Kawasaki KLR650 Timebomb & WTF is a Doohickey?

Inside Every KLR650 There Is A Ticking Timebomb, The Balancer Shaft Tensioner!

For The Good Stuff visit;

Receive Rod Rides & Wrenches Merch/Stickers/T-Shirts/Hoodies by becoming a Patron!

Facebook & Instagram

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

[thodkats]

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

[randyhanlon]

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

[TheMasonjarz]

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 YouTube!

[knottstilting]

This is seriously the most visually impressive KLR YouTube 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 👏

[bogusm]

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!

[shawkard]

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 🇬🇧☀️😎👍

[GlideYNRG]

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.

[Werkmaster]

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.

[firestorm]

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.

[timothymidkiff]

Suzuki s40 and savages had issues with the chain adjusters.

[BikesnBBQ]

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 🍍

[ManuelLindiman]

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

[Mikethebike-ovyp]

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
Oz mechanics have suggested that if you are hearing undue or new noise- "bring it in".

[TracyTsVideos]

My only concern is adding more than one spring would/could cause the chain to tension be tighter when adjusted. Could this cause heavy wear or other issues?

[jsned]

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.

[eminiscalperpro]

What dork first called it a doohickey?

[SRPARKER]

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.

[smudgemo]

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

[javierc]

The edit on this video is really horrendous

[vintagebikes]

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.