Blown rear shock in Belize!!
 

Hello everyone
Does anyone have any recommendations for bike shops in Belize or Guatemala who could either rebuild or supply a new rear shock?
I'm waiting to hear from Hagons in london as to whether or not they'll post out a repair kit under warranty, but the shock has been so poor I'd rather buy something else if I could.
The bike's an Aprilia Pegaso. Any ideas?
Paddy

Can you ride the bike? :helpsmilie::helpsmilie::helpsmilie:

Hi Paddy
Not sure if this info will help, but a few years ago my rear shock on my GS collapsed in Zambia, so bad that the rear end was way down. I bought some thick rubber blocks, and cut pieces to put it inbetween the coils of the coil spring. It was not fixed, but it took me home down to Cape Town.
If you have a contact in Mexico where you can get a new/other shock, I'll pick it up and bring it down for you, as I'm on my way to Belize, and plan to be there in about a 10 days time(max). I'm near Veracruz at the moment, and can find out here for you if you want, but then you will have to hang around and wait for the 'delivery'.

Just let me know. . . .

Johan

Good news and thanks!
 

Thank you for the replies guys, especially Johan for your offer. The great news is that Alf Hagon has said that they are going to post a replacement unit straight to me!! Customer service is alive and well. I'm only going to get hit for the duties, which is great!! I'll keep you all posted as to whether or not they are as good as their word!
If not, I may be in touch Johan in the next few days, because there are Aprilia dealers in Mexico. Watch this space....
Paddy

That's great news Paddy :D :thumbup1::thumbup1::thumbup1:

Ok Paddy

I'm currently with biker friends near Veracruz city, and will be with them untill sunday. Plan to leave from here on Monday, to take 6 or 7 days to get to Orange Walk in Belize.
The offer is still on, just let me know and I can even try and get a secondhand shock from a BMW or anything else that might fit your bike. I'm sure my biker friends will have some contacts that might be usefull.
Let us know and 'enjoy' hanging around in Belize, we (My wife and I) might see you down there. We waited 3 weeks in Nairobi (Kenya) when my bike's wiring harness melted! It can be awfull, or an interesting time exploring the erea, depends what you make of it, but I'm sure you know this.

Johan

Don't forget about your permits
 

Say Paddy,

I am sure you are on this but just in case it slips your mind, make sure you keep an eye on your import permit and tourist permit expiry dates. If you exceed them you could have quite a hassel. Best to see if you can extend them due to the breakdown before they expire.

My wife and I are currently in Panama and will be turning around, heading back north towards Belize in the next few weeks. Perhaps we can meet up.

Keep us apraised of your progress with your shock.

Cheers,

Thanks again to all.
The good news is that the new unit is in transit, and with a much stronger spring! The bad news is that they sent it without value written on th eoutside of the box so it was returned!! Now it's due to arrive on the 26th Jan, well over my temporary time allowed for the bike, so I'm going to head for Belmopan and sort out an extension. Part of me had thought that no one would notice when I exit to Guatemala, but I suppose that's wishful thinking....
Hagon want to see the old unit for R&D purposes, so I'm afraid I can't sell it here.
It's a mild inconvenience being stuck here, but it has at last stopped raining and after all a new free shock is a new free shock!!
Paddy:thumbup1:

Good luck,
Ride safe! :scooter:
:scooter::scooter::scooter:

Hi Paddy

Good to hear you are sort of sorted out.
We're on our way down now, currently in Palenque, Mex, and should be in Orange Walk in about 4-5days. Maybe we can meet somewhere?

I'm struggling to buy Malaria tablets here in Mexico, nobody seems to know about preventitive meds for Malaria. I'm hoping to get some in Belize, where people could understand a bit of English (I hope).
Cheers

Johan

About malaria pills in Mexico
 

Johan, I managed to get some anti-malarials in Mexico, but it also took a long time before anyone knew what I meant.
I got ARALEN 150mg, so I just take 2 weekly. Aralen is cloroquina, but it is cheap and, I believe, effective. (I hope..). 30pesos for 3 months worth.
Everything in Belize costs a small fortune, but best of luck!
About the shock-
Well it arrived, and it cost me 242 Bz$ to get it out of customs!!! About £85!!
It wasn't set up at all, so the bike sat so low the sidestand couldn't be used. I took it out again (because you can't adjust it in situ) and wound the spring up so it's not so bad now.
Still, I had two extra weeks in Belize...:thumbup1:
Paddy