Need a new chain/sprocket setup in Punta Arenas & a mechanic in Ushuaia
 

Hi everyone!

I finally made it to Ushuaia!

Now I'm looking for two things:
1) A mechanic in Ushuaia that can let me borrow the tool to tighten my steering bearings, or do it for me.
2) A place in Punta Arenas where I can buy a high quality DID chain and sprocket set (and have it installed) for my V-Strom 650. My chain has 36,000km on it now and is deformed as one part is tighter than the other... and I'm on my last adjustment mark on the swing-arm.
2.5) If the steering bearings are shot, ideally a place to buy those in Punta Arenas.

Many thanks in advance! And thank you to everyone who was patient enough to answer my noob-ass questions as I turned this trip from a dream into reality. Thank you Horizons Unlimited!
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Here's what I posted on Facebook and I thought I'd share it here as well since I don't have a ride report and this forum has been so helpful to me in making the journey happen and arriving here safely.

"Finally made it to Ushuaia, Argentina from Seattle Washington, USA today, March 18th, 2013. 576 days since I started, 1 year, 6 months, 26 days. I've visited 14 countries (all of Central America plus Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile & Argentina).

In terms of the bike: I drove about 26,500 miles which included 2 front tires, 4 rear tires. 6 oil changes. Fell off the bike about 30 times. Luggage rack broke and re-welded 5 times. The transmission died on an off-road road in Mexico and trucked to La Paz where it was replaced. Battery died and replaced in Bolivia.

All my electronics broke in one way or another (Kindle screen, laptop hard drive, GPS buttons, cell phone screen, camera died, Chinese GoPro video cameras died).

This has been the trip of a lifetime. I am so lucky to have had this opportunity to see so much of the world on a motorcycle. I'm I've met amazing people.

I've eaten amazing food (tacos, asados, estufados, cochanita pibil in Mexixo).

And I've pushed myself to do new things I've never done (climbing Cotapaxi in Ecuador at 5890 meters, 11 days in the Bolivian jungle, 8 days trekking in the mountains of Peru on the Huayhuash trek), and serving as a deckhand on a sailing vessel through all the locks of the Panama Canal.

Now I'll be headed home on Rosie the V-Strom, but first there's there's Torres del Paine, Buenos Aires, Uruguay, Brazil and Venezuela). Here's to the adventures ahead!"

I will re-state the obvious: you need a chain right now, not a long day's drive from now. Throwing a chain while riding is a potential game-ender. 525 chains should not be difficult to find, even if you need to have one shipped into Ushuaia.

Your sprockets might represent a problem, of course. In the longer term, you need to get ahead of the curve on your maintenance, anticipating dire need before it becomes dire. In the short term, I hope you're able to find what you need in Ushuaia or Punta Arenas.

Arooni, I gave you info about this on another forum.

The HUBB has a very useful section for mechanical desires and help, Gonzalo is very helpful, if not as fast as you would always want.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...as-chile-19683

and

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...rgentina-31769

Arooni,

Check out Alejandro - good bloke, speaks English. I dropped by in urgent need of a rear tire and his dad (Roberto I think) sorted me out.

Alejandro Lago
Street Ona 0471
Punta Arenas
S 53°08.792'
W 70°53.816'
mobile +56-96401233
phone +56-61212737
email: alelago[at]123.cl

Good luck.

Moto Suppliers in Ushuaia and Southern Patagonia
 

Hi Arooni,

congrats on making your trip

I was down in Ushuaia a month ago and was in your same situation trying to find a few bits and pieces. As you would expect general motorbike spares are in short supply. You just have to be lucky for certain parts as to who has what and what may fit.


I just wrote a post about the moto parts suppliers in the region

on

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-ushuaia-69552



good luck

Dom