Yamaha DT 125 for southern africa--advice needed
 

i plan to do a tour from tanzania thru mozambique, SA, namibia, botswana, zambia, malawi and back to tanzania. i'll be on my brother's yamaha dt-125, an old but reliable two-stroke. if you've got experience with this bike, or two-stroke touring, will this machine make it? will i have problems finding fuel? what large-size tank shall i fit to it? any help is greatly appreciated, rob

As long as the bike is in good condition, and you don't try and run it too fast, it will do very well.

Fuel is no problem, it should run on anything available in SA. Good two-stroke oil is more likely to be the problem, I don't know the availability of that in the area - never noticed!

You CAN run any motor oil, but at a higher mix ratio. That bike has an oil pump which is adjustable, so if need be you could crank it up a bit. Be sure you know how - wouldn't want to turn it down!

Note that if you do run motor oil, you'll foul spark plugs frequently. Take half a dozen spares. Plugs is about all that goes wrong on those.

Unlikely you'll find a larger tank for it - just carry a fuel can or two tied on securely somewhere safe. Fill when needed.

Make sure it has a newish chain and sprockets, and piston and rings are in very good condition - even consider a rebore if in doubt before leaving. Carrying a spare piston, rings, circlips, and small end bearing is not unreasonable. A bit of sandpaper will clean up the bore adequately if the worst happens. A spare clutch and front brake lever isn't a bad idea too. They tend to snap pretty easily.

Have fun, it's perfect for the real back country roads - super light and handles well.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Good on ya mate! A person after my own heart. See the link to see why we are using little two-smokes for our trip. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000016.html
The DT is a nice little bike but sometimes prone to big end bearing troubles if ridden hard, especially on bad oil. Take it easy and they last well. Travel light. Clean the air filter often. Burn out the exhaust system before you go with oxy-acetylene (ask me if you want details on how to do it), and clean it out about every 15,000km or more often if you are using cheap oil. Lube the cables and carry spares. Buy the best chain you can afford, lubricate it every day. Grant had good advice. Take advantage of the bike light weight and abilities and follow little trails and paths often. I am envious, and I wish you well!

Kind regards

Nigel in NZ

--"Have you hugged your bike today?"--

hey all, thanks a ton for the information. i've spoken to my bro in tanzania, and he says the tires are new, though a tank bag or a pannier system is yet to be devised.

so, suggestions for a larger tank, and pannier system? i'll be in europe before heading to tanzania, so i could get stuff there...

nigel, thanks for the GREAT information on two-strokes and your travel strategies....i'll think on it hard. i'll be in italy may through september of this year, so let me know if your travels take you thru europe when i'm there. to tanzania oct 1 for the big ride! yee-haw! hell, if bush wins the election in november, i might just stay in africa or europe! ugh....thanks much for more info, rob

Nice choice of bike Rob. There are thousands of them around that part of Africa as most of the Aid organisations use them, so there should be spares around if needed. I thrashed a little suzuki 125 around there a few years back. Tanzania was worst for finding 2 stroke oil and I used what the local boys do, car mineral oil, without any problems. I will follow grants advice next time and richen up the oil pump a bit tho.
As far as petrol is concerned I recomend working out the fuel consumption, probably about 20km to a litre at worst. Then when your way out in the bush just making it a habit of asking in nearly every village where the next petrol is. If you see a bike riding about then you know there will be at least a grocery store to get some.
You can use the strong vegetable oil plastic cans to suppliment supply on known long stretches. Or you could do a cut and weld job on the tank maybe. Cut the sides of and have extra width welded in. Definately only if you can find a REAL welding shop, not one of those sun glasses instead of welding mask places.
As for paniers, maybe just get a couple of light frames welded and fitted in Tanz. and take some canvas bags to fit on them.
Your going to enjoy useing that little smoker. Hope you take photos and put them on the web.

Nigel, when are you heading out, do you have the date set yet?

Andy

[This message has been edited by andygray (edited 13 May 2004).]

Hi Andy. The trip has been delayed for a bit due to domestic reasons.... but it will happen. I still feel th TS185 is the bike to do it and more than ever am leaning to soft panniers as the go. Heavy cordura or similar with a layer of steel mesh ( as you can buy to cover a backpack) between layers of material. I think they will be better at absorbing any accident damage without transfering it to the bike frame. I day-dream about details such as this!
Regarding using ordinary mineral oil if you are short of two-smoke oil, be aware that SOMETIMES mixing mineral and two-stroke oils can cause the two to coagulate. Don't ask me how I know... :-( One of the TS185s is apart now with a top end seize. Two stroke oils are designed to be compatible, but only with other two-stroke oils. You really should drain the tank before adding another completely different type of oil.

Regards

Nigel in NZ

--"How can I be lost if I don't care where I am?"--

Hi Nigel
Thanks for the info on mixing oils, I learn from your experience.(2 stroke top end repairs are done while waiting for the coffee to cool ;-)) Panier idea is great although the price of the back pack netting over here is a bit off putting.
Seem to of picked up a semi siezing 6th gear noise on the 125s lately but other than that they still run good. It would be nice to see the suzukis meet up sometime, enjoy the planning and see you on the road.
Andy

Yamaha DT 125cc
 

How did the trip go? Did the Yamaha DT perform?:D