretty and running, they are usually a disappointment and I end up selling them. 

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lol, guess you didn't really want to be talked out of it after all. Enjoy your new toy.  [thumbsup]

Have fun!!

Lots of good stuff there.  I like that there is an extra set of wheels.  You could have tires for the street and a set for the dirt.  Otherwise, buying tires for a dual sport comes down to a compromise.

That's one of the things that sold me on it.  The wheels also have the brakes on em already.  Have an extra set of forks and a complete rear suspension too.  I almost have enough parts to build another bike.  Took both engines apart.  One has bad cam bearings, the other has bad rings and a bad cylinder.  It looks like I can make a good engine between the two.  My plan is a cheap, comfortable commuter bike that I can also take to the dirt.  I'm happy with it.

Glad to see you listened to me, instead of the people who know what they're talking about.  [laugh]

Yeah but now I'm gonna be cursing you every time something goes wrong with this pig.    ;D

I told you so  ;D

Brought the carb to work this morning so I could give it a bath. Thought it was empty.  Spilled 12 year old gas all over hands and it stanks.  Dango triangleforge.  [bang]

12 year old gas would probably run the bike.

Last falls fuel wouldn't. ;)

we have a 12 and 10 year old..... and yes, the gas is very foul.

If it's any consolation, I'm probably on the precipice of some similar experiences -- my next door neighbor and riding buddy has a 1970 something Norton Commando 850 squirreled away in his garage under plastic sheeting, yard tools and a couple of decades of detritus. His health is declining rapidly, and I've offered to recruit a team of his riding pals to help him get it going while he can enjoy it. Lots of decades old gas, grease and other surprises in my immediate future if all goes according to plan.  [thumbsup]

Get the valves checked while you've got the head off.

Friend of mine had a similar vintage KLR that wore through the hardfacing on the intake valves.

Thanks.  Ill definitely check into it.  [thumbsup]




Don't even want to go there buddy.  We are having plenty of fun with this years fuel at work. [bang]

My dream project.  I am so envious.  I've wanted one of those since they were new.

Okay well now this damn thing runs. Took it out to my buddies ranch twice for some shake down runs. It runs good but still needs some tweaks to make it perfect. Rebuild the forks, Frankensteined the engine, cleaned the carb, new CDI, paint, cleaned and sealed tank, rebuilt front brakes, and a whole lotta other stuff that I can't remember.  You can ride over curbs on this thing and barely feel it. Its so cool. Now just need some new tires and tags and she's road ready for the imminent zombie apocalypse . All told about $600 bucks so far including purchase price.


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Dunno what's going on with that front brake hose, but it ain't right.

Didja true up the wheels and make sure the spokes are tight?

I had the brake hose made up an inch longer than stock because the original one kinda got tight with the wheels off the ground.  Still need to route it better.  Spokes felt tight but no I haven't done anything to the wheels yet.