This message is also being posted on the "trip paperwork" board, but I would like to post it here to cover those that may not read the other boards.
Although I have ridden extensively in Australia and have been to over 20 countries, I don’t know much about Carnets except you I have to have one for some countries! Also, as I am presently working in China, I am very limited in what I can do from this end.
Next autumn, I plan on flying one way to London and buying a 1980’s model Tenere (hopefully for under 1000 pound) in England.
I plan on riding through France, Switzerland, Italy, boat to Tunisia, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt (maybe Sudan and Ethiopia), Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. From Pakistan, I plan on leaving my bike and flying to China where I would continue my work. I would then come back to Pakistan and ride through the rest of Pakistan, India and Nepal in a different season.
Would I be allowed to leave my bike in Pakistan and fly out? What would they say at the airport? Has anyone done this?
Also, due to the expense of shipping to Australia as well as the cost of meeting ADR, I would ultimately prefer to sell the bike, give it away or ditch it in Pakistan, India or Nepal. Would I loose all the deposit for my carnet? Has anyone ever done this?
Also, does anyone have any idea about how much a carnet would cost in England for these countries and where is the best/cheapest place to get it from (remember that I am Australian).
Thanks.

All I know about Carnets is that they're a pain in the bum full stop. There are only two ways to get your deposit back on a Carnet. First is the normal way - i.e. return to your country of origin or registration with your bike and stamped Carnet. The other (which I'm not personally recomending this you understand as it is illegal) is for the bike to be stolen on route. Secure a Police report from where it was stolen as evidence and present that to you Carnet underwriters. they will drag their heals but pay up. I don't know what the insurance position on this is though so be carful and check the facts properly

Bryce:

You won't need a carnet along the route you propose (in the order you propose it) until you get to Egypt.

The carnet exists for the sole purpose of preventing someone from selling the bike in a country other than the country that it is registered in. So, you appear to be at cross purposes with yourself (not that I am being critical of you, just pointing out an error in your planning logic).

There are a lot of posts here on this board about carnets - the subject comes up often. You might want to do a search on the word 'carnet', just within the paperwork section, and read the information that has been accumulated over the years. If you find any missing info, you can then post a question.

Your nationality is not an issue so far as the carnet goes. The only issues germane to the carnet are the country of residence of the person obtaining it (sometimes, but not always an issue) and the country of registration of the motorcycle.