DR650 chain and sproket set in NIC or HON?

[mika]

Hi there,

got my bike washed in Panama City after all the salt water crossing from Colombia and noticed that my chain and sprokets wont take me all the way to Mexico.

Anyone knows of a place to get a new transmission kit for a DR650 in Nicaragua or Honduras ??

Gracias.

mika

[markharf]

Of course the sensible thing to do is to replace then now, but otherwise just buy in Panama and carry with you if you feel the need to extract every last mile from your existing set.

I don’t know specifically about a DR650, but KLR parts were much more easily found in Panama than either Nicaragua or Honduras, then easier again in Guatemala. I don’t know why you skipped Costa Rica, but parts were also available there.

Hope that’s helpful.

Mark

[cyclopathic]

Originally Posted by markharf

Of course the sensible thing to do is to replace then now, but otherwise just buy in Panama and carry with you if you feel the need to extract every last mile from your existing set.

I don’t know specifically about a DR650, but KLR parts were much more easily found in Panama than either Nicaragua or Honduras, then easier again in Guatemala. I don’t know why you skipped Costa Rica, but parts were also available there.

Hope that’s helpful.

Mark

+1 on carrying replacement until last mile, and judging by my recent experience more than one pair of rear brake pads.

Sent from my BV4900Pro which I haven't managed to drown yet

[mika]

Thank you guys for the answers.

I am leaving Panama today and i dont want to ride into San Jose (Costa Rica) and also i am not staying long in Costa Rica. I plan not to go into Guatemala City.

Yes of course i plan to buy and carry, but maybe not to the last minute.

So, anybody any hint in Nicaragua or Honduras?

Saludos mika

[mika]

Nobody any hints?

mika

[markharf]

It doesn’t sound like this is what you want to hear, but….I think you’ll find it a lot easier in Costa Rica, Panama, or Guatemala. Since you speak Spanish (and have proven yourself able to accomplish stuff that most of us would find quite difficult), maybe get less fixated on Nicaragua and Honduras and pay more attention to proven solutions.

For example (from a non-expert who speaks little Spanish), parts can be ordered very easily out of Guatemala City from the comfort of your Antigua guesthouse. The same is true in Costa Rica if you understandably don’t want to wander around San José, and I assume the same principal applies in Panama. I do remember a well-equipped Kawasaki dealer in the last town just before the high mountain section in Costa Rica, but that was 10 years ago so take with a grain of salt.

I’ll add only that I’ve replaced a lot of chains without bothering with sprockets, although although some consider that heresy it might get you through. It’s a lot easier finding a 520 chain than a set of bike-specific sprockets.

Hope that’s helpful, but if not please feel free to ignore completely. Saludos!

[cyclopathic]

Originally Posted by markharf

I’ll add only that I’ve replaced a lot of chains without bothering with sprockets, although although some consider that heresy it might get you through. It’s a lot easier finding a 520 chain than a set of bike-specific sprockets.

Hope that’s helpful, but if not please feel free to ignore completely. Saludos!

It may work if you don't ride in dusty conditions and do change early before chain stretches to damage sprockets. But I have seen what you do go wrong with chain wrapping around the front sprocket and punching a hole in the crankcase. YMMV.

I usually carry a spare front sprocket, and on some bikes you can flip rear sprocket, in case of great need.

BTW DR bush pig needs 525 chain IIRC.

Sent from my BV4900Pro which I haven't managed to drown yet

[markharf]

Always glad to eat crow when absolutely inescapable: apparently the old DR650s took 520 chains, but all the new ones take 525.

As for the rest, I respectfully absent myself from the discussion.

Mark

[cyclopathic]

Originally Posted by markharf

Always glad to eat crow when absolutely inescapable: apparently the old DR650s took 520 chains, but all the new ones take 525.

As for the rest, I respectfully absent myself from the discussion.

Mark

Apologies I didn't mean it to come across this way but we're all results of our experiences and I had some luck in that department. Hence my POV.

Your deep knowledge, insight and advice are always appreciated, peace

Sent from my BV4900Pro which I haven't managed to drown yet