What spare parts to take driving through Africa?
 

Hey everybody. Im in the stage of modifying my bike and was thinking about what spare parts are essential for me to take if I drive from Europe through Africa and back. Any suggestions?
Thanks

Kenny

What parts do you take going to work?

You should fix/replace those things that are 'going to fail' before you leave.

Those things that may ware out .. replace them too.

If you have things that even when new will fail/ware out before the trips end .. if they are light and small take them. If they are heavy/large then arrange to replace them somewhere along the way.

If you don't know what is going to fail/ware out ..

• if some expert you know may know, then seek their knowledge
• if unknown then stop worrying and go on your tip. Nothing you can do about it.

If you read the trip reports you'll find some failures. They all survived and had an experience that they otherwise would not have had. Failures can make the trip , not that anyone intends them.

If you listen to some you'll be carrying a complete replacement bike along with you. Don't do it. Makes the trip terrible. Less is more. The more stuff you take the more likely things are to fail as they will be working harder. The locals don't carry all those spares, same as you going to work. You rely on the local services, might take longer than 'at home' but that is what the locals would do. And your there to experience what the locals do.

The type of spares depends on how long the adventure is going to take, type and condition of the bike, etc.
If it is a big modern bike then it is less likely that you will find spares in Africa.
If I were you I would take spares like spare light bulbs, chain and sprockets, tyres or inner tubes, clutch and brake levers, clutch cable, some bolts and nuts, some wires and fuses.

It is true to say that failures can make the trip looks like a great adventure, but they can ruin a trip.
Few wisely chosen spares and tools shouldn't be like carrying another bike with you, but they can make the difference between a great and probably once in a life time big adventure and horrible one.

The locals in Africa don't ride the same kind of bikes as we do and they ride few miles to a place of work on cheap easy to fix Chinese bikes...they live there and know there, but you might be doing hundreds of miles a day, therefore might need spares that most likely won't be available in Africa.
In Mali I had a problem with the radiator fan and got a replacement in a few hours from an old scrapped branded big bike for £10, brackets didn't match but cable ties did the trick. For 10k miles I didn't need to use any of the other spares I was carrying.
In Nouakchott a traveller had a problem with a water pump and had to DHLs new one from Spain and waited for days to have it delivered.

Be prepared to have a spare for the items that are most likely to fail (not a radiator fan though).

Good luck.

Oilfilter(s), is your air filter washable? Do you need some special oil for it?
Sparkplugs and other parts from previous posts.
Most metal parts can be repaired over there (at least in Asia and latin america small shops can fix anything which is made from metal, in western world shops just replace them...).

A lot depends on WHICH bike you are riding. You have probably done research about your bike so hopefully you know it's weak areas and have addressed these issues first.

Obvious spares are things like Tires, tubes, chain, sprockets and are critical to onward travel. But as Warin said earlier ... you should renew or replace anything that is worn NOW, before your journey. If all is in 100% near new condition when you depart then you've likely eliminated many potential failures. Think wheel and head bearings, battery, cables,
brake pads, fluid, new chain/sprockets, new tires/tubes, all elec. perfect with no intermittent mysteries.

But a lot of this is speculation and IMO, the bike you choose, it's age and Kms.
are key in knowing how to prepare and which spares you carry. Also of importance is your mechanical ability. An experienced mechanic will have a far easier time diagnosing and repairing problems than a complete Noob.

Are you riding Solo or with partners? This too can shape your choices as sometimes parts and tools can be shared.

Good luck!
bier

I don't know which bike you're using or what parts of Africa you're heading for but when I've done the same sort of planning my priority has been to think about the bits that would stop me in my tracks.

So - things like can I fix a puncture in the middle of nowhere (spanners, tyre levers, tubes, patches, pump)

Will the bike start in the morning - good battery, wiring issues, electrical stuff like plugs.

Can I fix the likely result of a small "off" - levers (if they're not protected), a selection of nuts and bolts of different sizes. (if it's a big "off" it might be you that needs fixing more than the bike).

Are there any things specific to my bike that I ought to consider - if I was doing another long trip on a Honda XR600 for example I'd look very carefully at the kickstart area having had one snap off in Mauritania.

There are a whole range of things that give you some sort of warning before they cause problems - you can see tyres wearing out by eye and you can check the brake pads and air filter now and again to see how they're doing, as you can with the chain and sprockets. If you start off with all of those either new or in good condition you're unlikely to be left stranded at the side of the road and can plan replacements for when it's convenient.

