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Spokes failed in Spain
The I'm broken down at the 38km marker of the NA-128 in Spain. Does anybody know of a good bike shop that could rebuild my wheel in Zaragoza, or anywhere in Spain really. I have Green flag, but no eta yet.
I should add, I'm on a Royal Enfield Classic 500. Any help appreciated. Fox. |
Post it in a Spanish forum....Hope to find a solution to your problem!:thumbup1:
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If you have to, a welder can weld them.
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I can't make a personal recommendation but a guy who had a breakdown at one of my HISS rallies got excellent service from KTM Zaragoza (Dermotor) - OK he had a Katoom!
I spoke with them to arrange this from Teruel and we ordered the part, clutch mastercylinder, to be sent from KTM Spain in Barcelona on a 'just-in-case' basis, which was pretty good of them. Here's what he said, "Above pics From that HISS return journey, the clutch pressure kept up for about 30mls then it was gone, lucky the journey to Zaragoza was straight forward till the city centre, then a few suicide runs through junctions and red lights got me to the KTM dealer. They were very good appeared to drop everything to do my bike, whilst I fell asleep on the showroom floor." So, I imagine they would do a wheel rebuild/repair or know someone in Zaz who can, it's a very big city - they used to mane Sanglas's there! The workshop will probably be closed now until Monday but you may get some info from the showroom. Contact me via my blog* with your phone number if you need help with Spanish. Regs Simon * this isn't me looking for work - travellers and all that! PS thanks zandesiro fro posting this up on ADVRider :) |
Thank you for all of your replies. It really means a lot.
The bike has been picked up by Green Flags rep in Spain, and dropped at a depot near Pamplona. I contacted Royal Enfield in Barcelona, nice guy called Alex, who speaks good English, and they have the parts, and could do the job, but Green Flag would not take the bike there, so I am stuck with the local garages effort at finding spokes locally on Monday. We do now however have a hire car, and we are going to drive to Barcelona today, so that we can get the parts there on Monday if needs be. Welding was a good suggestion, butt we are heavily loaded, and each spoke has lost its hub nipple, so I don't think this is an option, but thank you for suggesting it. If anyone is interested, our blog is Foxy Boxy - Home https://www.dropbox.com/s/6id8vcrldf...%20pm.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/6id8vcrldf...%20pm.jpg?dl=0 Thanks again for the help. Fox |
Hey, You've landed on your feet - there's a Royal Enfield dealer/workshop right there in Pamplona!
It migh even be in the same 'poligono' - an industrial or commercial estate - where your bike has been dropped: Polígono Industrial Plazaola, 4 31195 50701 (Navarra) So, if you've got a car you can get your wheels to them easy-peasy :) Have fun in Pamplona - nice place, good food and er, . . . beer Regs Simon |
Thanks a million Simon. I will pass that info to the recovery garage :)
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Regs Simon |
If you're loaded and 2 up consider heavy duty (motocross) spokes, assuming you can get the right lengths. Poxy Indian spokes might be half of your problem. And avoid hitting potholes.
Good luck. |
You could contact Devon rim company or central wheel company in the UK who would send them out to you a set of British made spokes they are far superior quality to a lot of the the rubbish available from some other countries. They will probably send them next day - They will have the spec you need - supply them the details of your bike / year and wheel sizes providing you do not have different rims or hubs to standard - then at least you are starting with a quality spoke set. I would suggest while you are on get both wheels rebuilt with quality spokes and nipples. Save this problem happening again. Do not dismantle your wheels until you have a wheel builder check the offset measurements etc otherwise there is a little head scratching to do to work out your original offsets unless they have the info to hand.
Simplest is to stick with Galavanised steel spokes and plated brass nipples - As the classic has options of 18, 19 and sometimes a 21 inch wheel Its difficult to advise you on the spokes you require and to be honest without seeing your wheel i would not take a guess. You may be able to use 7/9 guage butted spokes - stronger these are the simplest and most suited for the riding you are doing and the 7 guage end fits the drilled sections of your hub better than the original spoke. Get some extra spokes just in case. (there are two different sizes of spoke in your front and two different sizes in the rear wheel). The wheel uses differing head angles on the spokes a little less and a little more than 90 degree - 85 /95 degree but straight 90 degree will suffice as a compromise. The only stainless spokes really suitable for off road and heavy duty use are called bulldog spokes - these are designed for enduro bikes and are a Heavy duty High tensile stainless steel however they are not available for your bike due to the head angles being to high so i would avoid stainless spokes heavy duty or not they are not the best choice for the enfield for this application. Good luck - Jake (Northumbria Wheelworks - Wheel builder) |
Thank you both. I rather expected that the stainless spokes may be a bit brittle, especially after loosing so many at once. The bolt on the bike also demonstrate a similar lack of strength with a few failures in the last few thousand miles.
