Ok, so I'm superstitious. The reason I haven't said anything about how the bike was running is because I didn't want to jinx a good thing. She was running GREAT!!!!!!........... until she wasn't.
The first indication to me that anything was wrong was as I approached ANOTHER ONE of those money sucking toll booths on the pay as you go hwy. She stalled as I was down shifting and I coasted to the booth.
Every time, turn off bike, take off gloves, grab another 50-100, get change and receipt, put gloves back on, fire it up and go. Firing it up was getting more and more difficult. Letting off the throttle was an immediate stall.
I had Googled and found a Husqvarna dealer in Guadalajara Mexico. I had planned to go there even before my issues to get a new front tire and some service work done but now it was imperative
My friend Riel's words were echoing in my head. Pre-filter your gas and carry a spare fuel pump.
Woulda, shoulda, coulda........!
Damn, I was hating myself.
Coughed and sputtered into a little town called Rosario and found a hotel.
What a wonderful family run, middle of nowhere place. Lucy greets me at reception. A lovely young lady that spoke very good English. My room was comfy.
Next day was long! I got up early and checked my 10 micron after market filter near the engine. Clean as a whistle.
Lucy's brother Damitris ran me around to four little bike shops until we found the guy that would remove the fuel pump, drop the gas and clean the filter. Again, clean as a whistle.
I take Damitris out for breakfast.
What the hell???! Ok, I listen....... the pump is doing its normal "thing", fuel is clean!
I fill up with fresh premium. Bike is a handful at low speeds. Quits at any low rpm situation.
I'm stumped but I think "maybe" injector.
It's early afternoon Friday and I make a run for Guadalajara. The bike shop is only open half days on Saturday so I go now.
Lucy and Damitris tell me to take the HWY because it is safer than the freeway. They wished me luck, said they would pray for me and that if I ever come that way again to please come for a visit!
The bike is "not bad" at 100-120 kph but it's a five hour ride. I arrive about an hour after dark and get a room. Hotel prices are double anywhere else I've been so far in Mexico but very nice.
Saturday morning I'm at the bike shop waiting for it to open. Had to wait for Miguel because he speaks perfect English. I explain everything so far so they hook it up to the diagnostic machine and it says everything is fine including the injector.
Put in new plugs. Two different plugs by the way. No change. Getting other service work done like oil change, replace brake fluid, check valve clearance etc but time ran out on Saturday.
I spoke with Miguel about another suspicion I have. My Wings exhaust has been slowly getting quite loud. Too loud for me!
I'm really fishing here but I was thinking........
Could the exhaust be too straight through now???
I mean, could the ECU no longer be able to make adjustments within it's perimeters??
Nothing has been done from stock in that regard because the bike ran fine.
We talked about it so Monday hopefully the muffler gets repacked.
17500 kms since picking up the bike in Moncton NB. I AM having that adventure I was looking for. Meeting some really great people.
So here I sit in my fancy pants hotel room. Just a LITTLE more comfortable than my tent in that cemetery. 2000 kms to go to get back to Angel Eyes. Wondering........... WHAT THE HELL DOES THE AUSTRIAN PRINCESS WANT!!!!!!

Here I sit, Husqvarna Guadalajara Mexico.
I have to say honestly I was sceptical at first but the mechanic dug in. It all became PERFECTLY clear when he was doing the valve adjustment.
I don't think ANYONE would have guessed........
broken exhaust valve spring!
Well THAT explains a LOT!
Parts are the next hurdle. The guys worked hard for me and sourced a spring. Not easy in Mexico.
Three and a half days turn around.
Bike just fired up and sounds great.

Warranty........
It started out like it might be a problem but after a call to Canada the man in charge said all was good, they will honor the warranty.

All things considered about as good as I could hope for.
The spring was most definitely junk.
Somehow got by quality control.

At least I was STRANDED at a lovely hotel with Wifi and a pool.

Hope to be on my way tomorrow!

I have shown here NO MERCY!! Rode her hard and fast for 1500 kms and so far she is as good as new, maybe even a little better.
I "may be" falling in love again?!
There is a restaurant in Tenosique Mexico I am familiar with.
The wonderful shrimp dinner has just arrived!!
Beer on ice. Tomorrow I sleep on Angel Eyes.
Guatemala is one hour away.

Good Evening Husq,

Just reading through your thread and enjoying it. Glad the trip is working out, mostly as planned.

Planning on a trip to your little corner of CA this winter with my
KLR and doing some Spanish school. Be great to get together for a ride…..or seven.

A friend of mine is heading down there starting Nov 10, leaving from Texas. Let us know if you would want a little CDN company this winter.


Cheers.


Arctic

Hi Arctic
It was a long day but I have arrived back to Angel Eyes and Tortugal Marina.
The staff here are great! She is clean and sparkling.
So don't laugh but the restaurant here has this killer mac and cheese. I was thinking about it all day as I rode!
Having a big bowl and a cold as I type.
I think a CDN riding buddy or two would be great!
Enjoy your ride and when you are in my neck of the woods let's connect.
I'll PM you my e-mail.
Time now to vitamin E all those callouses!

Hi Rick,

Happy to hear the Husky was more joy than sorrow on the ride down and that your back home safe. Hope to cross paths some point in the not too distant future!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey Joe
Thanks and a meet up for a would be awesome. I'll give you a shout if back in Ontario and if you ever find yourself this way you know where to find me.
Safe riding.

701 enduro here too
mostly around guatemala city and the highlands...
pm if you travel around here sometime...
may we can arrange a little ride

Isn't HU great!
Maybe a riding buddy in Guatemala!!
Cool.