You can always get bits sent out to you if something unexpected goes wrong and as others have said DHL seem to be the African couriers of choice. It's not a quick process though (you could be waiting weeks for the "paperwork" to be processed) and it might be a good idea to check out exactly how their system works before you go. Unless it's something specific to the bike though you'll be amazed how resourceful the locals can be and stuff you never thought you'd get can turn up if you just ask around.

Lastly, several times (over a very long period though) I've had bits sent out only for them to be the wrong part when they arrive. That's what comes of trying to describe the part you need to a UK (in my case) dealer over a crackly phone line. Take a parts book or similar (on a USB stick is easiest) and make sure someone you trust has the same book back home. They can act as spares liaison and let you know what's happening.

It's a good idea to arrange in advance with vendors in Europe who will ship any needed parts to Africa. Having an established vendor contact who knows what you're doing and is prepared to help is much better than dealing with a random person if you get stuck.

Also consider vendors in South Africa -- they will ship north and shipping costs can be less than from Europe.

Shipments can go to a DHL office... they exist in many larger African cities... and you pick up there. Be prepared to do some negotiating on customs fees, though.

A boss at Congo-Brazzaville customs wanted me to fork over $600 USD to release a tire I'd had shipped in. Got him down to $20 with patience and good humor. :thumbup1:

Couple of other tips -- a steel reusable oil filter saves you from worrying about spares. Loctite EVERYTHING with the blue medium-strength Loctite. Not sure if anyone mentioned it, but fastening spare clutch and throttle cables right atop the cables in use is a good way to carry them.

I carry spare cables, spare levers for clutch/brake and shifter, good selection of fuses, spare headlight bulb, spare sparkplugs, spare tubes, brake pads and duplicates of every key for bike and lockables.

Of course you want to start out with new or lightly used chain and sprockets, they should last to Namibia or South Africa, where all manner of parts can be had.

There is something to be said for the bikes that locals are riding...

I had a clutch blow completely exactly between Noahdibou and Noakchott, which is 250km from anywhere in the only African country that doesn't use motorcycles. A terrible place to break down for any bike, but with a CG125 it was relatively painless. The small bike fit easily into the back of a passing van, and once in Noakchott I was able to locate a new set of clutch discs and have it installed by a mechanic. The whole ordeal cost me about 50 euro for parts, labor and towing and about 8 hours of my time (6 of which were spent in the van making the trip).

On an adventure bike any serious issue like that would likely have cost ten times that amount and involved at best a week or two waiting in Noakchott.

But to actually answer your question:
Spare cables, spare plugs, some electrical wire, some JB quick weld, some safety wire, duct-tape, some zipties, a tube, a patch kit. That stuff all packs really small but will get you out of most common roadside issues.

Along with trying to determine what parts are worth the weight and space you should also know where you can get the part you need and service in Africa. South Africa is going to have what you need so get email address of dealer there that could assist. There are also those places that deal with travelers and do repairs such as Jungle Junction in Nairobi that will know where to get parts. Only once have I had the part I needed, (wheel bearings) so I suggest you plan on how to get what you need and carry less.

Bob

parts
 

Wheel bearings , sprockets, fork seal , spark plug , fuel filter , clutch cable , tubes if used , chain if special size . Anything can be found or order but at least with that you should be going . I use washable oil filter and air filter .

Depending on your bike. I used a chain set after 25.000 km but did not need the spare tires i carryed, because one can buy new Mitas E07 in Southafrica. I was able to buy new normal size wheel bearings everywere and oil as well but if you dont want to use your old filter again you have to bring your own filter...

http://afrikamotorrad.de/?report=en_transafrika

Tobi's post above reminds me of something very important for riders:
Know your continent and know WHAT parts for your bike may be available in the area you plan to ride in.

Meeting other riders along the route is a GREAT resource for knowledge regards finding things like tires, sprockets, chain, bearings. Take notes and refer to them often. TALK to those you meet, pick their brains about parts, Hostels, sites ... whatever. :thumbup1:

As Tobi mentions, bearings are pretty much for sale nearly anywhere there is a good sized city. But specific bike parts, not so much. But sometimes there is just ONE GUY in some little shop in some town that just happens to stock certain parts. Also, sometimes you may find a guy who is really good at ordering parts and getting them through customs (a major hurdle for many).
That is the guy you want to contact!

Finding out about these sources is key! So reading current ride reports from those who have gone before you is always useful. bier