Hey Paul,

Don't really need a new bike yet. But, being 2 years old, she already has 67000km. Not bad I think. She still runs like in the beginning.
Only needed to replace the battery on 66000km and one... (no idea how you call it in English) from the back wheel was replaced.
For the rest only regular services.
Think she'll go easely over 100.000km. Should be so far in a little more then a year.

I am not maintaining the bike myself but getting it serviced by a Honda dealer. Reason: Honda gives you 3 years warranty, unlimited milage! But having a dealer doing the services is a request and will help you in any case of problems.
Oh yeah, think I might have te replace the contact (well.. the thing you put the key in).
other thing is that this dealer has ridden Paris Dakar twice on a sidecar. And he is just back from Senegal. SO as you can imagin... we get along really good and he understands me completely.

I'd be suprised if you really have to do something about your carbs and valves? Mine haven't been touched yet and it all still runs well.
Maybe you're experiencing the same thing as I am: you get to know your bike so well that you get to the boundaries of her capabilities. Wich might give you the impression she isn't running anymore as she used to do...
For ex: when conditions allow it I'll go down to the ground with my footpegs against the asphalt quite often, braking open the gashandle.
And with the right tires (T66) my back wheel can break out without being a problem. I know quite well what she does in certain conditions and how she has to be handled. (on well known roads off course)

In Marocco I noticed a few times I was giving all I could and just managed. In Mountains (Alps and Pyrynees) I would like some more power frome time to time on the high passes.
And with two up the bike is on the weak side.
Therefor I am considering the AT. More power.

I am not considering a KTM yet... Can't use it year round the way you can use a TA or AT. But mayby later if I can afford me an extra travel / adventure bike.


Fireboomer


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http://users.pandora.be/pieter.maes2/

Shouldn't have written the earlier message without holding on to wood...
Since today I hear this metal 'clinling tocking' sound when I turn left and only then. For the rest there is nothing to notice...???
Anybody an idea what this can be.

It ain't the chain or centerstand, checked those already.
Also gave the bike a good shake with the crashbars, couldn't find or hear it.

My biggest fear is that it has something to do with the gearbox or engine. But that might be a bit overpanicking.

Any advice or idea's welcome!

Fireboomer.

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http://users.pandora.be/pieter.maes2/

Piet sorry to hear about the strange sound . I'm sure it's not serious, I can't think what it is, try checking wheel bearings and steering bearings (can do both these if you have a centre stand). I don't have any problems with my engine but I wanted to check valves and carb sync because it says it says that you should do that in the service manual for the mileage that I'm on...maybe I should obey the old saying "don't fix what isn't broken"

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Africa Trips web journal

Still don't know were the tingling comes from when I take turn. But the engine runs as he did before. We'll see.

Paul how much miles do you have on the clock? If it is less then the 66000km I would obey to that old saying.

Pieter.

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http://users.pandora.be/pieter.maes2/

You might want to check the spokes to see if they're loose. I neglected mine for a while once and got that clinking sound when a few of them broke and started clanking around. But the sound might also come from loose spokes creaking under pressure.

Cheers,
Wright

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Wright Bagwell
http://www.geocities.com/wwbagwell/

Got about 30 000km on the clock. I have decided not to take my engine apart just yet...although it is very tempting to dig around in there because I love learning about all this sort of stuff!

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Africa Trips web journal