mechanic in Uz/Taj/Kyrg? +border updates
Hey all! We are currently in Tashkent having made it almost 10k miles on this magic set of michelin anakee 2s and we are heavy 2up on an 800gs. we have been hauling the other set of tires since Ardahan in Turkey, about 4k miles and by the time we got across Kazakhstan the top rack plate for our top case tried to commit suicide. its bent to hell and thus very weak. We have all kinds of straps but I have to stand up and hold the case and tires down on the really bad bits. So we are looking for a place in Tashkent to hopefully weld something on this plate to stop it from flopping about, then perhaps we can get to dushanbe or bishkek and change the tires. Be nice to get more use out of them, they are still looking pretty good.
So if anyone has any suggestions for Tashkent or Samarkand (we are planning to pop down there before heading back up to cross to Tajikistan at Buston) that would be very much appreciated! And if there is any place in Taj or Kyrgz that has that tire balancing contraption, doubtful but have to ask...
Border updates: Georgia to Russia (Vladikavkaz) no problems getting thru late July. Russia to Kazakhstan (Saratov to Uralsk) was also fine. Tons of road construction and rough bypasses thru kaz, some sand pits. Karabutak to Aral there is 420 KM with no petrol!! Shymkent to Tashkent the border is pedestrian only, you must go down and cross at Chinaz. Pain in the ass and we got stuck there all night.
We are on USA passports...
Hope this helps and if anyone has any mechanic suggestions, let me know! happy journeys...
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