Honda shops in/around San Jose, CR
 

Hi,

Over the last couple of days riding through Central America, my Honda XL650V Transalp has developed a nasty ticking sound coming from the front sprocket. Have yet to open up the sprocket cover due to the rain and lack of shelter, but I'm pretty sure the front sprocket is wearing faster than I had hoped. I was going to replace chain and sprockets in Colombia, but it looks like I'm looking for a set a little earlier.

Anybody know a good Honda shop around San Jose, CR? Preferably English speaking? I'm looking for a DID525 112-120L kit. I'll try some of the numbers that are in the "Repair Shops, South America" section on Monday. Just thought I'd throw it out here too.

Vincent Kemp
Vincent Kemp - Windows Live

I just changed my whole set at the XR650L and went to 2 stores: rear Sproket 45 steal was (6000Col.) 11US$ and the 15 front sprocket was 35US$ (20,000Col.) at XIMDAC north from Palmares Tel.2233 2830. (Big Honda sign)
In Palmares just a few miles after at Rolando Avila Tel.2453-0203 I got the chain, DID 520 /120, it was (22,000Col.) 38US$.
They are both on the PanAmerican Highway before San Jose. Not sure if they speak english but what you need is easy to get even in chinese.....
You can also try Sava in San Jose Tel. 2284-8912 but you might discover bad service there. There are much more stores in San Jose. If you dont find it at one´store, they sent you to their competition or have a mechanic do some custom work-welding...etc. Good luck
Jogi

There you go Vincent, I told you that you would get an answer quickly :) Now go get that noisy thing changed out.

Cheers
TravellingStrom

Thanks Jogi, Richard,

Removed the front sprocket cover yesterday. There is definitely wear, but thankfully it does not look too critical. Still, I do need to replace chain and sprockets soon.

Stopped at Ximdac and another place on the way to San José yesterday after trying a place in Liberia the day before. No luck on chain or sprockets. Today I went to Sava, the official Honda place in CR. Alonso was very helpful, but after checking with the warehouse folks told me they had sold the only set they had on stock just last week to another guy. He then directed me to "Indianapolis" one block down the road. They had a chain that matched my specs, but no sprockets or chain breaker tool in my size. And since the chain wasn't really the material or brand I would have liked, I didn't buy it. Tried a few other places carrying Japanese motorbikes of competing brands on the same street (and there are a lot of places), but more bad luck.

So, still empty handed after an overall enjoyable day in San José. I am giving up on the search in Costa Rica. Next attempt; Panama. And I'll try to call/mail ahead to some places in Colombia, worst case I will have something send in from either Europe or the US.

Vincent.

Dear Vincent, sounds not to bad, your mail ahead idea is the best solution, you can include other things you might need and for the piece of mind. Bikes like yours are rare in Central and south America.

To close this thread; a very helpful friend (MotoSoto!) ended up FedEx'ing me the sprockets and chain from California to my hotel in Cartagena as well as oil filters and some tools I lacked. Took 5 days (including a weekend) for an 11 lbs package. Not the cheapest solutions, but at least I got exactly the parts I wanted...

Currently near Lima, Peru, heading for Machu Picchu.