We thought it was dirt fuel in Maya, we had a few pops back through the carbs in Bolivia but when we got into Brasil it got worse, we added carb cleaner and meths but it made no difference.

Back track to the Rio post we only made it 33 km (big day) from Rio De Janeiro ....nearly as far as Itacoatiara when a Suzuki car pulled up beside Sheldon and said where you going?, Sheldon says talk to the guys up front cos they are leading, so the Suzuki pulls up and the dude says where ya going, I replied and said dunno but north and we are turning right here.

A quick conversation before the lights changed he said, there is a nice beach etc follow me so we did, we pulled over further down and he said there is a nice beach etc and if you want you can come and stay at my house .... done deal!!!

Paulo our host took us for a local ride and an inland loop for the day, we had a great ride taking in local places and sights, on the way back we hit some rain as the weather was due to cave in, to correct Sheldons report with our slide we hit a patch of oil or diesel on a corner causing both front and rear to kick out a bit, we were lucky we were not leaned over very far so it was just a reminder to keep the mind on the job.

Paulo, Ev, Sheldon, Ellen and I



This is a picture of a picture, unfortunately the cloud had come over so we did not get to see this from the viewpoint.



Back to the issue closet to my heart at this moment of the bike running badly to the point we did not want to ride any small back roads because it was very hard work and it cannot be good for Maya either.

As time moved on it did not get any better so now we are in Itacoatiara and with Paulos contacts we got to Moto Biu, the guy has a great shop and all the tools and we could do all the work ourselves.

We set to and removed the carbs for a spiffing clean, there was some gunk in the jets but for nearly 60000 km that is to be expected, a thorough clean netted nothing as far as the bike running badly still popping back through the carbs.

Nice and clean now :clap



At this point we deiced to dig in deeper and have a look as it really could only be valves, spark plugs or colis. The coils were taken out of the equation testing ok, the spark plugs being iridium and only 10000 km old still looked like new and tested ok.

Given the start for the big job was the next morning we walked back to the shop catching up with the guys who were heading out on a ride. I was lucky enough to sit on a new red F800 adventure .... yes I did like it, nearly as cool as a KTM :rofl(actually they held me at gun point and forced me to smile to pretend I liked it :lol3)





Back to the main job .....

Having gone as deep at the spark plugs we were only one cover away from a valve check so we did that.

Shite pic but there you go



All four exhaust valves were in spec all four inlet valves were so tight they had no clearance .... problem found, the valves were essentially being held almost slightly open causing the popping back through the carbs.

This is what concentrated work looks like, I really enjoyed sorting it out properly and doing my own valve job



My only hope is the valves have no suffered any damage and I guess time will tell.

We did though have a very frustrating time as the cam bridge bolts were so heavily overtightened it was ridiculous, we bent and twisted hex head sockets and allen keys along with mauling the heads and having to use a coal chisel to help budge them so I was not seeing the funny side of it at all.

Bent :cry



Twisted :cry



At 10000 km we should not even had to have been there so I was pretty pissed off, Sheldon did like to take the advantage to pick on KTM but this was a careless mechanic problem who clearly didn’t give a shit, we also discovered some parts that were lost and not fitted to the bike ... so yeah not a KTM problem.

Comes time to pay, although we had down 95 % of the work we still used his space and we swapped shims etc, not speaking Portuguese the discussion was held on Goooooogle Translate :clap



This is the sign of happiness, a KTM back together and running like it should and an owner having accomplished a valve check in Portuguese rofl .... picture with m is Biu, top bloke and very very nice and helpful clap



Now Maya seems to be running near perfectly again but given the crappy Basilian fuel loaded with additives it is running lean so we fueled it up a little with our flexijets which is great :clap

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

When the lads returned from their day out a bar b que was put on down at their local club which was cool, a few drinks and good feed with a relaxing chat to Paulos riding buddies ......good times.





