Preping a bike in readyness for a trip

[Whele]

I am starting to get my 05 Dakar organised for a loooonnnng holiday.

Although it’s only done 5,000 miles it has been a hard life with about 2000 of those miles off road. I want to get new headstock and wheel bearings fitted in the next few weeks, so I have a few of questions.

Would you recommend looking around for alternative bearings or go with BMW units as replacements?

Would you recommend replacing the swing arm bearings at this time? Are they bushes or bearings? (in the swing arm)

Can anybody recommend a good mechanic or garage to carry out the work around Berkshire/Oxfordshire?

Apart from a few comfort accessories (seat/pegs/screen) the tyres, chain, sprockets and brake pads have recently been replaced, what other bits would you recommend replacing in order to tackle an 8,000-mile journey in 3 continents?

 

[Fanum]

You're going to replace those beaings after only 5k miles???

Er.......



Is there a particular reason???

The journey you're planning isn't a big deal in terms of GS or F650 terms...it'll only take the bike to 13k.....unless you have symptoms of dodgy bearings already (in which case it's a clear warrenty case anyway) I'd say what you're planing to do is severe overkill

My preparation for a 5k trip done in 8 days on a 30k 1150 (witha fair number of off road and river crossing miles) was to check the oil, tyres and to pack my skiddies

 

[VAL. H.]

Can anybody recommend a good mechanic or garage to carry out the work around Berkshire/Oxfordshire?

Hi Whele, I'm with Fanum on the bearing replacement bit.

But if you want to get them checked out, go see N.O.G. 'North Oxford Garage' Woolvercote Rounderbout Oxford. 01865 319000, ask for Matthew Tilsley, Service Manager.
I recon NOG are the best place to go in the area for BMW

Val.H.

 

[carcher2k]

Whele,

to be honest, I don't think you'll need the work done until you return. SHB's usually last until 15,000 miles, and wheel bearings go on for, well i've done 30k on my 04 Dakar, and they still run like new (and yes, it does leave the tarmac fairly regularly). I replaced the swing arm bearings at 24k, but then I am crap at regular maintainence. Concentrate more on your trip, and let us know what your up to

best of luck

 

[dotcaf]

Where / when are you off to?
I'm doing an extended jaunt on my 03 Dakar next year.
I'm planning on doing the following:
-Panniers (overland solutions)
-Changing fork springs to progressive ones
-TKC80's (used offroad and on way to Wales this weekend and very impressive!)
-Possibly bar raisers
-Tool kit to be identified!

I assume that you've already found www.horizonsunlimited.com

Drop me a line if you'd be interested to compare notes...

Charles

 

[Whele]

As I said it’s had a tough life. Approx 2,000 off road miles in very sandy/gritty conditions has taken its toll and its showing signs of needing the bearings changed.

Symptoms are :-

When the front wheel is raised off the ground there is a distinct notch when the steering is straight. If the bars are turned slightly (by a few degrees) and let go, the notch is sufficient to self-centre the steering.

The rear wheel when raised off the ground has a small amount of play (side to side) and the front wheel makes very slight grinding noise under heavy breaking.

Although all would probably be OK for the next few thousand miles, I would rather get the work done here than in Jordan or Saudi Arabia

With regards to asking about a local mechanic, I would rather get the work carried out by an independent than a BMW dealer.

I am surprised the bearings have given up with so few miles, but off roading does take its toll a lot more than road miles. Hence my question as to whether alternative bearing may be harder wearing.


dotcaf
The plan is to ride down through France and Spain to Morocco. Visiting friends in Algeria then to Tunissia, Lybia, Egypt, Israel, Jordon, Saudi and Quatar where I will stay with Family. Boat to Iran, Pakistan and finally India. A couple of major obstacles getting access across borders but armed with 3 passports I think I can do it with little ‘cash’ incentives.

The bike has been fitted with a few extra’s to add some comfort (pegs and touratech seat), a centre-stand for maintenance purposes, scott-oiler, extra 12v outlets, Sat-Nav, LED’s instead of bulbs, progressive springs and heavier oil in the forks. I have removed the cat, installed a lifetime air filter and fitted a power commander so I can reprogram for low octane and crap fuel.

I travel very light so apart for a tank bag (for camera equipment) and a pair of Caja Sahel panniers, I’ll strap the tent on the rear carrier and that’s it.

I am arranging to send some off road tyres to southern Spain and a set of road tyres, spark plugs, filter, oil? and other service items to Quatar.

A PC will back up the maps, photos and video. Hi-res tapes will be sent back to the UK to an editor in London.

I am currently thinking about leaving the bike in Bangladesh with Friends and flying back to UK. This gives an opportunity to continue the journey into Burma and Thailand after returning to work and building up some more funds.

