HELP! Riders of Mexico Please Help!
 

Hola, Hello und Guten Morgan,

I am new to this game but have decided to start at the deep end and may have come unstuck. I am 3 and a bit months into my first motorcycle adventure (I have little exeperience having only passed my test 3 weeks before starting my trip), I started in Panama city where I bought a beautiful old Kawasaki KLR 650, 2002 model and have made it as far as Tecoman in Colima, Mexico (not far south of Manzanillo). My destination is San Francisco but I have started to run out of luck. :helpsmilie:

Two days ago my motor started to loose power so I have stopped in Tecoman to seek professional advice and get a health check. I have cleaned the air filter and asked El mechanico to check the carb and fuel lines for dirt but I fear the problem is more serious. There is a heinous mettalic rattling sound coming from the motor which has been getting progressively worse throughout the trip and the mechanics face said enough. He is going to check it out today and I will have a diagnosis by the end of the day (14th November).

I have been warned parts may take weeks, time which I don't have and I am therefore looking at my options -

Does anyone know of a place to buy a second hand motor for a KLR in Mexico?

Does anyone local need a KLR for parts if she's terminal?

Are there any AdvRiders in the area?

Does anyone know of a KLR Mechanic / miracle worker in the area or even up closer to Mazatlan?

I am desperate to complete my trip and for an Epic mission through Baja but I cannot risk doing that leg with a lame donkey.

This is the first time I have used this forum, I am not sure if this is the best way to contact people or get my messgae out there... if anyone is able to help in anyway I would be immensley grateful I don't want to abandon this mission!

I have kept a blog of the trip so far but due to lack of interweb am about a month behind. Feel free to check it out for a bit of background - https:// Panama to San Francisco - The Adventures of an Optimisitc Idiot

Muchas Gracias, J

It is probably your doohickey from what you are saying. Tought might have more issues becase of the loss of power.
You should have fix it right away, might have cause other internal damage. Anyway that is my guess. Someone else will probably share his toughts too.

Not too hard to change if its the doohickey with the youtube tutorials. The harder will be getting the parts.

Good luck.

You can order your parts (and tools needed) from eagle mike

Complete lever kit with torsion spring

Sorry to hear of the bad luck! :(
Agreed, sounds like the Doo Hickey may have come apart. This is always the first thing KLR riders have to fix on that bike ... before taking a long journey.

The KLR is not common in Mexico, but if you get a good mechanic, you may get out of this. It mostly likely can be repaired ... but as you've said, parts will take time to get hold of.

I read a report of a French guy stuck in Oaxaca with a DR650, had a broken gear box. Parts were sent from Suzuki in Mexico City, repaired and he was back on the road in about a month, according the report. He had an EXCELLENT mechanic.

Find the very best guy you can, go on the KLR forums and find used parts for repair.

I don't know if Kawasaki has dealers in Mexico City, they might have. ???

Have someone send parts via DHL or FED EX. Be sure to include a receipt with parts or they will be stuck in Aduana. You will have to pay duty, so have them write the receipt for LESS than actual cost (if possible). It should look "official".

No idea about parting out a KLR down there. Few on the road there, so basically worthless to locals unless it can be made whole again and running ... which, IMO, is your best option other than just walking away.

1. find best mechanic you can
2. determine if it's repairable and what parts are needed
3. find out if Kawi has dealer in Mexico City
4. Search BIG KLR forums in USA to get help getting parts and advice.
(KLR.net)

bier

KLRs are common enough in Mexico. I have been living and riding here for more than two decades both on and off road and I have seen plenty. They have been sold and supported for years. Anyone who tells you different doesnt know what they are talking about. If you didnt do the doohickey and the cam chain has slipped you have a problem, however if it is simply loose you can get the kit shipped in within a week from Eagle Mike or whoever is supplying it. There are a couple of bike breakers in Jalisco who might have a motor but most Mex riders dont do the doohickey upgrade. You could be setting yoursef up for the same problem with the used motor. A bigger independent bike shop will likely have a contact for a used parts supplier. A used motor wont be cheap, bikes are more expensive here and a KLR sells for about $2,000 more here than in the USA.
Your mechanic should check the damage first and explain to you what is happening. Have someone do a search for you on www.mercadolibre.com.mx
If it is not succesful it should turn you on to a few leads or places to contact who might be able to find you what you need.
Have your mechanic do a dry and wet compression test, too. Check your clutch, too.
I am on the other coast, PM me if you like, I still might be able to help you. Dont forget about the $500 bucks you will lose from your TVIP if you leave for good without the bike. It is Mexico, people still fix things here and dont just toss out broken things. Also, ask around for the best moto mechanic, every place has someone sharper than the rest. Kawasaki has many dealers in Mexico but they wont be much help in your case.

Mike,
Do you know if Kawasaki have a dealer network in Mexico? This was the part I did not know. I've seen plenty of KLR's in Mexico ... ALL with foreigners riding them! :rofl: (mostly USA based bikes)

Sorry, I didn't know the KLR was sold NEW in Mexico. So where is the nearest dealer to the OP in Tecoman (Colima)? The sooner parts are ordered, sooner they get there! Are Kawasaki's main offices in DF? Where?

Good advice and finding the best mechanic! :thumbup1:

Go to Kawasaki de México

I doubt a dealer will be of help in this case.
A good mechanic with used parts connections will likely be a better bet if the motor is lunched.
I bet it is fixable and the Eagle Mike kit will do it or even just a new spring.

Serrano Bros | Taller y Moto-Huesario are bike breakers in Jalisco. They have used KLR parts and have a lot more stuff than is listed on their website. They can ship you parts in a day or two once you understand what you need. A Kawasaki dealer will have new camchain guides if yours are chewed. Though it sounds like a broken tensioner and/or spring you wont know until you tear down the side and look inside. The dealers will have gaskets within a few days so be prepared.
If Serrano Bros. cant help you they can probably turn you on to some other breaker who can.
Bike breakers are called "deshuesaderos" ("deboners" get it? Like "boneyard" in English). It is Mexico, someone will have what you need...at a price.