A ride up the coast to Buzios with Paulo and Maya is running like a swiss clock again now that everything is set correctly we enjoyed a great day poking our noses in and out of bays, towns and beaches heading north and enjoying an easy ride sans cases and accom all sorted so a later arrival home not even a concern.

Our ride saw us get to Arriaial Do Cabo to the end of the spit before heading up to Buzios which is a very nice gringo town with some slightly large beautiful waterfront homes .... I could easily live there!!





The road started getting good but was not that long



Three trouble makers at the end rofl





Lots of neat places and boas are big here



Heading home we took the secondary road which was still all paved and good nic, we arrived home just on dusk and geared off for a welcomed hot shower and relax with a rum and filter through the days happenings and photos.

Paulo also took us for a ticky tour around the area taking in local viewpoints and attractions part of which was the entrance protection and artillery, the stonework in this building beyond belief with the level of fit and finish.

A canon with the famous Jesus in Rio De Janeiro



Canon height adjustment



Many canon butts with stunning stone arches



The HUGE bridge over the harbour in the distance



The building



The famous sugarloaf in the distance



Three trouble makers san moto gear :clap



To finish off the afternoon we took Paulo out for lunch to a seafood restaurant, the nicest food we have had in months.



All in all a fantastic stay here by accident and generosity which saw us relax, get the bike sorted and take in the beautiful surroundings of Rio De Janeiro, for me an absolute win getting Maya sorted out as there are no KTM dealers or shops here so finding the correct valve shims etc was just demon.

I would have to say Rio De Janeiro is probably the most beautiful city in world we have seen because of its abrupt surroundings so to have seen it first hand up close and personal was seriously cool, if you can't get to Rio just watch the movie Fast Five clap

Fast Five on DVD | Trailers, bonus features, cast photos & more | Universal Studios Entertainment Portal

Finally, me, Ellen and Ev sitting on top of a rock at the bay just taking it in ... WOH HOH

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Great to see the bike is now running properly ,great shots .You may be pleased to know mum is now home ,frustrated by how little she can manage ,but i hope in time she will walk unassisted again.anyhoo looks like you guys are in a happy place ,Until next time YDF Noel

Heya Noel

Great news about your mum

Yeap nice to have Maya running sweet again for.

Now for some moto petrolheadism Brasilian style

Cheers Andi

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

3rd annual rally being held at Buzios, looking like a good place to hang for a couple of days with fello Brasilian petrolheads.

Saying good bye to Paulo after spending 10 days relaxing and sorting out the valve issue we were sorted and set.:clap

We also had our last night there with Daniel (Paulos Nephew), Sheldon and Eva enjoying a nice feed made by Eva, onya guys. :freaky

You know all us dodgy buggas, Daniel is wearing the big smile at the head of the table.



A cruzy ride on a nice day up the coast saw us arrive with plenty of time to spare, we needed it as the event had seen ALL the accommodation within a bulls roar already taken.:eek1

Arriving to Buzios to a hot fine day was great too.

We were looking to camp as Buzios is a gringo town and priced accordingly, finding the event Ellen asked about the rally and the camping, a great young fella took Ellen (but bought her back) :huh :evil and showed us the camping site, an under cover basket court ... alright, no ants, flat and a roof, saweet.:clap



After the above photo was taken it packed out completely and the tents were wall to wall.

Set up and sorted we talked with the guys running the camp to pay them, nope, camping for motos and their crazy owners is free, well that sounded bloody good to me.:clap

A quick walk around town and a visit back to the rally site to get grounded we left Maya parked there... then tried to leave to have a look around .... no way .....people flocked around to see the orange alien amidst cruisers, sports and adv bikes, Maya looking slightly odd in amongst the normal bikes.:rofl

The moment the stunters were on we managed to get a pic as everyone flocked to the street to watch them



We were given stickers, hugs, chats, photos and 99% in Portuguese and our version of Portugringolish ....and it worked.:freaky ... just add grog and a smiles .... fluent in 5 :lol3

As night settled in so do the rock band, the lead singer a true blue sure bet hard core rocker dude with a hair do longer than a Bolivianos face.