 

[VAL. H.]

As I said it’s had a tough life. Approx 2,000 off road miles in very sandy/gritty conditions has taken its toll and its showing signs of needing the bearings changed.

Symptoms are :-

When the front wheel is raised off the ground there is a distinct notch when the steering is straight. If the bars are turned slightly (by a few degrees) and let go, the notch is sufficient to self-centre the steering.

The rear wheel when raised off the ground has a small amount of play (side to side) and the front wheel makes very slight grinding noise under heavy breaking.

Although all would probably be OK for the next few thousand miles, I would rather get the work done here than in Jordan or Saudi Arabia

With regards to asking about a local mechanic, I would rather get the work carried out by an independent than a BMW dealer.

I am surprised the bearings have given up with so few miles, but off roading does take its toll a lot more than road miles. Hence my question as to whether alternative bearing may be harder wearing.


dotcaf
The plan is to ride down through France and Spain to Morocco. Visiting friends in Algeria then to Tunissia, Lybia, Egypt, Israel, Jordon, Saudi and Quatar where I will stay with Family. Boat to Iran, Pakistan and finally India. A couple of major obstacles getting access across borders but armed with 3 passports I think I can do it with little ‘cash’ incentives.

The bike has been fitted with a few extra’s to add some comfort (pegs and touratech seat), a centre-stand for maintenance purposes, scott-oiler, extra 12v outlets, Sat-Nav, LED’s instead of bulbs, progressive springs and heavier oil in the forks. I have removed the cat, installed a lifetime air filter and fitted a power commander so I can reprogram for low octane and crap fuel.

I travel very light so apart for a tank bag (for camera equipment) and a pair of Caja Sahel panniers, I’ll strap the tent on the rear carrier and that’s it.

I am arranging to send some off road tyres to southern Spain and a set of road tyres, spark plugs, filter, oil? and other service items to Quatar.

A PC will back up the maps, photos and video. Hi-res tapes will be sent back to the UK to an editor in London.

I am currently thinking about leaving the bike in Bangladesh with Friends and flying back to UK. This gives an opportunity to continue the journey into Burma and Thailand after returning to work and building up some more funds.

Hi Whele, You obviously know what a knackered bearing looks/feels like.

Your trip sounds like an epic, good luck with it, and don't forget to keep us all posted on your progress and adventures.

Re: Bearing supplyers, I used to use two companies in Swindon. Thamesdown bearings, who I think are an indipendent, and another called BBS 'british bearing supplies, I think' who I think are a national company. check out the yellow pages.

I used to get all my bearings for my old KTM's from them. Both these companies can supply just about any type you like, without paying dealer prices. Basically if you can read the number on it, or you can measure it they can match it. They may even be able to offer alternetivs with better sealing too.

other than NOG I don't know any mechanics in your area. But if you are happy to travel about 45 miles, I know a small local bike repair shop with a first rate mechanic 'speedway bikes his speciality'.

Good luck Val.H.

 

[Whele]

Val. H. can you PM me his details please

Regards
gary

 

[Micky]

Standard head bearings on the 650 are naff and don't last long (not packed with much grease on assembly, and of dubious manufacture) all usually shot before 10,000 miles! Replace with a good make/brand, well packed with waterproof grease and you'll be OK for ever

Swing arm bearings, and suspension link bearings... have a look. Offside swing arm bearings can look like rust nails after only a few thousand miles (offside cop the crap quicker than the nearside) if any signe of rust, play or pitting renew, and pack with waterproof grease.

Don't use ordinary grease... go to a boat chandler and get good quality waterproof grease.. pack well... no probs.

Have a look at our site www.adventure.gs for details of what we did to our bikes... Sue's old 2002 GS now done 77,000 miles, my 2004 Dakar done 37,000 miles, both bikes across Russia and the Gobi Desert, still running great

Try not to offer 'cash incentives' we were'nt asked for one bribe, and didn't give any. Stopped numerous times by the police, mostly out of interest, but for offences committed on three occasions... didn't pay any fines in 19,300 miles and 23 countries. Offer a bribe and you just make it more difficult for the travellers that follow you....

 

[lenz2]

Hi Whele ...

Avaisquizz at this site:
http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/Steering_Head_Bearing_Replacement_FAQ.htm#Steering Head Bearing Replacement

Everything you need to know for head bearing replacement. Good luck Lenzzzzzzzzz

 

[GSmonkey]

Hi Whele ...

Avaisquizz at this site:
http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/Steering_Head_Bearing_Replacement_FAQ.htm#Steering Head Bearing Replacement

Everything you need to know for head bearing replacement. Good luck Lenzzzzzzzzz

Given that the first post was nearly two years ago, I'd hope that Whele has done his trip by now