The problem I have right now is the time it takes to comunicate with the garage that is holding the bike. I have to go through green flag UK, and they talk to the Spanish recovery service and in turn to the depot where the bike is. I'm currently sat in Barcellona, 20 minutes from a shop that has the spares on the shelf. I've only just got the message that the bike was moved this morning, and it's 16:10 here. I defiantly will be getting the wheels rebuilt with British spokes when I get home. Thank you very much for the advice. Fox |
I've just been informed that the Enfield is at Iruña Kustom in Berrioplano, and they want €970 to replace the wheel and tyre.
I'm inclined to just ship it back to the UK, and sort it there. This is clearly a rip off. |
Most definitely a rip off. I've had 2 wheels respoked for £100 including parts and labour.
Try to get yourself and the wheel to a proper dirt bike shop or wheel builder. With your hub and your rim, it's easy to fit new spokes (assuming they have the right size). As an interim measure, do consider the welding option too. Good luck! |
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Meanwhile - have they got a Facebook page, etc. - i'll blast 'em! Simon |
Thanks for the morale support.
I can get a wheel in the UK for £90+VAT! Trouble is, my bike is in thier shop right this minute. I'm heading back to there overnight tonight, abandoning the idea of getting the parts in Barcelona myself as I think this is going to be a long game. They tell me that the hub and rim are unserviceable, so they won't just rebuild the wheel. I want to see that for myself. I'm not convinced. I asked them if they could do the job for €800, and they came back and said they would, but they would have to refit the existing tyre. The existing tyre has a nasty 10mm wide groove over 1/3 of its circumference where it made contact with the swingarm due to the buckle. I would never ride solo on that tyre let alone 2 up with luggage. They do have a Facebook page, it's: https://m.facebook.com/iruna.kustom?...xpanded=living Don't rattle thier cage yet though, I have tons of gear with my bike, which also limits my options for returning home as a foot passenger. Wish me luck! |
Fox do as Chris say's if it looks like the wheel can be saved, Rims are available for cheap original indian stuff from about £50 - they are pretty rubbish but will do the job to get you home - spoke sets will be around £40 for galvanised however if your rim is knackered that can be replaced but and worse still the hub cracked then a rebuild would be out of the question, if you can get a second hand wheel for £90 get it sent out and that's you sorted and on your way home, Maybe also call hitchcocks the enfield specialist UK: 01564 783 192 ,Int: +44 1564 783 192
see if they can post you a second hand wheel i am sure they will they are very helpful. Make sure then make sure again that the wheel you buy is the correct one Enfields have different variations depending on year model etc. Oh by the way - did i mention to make sure you are getting the right hub/rim/offset combination. Hope you get sorted, Good luck - Jake (Northumbria Wheelworks - Wheel builder) |
S***e, sounds like you may have been taken for a guirri - shame on any Spanish person who does this and the revenge will be swift and sweet - when the time serves of course!
Get out if there asap and wait for your wheel to fit yourself :) Regs Simon |
Hi there,
I've just been reading your blog - you certainly know how to turn a 'disaster' into a holiday my man :) Back to your bike - my local back street mechanic charges €35 per hour - plus 21% IVA if you ask him nicely. But BMW, KTM, etc. charge much more - although t be fair they have all the routine jibs priced down to the five minute 'blocks' and charge for these - maybe wheel building would, or should, be the same. Your workshop should show its rates on the premises, and be careful that your 'estimate' includes that IVA! It does look like your best option may be just to get an new wheel as at least you'll have some kind of guarantee - as Jake points out this is not an easy job! Meanwhile, also from your blog, with all due respect you've got a seriously overloaded bike - something has to give and next time it might be the frame! https://thespanishbiker.files.wordpr...8-17-29-am.png https://thespanishbiker.files.wordpr...8-17-07-am.png . . . or much worse damaging the lovely Lucy. So jettison some stuff and get 'lite'! Regs Simon |
He has an Indian bike and they all load the bike like that in India - then put the family, cousins and grandparents on top - its in the handbook you know !
I got to say i am surprised it got to Spain, I bet the brakes are wonderful my Enfield with no luggage had woeful brakes, and poor ride, that must be plain frightening, fox mate you really need to sort the luggage situation out, ie get rid of at least 50% of it. How do you go forward in a headwind with no power and all that luggage man it must be hell. No matter what - that bike is going to break somewhere. Good luck with your issues i really hope you get sorted. Jake. |
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Simon PS that 'headwind' is called the Cierzo - it's deadly, check the weather forcast fr warnings, I mean this! |
Sorry guys. I've been keeping an eye on this thread, but only have a smartphone, and didn't notice it had gone to two pages! Thought you had all gone quiet.