The man in action



No drink driving tolerance here (although they all do it), so a decision was made to leave Maya safety guarded by thousands of Brasilians who knew of the bike and the loose nuts riding it and pretty much everyone said "we will keep an eye on her", the rally organiser meeting us and assuring us that it will be untouched.

I walked Ellen back to camp at about 10 pm and set too back at the site with more rum and guarana, eating greasy moto rally food and having fun, the band had finished and most people were leaving so I joined the masses but when leaving the exit gate I was summoned to the sideline with “are you going home”, me yes, “wait 1 minute” ... me OK.

1 minute late someones bike comes out with the same rider that took Ellen away (but bought her back) :huh :eek1 :wink: and he had a spare helmet, jump on I will take you home he says.:clap

Well at about 3 something am with wobbly boots that seem to be out of balance (must get them checked) it was a great option.

Next day was a total rally and Buzios day, we had been invited to a bar b q at 1.00 pm just outa town which was cool.

Just on 9.00 am a big Harley dude the size of a dump truck came over and pointed to a gate and said breakfast is being served.... turns out that FREE breakfast is included with your FREE camping along with your FREE rally entry.... this is very different to what we are used to in New Zealand but were loving it as the rest of Brasil has been torturing our budget.....and will continue to.

The bar b q, it took a bit of finding cos the streets have no names but we found it eventually and enjoyed an afternoon of food and chats with the lads before heading back to the rally site.





Again back at the rally it was more chats photos, really neat meeting these guys, they are the same as Kiwis with their passion for motos.







We also had an interview with the guy who does all their video and TV stuff as he was interested in us, seems we were the only travellers there and we saw only one other KTM which was a white 990 adventure but was not at the rally itself, KTM here in Brasil has a very small following due to NO dealerships or parts so if something epic goes wrong with Maya we are ****ed.:eek1

Back to it, see this vid at 21 seconds and at 7 minutes for TMK TV special, we will be signing T shirts and baptizing babies next time.:rofl

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/etgmu0HNbqU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

To finish this is the vid we made of our take on Buzios, all in all an epic weekend of coolness.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/EVqky8JtSfA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

A few misc pics, none really need explaining

Bloody Minimal Womans clothing



The cadillac bar



Some guys who need to learn how to ride



The food area, what a great setup



Corrected



Night Falcon, one for you mate!! ...put this into goooooogle translate :clap



Cool motos



Drunken bums



More interesting motos





12 Tenere with a BMW beek .. looks good I reckon



This was common sight to the two obvious aliens, onya guys you made us feel very welcome, sorry for the sea scud on the lense



After the rally we meet with Kamilla, a F800 GS riding Brasilian chickie ...:evil

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Looks brilliant ,so Brazil is expensive ? or just compared to other south American countries?anyhoo not much new here ,went to a car/bike show today some nice stuff there including a 1914 Triumph Junior .till next time YDF Noel

Heya Noel

Brazil is expensive, moving to European pricing, more expensive than the USA, a new KTM is $100,000.00 Reals so about $50,000.00 USD ... I think we might sell Maya here

BMW 12 LC $88,000.00 so about $44,000.00 USD.

Across the board it is spendie so yeah a bit of a budget beater, also it is husge, 32 x teh size of NZ so everything is a long way.

1914 Triumph ... beautiful, love the old dolls.

Cheers Andi

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Leaving Buzios after a cool moto petrol head weekend we headed to Kamillas mums place with a real bed, sheets and all the home comfys a tent does not offer … it was also quiet.:clap

Arriving at Kamillas we were welcomed in, set up and we unpacked the tent etc to dry out as we were given a superb afternoon.

