Medellin - III

(DAY189 : Los Angeles - Medellin : another 11 hours with zero legroom)
(DAY190 - now : Medellin)


After wasting another eleven hours of my life running around in ugly airports, waiting in lines among stressed out people, and cramped in dinky airplane seats eating crap for food, I was back in Medellin. My previous journey here may have taken three months, but I wouldn't call an hour of it "wasted". What exactly is it we call efficiency?

Following the hugs and hellos at Casa Kiwi, I was up in the same room, same Medellin. But I wasn't quite the same. I don't think I will be until I'm back on the road.

Had I returned to Colombia a few days later, Katirga would have become the property of the Colombian government. So it wasn't until extending her permit that it was finally time to see her. Was she ok?

Neither Kawasaki USA, nor the dealership I purchased from had responded to my emails regarding the oil-burning issue. No matter how you look at it, having to add a quart (~ a liter) of oil every 500 miles (~ 800 km) can not be normal, especially not on a brand new bike. A recent poll on KLR650.net currently indicates that 20% of the participants have the problem with their 2008 KLRs. But tough luck for us, as the one year warranty is valid only in the US.

The way things work here, a friend mentioned my problem to his friend, and before I knew it I was invited to Auteco, Kawasaki's Colombia distributor. After a tour of the impressive assembly plant, I explained my problem, and received an offer more generous than anyone could expect. I was already familiar with Colombian generosity and kindness, but this also involved a true dedication to the brands they represent.

In my absence, Auteco not only provided safe storage, but took the engine apart to diagnose and fix the problem. They found the culprit to be the piston rings, and replaced them with a new set. But they didn't stop there, and while at it checked everything, replaced the fork oil, lubricated and repacked the entire swingarm and suspension linkage, replaced the brake pads, and equipped the rear brake calipers with heat-shields. I didn't even know there was a fix for my rear brake which quickly boiled its fluid. Then, they put the finishing touch with an incredible detailing job.

I picked her up shiny like new, unsatisfied with the number of "thank you"s I said. After having ridden Hoover a few times, I also wondered whether if they might have forgotten to put the engine back on.


Katirga waiting to be interviewed on TV.

Still there was work to be done. I had to take apart the Fisher-Price instrument panel and fix the odometer reset button once again. Then, all critical bolts that had been removed and reinstalled at Auteco needed to be re-marked with red paint. This allows me to visually identify and tighten any loosening bits before they cause any major trouble.

Unfortunately, not everything can be checked visually, and the rear rack top bolts that Arie had fixed for me in Bocas had broken again. As many times before, I ran to the Suzuki superstore in El Poblado for advice. Not having spent a penny at his store (partly because they have refused to accept payment for the bits and bolts they have generously provided), I don't even count as one of Daniel's clients; yet, him and his team have always been there to help. Surely enough, Daniel made a call to a friend and I was on my way to Mastech within a few minutes.

Mastech are manufacturers of motorcycle accessories like crash-bars, luggage racks, etc., operating in a handsomely equipped shop close to El Poblado. (Their products are truly top-shelf, and honestly appear much better than anything I could find in the US while I was shopping around to dress Katirga.) There, I met Marco, the main man at Mastech, whom supervised the whole operation on Katirga's tail section. In the end, she was sporting 2mm wider bolts (that still screw into Arie's single piece receptor). It took a bunch of work and time. It required specialty tools. It was a job very well done. But... Marco wouldn't let me pay! Once again, I found myself leaving a place mumbling "thank you, thank you, thank you,.." repeatedly.

I can not thank enough to all the wonderful people who have helped me throughout this trip. I am still mumbling...

Partying dialed down several notches, and thanks to the emails from you guys wondering what's been going on, I finally managed to get back on the reporting. Thanks for staying tuned. Soon, I'll get back on the wheels as well.

Oh, and as for your most popular question... Yes, they are.