BajaNomad

Help, stuck in Baja

Murph - 2-26-2010 at 10:06 PM

My 1994 BMW R1100 RSL motorcycle clutch seems to be dead, in Loreto. The clutch was just replaced, has about 2000 miles on it currently. i'm stuck, not personally able to repair it.

Need a competent BMW motorcycle mechanic in Loreto, La Paz or Cabo. Alternately, need way to get bike back to San Diego. Am willing to pay for assistance.

Help greatly appreciated.

arrowhead - 2-26-2010 at 10:55 PM

What does "dead" clutch mean? It won't disengage or it won't engage? If the clutch won't disengage the engine from the real wheel, just fill up your tank, point it north, start it in 1st gear and drive up to Ensenada to look for a shop. You don't absolutely need a clutch. Shift into neutral when you have to stop.

Of course, if the clutch won't engage, that is a horse of a different color.

gnukid - 2-26-2010 at 10:59 PM

I would check with Rogelio at the VW shop in La Paz, he must be able to help. There are many many motorbikes and shops in La Paz, perhaps 20 or more. There must be someone who can help and if not you can ship it north from there or jump on a trailer. Why not head to La Paz... There are tow trucks who can help. I imagine if you stick out your thumb you can get a truck to haul you in no time.

DENNIS - 2-26-2010 at 11:01 PM

Go sit in the town square holding a sign saying, "I'm a BajaNomad and I need help." You won't be there for long.

woody with a view - 2-26-2010 at 11:08 PM

Quote:

"I'm a BajaNomad and I need help."


powerful advice.... use with CAUTION!!!!

Diver - 2-26-2010 at 11:10 PM

Is it stuck engaged and won't shift ?
Or does it not engage at all ?

I think those things are hydraulic; could be the pump but I think the clutch should remain engaged if the fluid pressure is low.
Does it have a clutch fluid reservoir ?

If it's not engaging at all, it could be the spline; they are known to strip splines when running them hard.

Edguero - 2-26-2010 at 11:12 PM

A quote I heard from Malcom Smith (I think) about baja, "If your not smart you better be tough"............I'm just sayin'

Murph - 2-27-2010 at 12:50 AM

The clutch lever has no resistance at all, and the clutch won't engage. Its a dry clutch. The cable is connected and not broken. We've adjusted the cable twice, and the problem recurs. I power shifted from the north of Bay of Conception to Loreto. I can do this to LaPaz, but my friends are concerned about getting stuck on a lonely stretch of road, or being on the road after dark, so we're planning to head into LaPaz tomorrow.

There are 8 of us each on our own motorcycle; I'm female so they won't leave me solo. Its my first time in Baja. Origin is the SF bay area, we've been on the road for a week riding down.

We're wondering about companies for shipping the bike back. We're looking at truck rental as well. Given the mileage to the border, we assume it'll be very costly. Thoughts?

Thoughts =

woody with a view - 2-27-2010 at 12:55 AM

edit:

your friends won't surrender you to the freaking natives as a first resort to them returning to their loved ones, with a trip report to gloat over how they decided to sacrifice one of their own, to save their many....

give it a day or three. the week it could take to arainge (sp?) a trip north could be better spent enjoying the vibe whilst the boys get your rig back on the road with very little $ outta pocket..... sending out a flare should be a last resort...........

[Edited on 2-27-2010 by woody in ob]

arrowhead - 2-27-2010 at 01:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Murph
The clutch lever has no resistance at all, and the clutch won't engage. Its a dry clutch. The cable is connected and not broken. We've adjusted the cable twice, and the problem recurs. I power shifted from the north of Bay of Conception to Loreto.


OK, you are describing it wrong. If you are power shifting, then the clutch is engaged all the time. Tomorrow morning, go see Pam Bolles at The Baja Big Fish Company. It is on the Malecon, three blocks south of the marina. Her cell is:
011-52-1-613-111-7430

She can find somebody who can fix it. Sounds like a broken part inside the clutch.

BajaNomad - 2-27-2010 at 02:18 AM

From Fishbuck:
Quote:

Baja Motosport, S.A. De C.V.
BMW Motorrad

Highway CSL-Todos Santos
In front of the Chrysler Agency
Brisas del Pacifico, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur.

Phone: (624) 163-47 06, 07, 08, 09, 10

Open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm

These guys might be able to help. They may know a mechanic in Loreto.






[Edited on 2-27-2010 by BajaNomad]

monoloco - 2-27-2010 at 07:01 AM

If all else fails I'm heading north with an empty trailer sometime in April.

capt. mike - 2-27-2010 at 07:10 AM

do you belong to the BMW riders assoc?
they are int'l.
they keep a listing of all dealers and repair shops.

wessongroup - 2-27-2010 at 07:14 AM

You folks really are pretty good when someone really does need help... :):) thanks to all, nice to see...

comitan - 2-27-2010 at 07:15 AM

Check u2u upper right hand corner.

Murph - 2-27-2010 at 06:01 PM

Thank you, everyone for all of your suggestions. We are now in La Paz. The motorcycle is stored in Loreto until I can get someone going to the border or beyond (ultimate destination SF Bay area).

