Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Bodger Fix
Bodger Fix What they don't show you in the repair manual - tales of duct tape, bailing wire and WD 40. Bodge, Bush Mechanics, farmers fix, patch, temporary repair, or whatever your definition, tell us YOUR best story of a bodge that got you home!
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Apr 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 46
To keep on keep'in on

I love this "Bodger Fix"!! Straight to the heart of adventure motorcycling!!

Here are a few that kept me going....

1) Top frame bolts snapped on my klr (They were upgraded high tensile??)
Tied the klr frame together with chord and rode it 40km back to a town, standing up, to keep the weight off the back.





The rawness of Chilean backyard mechanics was exposed when the bolts were drilled out on a 30 degree angle.

So we hammered/forced a big bolt right the way through both (now large and obscure) bolt holes and welded it permanently... Touched up with silver paint, It was never going to brake again.




2) Head bolts stripped...
Found a piece of metal that fits over the head of the bolt and then tied it down to anything you can find with wire...



It was fine for two days.

Later the thread on the bolt was just extended by cutting, inserting and soldering, this allowed the use of a good 5mm of normally unused thread at the bottom of the bolt hole.

Otherwise welding on a bolt with a bigger thread and a matching re-thread....
3) Replacing sprockets and brake pads were a problem until...
Something that seems to be done all the time!!!
Is to let someone cut the bolt pattern out of your old sprocket and weld it into a new.

Brakes were the same, they just cut then glue new pads on.

SO EASY, SO CHEAP... I stopped ever trying to find originals.

4) Oh My Favorite!!! Dead dampener in the rear mono-shock... Bouncing like a Roo (kangeroo ) on speed as the southern Mexico boarder was crossed.

After a thorough search of Villa Hermosa for a replacement or repair. I ended up entrusting these three with an idea i was certainly skeptical about!!


They removed the shock from the spring and replaced it with one from a peugeot 207 car.... After a little bit of fabrication they had it the correct length and had the right bolt holes on the top and bottom.

When on the stand, the bike extended a little high and often needed to be parked with the stand facing down the hill.

On the road in was an infinite improvement on bouncing, it rode a little differently but all terrain was conquered easily enough and this little number got me to Deadhorse, Alaska.

Mucho mas gracias amigos...
__________________
brigginggaps.com.au
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Apr 2011
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 376
Wow!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Apr 2011
Lifetime Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Nanaimo BC Canada
Posts: 71
Bloody marvelous !!

Love the shock story. That is thinking outside the box ... er ... shop
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Apr 2011
Selous's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: England
Posts: 437

Cool love the rear shock, story
__________________
We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:14.