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XT600 Moto Maintenance for Meanderings to Morocco XT600 Moto Maintenance for Meanderings to Morocco
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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 16 Nov 2007
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Hello Alison

Being also non technical, I would have the bike serviced before the trip, then take off and enjoy yourselves!

Mechanics and other workers in Morocco have a real 'can do' attitude to fixing things, so your only worry is getting to the nearest town. I've done more than 2000 miles offroad in Morocco, mainly on 1200GS and 1200GSA and the only time I had a problem with a flat tyre was on my XR400, so I'd suggest you stick heavy duty tubes in your tyres.

Goufre Friouato: N34 06.102 W4 04.252
Cascades d'Ouzoud: N32 00.847 W6 43.143

Tim
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Old 16 Nov 2007
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Thanks for the info Tim. I will be picking your brains quite a lot over the coming months not only about routes etc but I think we're going to have to bite the bullet and get a Garmin. I've had a look at yours and Olaf's site and others - plenty of stuff for the Garmins but nothing for the Tom Tom.

Our plan is to leave straight after the HU meeting next year which has been tentatively booked for the third weekend in September. Hans, Bodo, Leo, Andy and I were talking about doing the trip together and I hope that will still happen. I hope Mike will also be able to join us. And the colourful Ted Magnum has said he'd like to tag along. Our plan is to travel during the day with our usual partners then meet up again along the route in the evenings. I know you recommended avoiding Ramadam, but it looks like this will be the only time we're able to go next year.

Btw, if you have any photos of Moto Andalucia, can you send them to me please. Many thanks. And you never did get round to telling me what happened to you in May???
Last edited by Dakota; 19 Nov 2007 at 09:37. Reason: Typo
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  #3  
Old 16 Nov 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
Hello Alison


Mechanics and other workers in Morocco have a real 'can do' attitude to fixing things,
Tim
Very true.

If you want to learn about the bike I suggest a Heyns manual or similar with step by step instructions. Parts diagrams will tell you nothing if you are not mechanically minded.
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  #4  
Old 16 Nov 2007
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Hi Alison,
The Moroccan trip in 2008 sounds a great caper that we're keen to join you on, the only problem we may have is that Sue currently works at a school and they are really inflexible with her when it comes to taking holidays during term time, but one or both of us are definitely up for at least part of the trip so we'll see how it pans out closer to the time. I'm booked on an evening course in motorcycle mechanics at Reading tech in january, OK Readings at bit far for you to come but anything in Malaga? Also when I was looking into a course like this I found that a couple of my local bike dealers ran a similar thing - I've always found that being shown is easier than learning from a book.
Cheers Mike PS I've just calculated that the least expensive hotel that we stayed at was £1.82 each per night ( nr Tizi-n-Test pass ) The tent can definitely stay at home next year !!!
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Old 19 Nov 2007
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Hi Mike

Good to hear from you and thanks for the email with all the photos, you look like you had a fantastic time in Morocco. I hope you can both join us next year - will it be the GS or XT next time?? Andy insists on taking the tents with us because he wants to sleep under the stars, but those cheap hotels sound tempting.

If my Spanish was better I would try and find a course in Malaga. At least I know what a maneta de embrague/maneta izquierada (clutch lever/left lever) is after dropping the Tricker last week! My next option is to ask my mechanic (or rather his boss) if I can watch/help them service my bike next time. I'm still trying to figure out how to access the spark plug on the XT without taking the petrol tank off (I'm sure you can with the right tools).

If you join us and Ted comes along too, I won't need to learn anything - we'll have 2 mechanics with us !!
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Old 19 Nov 2007
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As long as my XT makes it back from South America in one piece, ill be joining you for your meeting next year.

Bit of a wait I know, but id happily instruct and show you how to work on your XT.

The ONLY way to learn to maintain your bike is actually doing it under a watchful eye.

The basics are very easy with just a little patience and common sense.

Our XT's are very easy to work on. I think I could have you adjusing your own valves within a couple of hours.

By the way, Morroco sounds wonderful... I would love to do that after the meeting.
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  #7  
Old 20 Nov 2007
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Hiya Dakota. tyre troubles over
Hiya, I have posted this before, and I will post it again.
its wonderfull stuff.
Ultraseal Tire Sealant

I am in no way affiliated to it apart from being a user.....oooooooer!
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  #8  
Old 20 Nov 2007
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spark plug out without taking tank off XT
well, it is possible, if you have the right tool i suppose, but the tank and the side scoops come so low over the engine, that with practice it doesnt take long to get the seat, scoops, tank, panels n stuff off.
I can get the carburettors off my XT in less ten minutes and that includes removing seat, scoops, panels, tank, battery and battery box and the rubber inlets from the airbox to carbs. then again I have done this about 20 times in the last few weeks sorting out rough running and rebuilding the carbs.

the easiest way to learn dakota is to do.

study a haynes manual or a clymer or the manual on your website.
start by doing easy stuff, remove all the panels and tank and remove say the coil, clean it, put it back on, check the connections, start the bike........ she runs? good!
now put the rest of the panels back on......... its the easiest way to learn.

even better find a competent home mechanic who is also a biker and works on their own bike and ask them to watch over you as you do say an oil change on your bike.

best wishes for the spanner wielding!

and one more thing..really important! make sure you use the correct size allen key/screwdriver or spanner, im not being funny....honestly, a screwdriver that is too small or a pozidriv in a phillips will knacker the screw head. you can use a phillips in a pozidrive but not the other way round ( mind you there arent usually pozi screws on a bike but use a pozi driver on a phillips headed screw and your asking for grief) same with allen keys, make sure they are nice n snug fit. when choosing sockets 6 sided are better than 12 sided, thay dont slip and avoid cheap spanners. try to use ring rather than open ended or use combination ( ring and open ended on same spanner, both say 13mm or 10mm etc) the ring end to crack it open or tighten and the open end to quickly undo it.
Martyn

and dont forget the ultraseal for the tyres............ its so much better than repairing punctures in a tubed tyre!
Last edited by Martynbiker; 20 Nov 2007 at 21:40.
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