I'd prefer to get it on a trailer by Friday 3/5 while in the area, but if necessary, I will arrange to get it there once I'm home if nothing comes through.

This is a really wonderful community for someone on their first visit to Baja. Thank you.

vandenberg - 2-27-2010 at 06:09 PM

Murph,
Check in Loreto with David Cunningham. He is a boat/car mechanic who also rides motor bikes.
If there is anyone in Loreto able to help, here's the guy.
Try his mobile phone: 044 613 109 0237.
Home: 613 1351869 .
This guy is very good.
Suerte amigo !!

[Edited on 2-28-2010 by vandenberg]

[Edited on 2-28-2010 by vandenberg]

Sallysouth - 2-27-2010 at 06:13 PM

Hey Vandenburg, That would be "Amiga" btw.;)

vandenberg - 2-27-2010 at 06:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sallysouth
Hey Vandenburg, That would be "Amiga" btw.;)


and.....that would be "berg" btw.:no::lol:

bajabyjetski.com - 2-27-2010 at 07:33 PM

Get to La Paz! There are mechanics there that are just as good or better than any other mechanic in the US and will charge you the right amount for your repair. I rode my Aprilia Italian superbike from Phoenix AZ to Cabo with three other riders. One of the riders..newbie...checked his oil while the bike was running and sent pieces of his dip-stick into his gear box. We got him to La Paz and they re-machined...yes, re-machined his gearbox and fixed the problem with a total bill of 159.00 dollars and a three day wait drinking coronas by the beach. If you can't get your bike to La Paz, talk to the locals, the won't bite!!! Many will be ore than happy to truck you and your bike to La Paz for next to no money
BMWs are nice bikes but remember that they are bikes and they work pretty much like any others and the mechanics there have seen and repaired many, many BMW bikes before yours.
Or you could give me your phone number and I will buy the bike from you for the price of a ticket back to your home. :cool:

[Edited on 2-28-2010 by bajabyjetski.com]

El Comadante Loco - 2-27-2010 at 09:25 PM

Or you could give me your phone number and I will buy the bike from you for the price of a ticket back to your home.



I up the ante to $100 plus the price of a ticket back to your home..:bounce:

Murph - 2-27-2010 at 09:52 PM

I'm going first class air, by way of Paris... total cost of ticket is $5500. Its got a new clutch and tires! :tumble:

Paulclark - 2-27-2010 at 10:13 PM

There is/was a BMW motorcycle dealer in Cabo San Lucas on the road to Todos Santos -- They may have almalgamated with the Yamaha Dealer.

El Comadante Loco - 2-27-2010 at 11:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Murph
I'm going first class air, by way of Paris... total cost of ticket is $5500. Its got a new clutch and tires! :tumble:


In my years of travel in Baja I have learned that every day is an adventure we learn to accept and appreciate and at times remember with with a good degree of nostalgia,,
I like your attitude keep up the good spirits.. Good luck and hope you get yourself and bike home safely

Murph - 2-27-2010 at 11:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by El Comadante Loco
In my years of travel in Baja I have learned that every day is an adventure we learn to accept and appreciate and at times remember with with a good degree of nostalgia,,
I like your attitude keep up the good spirits.. Good luck and hope you get yourself and bike home safely


I believe this precisely. I'm not worried... if there were a better way to spend time solving this little problem I don't know what it would be. I'm with friends, enjoying the last week of my adventure in La Paz and making new friends here. I appreciate the connection and everyone's kindness.

[Edited on 2-28-2010 by Murph]

Murph - 2-27-2010 at 11:18 PM

I hear the throw out bearing suggested repeatedly as the problem, by those who've looked at it and folks who work on beemers. I've also posted on adventure rider and been told that the Cabo BMW shop has relocated. All in all, a trailer is the preferred route now, plus a plane ride home next weekend.

Murph - 2-27-2010 at 11:34 PM

I just learned about the change of location for the BMW dealer from a kind post on adventure rider, here http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=11966011#post11966011

[Edited on 2-28-2010 by Murph]

TMW - 2-28-2010 at 09:24 AM

Good Luck and let us know when you've made it back.

Murph - 2-28-2010 at 10:26 AM

Will do. I'm still seeking a trailer ride north for the bike this week sometime, destination San Diego or SF bay area, or Tijuana/Tecate failing all else. Please respond if anyone knows of an option for this.

Murph - 3-17-2010 at 11:33 PM

Just wanted to follow up that I'm safely back home in the SF bay area. I'm a new convert to baja, its quiet beauty, open spaces, and kind people -- both expat and locals. This community is a cornerstone of that ambiance.

I'm lurking on the boards here, and may be among the expat crowd in the future. Its become my retirement dream!

Thank you all for your help. BTW, my bike is still on extended vacation in Loreto, and I've started a new thread here seeking its transport.

con más profundo agradecimiento :saint:

Kendall

[Edited on 3-18-2010 by Murph]

David K - 3-18-2010 at 08:55 AM

Great story Murph... good that you are back home and want to return to Baja!

BajaBlanca - 3-18-2010 at 09:09 PM

that really was an amazing story .. my husband says there is no such thing as a "vacation" to Baja ... it is always an ADVENTURE ...