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 !

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

Africa is the best, no doubt.

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.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

Cheers again for the replies !!

That's the thing with chain and sprockets isnt it ! It can be quite a lottery. I've made space for them now so they can come on along. The sprockets are invisibly ziptied under my rear rack. Chain and tubes in my "new" fender bag.

Stainless oil filter... I should of thought of that !!!! Too late now though, I leave in a week.

Bearings.. yes, bearings are bearings are bearings. I buy mine from a local bearing manufacturere. Many peope thing they're bike specific. The wheel bearings on the DRZ are brand new. I think they will make it ! I'll see if there's space left when im all packed up. They are little as you say !

I forgot how crazy T-minus 7 days was !!!

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

Ted,

Best wishes for a great trip, we're all jealous! You are certainly well planned and well prepared, have the time of your life and post lots from the road so we can follow along. Ride safe.

I'll do my best dude !! Fingers crossed I make it to the ferry

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

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 !

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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.

on my f650 twin, the stock cz525 & sprockets lasted 40,000km. in africa, with the scottoiler, i reckon a DID is gonna smoke that. i replaced the chain & sprockets with a DID & have done 25k since & they still look new, even though i am complacent with chain lube. i think you will know far far in advance if you need new sprockets. i'd rather carry a section of chain & fix a breakage. new chain is too heavy.

def bring tubes. i haven't seen any suitable here. even if you found an 18" tube (17" impossible) its gonna be too narrow.

the proper oil filters are worth bringing. i need a new one now & consensus on ADV is use the recommended because there are too many variables on spec.

i have serious doubts about slime in the tyres... too messy. you're not gonna have the water to clean this up on the side of the road.

i ran diesel oil in my f650 twin coz it was all i could find (and i had two gaping holes in the sump where 2.8 of 2.9L of 10w40 had leaked out). i think the whole oil debate is bullshit. if you're changing oil every 1500km i wouldn't stress the grade. just buy from a Total, Mobil (egypt) or shell/oil libya service station and she'll be right.

plugs, sure. i reckon on the f800 unless you are really shit in sand, the clutch kit isn't worth the space.

i wouldn't trust DHL to khartoum... my package is still lost somewhere in russia. for what its worth - spend a couple of days looking for parts locally. find the local bikers and ask them what is available. you will be surprised. i found electric submersible fuel pumps for my 650 twin in every big town i looked (khartoum, addis, tanga).

enjoy the trip.
d