What is the best upgrade for the KLR-650 sub-frame bolts?
A. Your torque wrench! The sub-frame bolts supplied by Kawasaki are not the strongest grade available. However, the real culprit in sub-frame bolt failures is the shearing moment created when the bolts are allowed to loosen. You would have to try pretty hard to break the sub-frame bolts even if left stock, provided you conscientiously kept them tightened to specs*. Now, for a modest sum, you can upgrade to a higher quality and slightly longer bolt for a little piece of mind. But again, they aren’t “fire and forget.” You still have to check them from time to time. Why not work the sub-frame bolts into your normal chassis tightening schedule that you periodically perform? You do tighten all of your fasteners every few thousand miles… don’t you?? In all seriousness, use a little loctite (we recommend intermediate Honda loctite), tighten the sub-frame bolts to spec, and check them periodically. You won’t have any problems. Incidentally, if you install a Chain Master, your lower left sub-fr
