Hi folks,

I just purchased two used Serows for a trip across West Africa. I'll be visiting remote Fulani nomad camps for a documentary project (PULAKU | the fulani photo project).

I got both bikes in Accra, and had them checked out by a good mechanic. After a little tuning they sound/ride great now, but I want to be prepared with replacement parts, because I know it won't be easy to get parts in much of West Africa. Opinions, please?

Bike details: Yamaha Serow 225cc (also known as "XT225"), both are approximately 1992-1994 models. One of them has a rear disc brake, otherwise they're identical. One has 17,000km, the other has 42,000km.

Bear in mind that we are trying to travel as light as possible, so we can't carry every imaginable spare part. So far, I'm thinking:

-2x chains
-2x cogs front/rear
-1x timing chain
-1x piston rings
-2x spark plugs
-2x clutch cables

Current cogs are 14F/45R. Should I stick with that combo, or would you suggest something different?

I'll probably also grab a sent of F/R tires once I'm back in Benin to start the trip. I'm currently in Europe for a few weeks, so I'm trying to stock up on parts before I return to Benin. Any suggestions on the best place to order Serow parts for quick delivery in Switzerland?

Thanks!

Christoph

PULAKU | the fulani photo project

Spare bulbs, fuses, relays, air filters, inner tubes, FRONT SPROCKET RETAINER! (your screwed without it!), spare chain links, brake and clutch lever, oil filters, etc
I find it funny you should take a spare timing chain, for if one of them snaps you'll need a full set of gaskets too! Plus consideration as to the damage to the valves, etc. Why not replace the timing chain prior to setting off then you'll know they are good, esp on the 42,000km bike, I think that would be a must!

I'd order through The UK’s biggest choice of motorcycle parts for Japanese and European machines. a German comany, cheap and genuine parts. (Yamaha XT 225 Serow W/WE (4JG1-4) (Japanese Market) 97 - Parts at Wemoto - The UK's No.1 On-Line Motorcycle Parts Retailer) they have options for your particular model, so be precise when ordering. I've used these guys before, they've always been prompt and precise with my orders.

I'll be watching your progress, sounds interesting. Have fun!

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Geoffshing

'Security is a product of one's own imagination, it does not exist in nature as a rule, life is either a daring adventure or nothing.'

Hi Cristoph,
Sounds like an interesting trip. I rode a Serow from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego a few years ago and have had three Serows over the years. One weak point seems to be the seal behind the front sprocket which tends to leak, so pack a few of those, they are very cheap and of course, small and light. Also, it's worth taking a complete gasket set which doesn't take up much room either, just in case you have to end up taking things apart. Also, worth getting is the rubber seal/O-ring for the rocker covers - have a had a few leaks from them in the past.
Drip, drip, drip... when you've only got 1.1 litres of oil you don't want to lose any of it!
Good luck with everything - sounds like you have the ideal bike for the job!
Cheers,
Lois

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www.loisontheloose.com

Hi Christoph,

I totally agree with Geoffshing and Lois. No point in carrying the cam chain, when you can fit it with ease at home. I wouldn't bother with the piston rings either. If you have an oil consumption problem then deal with it before leaving. By the way I had a 250 Serow that covered 75,00 miles, without having the head off.

They can go through throttle and clutch cables rather easily, so I'd run them in parallel with the existing ones, to save space and to ease their fitting. Just seal each end with a finger off a rubber glove and zip ties.

As they use foam/oiled air filters then I'd suggest that you keep the spares pre oiled, in air tight containers, again to ease their installation.

Electric wise, well I've only ever had a single bulb blow, an indicator reply failed and the ignition barrel replaced twice (due to the road salt over here in winter).

Also add fuel filters before heading off.

As for the brakes, well they can go through them pretty quickly when getting contaminated, so pads and/or shoes won't take up too much space.

Don't forget to give the suspension linkages a good lubing!

So my list would be (per bike)

throttle cable
clutch cable
front sprocket
rear sprocket
chain
chain links (x 2)
front sprocket retainer
front sprocket seal
o rings for valve covers (x 2)
brake & clutch lever
bulbs
relays
fuses
inner tubes
air filter (pre oiled)
oil filter (re-useable but it's always nice to have a spare)
spark plug
drain plug
drain plug washer
brake pads/shoes
full gasket set
a length of fuel tube
a few spare nuts/bolts/zip ties/gaffer tape/oil (enough for a change)

It goes without saying that you should be fully prepped with suitable tools and that you strip the bikes down to your level of maintenance skills, so that you know you can remove, and replace, any of the bolts etc! You'll be surprised just how easy these bolts can be removed at home, and re-torqued up to the correct settings, in the comfort of your garage, rather than fighting with them in the middle of nowhere, after all a bit of preventative maintenance is priceless when on the road.

And don't forget to carry extra sets of keys!

Most of all is to enjoy yourselves and post of your exploits on this website.

Regards

Reggie

If you're doing oil-changes in tricky places, a spare oil-filler plug may be a good idea. I lost one once, and it's not an easy thing to improvise out in the wilds. The filler hole will leak like crazy unless it has a well-fitting stopper in it!

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TTR250 - London to Cape Town

Thanks Geoff, Lois, Cameraman, and McCrankpin!

I really appreciate the advice. I'm now wrangling the various retailers to see what I can get shipped to Switzerland before I fly back to Benin next week. So far the trickiest thing to find is the piston rings. Since the engines are running pretty well now, I might live on the edge and go without. Your thoughts?

I'm thinking replace the cam chain on the older bike (42k kilometers) but leave it on the newer one (17k).

Should I order special oil for the air filters, or just use whatever I find en route? Seems simple enough to keep a clean spare oiled in sealed container.

Thanks!

Christoph