Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Honda Tech
Honda Tech Honda Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Honda riders only.
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 14 Jan 2010
Sime66's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wild West (of Crete)
Posts: 283
AT chain & sprockets, Mexico

I'm in Mexico (heading to Mexico City tomorrow) with a 1998 Africa Twin. I need a new chain and sprockets and of course AT parts are a bit thin on the ground in the Americas...
The question is, can you tell me which bikes use the same chain-set as the AT (preferably ones that were sold in the Americas), or give me some part numbers that I can use to get them ordered???

Ta
Simon
__________________
Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Jan 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 448
It will be difficult or impossible to find the sprockets but you can have them fabricated. Give me a call at 5005-2065 (Friday 2pm to 10pm) or 58103447 (over the weekend) or 0445521456078 (mobile)
If you need a place to stay in Mex City you are welcome to stay with us.

Garry
GarryHostel.com (Free Motorcycle Traveller's Resort)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Jan 2010
Sime66's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wild West (of Crete)
Posts: 283
Thanks Garry

Have got some info on getting sprockets from US, and everything should hold together until I get there...
If I end up staying here a bit longer I 'll give you a shout!
__________________
Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Jan 2010
Mickey D's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 501
Getting them sent in from the USA is the smart way to go. Perhaps Gary can let you ship the goods to his residence? Or maybe knows the best way to declare the parts to avoid the 100% to 400% duty your likely to pay ... or they may just decide to "confiscate" your parts! How you label them is important. Also, sometimes sending to a business can be better? Changes country to country.

BTW, ....you clearly screwed the pooch by leaving the USA without sorting this out in a place where Chains/sprockets are cheap and available. I'm sure you realize this now! Why do so many overlanders pull this same trick?

If you put on the right chain & sprockets NOW, they will last the duration of your trip. Best option here:

DID VM-2 X ring chain, stock Honda Sprockets, carry a spare countershaft sprocket, change at 10,000 miles. Should get you past 20K miles.

Getting some crap RK or other mid grade chain is really penny wise, pound foolish, as are sprockets that claim to work miracles. Get stock Honda ones.

Have them send a couple Iridium spark plugs while you're at it and a spare air filter too. (stock or UNI filter) If you're not carrying quality extra tubes, have them sent in too. Good Tubes are GOLD in Mex & Cent.America. Get tires in Guatemala, if needed, or wait until Colombia?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Jan 2010
Sime66's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wild West (of Crete)
Posts: 283
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mickey D View Post

BTW, ....you clearly screwed the pooch by leaving the USA without sorting this out in a place where Chains/sprockets are cheap and available. I'm sure you realize this now! Why do so many overlanders pull this same trick?

If you put on the right chain & sprockets NOW, they will last the duration of your trip. ........

Have them send a couple Iridium spark plugs while you're at it and a spare air filter too. (stock or UNI filter) If you're not carrying quality extra tubes, have them sent in too. Good Tubes are GOLD in Mex & Cent.America. Get tires in Guatemala, if needed, or wait until Colombia?

Er, yeah, thanks Mickey, but perhaps it'd be best not to assume that everyone in Mexico is a US citizen heading south. I started in Argentina 20,000 miles and 15 months ago, and I'll be entering the US in a month. Got tubes, plugs etc etc.

Pooch remains unscrewed.

Cheers
__________________
Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Jan 2010
Mickey D's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 501
Sorry, somehow I thought you were heading South, since I saw Vancouver as home base, missed the UK/Capetown bit! :confused1: My bad.

So many riders seem to neglect chains/Sprocs. One can read reports of this constantly on blogs and here on HU. Obviously, you're well sorted or you wouldn't have made it this far. Good luck with the rest of your trip.

I just noticed your details. So you shipped over from S.A. to B.A.? How'd that go? Costs? Hassles freeing bike from Argies?

Good luck finding those AT sprockets .... I just realized the AT has never been imported into the US ... no idea of other sprockets with same bolt pattern. I'm sure someone at the AT forums would know.

Not sure if American Honda can order them in the USA or not. Maybe order from Canada as I think they get the AT there, IIRC.
Ride safe!

