She's got this crazy idea- exploring the 3 America's solo, for better or for worse...

[Adv Grifter]

Originally Posted by Hewby

We talk about the difference in life and culture. The simple things of the ways our countries deal with broken thing- in Columbia repair shops line the streets- where you can get anything from the broken blade on your blender to an electrical plug. “We fix everything here, from a broken fridge to a broken earring’ they tell me.

Maybe a lesson here ... remember that $380 BMW cooling fan? I'd bet a pint any number of little Taller's could rebuild that fan for less than $10. Whadya' think?

A simple fan is not rocket science ... as much as BMW would have you believe that.

Far as the forks go ... How does the bike ride? Does it go down the road fairly straight? Pull left or right? Turn OK? Suspension work OK? If yes to all ... then why mess with success. New fork tubes will be very costly indeed.

Loving the pics (all showing up now!@!) Stay safe ... Eyes UP, Rubber side down!

[OldPete]

Oh man! A bad fan.

It could just be dirt/grit binding it up.
How 'bout a 120mm or 140mm computer fan. Those are by far le$$, are 12v and could be adapted.
EDIT: A high CFM fan would draw about 5 amps.

If a direct hit of 12v won't spin the fan, it is the fan.
But if it does spin up the issue is up stream... relay or sensor.
An on-off switch could bypass all that until a later repair. Just use as needed.

My Best, John

[Hewby]

Right now my head is clogged with a cold, and I need to head south as soon as I can. Over the phone I said yes to the fan as it was explained as broken. It spun in my hands freely so not sure if its dirt. It's ironic really that I am getting a new one after the comment about fixing everything in Columbia. I will ensure I get the old one and have someone look at it to see if they can fix it. And the forks as far as I understand don't need new bits just pulled apart and put back together. Understanding what's going on with Spanish/ English mix being able to explain what i want from others, and my poor mechanical skills make it hard. Mixed with the want to be on the road safely and stay the way, leads me just to say yes fix it. Order the part because I have no time at the moment to think otherwise.
Yes if I was to do this trip better I would be fluent in mechanics and in Spanish. But sadly I am not....if I needed that I don't think I would have ever left home. Never a better place to have to learn than by experience and necessity....

[Adv Grifter]

Hang in there girl ... and get well ... that's the most important thing now.
I got the Flu in every Latin American country I was in ... I nearly died in Guatemala and had serious bouts of Flu in Ecuador, Peru' and Bolivia ... in Bolivia ... turned out to be infectios Hepatitis. Be careful around bathrooms.

Guatemala to Bolivia took me a year. Once in Argentina thought I'd died and gone to heaven! Espresso, Comida Italiano, Vino Tinto y Bife de Chorizo!
... and the most beautiful Women (and men) in the world.

I built up my immune system drinking lots of fresh sqeezed juices: Orange, Beet, Ginger and Carrot. Kept me alive. Caldo de Pollo is good if the real thing. (not the powder Knorr variety! ) Take some time off and get strong. Sleep. Being sick makes travel impossible.
Get well, stay well!

[Hewby]

Originally Posted by Adv Grifter

Hang in there girl ... and get well ... that's the most important thing now.
I got the Flu in every Latin American country I was in ... I nearly died in Guatemala and had serious bouts of Flu in Ecuador, Peru' and Bolivia ... in Bolivia ... turned out to be infectios Hepatitis. Be careful around bathrooms.

Guatemala to Bolivia took me a year. Once in Argentina thought I'd died and gone to heaven! Espresso, Comida Italiano, Vino Tinto y Bife de Chorizo!
... and the most beautiful Women (and men) in the world.

I built up my immune system drinking lots of fresh sqeezed juices: Orange, Beet, Ginger and Carrot. Kept me alive. Caldo de Pollo is good if the real thing. (not the powder Knorr variety! ) Take some time off and get strong. Sleep. Being sick makes travel impossible.
Get well, stay well!

Thanks Adv Grifter, spent almost the last two days in bed... so much for seeing the city. Fan still not in and now I hear that there is another holiday on Monday, so tomorrow I am going to rescue my old fan from them and try and get it fixed so I can get back on the road again. But it seemed my body needed some time out- I have hep A and B shots thankfully. One of the Perks of working in healthcare!

[huzar]

Hewby is on the move again, and arrived in San Gabriel, Ecuador tonight. Safe and sound, no bike issues, great riding and a painless border crossing. Unfortunately, she's got no wifi this evening, so we'll have to wait some more for a new RR entry.

[AnjinSan]

Yey Debm welcome to Ecuador. I wish you will have good weather in order to properly enjoy all the volcanos there.

Safe riding!

[Turkeycreek]

Back in the Southern Hemisphere Deb. Woo Hoo!

[BcDano]

Hi from Guate! we are still here. We will head up to Semuc Champey about Jan 15 then over to Rio Dulce then south to El Salvador. How are Marcin's plans?? We met with Julio in Antigua. He may come riding with us too. Miss your cooking!!

Cheers


Sara

WORLDWIDERIDE.CA

[theturtleshead]

Sorry I missed you Deb!
Drive safe
Al

[huzar]

Originally Posted by BcDano

How are Marcin's plans??

I'm getting on a plane to Arequipa in a little more than 24 hours... renting a KLR650 for 17 days, and will spend that time riding with Deb. Wish I could have shipped the Husky down and stayed for two months, but I'm glad to at least get these 2.5 weeks

[Hewby]

Not long now! So very excited!

[Hewby]

Originally Posted by AnjinSan

Yey Debm welcome to Ecuador. I wish you will have good weather in order to properly enjoy all the volcanos there.

Safe riding!

Thanks Guys, saw some of them through drifting clouds yesterday on my way to Quito. But will keep my fingers crossed!

[Hewby]

Originally Posted by theturtleshead

Sorry I missed you Deb!
Drive safe
Al

Sorry not to say goodbye Al, when I finally got the fan on the bike I just had to go. Hope you had a good ride into the hills.

[Hewby]

Originally Posted by Turkeycreek

Back in the Southern Hemisphere Deb. Woo Hoo!

Thanks Tom, I hadn't actually registered that 'till you said! Crossed the equator yesterday- though seemed to have missed the sign. I am crap at those things...