Just written my bike off in Colombia

[peteFoulkes]

I'm currently on a round the world trip but had a pretty major off a couple of days ago and completely smashed my frame and crank case up on my DRz 400. I'm absolutely gutted. You can have a read about our trip here if you wish to: www.toughmiles.com
We may be able to repair the frame by welding a new piece in but I need to get hold of a new crank case.

I'm currently in Pasto in Southern Colombia. Does anyone know of any DRzs for sale in Colombia? Either new or for spares and repairs?

Any help would be massively appreciated!

Pete.

[GastonUSAChile]

Hi,

The only possible think beside getting local help is contacting ni Medellin or Cali to Kairserkyhl
__________________
My hostel in Cali, Colombia: www.casablancahostel.com (GPS: N 03.28.147' W076.31.773)
My motorcycle tour and rental business: www.motolombia.com
My videos: www.youtube.com/kaiserkyhl
My Facebook: www.facebook.com/kaiserkyhl
Business Facebook: Casa Blanca Hostel and Motolombia


He sell bikes left by riders across America. Other than that is to buy something here in the US (parts, left over...) and ship it to you. However, that will take at least 2 weeks.
Another idea is you, to continue your trip down to Ecuador and ship what ever to Quito or Guayaquil.
Everything could be done from Miami

Let me know

[peteFoulkes]

Originally Posted by GastonUSAChile

Hi,

The only possible think beside getting local help is contacting ni Medellin or Cali to Kairserkyhl
__________________
My hostel in Cali, Colombia: www.casablancahostel.com (GPS: N 03.28.147' W076.31.773)
My motorcycle tour and rental business: www.motolombia.com
My videos: www.youtube.com/kaiserkyhl
My Facebook: www.facebook.com/kaiserkyhl
Business Facebook: Casa Blanca Hostel and Motolombia


He sell bikes left by riders across America. Other than that is to buy something here in the US (parts, left over...) and ship it to you. However, that will take at least 2 weeks.
Another idea is you, to continue your trip down to Ecuador and ship what ever to Quito or Guayaquil.
Everything could be done from Miami

Let me know

Thanks for the fast response. Coincidentally, I've already contacted Mike at Motolumbia. He was equally as fast in his response however unfortunately he hasn't seen any DRz's for sale around here. He also mentioned how he hasn't actually seen any DRz's in the whole time he has been here. Not sounding too good.

We've got a mechanic on the case now. He is trying to weld the crank case back together but the problem is that it's the face which is damaged. I doubt he will be able to create a decent seal again. In addition to that, the welder refused to weld the case in the bike so we had to drop the engine out. Then he said he couldn't weld it without us stripping the entire engine down. I've no idea if the mechanic knows how the thing goes back together but it is certainly beyond my previous exposure to engines. Fingers crossed.

Maybe shipping from the states is an option. 2 weeks could cost us dearly but it's better than having to leave my bike in a pile of bits here. I'll see what the latest update is from the mechanic tomorrow and work out what to do from there.

Thanks again for your help.

Pete.

[bigbadandugly]

Your web page says SuzukiGB is a sponsor. No help there?

[peteFoulkes]

Originally Posted by bigbadandugly

Your web page says SuzukiGB is a sponsor. No help there?

Hi,

Yeah, we've been really lucky to have Suzuki on board. They have been awesome for us to date. The main problem we have with relying on them in this situation is the time involved in waiting for parts to be sent from the UK and then to clear the Colombian customs. We had a few issues when we were in Russia and Russian customs held on to a parcel they sent us for weeks. Colombia is an awesome place but we were hoping to be at the bottom of Argentina before xmas. If we can't source the parts locally then we will lean on Suzuki again but right now for us, time is more important than the money it would cost us to buy the parts locally.

Fingers crossed.

[Lone Rider]

Post pics of the hole or fracture in the case.

[peteFoulkes]

Hey Lone Rider,

Yeah, we're hoping we can find a fix for it. We have cut the damaged part of the frame out and will weld something in to replace it. here is how it looked before:



The sump guard was completely ripped off. The crack case itself took a bit of a battering and is quite badly damaged.



In addition to that, the magnesium cover has also cracked:



The mechanic here has told me that he has addressed this but I'm yet to see the finished product so fingers crossed. We initially thought the welder was going to have a go at repairing the case in the bike but he later asked us to drop the engine out. Once we got to that stage he then mentioned how the oil vapours present were effecting the weld so has requested we strip the engine completely down. This is beyond my exposure to stripping bikes down so I'm having to put a lot of trust in a mechanic with whom I can only speak broken Spanish.
You really don't realise what you have got until it's gone! I would do anything to be able to get back on my bike and continue this trip tomorrow.

[oldxr]

If you can find some brake parts cleaner in a spray can you can use that to clear away the oil before welding.You really need a TIG welder for aluminum.If you dont have the part to fill in the hole you could cut 1 from another old motorcycle case-grind to fit then weld.The gaskit surface can be filed flat with a good hand file.

[cu260r6]

Trust (but verify) the mechanic's work. That certainly looks fixable, and they've probably rebuilt hundreds of very similar engines, so consider cautious optimism.

[CourtRand]

When I get back to Quito after finishing my current 12-day Introduction to Ecuador tour, I can call my supplier in the US to see what the parts cost there and have them shipped to Quito - I do this a lot for my fleet of DR650's. Will take about 2 weeks to get them here. Let me know. I will be back in Quito on Tuesday evening.

[medic man]

Partshark.com might be able to assist you. I know the owner and has a great team working for him

[MJS]

DO NOT USE BRAKE CLEANER TO CLEAN THE WELD AREA. Some cleaners will create Phosgene gas when exposed to high heat. http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm