kawasaki help in Panama or Columbia or somewhere in northern S. Amerca?...
 

Hola y'alls,

Rosita, my KLR, is running pretty rough right now. I believe I've got loose steering bearings which I'm told require special Kawa tools and no basic Taller can fix (please correct me if I'm wrong). My rear shock is super bouncy and someone suggested the head seal has blown and should also be fixed by a dealer (I'm not sure some local couldn't fix it but any advice welcome). She's also backfiring like crazy and it's not from the header pipe connections so a good tune up and carborator work needed just to name a few of the current problems.

I'm in Costa Rica now for a few more days and will be in Panama next week and Columbia in January. Anyone know any peeps that could help? I'll have a bit of time in Panama but during the holidays so a lot might not be open. Columbia in January's a much more open schedule and I should arrive in Cartagena on the 3rd.

I've got a friend in Limón with a KLR who knows a bit about the parts and repairs available there and in the capital. PM me an email address if you're interested and I'll put you in touch.

Of course he'd really rather sell his KLR, but he's a nice guy, hospitable and polite (under a crusty surface). Let me know.

Hope that helps.

Mark

PS: sounds like you need a new shock, since AFAIK that unit is not repairable. At least, mine wasn't. Not safe to ride. Cost about US$500 for a new one in Guatemala. Steering bearings are an easy fix--either to adjust or to replace. Backfiring can be valves: have you adjusted recently? It can also signify a loose baffle in your exhaust--this, too, happened to my KLR and mystified several mechanics before we figured this out. Of course, carb, plug, air filter and other obvious stuff comes first.

A frend of mine in Panama had a KLR shock on the shelf but I do not know if he still has it. I will not be back there til Tues, I am in SJ, Costa Rica at the moment.
Drop me a direct email normanonthehill@yahoo.com and I will try to find out, if you need a place to stay for a couple of days I live near the Pasa Canoas border with CR

Hola Mark,

I'd love to hear from your friend in Límon. I just pm'ed you.

cheers,
-duncan