Quote:
Originally Posted by prousemouse
hey guys,
about to take my klx250s from Alaska to Patagonia.
i need to create a spare parts kit and was wondering what you would recommend.
thanks!
T
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Couple more ideas ...
More important than carrying spare parts would be to do a really good Pre-Trip Prep on your bike before departure.
Learning your bike INSIDE and OUT also can really help ... knowing where problems may appear and how to fix them ... and head them off with good prep before they ever happen.
Ever done a LONG multi-month trip on a bike before?
Lots of potential problems can be avoided ... also the need to carry spare parts ... simply by doing really good pre-trip prep.
Here are just a few things I would do before my trip:
1. Fit NEW quality DID X-Ring chain and NEW OEM sprockets, carry TWO spare
front sprockets and change them out every 10,000 miles (16K km)
Changing front sprockets will extend chain life by 5,000 miles or more.
2. New name brand, quality Battery. (Yuasa, Deka)
3. Tires: start with NEW tires and quality real rubber tubes. Carry at least 2 spare tubes. (I carry 3) Think about your tires and know how many miles you will get out of your rear tire. Your front should last over 10,000 miles. Rear?
I'm guessing on a loaded KLX, maybe 5K to 6K miles? (10k km)
If starting in Alaska, then you should plan to fit NEW tires near US/Mexico border. This set of tires should get you to Colombia, where tires are readily available versus other countries en route. Some carry a spare rear tire on rear rack. (I did, but I was on a 650, your 250 rear tire should last longer)
4. If you are thinking of packing spare cables, maybe think twice. I prefer to fit NEW cables before departure if they are in question. Once done, you are good for at least 25,000 miles, so no cable worries, no need to carry spares on board. OEM Japanese cables last a LONG time if unmolested. Never use after market cables like Motion Pro (Crap!). OEM only!
5. Make sure ALL your bearings are in PERFECT condition: Wheel and Hubb bearings, Swing Arm bearings, Steering head bearings should ALL be perfect and freshly greased.
If questionable ... replace with new bearings. No need to carry spares unless doing lots of underwater riding. Keep Salt Water off your wheels, bearings and such or rinse ASAP after exposure. Remember: Bearings of ALL types are available at most large truck or Auto parts stores in Latin America.
6. Make sure ALL your wiring is perfect. The more mods you make to lighting, heated gear and other mods, means you have potential for failure.
I would carry small elec. Quik-connectors, wire, fuses, multi-meter. Make sure any elec. mods are done perfectly ... or they will FAIL down the trail. Know your wiring and know where to look if you have a problem ... it's almost always
where a "mod" has been done.
7. SEAT - IMO, very important and underrated. A pad or Sheep skin is not going to get it. A quality custom seat, wider than the skinny plank on stock KLX will make a huge difference in your long day comfort. Home made efforts rarely compare.
8. Spare Nut & Bolt kit.
Make up a kit of common OEM sizes using quality Japanese nuts and bolts. Include washers, springs, spacers, long and short, big and small. I've maintained kits like this over 25 years ... it's mostly my riding buddies who end up using my
nut/bolt stash.
The rest is just basic prep, going over fasteners using BLUE Loc-Tite checking tightness of everything. If a particular part of the engine leaks oil, then pack spare gaskets as needed. (hard to find South of the border)
Do as much research as you can handle to learn ALL about your KLX. But remember, the dirt bike riders will have problems you will never likely have.
With good prep I'd guess you'll have little trouble with your KLX, but the more knowledge you have, the better.