It's probably safer than half the food on US supermarket shelves..

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

when ever you can get it, run with some injector cleaner .

Injector/Carb cleaner is a good idea ... just don't over use it.

If you can identify a really excellent local product, then buy that and use it every
two or three tank fill ups.

Mexico can have some nasty gas, so I just bring a little pint bottle of Sea Foam and sometimes a small bottle of Techron (made by Chevron). Both are good at reducing Varnish build up, dissolving bits of crud and keep injectors and jets clean. But even with all that ... you can still get this after 10K miles:

IMS Petcock filter on my DR650. Good news is I have two additional filter in line ... but carb STILL got crap in it.

Best to filter fuel through a nylon stocking or filter when feasible, especially true if sourcing from oil drums, plastic containers or in very rural areas. It will take an extra minute but could pay off later with less maintenance.

Awesome feedback and advice in here peoples.
Thanks.
Even with the inner tube digression this site proves yet again to be gold for help and advice unlike other forums which you'd be belittled and ridiculed in "friendly banter".
If anyone else has anything else to add on the spares/parts front chime in.
Cheers
BR

__________________
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.

I've just changed my mind on those UHD tubes. I pulled one out of my shed. It's more like a tyre than a tube haha. Can't be bothered with punctures on that. I'll have no skin left on my knuckles after a few repair jobs.

I've just ordered some Michelin Heavy Duty ones. About £12 each. I'll carry the old originals as spares.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

What brought that on?

__________________
Tacos Tyring Travels.com

Hi

I am sorting my parts and spares for me Cape to Cairo in 7 weeks.

On my list I have liquid/chemical metal, radiator sealant and patches/tube repair kit.

Ive never bought or used any of these (always just change the tube at home).

Can anyone point me in the right direction of specific products (i'm in the UK)? I am travelling light so small is good.

Cheers
Andy

Hi Andy,

For patches and glue use Rema Tip Top, take quite a few extra small/medium size tubes of the patch glue, once they are opened they tend to dry out, so plenty of smaller tubes is better than carrying large tubes.
Radiator repair, Radweld used to be available in the UK, personally Id also carry a small roll of self flux solder and get the hole sealed up properly by anyone with a small blowtorch or soldering iron. Use JB weld or a similar product for the liquid metal repair.


Just to update, this seems to be a well used radiator/head gasket product, maybe not so easy to find in Europe though:


http://avenasolutions.com/hyper-seal...seal-gold.html

Sounds like a great trip, enjoy!

__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

Thanks Gipper. I ordered the JB Weld and a patch kit. I'll order some more patches and glue (and hope it works like taking an umbrella at home - when you have it it never rains!).

I'll check out the rest too.

Cheers
Andy

If you were to plan travel on a BMW, suggest you carry a Honda!!

Hey Andy,
Having a good patch kit, knowing how to use it is important. Also, having natural rubber tubes helps as Butyl ones don't always hold a patch well.

A key thing: be aware of is what is going on where your riding. Are there tire kiosks in the small towns/villages? Often there are. Sometimes even ones that specialize in motorbikes or scooters. Some good, some not so good. ASK around.

TIP: Alway remove and re-install your wheel yourself ... but let workers break down the bead, pull tire and tube off and let them repair tube (if it's repairable!). Often these guys use old Vulcanizing method which if done right is amazingly effective.

See my post in this thread, post #22, page 2 for a bit more back ground on flats, repair, tubes and patching. I always try to get to a local repair guy if not too far. Yes, I ride it flat. If you destroy your tube by riding it flat, so be it. Better than sitting in the Desert in 40C struggling changing a flat.

I like Slime or Ride-On which should be installed BEFORE you get a flat. I can save you! It's NOT like Fix-A-Flat. Much better and often works. See above post for details.

Buy another spare as soon as you can. If you are short on tubes and can't get spares, then STOP and patch your tube ASAP, try to save it. Good tire irons a must ... and knowing how to use them.

I carry lots of spare tubes but am not crossing Africa! ... and you are!
Use caution. Take care of your Tires and Tubes!
All the best!

Thanks Mollydog. This is the repair kit i bought, i'll try and find out if it is rubber.

Motorcycle Puncture Repair Kit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004OX1K..._YT8hxb1H2Z0JS
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004OX1K..._YT8hxb1H2Z0JS

Details of the c-cure kit here: http://www.weldtite.co.uk/weldtite-puncture-repair/

I've used my tyre irons to change front a recent tyres recently to make sure they are up to the job.

I am also planning to carry to spare front (21') tubes and 1 rear (17') to give me a bit of wriggle room.

Levering off front tire is the easy one. It's the rear tire that is tough. Some skill, technique and practice helps here. Can be tough for a novice.

The patch kits look fine, but as said above, try to find local help. They are SO MUCH better at it than you and I! And it's usually super cheap. But very good for you to know how to do it ... alone on a lonely road in 40C temps. Prepping and roughing up the tube is the important part.

If me, I'd carry 2 front tubes and 2 rear tubes. Pack one front on front fender. And remember ... you can use a 21" tube in your rear tire if need be. YES, it works! Just be careful on install not to fold it onto itself.

NO, a 17" rear tube will NOT work in a 21" tire.


Note front tube on front fender

Sorry should have read "...change front and rear tyres..."

Will definitely use a local to repair when available and get a second 17' tube. The 21 goes into 17 but not vice versa was the rationale for taking 2 x 21'.

I get many more flat rear tyres compared to flat fronts. I have found most people have the same experience, only very few say they have more flat front than rears. So I'd practice on the rear tyre too - fiddling with the chain and brake and luggage makes it much more difficult just to get the tyre out! Then the rim has more of a lip to it, the tyre carcase is stiffer.. The job is much harder ... and you need to know how to handle that. Take your time, make any notes and stop and have a look from time to time. It is a learning thing ... not a speed test.