Ted,

I think I'd want easy fix but "show stopper" spares with me.

Tubes and patches
Wheel bearings
Chain and sprockets (a couple of fronts)
Air filter
Oil filters.
Spark plug

If I was needing to strip the engine down I think I'd be willing to wait for spares to be sent out to me.

I have a full puncture kit.... Tubes are going on the maybe list. there is very little you can fit on a DRZ400 !!

I have sprockets, they're ziptied to the subframe ! There is a new set on so im hoping just one change will do it (I have a scottoiler)

Airfilter yes, oil filters yes, spark plug yes !! Wheel bearings No, they're new too and bearings are bearings at the end of the day. I doubt i wont be able to get them somewhere if I need to.

The engine spares and stator concern me ! These DRZ's don't last... Many of them fail on such a trip (why am I using it again???) I think they will have to stay at home though.

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

I'm only going by what I've had fail on me. I had a rear wheel bearing fail that had only done about 40 hours. A bearing and seal kit doesn't weigh much or take up a lot of space.

I don't envy the situation you are in as far as what to take and what to leave and still have a bike that's light enough to move under it's own power.

Regards

BYT

You will probably have a stop in Nairobi and service the bike.
The post-system in Kenya works pretty good and you can send parts poste-restante through the ordinary post-system (cheaper then DHL). When you are in Addis Abbeba check the bike and ask your sister to ship the parts you need to Nairobi.
If you bring your Carnet to the post-office you don't need to pay tax for the parts. Just remember that packages doesn't show up at the main post-office (like letters do).
From Norway a package to Nairobi usually takes less then two weeks.

It's also possible to get thing shipped to Dar Es Salam but it is a hassle to "reduce" tax.

What parts you need depends on your bike and route. Right now it's possible to drive to Cape Town with only 500kms offroad, and less then 20kkms total, but it's also possible to extend it with many thousands kms offroad.
If you want to leave the main-route you need to be self-sufficient or enjoy walking.

In "chain vs cardan discussions" some people claim that a chain and sprocket will last far longer then your planned distance but I would have carried a set of sprockets (at least the front) and some links and locks for the chain.
It might be possible to get a chain in Nairobi or from the dirt bike guys in Malawi or maybe from the police in Zambia (they have F650).
From Zambia you can even take the buss to Johannesburg to buy parts.

This incident killed 10-15 links on my chain:


As MountainMan says it's close to impossible to find decent tubes and tires but IMHO you have to bring a set of spare tubes and if you change tires in Nairobi you should be okay.

Well i've "modified" my luggage. I've converted a seat lock bag to mount on my front mudgaurd. Works well and fits the chain and two tubes. I'll probably stuff the old wheel bearings in there too as they were still good when I changed them.

Cheers for the info Alibaba ! It's been takenn on board

fyi, the DRZ needs an oil change every 1000-1500 miles !! I've no issues on mechanics. I can strip and rebuild the whole engine from their component nuts and bolts if need be.

I'm going to try and persuade my travel partner to carry some spares too. Also on a DRZ I have ALL the tools which are the heaviest part of my luggage but he's carrying the notebook, video camera etc etc !

I think he got the long straw !!

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

That will be something like 10 oil-changes (or 20 for both bikes), do you change filter(s) every time?

Every 2-3 oil changes. Im taking 5 filters ! They're only "ickle"

Highway miles are less harsh on oil than dirt biking so I'll probably go to 1500 miles on the road. But without knowing what type of oil is about, i'll probably be only doing 1000 miles if the quality isnt great.

Having NEVER ridden in Africa before, this is all rather new to me !

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

You are one prepared dude, Ted You should be able to negotiate free merely for being the go to mechanic for the trip. A a day shoulds like a fair starting point...

In regards to wheel bearings, I don't know about the size that fits your bike, but as a general suggestion about bearings one can take the details and make a quick call to an industrial bearing place and see if it is a commonly occuring size for industrial uses. If in the off chance it is, you stand a very good chance of finding replacements in places like Cairo, Khartoum, Addis, Dar, and Nairobi. I was looking for a fork seal and the oil seal and bearing shops are attached or close by so can attest that you can track down a pretty decent selection of industrial bearings with Nairobi probably being the best of that lot. If a person is lucky, one can perhaps avoid the need to carry spare bearings.

As for oil filters, again can't say for your bike but on one of the user forums they had a list of equivalent filters that would fit from automobile manufacturers and after market manufacturers and for the DL1000, there was at least 10. Again, if lucky, can be somewhat reassuring to know that you can access backups if need be.

Have a great ride.

What's the availability of imported good quality oil (thinking Castrol car oil) over there?

You can look at stainless filters. I use them on my travel bikes. All good so far. My maintenance schedule says it needs new oil every 6000km.

As for sprocket and bearings. Although I understand taking some, I probably wouldn't. My chain and sprockets are nearing 20kkm and has had only 1 adjustments. Use ATF to lube. Bearings are still good OEM, but I'd change all this over before I leave.

__________________
Tacos Tyring Travels.com

Glad we are meeting you guys on the Ferry to Egypt then

We will be putting "Slime" in our tubes, but also taking the following spares:

spare 21/17 tubes, puncture repair kit, 4 x 6204-2RS bearings, F800GS Clutch kit (plates and springs), clutch cable, got fairly new chain and sprockets, just taking a spare front sprocket, hope the chain last, its a 525.

Air filter, 2 x oil filters, will fit new brake pads, but will take some spare as well and upper bolt for the F800GS rear shock, known to bend.

I think that is it ... plan to be in Venice quite early on the 23rd of Sept ready for boarding ... see you guys there !

__________________
--
London to Cape Town 2010 - http://bit.ly/uk2za

You'll be able to recognise me as ill be the one wearing the T-shirt with "The trip mechanic is out to lunch" T-shirt

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