Ok. Firstly the weight. Looks heavy don't it? I admit there is a full load there, and it is heavy to man handle but it's mostly light stuff. I weighed it. The load and my featherwieght other half weigh in at about the same as some of ex's individually, and definately less than having a fat bloke on the back. I've been touring around India for many years on the old CI block enfield, on really bad roads, with similar loads without a hitch, and man you should see what the Indians do to those bikes. I've seen several with a live cow tied on to the rack. I seriously kid you not! I'm convinced it's the SS spokes, or a bad batch. The later disk brakes are a lot better, and i can cruse at 60mph with the new UCE engine and push over 70 if I really want to drink fuel. I do hear you guys, and I respect your view, and of course, after this I will be looking at any way possible to avoid a repeat episode. Now, the story so far. Firstly. Green flag. I have to say they have been amazing. They can't work miricals over here, and they do work within the agreement, but it's pretty much like talking to your mum on the phone. They want to help. I've had about 30 phone calls with them, and they constantly check in with me to make sure things are going ok. When I expkained the them how much I had been quoted, even though they are within thier rights to wash thier hands as far as the repair is concerned once you have your bike at a garage, they extended the car hire beyond what they had to, to allow us to get to Portugal, where we are going to look at some land. This was the whole idea of the trip, and Green Flag took this on board. They have also covered the cost of shipping the parts from the UK. We had to move our ferry booking back again to allow for parts delivery, and the economy cabin was not available on that sailing, so Green flag paid the £94 pounds extra for an upgrade. Credit where credit is due, it's the best £16 I've ever spent. As things stand now, I've got a rim and spokes coming from the venerable Hitchcocks motorcycle company, and the Spanish shop are going to rebuild the wheel, on the original hub(which is fine all of a sudden) for €200, and we have made it to Portugal in a Herz hire car. So all has not been lost, and I'm not having to sell my body to pay the bill. Thank you all once again for your comments and support. This certainly is a great forum, with a real sense of community. My first attempt at shedding weight is to try and find a more compact two man tent, with vestibule. Any ideas? Fox ps. The posh hotel was a wicked deal that Lucy found on the Internet whilst driving down. We don't normally roll that way, but it did somewhat take the sting out of the tail of the whole escapade. |
Excellent news Fox - its all going to be alright on the night then, so whens the party in Portugal ?.
Wheel build price i would have suggested £60 to £70 pound - they are removing the wheel from the bike then the tyre - putting it all back together then i think that 200 euro's a fair price actually. Really great to hear its working out good travels mate Skål Jake |
Good news all round then.
A decent two man tent is the Vango Omega 3: packs fairly small and about 6/7 kgs. I think. If you want/have to puy in Spain there's not much choice apart from Decathlon - although their stuff is very good these days - check out the 'Ultralite Pro' range. New on the scene is a shop called Wala but there are not too many of these yet. Otherwise you're i Alpine speciality stores - better get a mortgage and buy another property! BTW - you've had a great life swanning around India, a beautiful woman, a house Portugal - can I have some of those pills please :) Simon |
Thanks Skål and Simon
Just got back to Pamplona to check on progress. Parts are there and they were working on the wheel. Bike will be ready by 5pm tomorrow whoop!!! We just have a bit of shuffling to get the hire car back and collect the bike, but we're in a nice campsite just 7km from the bike shop in Iruna, so this should be fairly easy, and we will have a little time tomorrow to check out the sites in Pamplona, which will be nice. I do agree. The cost from the shop is about right. I'm relieved, one of the main reasons we travel by bike is because it's the only way we can afford to see so much. I'll have a look at those tents Simon. May save a few grams, and it all adds up. I also carry a pretty comprehensive tool kit which I'm loathed to cut down, but maybe I can saw the ends off my spanners :/ My life is good. I've suffered my fair share of knocks, and even recently I lost my home, business, dog, money and self esteem but you have to look at what you have left don't you? Travelling through Asia really puts things in perspective for me. Those children you see, living under a few leaves not knowing how they are going to eat from one day to the next, but still sporting a huge genuine smile when something good happens for them, like a mad Englishman turning up Proclaiming a big fat confident "Goodbye" in their native language, when he really means "Hello", then disaprearing in a cloud of burnt 4 stroke oil shouting "Hello hello!"... Simple things. Good times, and no one can take them away from you. I'm also very lucky to have a travelling companion that thinks the same. She smiles almost all of the time, and it's totally contagious. The party in Portugal was awesome. It consisted of pure unadulterated nature at 900m. Living for 3 days in a dome in the wilderness to a chorus of birdsong 24 hours a day, and the frogs chirping in for good measure. I'm pretty sure we are going to buy a plot here. It's mega cheap, and the locals are extremely welcoming. So I lost my house in the UK, but if you keep your head up, and your spirits high, opportunity will eventually come along and offer you a way up and beyond. Happy travels my friends. Fox |
Hi Foxy,
Great to hear from you and an inspiring tale you have to tell - i've sort of 'been there done that' myself but now I'm just an old bloke with pension panic . . . Meanwhile, have a look at the Omega 2 - one of the few 'two man' tents that actually lives up to the name - as long as you are reasonably lithe! At a pinch ours took two adults and two huskies - well almost, guess who slept out in the porch! Best wishes for the future - and look me up next time you're in the Pyrenees :) Regs Simon PS - my personal record was proudly proclaiming that I've visited all of the kidneys (riñones) in Spain - the word or course was rincones (corners in the sense of nooks and crannies) :) PPS the worst but as losing my lovely dog last year :( https://thespanishbiker.files.wordpr...luxmontsec.jpg |
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