[Coqqy_KLR]

First post! Wish it was a fun one...

Just bought an '08 with ~32,oookm on it and all went good for the first couple rides (one of which was home). When I took possession it had a 17t sprocket on it and I swapped it back to the 15t and other than that the only thing I've done is put gas in it (premium as a treat cause it had been sitting awhile and I was smitten).

Now the problem: started commuting to work and on the way home I noticed the revs climbing while I was stopped at a light. The bike usually idled at around 1700, but was now pushing 3000! I tried giving it a couple blips and nothing. After I ran the next stretch of hwy and stopped again the idle was back down, and then while stopped as the temp went up so did the rpms again all the way to 3000...

I've tried adjusting the idle when it's warm (my impression was that 1700 was too high anyway) and it seemed to help, with the rpm's staying below 2000 when it started heating up but when I tried to slow it down any further it just stalled out.

Being somewhat virginal, anyone care to shoot me a next step or two towards trouble shooting? I'm confident to do the wrenching but it's my first bike and it's so new (to me) so i'm reluctant to go tearing it apart!

 

[justjeff]

Welcome to the forum Coqqy!
Sorry about your trouble.
Do you know what mods are done if any? If the throttle cables are sticking you can try manually turning the butterfly back at the carb by hand. The klr has a throttle return cable which will do this if it is in adjustment, but it may not be. Make sure the cables are seated properly at the ends. Are there any noticable running issues while cruising ? I think factory spec is 1200 rpm at idle.
Regards....justjeff

 

[willys]

You are right Jeff, 1200 is a good number to use. And ditto on the rest......then if that isn't working, rebuilt the carb......also check the aircleaner for cleanliness.

 

[Coqqy_KLR]

Thanks for the quick feedback!

Mods, couldn't say other than what was vouched for at time of sale (thermobob and doohickey), and no issues when cruising just when in neutral or clutched (throttle backed right out). I'll look into your suggestions asap, guess the Clymer was a good investment (pictures)!

And what I was kind of planning on doing was getting at the engine and giving everything a once over for settings. I don't necessarily have to change everything but at least I would know where everything stands.

What kind of a time/cash investment am I looking at to rebuild a carb?

 

[justjeff]

KLR carbs are easy to work on and generally need few parts. Usually they just need a good cleaning. Get a clymer first and while you're waiting for that do a search on the site for carb info such as the 22 cent mod or installing the klx needle kit from Eagle Mike. Even if you are from the US a good site to check out is "AViscoiusCycle" in Canada. Search by your bike, they have lots of interesting stuff there.
I really think your throttle is sticking so try sorting that out first.
Regards....justjeff

 

[Slowpoke]

I am in the sticking throttle or control cables camp too... I always fix starting with the simplest cause first, then move on to the next simplest and fiddle with stuff one thing at a time... so you know what actually fixed it...

Then once you get the sticky throttle fixed

I would HIGHLY recommend a kit from JD (James Dean) Jetting... why? Well, I have only had experience with a JD kit, so I don't know if it is "better" than a .22 cent mod or KLX kit...

But I see you are in Coquitlam, JD is located in Federal Way, WA, so this of course would require a research trip to JD in person, involving some of the best dual sport riding roads in North America, burgers, pie, followed by posting pictures to bug us who are still stuck in the grips of global warming. As an option purchase the Butler Motorcycle map for Washington...

 

[Coqqy_KLR]

I think what I'll do is as everyone's suggested and start with checking the throttle cables and such, I've got a set of heated grips to chuck on so it'll give me something to do while I'm waiting for the glue to go off. I'm gonna reach out to the original owner as well and see what if any mods he's done to the carb before I go to crazy town ordering needle kits and spending upwards of $.22! Thanks again for the info, hopefully I'll have a happy update soon!

 

[Coqqy_KLR]

Final thanks for all of the info! Checked out the throttle cables, everything to be all good. On a recommendation from someone at work with a bunch of dirt bike experience (and is also a mechanic) he suggested giving the bike a good dose of carb cleaner through the tank... problem solved. The idle adjustments were definitely required but the cleaner seems to have freed things up to do what they need to do. Thankful to have avoided exploratory surgery this time, almost claimed 2000 proprietary k's!

 

[wiff]

I think you have a piece of crud in the primary jet and you have gotten lean,just clean the jet and ride