The Uni-Trak Mono-Shock Suspension and Swingarm (originally called the Bell Crank) was state of the art technology in the early 80s. The suspension mechanism was effective and has continued uses into the current era.
However, the real beauty in the Uni-Track, as I see it, is in the highly-intuitive mechanism in the rear of the swingarm that provides for accurate wheel alignment and simple chain slack adjustment.
Below is a video that I recorded and posted on the Blue Knob Ventures YouTube Channel to showcase the Uni-Trak wheel alignment and chain slack adjustment on my 1985 Kawasaki KLR600:
That's what it was called on the Amazon Listing. It was $23.
In preparing for the Smokey Mountain 500, I tested each tank bag from the pile that I own on my KLR600...to no avail. None seemed to fit well. The SM500 was a three day ride and I need as much storage as possible. I even tried to put nets over a couple and it just didn't work on the steep slope of the tank back.
I got thinking about a chest rig (normally useful for fishing) and got to looking around. In a world of $300 motorcycle tank bags, I found a good looking chest rig on Amazon...for only $23!
Molle Front Face (the Chisco is my camera/speedloader pack; not part of the chest rig)
Size is 12.5" x 9"
Three full pockets (two inside, one on the front behind the molle
Represented to be waterproof, but relies on zipper covers that cover from the back (so wind is going to peal the covers back). I baggied everything that I didn't want to get wet.
Here are some photos.
I found the harness very comfortable and secure.
Overall, I liked it so much I really don't see myself using a tank bag again.
It was my prior practice to open and operat a blog for each motorcycle that I purchased. However, I've decided combine the two blogs that I operate for my two current motorcycles. Those blogs were....
KLXclamation (2019 KLX250)
Kickstart KLR (1985 KLR600)
...and have now been merged into a single blog called Blue Knob Ventures where I'll consolidate all of my future powersport activities.
Other ongoing blogs for previously owned motorcycles are:
One of the drivers in my Blog Reorganization is to make a concerted attempt to emphasize all of the rides and rallies that I do. Otherwise, my blogs seem to speak more to the wrenching side of my hobby. On the Route 66 theme, one of the rides on my Bucket List is Historic Route 66...which doesn't exist in its entirety anymore. However, Mad Maps developed a map in their "Rides of a Lifetime" Series that supposedly gets as close to Route 66 end-to-end as you can get today. I have the map and will be giving it a try...someday before I kick it.
Last week I completed the three-day Smokey Mountain 500 that ran from Georgia to Tennessee to North Carolina and back to Georgia (See Smokey Mountain 500 Report). I'd spent a lot of time getting the 1985 KLR600 ready for the ride including a 400 mile trip looping Lake Okeechobee (See Okeechobee Loop). Nonetheless, there are things to do and things to fix.
A postmortem is simply a careful review of the performance of the bike, identification of issues and things that need fixing or adjustment and watch items following a significant ride. No, it's not necessary for newer bikes that have off-the-showroom-floor reliability/dependability, but the KLR is a 35 year old bike and I want to keep it performing and maintaining a good level of dependability.
I documented this postmortem in a video on my YouTube Channel, Peace Enduro SA.
The list coming out of the postmortem is as follows:
Obtain and install a new Petcock.
Obtain and perform Front Caliper Rebuild Kit
Consider obtaining and installing a new Front Brake Master Cylinder
Install rear Drum Brake Springs that have been on backorder
Obtain and install new Clutch Perch
Review and assess Clutch Safety Switch and Starter Motor Electronics and Operation
That's seemingly a long list, but overall it's not too bad; plus I have lots of time to get all these things knocked out before the next major ride, which will be the TransFlorida Adventure Ride in mid-October organized by the CADS Group.
