Hi fellow travellers. I am on a BMW F650GS 2006 twin spark (Rotax engine), currently in Atar, Mauritania. I have two issues with the bike. 1- split radiator header tank that houses the thermostat. It's plastic & repairs have been unsuccessful. It will not hold water, even under no pressure (cold). 2 - overheated and I suspect a blown head gasket. I don't know for sure until I am able to get the engine apart. Not going to do that in the sand - need a proper workshop!
I am in need of suggestions for a capable mechanic & workshop, plus parts. I am hoping to get to Nouakchott with the bike transported in the next couple of days.
Sensible, useful help always appreciated.

Sorry to hear of your woes- But here is some good news.
I have called Motorworks BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO BE BLISTERINGLY FAST AS THEY ARE ONLY OPEN TODAY UNTIL 5PM , next Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th Dec until noon

Motorworks https://www.motorworks.co.uk/

MOTORWORKS in the UK have a new radiator for £406.01 You willneed a thermostat as it does not come with it.
Part#17117652234

Cylinder Head Gasket in stock £38.51
Part# 11127678889

Thermostat in stock £43.20 ( you might be able to salvage yours if not bust- spring clip holds it in- be gentle on removal)
Part# 17111464985

Thermostat clip £3.95 in stock
Part#17111464991

They will accept an instruction, with your credit card to purchase and send by courrier the above.

Motorworks
email@motorworks.co.uk
0044 1484 353 600

They reopen today after 1:30 pm uk time

You could find a second hand rad on ebay but with all risks attached - sometimes best bite the bullet

A few dollars will get a truck to pickup your bike and take it to NCK where you can rest and wait for parts.

A long time ago- ABOU ( mechanic ) +222 48245850

Bike spares ( not yours!) but they may know of a mechanic ( supervise everything...)
Supermoto +22244330068 N18.09511° W15.99668°
Nouakchott Quads +22236344816 N18.11018° W15.97599°

NCK Aluminium ( welder) +22242420324 N18.12257° W15.96886°

Welding supply shop but will know welder La Ferronnerie Moderne +22237119999 N18.02191° W15.96556°
Ask at hotels too

DHL Service Point +22245254706 N18.09845° W15.97512°
UPS express +22245292889 N18.09323° W15.95923°

AUBERGE camping Africa escale N18.1049, W15.9922 (local knowledge)
Hotel Halima which I used 6 times! N18.09995° W15.97425°
Auberge Samiraa n18.1034, W15.9965 for camping cars but may help if you explain you have moto issues.
Best I can suggest at short notice but I know what it is like to be stranded.

Thanks for the info. Parts in England aren't going to do me much good mainly due to time frame. There is no way in he'll I am ever using DHHell after my experience of them in Morocco. There is no aluminium welding required- plastic tank. But the contacts in Nouakchott appreciated.

your time frame...
you have a dead bike! how far can you go with that?
Parts from UK could be with you in aprox 3 days.
Use UPS then-
I suggested alu welders as I thought that you may have had a prang and a weld might be needed.
Steel welders are easy to find
you can always leave the bike or dump it
Hey ho
buena suerte

p.s
you could of course use your head gasket as a template and have one made out of copper.
Also, one of the moto shops may also have a radiator which you could use as a bodge repair even if it didn't have a thermostat. It really depends on your approach to thinking outside the box

Thanks for suggestions. My fix is going to require a head gasket (new or copper hand made), a valve guide and/or valve, possibly rings/piston AND a radiator fix whether repaired or bodged from another bike. Not a simple one problem fix. And yes I am considering just walking away from it vs throwing a lot of mone at it.