BMW Front Damper - been waiting 4 weeks
 

My damper dumped its oil in TDF. Got it to Santiago and after a few recommended shops said they couldn't do it, I took it to BMW main dealer.

the was 4 weeks ago. Was told they had to order the part.
Last week they estimated I would be able to pick the bike up today. So I contacted them

The part has not arrived and they expect it will be another 2 weeks!!!!!!


Anyone else had this problem? Are they pulling my chain or is it really that mad?

Depressed is the word!

Can't offer any help but can provide (virtual) tea and sympathy.

I had a breakdown today, in the Atacama desert. Miles from anywhere.
Stopped to take a few pictures and the bike wouldn't start up again. No neutral light or anything.
Eventually I took all my luggage off and started taking the bike to bits. It turned out that the positive connector to the battery had rattled loose and there was no power to anything.
It was an easy fix but it's a good reminder of just exactly how far we are from home when something goes wrong.

Good luck with the shock, can't really offer any more than that.

Dunc.

You didnt buy a replacement BMW damper did you?

On the bright side Delb, at least there's a chance the Salar de Uyuni will be dry enough to ride by the time you get there. I really wanted to do that and there was just too much water and the surface too soft for me to risk it.

Dunc.

Well Delb,
I'm stuck in Arica with a buggered starter clutch. Apparently 3AJ starter clutches are like hen's teeth and the newer 3TB parts won't fit although from the parts fiche, my parts look more like 3TB.
I could be here a while waiting for bits and it's likely I'll have to abandon the 'leccy boot and have a kickstart kit sent over from Blighty.
Just so you know it's not just you having a hard time.
If I'm likely to be here a while and you fancy a beverage or two somewhere between here and Santiago, drop me a PM or email.

Dunc.

problems one the roade
 

wheal i had to whait four 10 days four a front sproket and whas just about to leave when i got rely sick had a smal stomic operation i guatemala city life one the roade ful off surprices but when yuo back one the roade its al whorth it
:Djeiger:scooter:

It is indeed. These are the days that must happen to you. Paging Dan 23. Dan 23 to the lobby please?

Still stuck Delb?
I eventually found a starter clutch and ordered it this morning. It's going to be two or three weeks before it even gets to Blighty and can be couriered over to Arica.
There's not much to do in Arica but at least it never rains here. Maybe it's time to take those Spanish lessons.

Dunc.

I think everyone has stories about getting stuck in spots. We are currently trapped in Rurrenbaque while it rains as its turned the only dirt road out into complete mud.

Good times

No major issues with the 660 Ten yet after 10,000 kms - currently in Mendoza for a couple of rest days before heading over to Chile again. Heard the pass was closed today though, so we´ll see.

Sorry Delb - I´ll be avoiding Santiago if I can, but Dunc I might be in Arica while you´re still there - who knows...

Pat

Don't avoid Santiago! It's really nice if you go yo the right places. Im from there and i realice that now when Im far from home. Im in my first long trip, with my girlfriend two up in my klr650 and we had our first "stuckment" in Brasilia: 5 days for a rear sprocket. The most common bike for long travels it doesn't being sell in Brasil but Kawasaki Brasilia found one in sao Paulo. Tomorrow we will arrive to Porto Velho and than manaus!

Duch: in Arica you can go shopping to Tacna, Peru, you can go by shared taxi.

Good luck guys in your wait

I'm waiting for my sprag bearing ...
Several tens of thousand Pesos in my hand ...
I'll get me coat.

sorry not been in posting recently but thank you for the virtual support.

I am off to collect my bike today, hopefully it is all good and I will be able to head north at last!

dunch etc - I expect it will be Peru before we are near each other again.

I plan to go via Bolivia and cross from La Paz (unless anyone tells me that is not a good idea)

all th best

Delb

Hope all is OK with the bike now mate. I also plan to cross Bol to Peru - but stopped in Antofagasta with a nasty noise. Hopefully will get it sorted tomorrow, if it is what i think it is. Will do a full service same time methinks.

Cheers
Pat

Bike is all good now - thank goodness!

