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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 14 Dec 2011
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Found a Suzuki DRZ400 in Malawi
I am staying at a camp in Lilongwe while I do a 4 month volunteer gig here, have been looking for a decent dual pupose bike to round out my work with some touring pleasure. I spotted a DRZ400 in great shape in a shed, story is a guy came by about 6 months ago maybe stayed a night and then just left it here. He has not been heard from since, and there are no kind of markings on bike including plates that could be a clue to ownership. I want to find the owner of the bike to see if a deal could be made. Could be the owner has passed away or is in some kind of dire straits or the bike could even be stolen. Still I want to find the owner if I can. Any suggestions out there... Only slight clue on the bike is logo for www.enduro-manufaktur.ch on the tank, and what looks like Russian (or something) script on the handlebars. The bike is white with blue. Great shape, couple bags with tools and spare tubes, etc. a full-face helmet, a mount for a GPS. That`s it. I`m sure the engine and frame serial numbers are still there, assume so anyway though I have not checked.

Ideas welcome.

Regards,
Larry
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  #2  
Old 14 Dec 2011
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Chassis number should be on right side of headstock. Engine number is on right side of engine, I think. If the bike was ridden up from RSA a picture and message at Wild Dog Adventure Riding - Index would be good (also a picture here too?) Also on the relevant section in www.advrider.com

cheers
Chris

PS. Also send a message to that Swiss website. They make oversize plastic petroltanks. If you want the message translating into German, let me know.
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Old 14 Dec 2011
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It's not unheard of that travellers will buy a cheap bike, have 'questionable' paperwork and money and find it way cheaper and easier to just abandon the bike and do a runner.. There are vehicles all over the world like this. Left in limbo....

On the other hand, this guy could of had a family matter to attend to or ended up in Hospital and is worrying about the bike left behind. A mystery to be sure.

I find it VERY strange that they said nothing to the 'Shed owner' You would think if you've had enough of your trip and need to make a sharp exit, you'd throw the keys to the land owner and say "Enjoy yourself"...

Is this shed on a guest house/hostel ? Who is in charge of the bike ? Are there keys, paperwork ?? Is it the model with the ignition or just a kick start ?

I would take pictures of the bike (not the frame/engine numbers) and put it all over the relevant websites. HUBB, ABR, ADVrider etc.
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  #4  
Old 14 Dec 2011
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Drz400
Thanks, I will get pics and also the numbers off the bike and circulate around more. There has to be someone out there who knows about this bike. Looks almost new. Can you tell year from numbers
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Old 14 Dec 2011
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Chassis number will give year of manufacture. eg. If it has something like SK4 it's a 2004 bike (and also an S model). Anything with a brown/fat (rather than a slim silver) camchain tensioner will be since early 2003. S models have a rear subframe, E models don't.

Only the very early models (1999) were kick only (also later models had fatter front forks). If it's electric and kick, the kicker will be an aftermarket part. If the tank is white or clear plastic, then it's likely to have been made by that Swiss firm.

Post some pics here and there's a few people who will be able to give you some idea.

C
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  #6  
Old 14 Dec 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larrysimpson View Post
I am staying at a camp in Lilongwe while I do a 4 month volunteer gig here, have been looking for a decent dual pupose bike to round out my work with some touring pleasure. I spotted a DRZ400 in great shape in a shed, story is a guy came by about 6 months ago maybe stayed a night and then just left it here. He has not been heard from since, and there are no kind of markings on bike including plates that could be a clue to ownership. I want to find the owner of the bike to see if a deal could be made. Could be the owner has passed away or is in some kind of dire straits or the bike could even be stolen. Still I want to find the owner if I can. Any suggestions out there... Only slight clue on the bike is logo for www.enduro-manufaktur.ch on the tank, and what looks like Russian (or something) script on the handlebars. The bike is white with blue. Great shape, couple bags with tools and spare tubes, etc. a full-face helmet, a mount for a GPS. That`s it. I`m sure the engine and frame serial numbers are still there, assume so anyway though I have not checked.

Ideas welcome.

Regards,
Larry
How much does the current custodian want for it ;-)
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  #7  
Old 27 Feb 2019
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Possible rental?
Hi...does the bike run reliably and would the current owner want to rent it to me for 2 weeks in Oct 2019? Cheers Mark
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Old 27 Feb 2019
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Originally Posted by Bikerbackpacker View Post
Hi...does the bike run reliably and would the current owner want to rent it to me for 2 weeks in Oct 2019? Cheers Mark
This thread is 7 years old mate

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  #9  
Old 27 Feb 2019
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Gonna have to clean the carburetor!
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