A big part of this whole dual sport riding thing is that you are going to be putting a toll on your bike. While that sounds like it might be bad, it’s not. The bike is built stronger for it. No matter how careful you are, the bike will never come back from a trip in the same condition as it left. It’s just part of the game. If you don’t like that you might want to take up chess or something.
On this trip I was lucky. I didn’t drop it. Not that I didn’t have an issue – I sheared off a foot peg bolt on the White Rim Trail, but we fixed that the next day.
Once home I took a careful look at the bike after washing it and found a few more items.
The Tank Side Panel Screw:
The Seat Bracket Bolts:
Both of these were an easy fix with a quick trip down to the local hardware store. All new stuff went in with a drop of locktite blue just to make sure.
The Mid Exhaust Bracket:
This picture obviously has a bolt in it. That’s one of the ‘good’ footepeg bolts I had left over from my repair in Moab.
Next up was something we saw the day after in Moab.
The Chain Adjuster Endplate:
I had somewhere lost the little endplate on the swingarm. This of course helps you adjust the chain for proper tension.
It’s a cast aluminum part that is probably specific to the KLR. I went online and found one in just a few minutes. 20+ years of making the KLR means that no part is scarce.
A few new nuts and a washer from the local hardware store and we were back to new!
As for the others: Ernie’s bike held up well for the times it hit the dirt, I haven’t heard yet from Ernie what he broke or replaced.
Tomm’s bike on the other hand…
<insert trashtalk> He has a lot of work to do it he’s going to plausibly deny dropping it. #justsayin </end trashtalk> 😉
Next Up: Change the oil and filters
He's an avid hockey fan, rides a mountain bike, sometimes rides a road bike, has a few motorcycles (he had a really fast one, had a big cool orange one, rode a really slow one, and is currently building a perfect "BDR Weapon"). If that isn't enough, he makes cheese and sourdough bread, loves strong beer and good red wine, and poorly plays the Mandolin.
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