McD

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sime66 View Post
Er, yeah, thanks Mickey, but perhaps it'd be best not to assume that everyone in Mexico is a US citizen heading south. I started in Argentina 20,000 miles and 15 months ago, and I'll be entering the US in a month. Got tubes, plugs etc etc.

Pooch remains unscrewed.

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 19 Jan 2010
Sime66's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wild West (of Crete)
Posts: 283
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mickey D View Post

I just noticed your details. So you shipped over from S.A. to B.A.? How'd that go? Costs? Hassles freeing bike from Argies?

Well, cost of shipping the bike (from London to BA - Africa trip was a separate thing) was about the same as flying a person. The shipping company said "3 weeks", and it actually took 5 which wasn't a big problem cos BA is AwEsOmE.
I decided to try and do the extricating of the bike from customs myself - had to wait for 5 hours to see someone, but after that it took 5 minutes and no probs at all.

Cheers
__________________
Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 20 Jan 2010
Mickey D's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 501
Hi Simon,

Good job getting the bike out of Argie hands pain free. I love the Argentines, spent lots of time there. I took a look at your blog ... very nice pics! Funny stuff too, reminds me of a more sober Dan Walsh, minus Dan's incisive sense of irony.

Watch out for those cranky US X-Pats, lots of 'em hang in Mexico on the lam. Who knows what he's wanted for? Probably an X Blackwater operative on the run!

Sol is the worst Beer in Mexico! For me, most Mex Beer is sub standard. Pacifico isn't bad. You won't see it until you get further north. Ask for a Balena (Whale), big bottle. US has great Beer, but drinking Beer in Mexico is FAR better than drinking it anywhere in the USA. Enjoy!

Great tips on Cancun. I knew about Isla Mujeres. Worked on that island for Lobster fisherman years ago. Cancun must be in a depression to have such low rates. Jesus, my Girlfriend would LOVE that place you stayed! We're going! Thanks for the inspiration!

So I'm guessing about 1000£ to get your AT over? That's about $1600 USD.

Lots of Brits ship to B.A. (a great City, as you say), but I'm not sure why so many do this. Why not go other way round? Of course then your stuck with a hard to sell bike down there. So I guess it works out either way.

If finances are tight, it might save a few bucks if they fly themselves to California, buy a bike (super cheap compared to UK) and ride down from there. You won't find an Africa Twin but lots of good, near new bikes at fire sale prices. KLR's, DR's, DRZ's, XR-L's, XR400's, KTM's, Husky's, V-Stroms, all good value. I left off BMW as a courtesy ... but yea, we have 'em too!

BTW, your AT will be worth a small fortune in the USA. Find a state where you can get it registered, then bring to San Francisco or New York to sell.

Hope your chain makes it there. Looking forward to your blog updates.
Ride safe.

Mc D

PS ... I hope you're planning on staying in Mexico for a while. Just now we're having super bad storms. (worst in a century!!) Some may effect Mexico's West coast. But it's freezing everywhere and we'll get record breaking rain, floods, slides, chaos in California. Hopefully in a month things will be better and California will warm back up and return to the best riding in the country.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 20 Jan 2010
Sime66's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wild West (of Crete)
Posts: 283
Cheers Mickey!

I suspect that bald fella was simply a twat rather than a dangerous lunatic, but who knows...
Bang on re. Sol - watery rubbish. Got to love those massive bottles though. Pacifico has been available in various places since Cancun and it's good stuff. Dos Equis perfectly drinkable as well.

*off-topic sensors start beeping*
__________________
Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick
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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
AT: same chain/sprockets as Varadero? Sime66 Honda Tech 1 31 Dec 2009 20:28
Africa Twin chain/sprockets in Mexico? Sime66 SOUTH AMERICA 0 31 Dec 2009 18:41
about to change sprockets and chain bergspre Yamaha Tech 60 30 Jul 2009 18:15
KLE chain & sprockets TommyT Kawasaki Tech 2 2 Feb 2009 09:21
Chain and sprockets for AT in USA paul_r Honda Tech 1 26 Jul 2006 02:19

 
 

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 12:28.