GS 1200 brake pads in Morocco

[gands2up]

OK I know I should have maybe put new pads in before setting off but there looked to be plenty of life in em' however, Dakar and back has the front pads almost down to the rivets! I am in Ouarzazate at the moment and trying all the usual routes: Smeia BMW in Casablanca (awaiting reply to email) tomorrow I will try Peter at Bikershome (think he's out and about somewhere) other than that maybe someone knows an alternative to gingerly riding north to get them replaced! Please don't all scream at once telling me what I should have done, I feel daft enough without your encouragement. Cheers: stupid

 

[Fanum]

As you head out of town on the N9 in the direction of Ait Benhaddu, you'll come to a large roundabout with a 70s stylee cinema tribute in the middle (there's always a Police presence there, usually with speed cameras so watch out )

Turn back on yourself to the right as if you're heading to the airport, then take the first left (may well be signposted Cimmetierre)
On your left along that road, you'll see the old town cemetary...opposite that, there is a shantytown of workshops....it's not huge, but they are crammed in there!

(Take a look on google sat maps and you'll find it easily)

In that mess of workshops are at least two places where they repair the brakes on the taxis and buses.......they will cut brake linings to size and attach (epoxy glue I think, but I honestly don't know) them to the pads.......or for 3 quid, one of the metal workers there will fab up some more pads which the brake guys will stick materiel to, so you can keep your originals.

I know it sounds extreme, but it's the Moroccan way.......they don't buy new pads/shoes, they just get them re-lined

Peter isn't showing up online tonight, which does usually mean he's away, but Zineb will help you deal with BMW Casablanca......you will be able to get a set of pads delivered overnight on the trucks for about 200DH. (no idea on pad price though, that's just the delivery)

There are also two KTM dealers in Casa......the official one and another independent one.....the indy one deals with a load of other makes and has had fork seals in for GSs before now......the guy there is Spanish but is utterly fluent in English as well.....I'm afraid the name of the place escapes me but Zineb will know it.

Good luck

 

[Tim Cullis]

Contact information for Moto Plus in Casablanca

The pads are used on quite a wide variety of BMW bikes so hopefully can be sourced quite easily. EBC's part number is FA335.

 

[gands2up]

Hi Fanum and Tim, don't know if the photo will work but basically it shows the repair to the worn disk. On closer inspection only one pad was down to the metal. Turns out corrosion on the calliper prevented the pad being pushed onto the disk so the other one took all the wear, I called in to see Hussain at Motoaventures in Ouarzazate before heading to the industrial estate as Fanum suggested, and in five minutes he'd despatched his lad on his moped. He came back an hour later with a new lump of pad glued onto the old backing plate, doesn't look pretty but after 15 minutes sanding it down on the footpath it was back in the calliper! All for the princely sum of 20 dirhams (less than 2 quid) As is often the case in the so called developing world resourcefulness is a way of life.
Thanks again for the support and advice, heading north tomorrow. Job sorted.
Graham
On the road again....Sing it with me Shrek!!

 

[Tim Cullis]

Nice solution.

 

[Fanum]

Fantastic

Still, change the pads the second you can for new ones.......gawd knows how what compound they glued on there, but you can guarantee it won't wear at the same rate as the other one

This is one of the reasons I love Morocco and similar places......just imagine going into a workshop in Britain and asking them to fabricate up a brake pad for you