Looking to buy a MSR fuel bottle in Panama City; Panama
 

Hi folks:

My MSR fuel bottle (for my MSR Dragonfly stove) flew off my bike today and was crushed by a semi on the PanAm freeway. I'm in town till Monday when my boat leaves to South America.

Any place I might be able to find something like this in this city? I'd prefer not to have to ship anything to myself.

Best,
David

Hi David,

No responses to your question means people don't want to break the sad news to you. I am writing as a condolence to your loss as a fellow traveler. There's not much chance of finding a Dragonfly fuel bottle replacement in Latin America. You might luck into a small metal bottle with the same thread pattern as the dragonfly though. Not sure if the threaded cap with the o-ring seal survived the thump-thumping of the truck, but it will act as a pattern for testing.

It is so depressing when things fall off your bike on a long tour. I remember riding through Oaxaca years ago and the villagers were waving rather frantically at me and pointing at the right side of my bike. I thought they were being friendly and were glad to see me until miles later I noticed my right pannier had popped open and dumped everything out many miles ago. A thousand speedbumps had finally taken its toll on the old beemer bag latches. I still smile when I imagine a little Oaxacan woman picking up a heated vest on the side of the road and wondering what the hell that coiled cord was for. I secured the bag lids with straps after that.

Best luck.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

I couldn't find anything for Panama but Colombia has a primus dealer. There fuel bottles are the same as MSR.

Primus Colombia

Distributor: Merximport Andina
Phone: +57 18 12 69 96
Fax: +57 31 46 67 39 95
Web address:
Email: info@merximport.com

You haven't got much to lose by sending them a mail.
You could also try supermarkets as I saw an aluminium bottle for sale yesterday in the local Walmart here in Mexico City that looked very similar to my new shinny, expensive Primus fuel bottle. Of course it could explode under pressure.

2006 information, but there is a shopping mall in Panama City that has a high end outdoor gear store. I have no doubt they would have it. Sorry I don't remember the name of the store, or the mall. Arooki mall , maybe? I would ask on the lonely planet thorn tree forum, more backpackers there.

albrook mall

Acadia Outdoors does not exist anymore (went to Albrook mall two days ago). There is no other store in the mall that would sell the MSR fuel bottle. In addition, Arrocha Farmacia, DoIt Center, Novey do not carry it. I think the the best bet is shipping it to yourself via Airbox Express, but unfortunately I don't have enough time to wait around on it arriving; as my boat to Colombia leaves tomorrow.

Thanks for the help everyone, I'll be looking for a Primus bottle in Colombia.