I am glad the Damper was a warranty job - the parts alone were £3,000!!!

I will head up to La Serena on Saturday as I want to visit some of the observatories.

I keep getting conflicting suggestions - go straight to Uyuni or go via Salta.

What to do?

pat - i hope your noise is not serious and that a general service does the trick

Cheers
Delb

Bike all sorted - thanks mate.

Should be in Arica tomorrow - but I´m having some back problems (age gets you in the end!) - so thinking of amending my plans - again.

BP
That's hard luck - look after your back, it is worth taking a few das of before putting it under more strain.

I think Duncan & Karinmoto are in Arica - check the threads. At least you will have someone to chat to.

I am in Bahia Inglesa - really nice fishing village near Caldera. I will head up to Antofagasta tomorrow and then San P. Too far behind you guys to catch up.

Enjoy your rest!

Cheers
Delb

Cheers fella - met up with Dunc at Sunny Days Hostal - so that was cool. Now in Ariquipa having another break! Going to try for the hills tomorrow and see how I feel.
Pat

Great, glad you are feeling up to it.

i have just arrived in Calama & got a new rear tyre fitted US$110 which sounds a bargain to me (cheaper than the UK). I wiill tour around here tomorrow - go and see the volcanoes before heading over to San P.

How was Duncan, parts arrived yet?

Let us know what you find in them there hills

Delb

Hey Delb, Pat,
My parts have finally been mailed from Blighty. I reckon I'll be here another week or so though.
I'm only a day or so north of you Delb but my map shows an "interesting" route from San Pedro to Salta through the "Salar de los Hombre Muerto". I'd very much like to go there if only because of the name.
Make sure you grab a few pictures.

Dunc.

hi Duncan
Glad you have your parts.

I am only a day south of you if I was going in a straight line. I am going to San P for a few days before heading up thru Bolivia so I think I will be more than a week to get to your neck of the woods.

Keep in touch tho' stranger things have happened at sea!

Cheers
Delb

Hey Delb,
Enjoy Bolivia, it's a fantastic country for motorcycling. Fill up with fuel whenever you can, it can be three or four hundred km to the next station and make sure you can pick the bike up if and when you drop it.
Hopefully I'll be on the road in another week.

Dunc.

Ah didn't realise you were on line. Just sent you an IM.

Was there fuel at Uyuni when you were there? My Bolivia maps shows that there is but i am a suspicious sod

I did some practice picking up my bike on the beach a few days ago at Bahia Inglesa. Bloody heavy , even with all the luggage off but yes I can get it up (ohhh Matron)

Cheers

There are (at least) three petrol stations in Uyuni and all of them had fuel when I was there, they all also sold it to me at the standard Bolivian price.
There's also (I'm informed) a fuel station at San Cristobel ~80km south of Uyuni.
The lady at the Atahualpa Hostel in Ollague sold me 7 litres out of a jerry can. They're at S21 13'26.7" W68 15'13.1". I know you don't have GPS but Ollague isn't very big so ride around for 5 mins and you'll find it. It's on the other side of the railway line whichever way you come into town.

Just another thing that's probably quite important. If you're going to cross at a remote border post, change money before you set off. I wouldn't fancy getting stuck in a remote area with a fist full of the last country's useless currency, no fuel and no cigarettes.

Dunc.

and no beer!! bier

Dunch

The fuel at uynui makes life easier. Will get some cash here in San Pedro there are lots of "money lenders" in town. I am sure their rates will be very reasonable!

Bike all fixed yet?

Delbert

Hey guys, just landed in Nazca after some of the best riding of my life! Peru is a blast, and all seems to have calmed down now after the strikes - the people are great. Drinking lots of Coca tea and sucking coca sweets really helps with the hights. A lot of places to stay have it free in reception.

The run from Cusco to Nazca (2 days - around 670 kms) is a must if you have time. The twisties really helped my back and hands - the movement on the bike seems to keep the pain at bay. I hardly used top gear at all in 2 days, and the bike was rarely upright. Oh to have more time...

Ride safe
Pat