Anyone out there know my best shot at finding a new regulator / rectifier for my XT600 (1987 Yamaha XT600 1VJ)? I'm in Imilchil, Morocco now and am closest to Marrakesh. There is suggestion here that I may find one in Beni Mellal.

Anyone with some local knowledge that can help would be great.

Len

@BlunozrAbroad

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Len

No personal experience but I'd head to Beni Mellal first, large town plenty of mechanics/bikes then if they can't help head to Marrakech

Peter Buitelaar runs three or four XT600s in Ouarzazate, and I've emailed him the link to this thread to see whether he has any suggestions.

I think it makes sense to try to get the bike to Beni Mellal then at least communication is easier, so back of a van if necessary. There will undoubtedly be some scooter/moped mechanics in a town of that size. It's 160 km away so I would guess at least 600-800dh, maybe more if the driver can't make use of the return journey. Getting a lift in a truck returning to civilisation after a market day might be the cheapest.

I've had an online hunt to see if I can find a generic part that is used on other vehicles, but no success. Mifa is the main Yamaha dealer in Casablanca but I know they will be focused on sales of new bikes and I can't see they would be carrying spares for old bikes though might be able to order them in.

You could contact Houssine Benouiz at Moto Plus in Casablanca. If he can locate one and you pay in advance he says he will ship it using the CTM bus network.

The rectifier easily available on eBay and Wemoto in the UK, so another option is to wait around whilst someone brings in the part from UK/Spain. I would try to avoid relying on post/courier.

Otherwise trailer/van the bike to Tanger Med at some great expense. Moto Agumer in Algeciras replaced the rectifier and wiring loom on my XT660Z under warranty when my rectifier melted.

Please let us know how you get on as this will be useful for others who find themselves in a similar situation in the future.

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Sure thing Tim. I should have clarified the issue. It works great. Too well in fact. It is overwhelming the battery and boiled it dry yesterday. I'm good on the kickstart now. Managed to find a bottle of distilled water, topped up and despite -3C this morning she went. I was going to run for Marrakesh but if you suggest otherwise let me know

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Len

I've heard back from Peter Buitelaar, he's in Holland at the moment so can't help.

I don't think you will find anything in Marrakech that you won't find in Beni Mellal, so I would head to Beni Mellal first and see if you can get a spare. If that fails I would then email or phone Moto Plus.

If you have to sit it out and wait for a spare then I would then head for Marrakech. In Marrakech I normally stay at Hotel Ali on the edge of Djemaa el Fna, GPS N31 37 28.6 W7 59 23.8 Typically about 250 dh/night ensuite, with guarded bike parking 50m to the left as you exit the hotel—don't pay more than 10 dh/night but you will need to argue the price at length!

Noureddine at Loc2roues in Marrakech might be able to suggest a bike shop that can help, email loc2roues@gmail.com

Alternatively the moped repair area is to the south of Djemaa el Fna around N31 37 09.2 W7 59 27.6 If you don't have GPS you can stick these waypoints into Google maps on a smartphone to find the locations.

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Thanks Tim Casablanca it is

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Len

As a bodge you could strap a car battery on the rear rack and connect it up, disconnecting the alternator. I'm guessing you'd have more than one day's riding before you had to recharge it.

I've only spent a few days in Casablanca, but some info...

Looklex write-up is a bit out-of-date but still a bit useful.

TripAdvisor Casablanca forum with links at the top to hotels, restaurants and things to do.

Mishmishapricot on that forum is very knowledgeable about the city.

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

I made a quick gut decision to roll to Marrakesh and stayed at the Hotel Ali as Tim suggested. It worked out well. This morning I got up, went over to a scooter parts shop around the corner and asked around. The old guys there seemed keen on helping me out and argued a bit (it's normal here but for a Canadian it seems like they are gonna brawl). They came up with an idea minutes later. Next thing I know an old timer is holding my hand and walking me over to a cab. He says something to the cabbie and off I go.

A few minutes later I'm in an underground car park with a small tiny motorcycle workshop in it. I could have easily walked there from the hotel. A newish GS was on a stand getting work done and a bunch of larger motos in the shop. The owner (Abdul) looks around his used parts stock and wouldn't you know it. A voltage regulator of my '87 Ténéré! He even insisted on going to where the bike was parked and testing it with his multimeter before taking any cash.

Nice kid and the despite the location of the shop seems to be pretty organized and honest. The GPS coordinates are;
N31 37.738
W008 00.250

It's easy enough to find on foot. It's on Avenue Moulay El Hassan. Ask the girl at the front desk of the hotel where the Carrefour is that sells ... If you hadn't already. It's across the ESSO fuel station parking lot and under the pharmacy. You can go check with Abdul on the issue you have and grab a six pack at the same time. Hell, ten or so people will try and sell you a quarter of hash along the way so if that's your thing a breakdown here will be a pretty good party.

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Len

Great Stuff, glad to hear your all sorted.

When you get the chance pop the details of the repair place in this thread, it might help another traveller

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-repairs-61623