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Topic: Saying good bye to an old friend (photo heavy)  (Read 3695 times)
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Mrs. DantesDame
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« on: July 12, 2012, 07:22:42 PM »
The time has finally come: my trusty 2000 KLR is leaving the garage. And not to be sold to someone else to start a new life somewhere else, but by bits and pieces, hopefully helping many others to enjoy their own rides.

The 2000, sometimes known as "the green mule", served me well during the 7 years and 70,000 miles I've had it. It is the bike that really started my love of adventure touring and gave me the ability to embark on dozens of fabulous trips. It rarely gave me any trouble and did pretty much anything I asked of it. I'm going to indulge myself and make this post a homage to my mule...

The beginning: my trip to Alaska with zarly




Followed shortly by an amazing month in Mexico:




From there, it was a lot of of the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia:










And then we went further afield...






And back to Mexico:








And then we went east, where commuting was the routine, interspersed with day rides:





And now, due to an electrical failure, the addition of a "younger" KLR and some upcoming changes in our living arrangements, it is time to let go of the Mule. I'll miss it, but it'll live on in my memories (and my website  Bigsmile )
« Last Edit: July 12, 2012, 07:35:38 PM by Mrs. DantesDame » Logged
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« on: July 12, 2012, 07:22:42 PM »
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« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2012, 07:26:12 PM »
Goodbye old friend.  May your parts find their way into many other journeys.     Rose
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« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2012, 07:31:08 PM »
Nothing like a KLR ridden like its supposed to be ridden.  Clap  Well done.  Thumbsup

I assume you did the doo?  Lol
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« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2012, 07:31:51 PM »
And just so you know, it wasn't all glamor and fun for the Mule. Sometimes (often) I made it do actual work. Maybe it finally got sick of me and took the only way out it knew?  Lol




















Thank you, my friend  Bigok
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« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2012, 07:33:54 PM »
Quote from: scottzilla on July 12, 2012, 07:31:08 PM

Nothing like a KLR ridden like its supposed to be ridden.  Clap  Well done.  Thumbsup

 Thumbsup Thumbsup

Quote from: scottzilla on July 12, 2012, 07:31:08 PM

I assume you did the doo?  Lol

First thing I did when I bought the bike - both spring and doo were broken  Crazy
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« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2012, 07:37:00 PM »
Quote from: Mrs. DantesDame on July 12, 2012, 07:33:54 PM


 Thumbsup Thumbsup


First thing I did when I bought the bike - both spring and doo were broken  Crazy


Well duh.  The engine would have come apart by now.   Bigsmile
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« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2012, 07:37:23 PM »
Inspiring photo memories.  Thanks for sharing!   Smile
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« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2012, 07:37:23 PM »

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« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2012, 07:48:01 PM »
Awesome memories and photos Thumbsup

You got your monies worth.
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« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2012, 08:20:16 PM »
I don't know which is more awesome; the photos of your travels or all that pack mule work.

I remember when you got that bike and those Alaska and Mexico reports. A fine tribute DD. Now excuse me. There is something in my eye.
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« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2012, 09:10:35 PM »
Awwwa!  Inlove  I have many happy memories of that KLR as well.













And it will be immortalized forever in my handiwork! Lol
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« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2012, 09:14:07 PM »
Hahah, oh god, posting those reminded me of the time I borrowed the other KLR and we went riding and I ran out of gas in Port Orchard and we had to ride your KLR two up back to the ferry/your place.  Lol   We should have gotten a photo of that.
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« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2012, 09:15:38 PM »
 I remember a group of semi-buzzed STNr's tearing into that KLR in a Motel 6 parking lot trying to figure out a lack of lighting.

 All good bikes must come to an end. I've on #3 since that event.
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« Reply #12 on: July 12, 2012, 10:17:52 PM »
You MUST pick one part off of her and put it on the new ride....


   I took the helmet locks off of the Connie and out them on the ST.




   Kinda like keeping the stick shifter off of an old car!



   
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« Reply #13 on: July 13, 2012, 04:56:12 AM »
Quote from: coucours grad on July 12, 2012, 10:17:52 PM

You MUST pick one part off of her and put it on the new ride....


Oh that won't be a problem  Lol  Let's see, yesterday I took
- all of the plastics/tank
- seat
- bash plate
- highway pegs
- brake cylinder guard
- fork brace
- radiator guards
- luggage rack
- flashing LED brake light
- aux lights
- voltmeter/dashboard switches...

I think that there will be plenty to remember the original bike by. In fact, I might even forget that its NOT the 2000 under me  Cool
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« Reply #13 on: July 13, 2012, 04:56:12 AM »

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« Reply #14 on: July 13, 2012, 05:25:44 AM »
I dunno, the swingarm bushings look kinda dry.
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They're finding dead bodies where I ride.

The Wrath of Con Pt. 4 "One thing is for sure however, I will never publicly promote or let it be known that I am a member of STN again".
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« Reply #15 on: July 13, 2012, 05:30:01 AM »
Quote from: bluepoof on July 12, 2012, 09:10:35 PM

And it will be immortalized forever in my handiwork! Lol




Clap Clap

That was the best gift ever  Inlove
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« Reply #16 on: July 13, 2012, 05:55:40 AM »
 Lol What a great thread  Bigok
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« Reply #17 on: July 13, 2012, 06:12:23 AM »
I will never understand why front paniers aren't more popular for touring.  



Excellent thread.
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« Reply #18 on: July 13, 2012, 06:18:51 AM »
Quote from: Mrs. DantesDame on July 12, 2012, 07:31:51 PM







 Bigok
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« Reply #19 on: July 13, 2012, 06:26:02 AM »
Quote from: Kneescrubber on July 13, 2012, 06:18:51 AM



 Bigok


Agreed!!

The tiki torches and ironing board are hilarious Lol
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