Stuck in Puno Peru
 

Hey guys,

I am stuck in Puno, Peru. Unfortunalty my KTM Adv. stopped running at 42780km.
What a mess!

I checked everything I could:
- changed the carburator setup to 80 octan gas usage
- inserted a new sparkling plug
- checked the piping, electrics
- changed the gas (maybe its was bad)
- let out the old gas of the carb

Everything with no effect, the bike doesn't start. My best guess is, that I have to clean the carburator. But unfortunalty I have never down that! On top I am parking in an outside parking lot and guess what its rainy saison......

Anyway, now my battery is empty and I am tired of trying to kickstart my bike on 3800m altitude.

Most likley, I will try to get to La Paz on a truck.

BTW, I don´t need more technical hints, the German KTM Adventure Forum was very helpfull already. But short of cleaning the carburator, I guess I did most of the suggested things.

So, does anybody know a good mechanic in La Paz?
Or is somebody in the aera to help me cleaning a Mikusi 40mm carburator?

Tja shit happens,
Steffen

You have not mentioned if the old spark plug was "sparking" or what difference, if any, the new plug made?

I'm not familiar with KTM's but I'd try removing the tank & plug & tipping/squirting a small amount of fuel down the plug hole & re-fitting the plug. If it runs briefly, it's probably the carb. If not, it could be dodgy electrics, with a weak spark being blown out under compression.

Let us know what happens?

Steve

Hi,

We are in La Paz until tomorrow noon or so, at Hotel Naira near Plaza San Francisco.

Don´t personally know of any M/c mechanics here, but see http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000021.html

Good luck, maybe we`ll see you here!

Regards,

Michael & Sandy
www.expeditionoverland.com

hallo steffen,

ich habe letztes jahr ein ähnliches problem in bolivien gehabt. wir sind wochenlang mit einer stotternden, äußerst leistungsschwachen maschine durch die berge geeiert. alle maßnahmen und reparaturen hatten nichts genutzt.
in unserer verzweiflung sind wir in sucre zu einem hinterhof-mechaniker gegangen, der überhaupt nicht den eindruck machte, als ob er uns in irgendeiner form helfen könnte.

zu unserer überraschung war das problem nach eineinhalb stunden gelöst und die maschine lief besser als je zuvor. der mechaniker hatte in die vergaser-hauptdüse einige dünne drahtstücke gesteckt um den benzindurchfluss zu verringern!
danach sind wir noch mehrere wochen ohne weitere probleme diverse altiplano-pisten gefahren.
worauf ich hinaus will ist, dass du sicher in puno einen mechaniker finden kannst der dein problem lösen wird. versuche es einfach, auch wenn werkstatt und mechaniker keinen allzu vertrauenserweckenden eindruck machen! diese leute machen den ganzen tag nichts anderes, als irgenwelche schrottkisten wieder ans laufen zu bringen. da sollte deine ktm das geringste problem darstellen. und zu verlieren hast du ohnehin nichts, oder?

ps: hast du schon mal den luftfilter geprüft (feuchtigkeit, dreck...)?

gruß

Its worst than I thought. I checked many things including the carb. myself, with no result. Thus I got a local mechanic.
I have to admit the guy did help my to locate my problem.
I am not sure my translations is right, but the rocker head of my intake valves is broken!!!!
Bad luck, so I am in the process finding out parts availiblity in Peru/Bolivia and Germany. My best guess is, that I will transport the motorcycle to La Paz.

So long,
Steffen

who hopes to reach Tierra del Fuego, still this century.

i know it is easy for me to say, but i have been there... that is to say, my bike broke more than once in south america...

1. order the necessary spares now (have them sent to la paz, poste restante at the post office via normal airmail (not courier and DEFINITELY NOT dhl!!!!!!)

2. get the bike to walter nosiglia, the honda dealer in la paz.

3. when the spare parts get there, take bus to sorata or the yungas, potosi and chill.

4. return and walter will have your bike better than new.

5. no worries: you're in then continent of the manana (i can't find the n with the squiggle above it that makes the n sound like a 'nj'). enjoy the views, the people, the coca

good luck,
ChrisB



[This message has been edited by chris (edited 12 January 2004).]

I agree with Chris. having your bike break down is all part of the trip, but you aren't to worry cause you are in a beautiful part of the world and there is good help around the corner. If you cannot get your parts or figure out what you need before you get to Walter's shop, i wouldn't worry, Walter is a great guy and is sure to help you out (but in spanish!). indeed your bike will be okay so go enjoy the days and get your bike to Walter!

Hi,

Here in Chile exist a very good KTM distributor, with all kind of spare parts.

You can find them in http://www.ktm.cl/daten/default.asp


------------------
Ya verás como quieren en Chile al amigo cuando es forastero (traditional song)

Jose Pedro Espinosa
Curico, Chile

Hi guys,

after 7 days in the lovely metropolis of Puno at the Lago Titicaca, I am in rather boring and small La Paz;-)
A minibus, a truck and finally a Toyota Pickup lift was needed to get the KTM to Nosiglia Honda......
Anyway I am here now, that is what counts.

Thanks a lot for all the hints!

I knew about the KTM dealer in Chile and I will visit one of his two shops. But in the meantime the needed parts are already on their way from Germany (FedEx).

Thus if anybody passes by La Paz, I am staying in the Posada El Carretero....

CU,
Steffen

DUDE! I just saw your bike at Walters!! (Monday, 2:30PM) I am down the street while they are putting a new throttle cable on my bike. We plan to head to Potosi today, but if we get stuck here another day, we should hook up. We are headed to Ushuia fast if you can join, the more the merrier!