Hey guys, I am stuck in the small town of San Onobre which is 50 kilometers away from Cartegena. My BMW 2001 F650gs has a problem with water mixing in with the oil. Does anyone have current advice about a good motorcycle shop to go to in Cartegena, Colombia?


Thank You,
Geoff

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

an't say much about Cartegena, do you think the bike might make it to Medellin? Thats the place to get fixed up. Mauricio at Ruta 40 tel.574-262-30-59 or [ Ruta 40 ]. Also contact the HU community. Hey Tibby, are you out there? Can you help a brother out?
also Moto Angel in Medellin, awesome guys!
2XGatos...beware. Motorcyclists in Colombia are required to carry Seguro Obligatario, insurance. The cost varies, but i know in Medellin you can only purchase one year. I have heard that you can purchase one month in Cartegena, but you have to research. It is well over 100 for the year $$! I saying this because on the road south to Sincelejo there is a police check point. The crusty and extremely corrupt old bastard WILL ask for your seguro. He will then impound your bike until you either produce the seguro or finally offer him a nice bribe.We had to bribe him with $23 each, so avoid this route. This was the only time travelling in all of Colombia that i was asked, and we were both warned about this checkpoint.

..i copied this from the answer to your other post in Acomadations. Didn't realise you were in San Onobre, couldn't find it on the map. Is it possible to drain your oil, replace it with fresh and limp into Medellin? Also, contact the Colombian community right away, they are the guys to help you, link in on your left. Is the road from Turbo to Medellin open and safe? It was dangerous when i was there in the spring and i was told by many authorities to not travel that route, but the situation may have changed, it always does.

Thank you for the advice Ron. Tiby came and rescued me in his truck yesterday. I have had 2 of the best meals so far on my trip with Tiby. He really knows the good places to eat. We dropped my bike off at Moto Angel today and I am waiting for them to inspect the bike.

The police stopped us in the truck yesterday and asked to see the papers for my bike. The lovely DIAN agent who helped me do my paperwork must have had a grudge against me because for the license plate number he wrote in a bullshit number. I had to bribe the police $5 which was kind of sad because up until now this was the first time I had to bribe an officer who stopped me on the road. I will make sure and avoid the route you are talking about.

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

Glad to hear it! Your in really good hands, welcome to Medellin! Say hi to Tibby for me, and everyone else helping you out.