I had a productive morning, I jet washed the bike, brought oil and at 12.30 I started servicing the bike, ok I wasn’t in a workshop but waste land (the hotel called it their car park). I had some spares, oil filter etc so by about 2.30 when the heavens opened I had just about finished phase 1. A local guy walked me into town to find WD40, well the Turkish equivalent and I started to try and find the fault. I checked and tightened bolts and electrical connections and I was thinking I’m just guessing and wished I was a mechanic then as I delved deeper into the bike taking it apart I noticed the throttle cable was down to one thread where it connects to the air intake valve. I’m amazed it hadn’t snapped there must have only been a few miles left in it before it would have. Up a a mountain in the rain with this problem, no thanks.
My preparation paid off, under my seat I had wound a new throttle cable just for this eventuality. So, I worked my way through how to change the cable and after more dismantling I did it. I tentatively put the key in the ignition, it started and then twist the throttle, it was perfect, so responsive and sounded great. I was the proudest man in Ardahan at that moment.
As I revved the bike the men from the surrounding shops came out to check my progress as they had been doing all day, they could see from my beaming smile and the fact that I jumped for joy with my arms stretched high that I had won:)
At 5.30 just as I completed packing my tools away it started raining.
As my friends will tell you I’m no mechanic, prior to preparing the Dakar the last time I worked on an engine was many years ago when I had all sorts of old cars when I wasn’t teenager.
Some days ‘it’s all about the people’ other days ‘it’s all about the riding’ today ‘it was all about being a mechanic’.
I found the beer shop Graham told me about, I deserved this one.
My only hope is that the problem I cured was the problem I encountered yesterday? Tomorrow as I ride away I’ll find out!
Felt amazing
4 Responses
SOUNDS LIKE YOUR HAVING A CRACKING TIME DAN,WILL FOLLOW YOU NOW ON YOUR BLOG AND STOP TEXTING ,WELL DONE WITH CHANGING THE THROTTLE CABLE PAL,HOPE YOU DONT FORGET TO CHANGE YOUR SKIDS TOO !!! TAKE CARE PAL
Well done Dan, its amazing what you can do when you have to. When you get back you might get a job as a service engineer.
Keep smiling everywhere you go and you wont have any problems
Jeff
Dan, reading blog eagerly every day, loving it. Well done with the servicing. I am just so happy that you are doing what you have planned for so long. Miss you lots. Mum x
Dan only just picked up your blog, well done mate! Good read so far and admire you for taking up this challenge! I look forward to reading more, take care. Tony