Hi everyone,
Been snooping around this site for 6 months or so now, hoovering up information in preparation for my 3 week trip to Morocco that begins Dec 27th in Devon, UK. I've finally registered in order to ask some key questions! I'm travelling solo on my '01 Adventure 640 and I need your input.
I've been prepping the bike for a proposed route taken mainly from the Gandini guides - I'm also pretty new to bike maintenance so any thoughts/ info would be appreciated!

Basically, what have I forgotten to do? So far I have:

Replced the sprockets and chain
Fitted a 17 tooth front sprocket for the road down to Algeciras (and trial fitted the 16 tooth I'll be changing to)
Trial fitted my Michelin deserts and tubes (massive pain in the derriere that one - any suggestions?!), again changing from more road based tyres when I get there.
Locktited every little fastener until they scream for mercy.
Just about to do an oil change and clutch change.
Installed a second clutch cable alongside the first to be able to change it without removing the tank.
Fitted a fish bowl type fuel filter into the fuel line after the tank equaliser t-piece.
Filled the bars with silicone sealant to reduce the pesky vibrations.
Just about to fit a second fan...

The bike has only done about 15k miles, so I figure most of the suspension components will be ok(ish)


I am taking with me -spares wise:

Brake/clutch levers
tubes
patches
assortment of fastenings
small length of fuel line
front brake pads
chain link
oil
clutch cable (already in place)

anybody got any other suggestions?! - I've trawled all the links for common KTM problems and have ruled out or addressed most of the major ones (head bearings, counter shaft bearings, clutch cables, overheating etc...)

Cheers people!

P.s. I'm using a happy trails rack with some homemade ali panniers - anyone know of any issues with these racks at all?? It seems pretty bombproof, but I'm def no expert!

I'm going to get deservedly flamed for this, but reading your post (and maybe reading too much into it) my first suggestion is to chill out and stop worrying. I've been there and got the T-shirt that proves months or years planning while trying to hold down a job gives lots of time for building up a huge pile of kit and a head full of what ifs. Most of it is simply going to make the bike a pig on one surface or another and will never leave your panniers.

I get the impression that there is a lot of just in case stuff in your list. In three weeks will you really wear out a chain? Won't a clip type link, even if it's plain industrial type get you back into Spain IF the chain does break? It's a heck of a lot lighter.

Have you ridden off road with your tyre and chain set up? I really haven't found anywhere that required that sort of weight and spannering time. If you struggle to fit the Deserts and burst enough tubes you are in big trouble. I'd rather go with TCK-80's or something fitted at home and save the hassle.

The suspension will be fine.

Only thing I'd add to your kit spares wise is epoxy putty and a bit of bailing wire.

Feel free to tell me to mind my own business and enjoy your trip

Andy

Haha, no worries - any advice is welcome! - thanks for your input!

The stuff that I have done/replaced to the bike before i go is in the top list, the bottom list is what I'm taking as spares...

so after replacing the chain and sprockets before i go I'm only taking the chain link.

The 17 tooth sprocket and the road tyres will be buried/ left with augberge owner once I get to morocco.

The michelins were a pain to fit - took me about 90 minutes! but they eventually went on. Its just that I'd rather save their knobbles by using road tyres for the ride down as they are not cheap!

oh yeah, also got 1 spare spark plug...

what else has anyone taken and found useful spares-wise or not taken and wished they had? any KTM specific tools etc?
:confused1:

How about - address(es) of any KTM mechanics on or near your route? I know the other day I was reading someone's trip report on advrider, and they had the name of a great and very friendly KTM guy they used in Morocco.

Might be worth a quick search?

Oh and toothbrush of course.

__________________

Kipp,
Your plan looks quite good to me, overall.
Most of all have fun! Do the crap work now so you can relax on the ride!

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!