KTM engine failure in northern Mexico
 

After eleven months of travel and seventeen thousand miles, my novia anaranjada chose Saltillo, Mexico (four days from home!) to throw a tantrum that it can't be placated with a few trinkets and a light massage by the right mechanic. Some major bearing failed in my KTM 640A's engine :(

Riding out of Saltillo, the engine suddenly dropped power, and when I pulled in the clutch, it quit. When I crank the engine (which it will barely do), I get a horrible clanking sound. Turning the engine over with the kickstart and decompressor, it feels horrible - like there are rough spots and a huge amount of friction. Is there any possibility this is not something that requires tearing the engine apart?

The bike is under a third-party extended warranty by Western Service (the "A" package, which should cover everything). However, I'm told that these usually do not cover service outside the US. I will make some calls tomorrow during business hours, but suspect I will need to bring the bike to the nearest KTM dealer in Texas.

Anyone know where the nearest good KTM shop (in Texas) to Saltillo/Monterrey is? Someplace that could handle tearing down the engine? The KTM website lists the nearest dealer in San Antonio. I found web reference to a place called "Joe Gregory's Motorcycle Sales" in Laredo, but it doesn't sound promising.

Any suggestions for how I can get the bike there? I presume this will be two parts, getting the bike to the border and then getting from the border to the shop (wherever that is).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/...494280e51d.jpg

Thanks for any advice,
Jeff :crying:

Remove the decompression lever first to make sure it's not keeping the valves open.

If that were the case, wouldn't it be easier to crank the engine over instead of harder? I've kickstarted the bike several times in the past; usually the engine turns over really easily with the decompressor engaged. Now it is extremely difficult and uneven.

Thanks,
Jeff

I'm guessing San Antonio, Texas will be the nearest KTM dealer. Reynosa looks to be the nearest border crossing from Saltillo. There may be some smaller towns with crossings between Reynosa and Laredo, but I'm not familiar with that part of the Texas/Mexican border...Avoid crossing at Neuvo Laredo...it's an active war zone due to narco activity. You should be able to hire a local with a pick-up to take you to the border. It cost me and a buddy $350 each (plus gas) to have our dirtbikes hauled from Creel to Presidio (300 miles) 2 yrs ago. Good Luck...

Jeff,

At least you are close to the border. Gregory's is not the place to go. I can't really help you much more than that. San Antonio is the best place to go.
Good luck.

From Saltillo to San Antonio it is advisable to take the most direct route Mex 57 to the border at Piedras Negras /Eagle Pass via Mex 57. The other preferred route would be thru Monterrey and Mex 85 north to Laredo and I 35 to S.A. Going to Reynosa would only add more distance to cover.
Mex 57 and Mex 85 are major Free Trade highways and you should be able to arrange some form of shipping from Saltillo to the border., I believe Saltillo also has a KTM dealer . Not that he will take on warranty work but he may be able to assist you in getting the bike on some form of transport to the border. With any luck they may even know of some body taking a pickup truck all the way to San Antonio.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to take the bike to the KTM shop in Monterrey for a diagnosis; one person on advrider suggested that it isn't necessarily a bearing, it could be a broken clutch lining disc. It seems an easy thing to check.

If it isn't easily fixed, I will get the bike to San Antonio somehow. Laredo is the closest crossing to Monterrey but there are several different points to cross. Which has the least hassle? I'm pretty sure I will have to push the bike across the actual border :frown:

Thanks,
Jeff

It may be easier to go across the bridge which is furthest to the East as the crossing the States is a little flatter if you have to push the bike. Don't forget to return the Vehicle import docs. This is near that bridge but down a hill but I guess you won't be pushing as you should be in a pickup or something similar. You maybe able to rent a pickup in the States and even though you aren't supposed to bring them into Mex who would know as you wouldn't actually have to do any paperwork to get it in. A friend transported his bike back to Boston from Laredo in a Uhaul and rented car.
As I said before don't forget to check the bike and yourself out of the country.

Bad luck Jeff,

I pushed my XL600 across the border in Tecate one time. No problem.