525 motorcycle chain needed in Dakar.
 

Hello everyone. I am as usual after other people knowledge. My trip here has just about finished my chain. I have a new front sprocket in with my tools and the rear is an ironman item. So I can just replace the chain, but I have no idea where to even start looking here.

Each time I try the internet, well put the words Dakar and motorcycle together.............

So does anyone have any ideas or am I stuck sorting one from England.
Cheers Zed.

Have a look at this thread
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...t-africa-55543

phone number on bottom post
Cheers

Your mistake is in thinking you need to turn to the internet. In most of the world, you need to turn away from all glowing screens and in the direction of actual people, right there on the ground.

It's been a while since I was in Dakar, but the basics remain similar no matter where you are on the globe: you either ask someone to find you a chain, or you start asking people where to go for bike parts and mechanical work, then ask again once you've found the right neighborhood.

In the first case, there's usually someone connected with your guest house, hotel or hostel who'll happily search high and low for whatever you need--food, clothing, sexual services, motorcycle parts--for a very negotiable kickback, percentage or fee. Ask the owner or front desk and they'll set you up. Depending on what you need, your new friend will return with what you want or with what they think you want or should have wanted, then request far too much money in return, which you'll then negotiate.

In the second, just start asking whoever's handy--shop owners, cops, motorbike riders, scammers who approach you with tales of infant daughters needing formula... There's a district full of motorbike parts, service and sales somewhere near you--that much is guaranteed. There are also shade tree mechanics scattered visibly or invisibly almost everywhere, and they'll be able to source parts and do the work with varying degrees of competence.

Personally, I usually find the shops myself, make my own choices from whatever's available, then do the repair or hire whoever the shop suggests. In a city the size of Dakar there are always mechanics around who cater to people with high standards--racers, rich weekend riders, customizers, etc. You just need to decide whether high standards are necessary on a simple job, or whether you'd rather do it yourself.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Hahaha, cheers chaps. Yes I sort of got fed up and hit the internet.

Well I now have it sorted the old fashioned way. I saw a KTM parked up, hunted high and low for the owner and went from there. I was pretty wound up this morning. I did the carnet, customs circus late yesterday. I have a real problem with the corruption system out here. The poor chap yesterday really took the brunt of it. I think, well I know because he just walked away, the guy was shocked.

So new chain on the bike but to be honest the thrill of Africa is being hammered by the way it works out here.

Best bet is to relax and ease into it. Getting all wound up will stress you out, and you won't actually make anything easier or cheaper in the end anyway. FWIW, they'd think the way you do things at home is just as weird (and probably equally offensive).

enjoy,

Mark

Markharf.
I am finding that this travel thing has it's relaxing moments but also the stress has a way of building. My big problem is I don't speak French so it is hard for me to know to just what extent I am being used. The constant pressure is very draining.

We will see. One thing I want to do is expand my horizons, that is why I am doing this. My biggest stumbling block is my huge lack of tolerance to people abusing each other. For me that just presses the button, so I have to very consciously back off sometimes. Hard but always good in hindsight. After all every day is a school day.

Cheers for the help and advice, anything I see helps me to make a better informed decision.

Sounds to me like you're doing fine: you're stretching yourself far from familiar paths, you're aware of your hot buttons and to some extent where they come from and when they're likely to be activated. That's great.

Language is always an issue, and the constant pressure you describe too. Cultural differences, including ways people treat each other (and tourists), are paramount. Some folks can't stand it, and they give up and go home. Others never leave home in the first place--including by taking their holidays at protected resorts where everyone looks and acts just like they do, or by wandering the world grousing bitterly about the ways they think things should work.

You're way ahead of the game. Hopefully you'll develop your ability to nourish yourself in whatever ways you find, thereby ending up less drained from day to day. Eventually you might look back at this phase and see clearly how much you learned, and how traveling changed you deeply. Good luck!

Mark

Chain
 

Zed, I see you came down from Hampshire and needed a new chain when you got to Dakar. I'm coming down from Hampshire to Dakar soon and hoping to ride back again on the same new DID chain. How many miles did you get out of yours, or is it just a KTM thing that they wear out chains quickly.

Jim you will have no worries at all. My chain was bought new last year. It was fitted along with a genuine KTM front sprocket and an Ironman rear. It did 8000 miles around Europe and Morocco countless commuting and trails over the winter and then 4500 miles before I got to Dakar. So that is at least 12500 miles on a loaded bike. Plus I play in the mountains and desert when in Morocco.

Really I should have changed it before I left but I knew it still had some life in it. It was a DID X ring from Adventure spec. Though goodness knows what is on there now!

One thing though; I set my chain tension to be correct when the front sprocket, swing arm spindle and rear sprocket are in line. This way when the bike takes a heavy bump or landing the suspension can go through its full movement without snatching at the chain.

Thanks for taking time to reply, that's reassuringly. Have new sprockets and DID X chain and plan to mostly stay on tarmac so should be fine for the 7000 or so miles.

Good luck with rest of your trip.