Kamilla has a F 800 GS in white which she was busy paying lots of needed attention too giving it a big wash and polish.

Not just being able to stand around and watch I helped polish the bike too, nce to be able to help polish a bike that comes up nice, Maya does not have that redeeming feature and still looks a little more animal being used and dirty looking.

IMG_1161 by twomotokiwis, on Flickr

I took the opportunity to do some minor cleaning and adjustments with a relaxing afternoon on the cards coupled with a bar b q and grog … perfect moto day.

The following day we rodeo Kamilla house in Novo Friburgo stopping by a lake that locals know of (we would have ridden straight past not knowing) to have fresh fish lunch.

P1190379 by twomotokiwis, on Flickr

P1190385 by twomotokiwis, on Flickr

This was a 12 km dirt road in good mic other than some potholes, Kamilla had changed her springs out to lower her GS so this was the trial run which proved not so good with here forks bottoming out of some potholes and leaving the front suspension very doughy on the road.

This shook her confidence a bit and she still had her original springs at home. Once at her place and sorted I set too and changed her fork springs back to the std ones which is what she wanted, no point in waiting for the mechanic and in 15 minutes they were changed and done, I could not do the shock spring as we did not have a spring compressor.

Having our local tour guide on a shiny GS Kamilla took us on various back roads and small towns, her intention was to spend a few days riding north with us however a small family emergency finished that so we only had the one day to play.

P1190405 by twomotokiwis, on Flickr

IMG_1178 by twomotokiwis, on Flickr

She led us to Duas Barrias where we enjoyed a nice lunch overlooking the valley, we than said goodbye to Kamilla and we stayed in town for the night, as she left the weather caved in and we were treated to a monty thunderstorm.

At the lunch spot

P1190454 by twomotokiwis, on Flickr

Kamilla and Ellen relaxing in the hammocks

P1190452 by twomotokiwis, on Flickr

Good day out cruising the back blocks, thanks you Kamilla :clap

A small home movie we made

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/f9HLRFKg0DA?list=UUUWSEK72QNOA-Fi4yYzGIbA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Nice shots as always ,so good to have some local help ,i really try hard to welcome travelers to my place ,i'm sure i get more out of the visits than they do .My last visitor was Belinda Sinclair (Belle) very good mate of Tiffany Coates ,English also ,she has just done Australia on a postie ,she has ridden all over the world ,very interesting lady .Anyhoo until next time YDF Noel

G,day Andy and Ellen, seems you guys having quite an adventure, you have taken some great photo,s since I visited this thread last. Andy, I enjoyed the pictures of the ladies, keep it up mate, How are you going with the KTM seems you had few issues with it, And has it been easier going two-up? Anyway keep safe Bro, Cheers, Roger.

Heya Noel

Yeh local help is essential mate, you can go all sorts of place to find out you could have had better places so local knowledge is kingpin.

We are the same in New Zealand, drag moto travller and pushbikers off the street and always results in good times.

Postie bike.... I had one but probably would not choose it for RTW travel but people still do it even on steppies.

Cheers Andi

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Heya Roger

Thanks for your props on the photos, just want to record our trip the best we can with the gear we have and it is working ok.

The ladies ... I didn't like them either .. to hard on the mind and imagination

The KTM, well it would seem like a lot of issues but more to the point the problems were exacerbated by the introduction of "professional" Bolivians etc.

Every time we have taken our bike to a stealership I have ended up mopping up the mess down the track, now I am insistent on doing the work myself and it will not be in a KTM stealership where this is not allowed, I have grown a huge distrust to anyone who wants to touch the bike.

Two up is easy enough on the SE, long wheelbase, torquey engine and great suspension means back roads and some off road is not a big issue, sandpits are still a prob just because of weight etc, at least I don't have to watch my mirrors all day for Ellen too.

Cheers Andi

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Hopefully one

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Ok, 2 ..sorry

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Alright, 3, this time!!!

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere