Where's Punky & Lew now?
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Date: Tues. Nov. 26, 2002
Subject: KLR breakdowns, Punky, Lew & Achi 2 in Patagonia
Hi George M. & everyone: I just recieved a message from George M. trashing the KLR as a viable machine to tour RTW. He says KLR's are frequently suffering massive engine failure, when attempting to do so. I agree with George that I am asking more than is reasonable to expect from my KLR carrying a passenger and a lot of luggage/gear. My KLR's first engine failure was my fault. I changed the carburetor main jet to a smaller one so it would run better in the high Andes Mountains, where the air is lacking oxygen. When we came back down to sea level, the engine got too much air and not enough gas, overheated the combustion chamber and burned the piston and rings. I should have changed the main jet back to a bigger one. This time, the major engine failure was due to a dry radiator and maybe poor work repairing the engine in Lima. The bike had been consuming oil since then. The oil had just been changed and filters cleaned, but I didn't check the coolant level. I would like to know of what use is the temp gauge, because it never went over half way? Both these incidents were probably caused by my lack of knowledge and good maintenance. I should also say that I abused the hell out of Critter, twisting the throttle mercilessly. It became part of the thrill of riding to push my luck a little too far. I paid the price and would do it again, except now I have a valuable passenger to think of. Punky was never injured when we went down, just scared a bit. He's a tough little bugger. The parts we have been waiting for finally arrived, just in time to keep me from tearing out what little hair I have left. I am patient, but was running out. The cylinder is being bored and the radiator problem is being attended to today. Tomorrow, they will start putting the engine back together again. Now, all of a sudden, I have a piece of my jawbone protruding through the gum and require oral surgery. We have seen enough of Caleta Olivia. Hopefully, we will be on our way within 5 days. George, thanks for your interest, encouragement and advice, but I think you were a little too harsh on my Critter and KLR's in general. One RTW BMW R100GS rider, also carrying his wife as passenger, recently told me he had 4 breakdowns during the past year. We still have a long way to go. If the rest of our adventure is no worse than the past, I'll be satisfied that the KLR is a viable RTW machine and very cost effective. If one stays on the main paved roads, almost any machine can ride around the world. Even so, they will not make it without breakdowns of one kind or another. Mark, I sent the film about a week ago. Later, amigos and amigas.
Punky, Lew & Achi 2
Americas Motopaseo
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