11.12.2011 Service (Odometer: 48.000km)
Today is a big day. We will do a service for our BMW R1200GS bike, including changing the engine-, drive shaft- and gearbox oil and adjust the valves. Back at “Autoland” http://www.autoland.com.np we find Total 5W40, a fully synthetic oil which is specified for temperatures as low as -25°C. We buy 12 liter of that expensive stuff (€15/liter) as we need 4l per bike and want to have 2l each as spare. My experience in the Indian Himalayas shows that “BigBertha”, my bike, needs more oil than usual in high altitudes and cold temperatures. I want to be on the safe side. Mr. “Lok”, the owner of Autoland provides us his workshop free of charge. Everything goes well and it’s fun to do the service simultaneously. A few spectators come to the shop to see us working. There are also two guys from a local magazine, who follow every step of the service, make photos and have a lot of questions for us. They are planning to write an article about us. The guys from Autoland serve us coffee, water and even sandwiches, all free of charge.
BigTom’s toolkit:
Harry’s toolkit:
Harry in action:
BigTom replacing the oil filter:
I drop the wrench in the old oil and get covered with the stuff. :)
Valve adjustments. No problem for me by now:
As we except temperatures around -25°C in Tibet, I need to switch to another oil. “Autoland” in Kathmandu sells this Total 5W40 full syn. Darn expensive, but I want “BigBertha” to enjoy the ride too:
I can help the guys at “Autoland” to place a rim in a 4×4 tire:
After completing the service of our bikes, Harry and me enjoy a coffee. Cheers, well done! :)
Back to the hotel, it’s time to review Harry’s luggage. When he left Austria back in August 2011, the total weight of his bike and him was 492 kg!!! By now I have quite some experience, as I also got rid of about 60kg excess luggage. It is hard work to convince him to let go unnecessary tools, rechargeable batteries and chargers, flashlights, power inverter, chain locks, etc. It’s funny as I carried all the same stuff with me too. All in all, Harry will travel 15kg lighter from now on. ;) What an achievement! We meet my friend Chis for dinner, who is in Kathmandu for business reasons and “celebrate” at a Thai restaurant.
No comments yet.