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Day52-The Good Karma Doesn’t Last!, Thu, Feb 17, 2011

Sometimes good news sounds bad!

Start & Stop: Temuco, Chile to Osorno, Chile

Mileage: 157 desperate miles at 45-50 MPH

Hotel: Hostel Riga, Osorno, Chile – $56 USD

Fuel: $716 Chilean Peso /l liter ($1.51/1 liter) or $5.72 per gal!

Currency Exchange: $1 USD = $473 Chilean Peso

Chilean Toll Road:  $400-1500 Chilean Pesos ($0.85-$3.17 USD)

Agriculture Theme:  Lumber

Dean: Yesterday was a good day!   Yes, we are running on limited power but we were able to cover 500 miles.  Todays goal is south on Chile Ruta 5 to Osorno, east over the Andes and the Chile/Argentina fronteria over to Bariloche and maybe Esquela.  Total mileage in the 400 neighborhood.

Today started in the rain.  Then forward motion progressively got worse.  Wednesday out of Santiago was fairly flat.  Today we got into rolling hills.  My 4000 RPM slowed to 3500 by 8AM then 3000 RPM by 10 PM.  I’m running at 50 MPH when it’s flat.  With a slight uphill, I can only eak out 40-45 MPH.  And full downhills max is 65 MPH.  I can not pass anyone doing 50 MPH and all the truck, buses, back up behind me to pass as I sideline the road.  Lisa is doing her best to protect me by providing a running block and making sure no one doing 90 runs up my butt.

Lisa: Actually I was more interested in what gastronomical delights awaited me at the next gas stop.  One thing I have not mentioned but is probably pretty clear at this point- most of this trip I have been really, really hungry.  We just haven’t eaten that much, at the most a light breakfast and then dinner, plus the cold weather and the remnants of my sickness have taken a lot out of me.  So I am pretty much hungry 24/7.  It’s pretty funny and slightly pathetic at the same time.

But I won’t minimize how tough this has been on Dean.  My biggest job has been to run sweep behind him, moving over to give him a chance to change lanes, etc. After all my Harley runs, this is a no brainer and allows me lots of time to think about my next meal.  Yes, we are just cruising along, painfully slowly, but also the scenery is completely wonderful and as I said yesterday, the other drivers have been mostly quite courteous.

Dean: AAAAAAggggggg!!! Did I make the wrong decision to try and plug along at 4000 RPM/65-70 MPH???  The decision to move forward with a problem bike was mine alone.  I’ll have to live with the results.

My options are: 1) turn around and get back 650 miles to Santiago where there are 2 more Suzuki dealers.  2) find a local Suzuki dealer in-route forward. 3) Park the VStrom and rent a bike for the rest of the trip.

At 100 miles, on a particularly long uphill stretch, at 40 MPH I decide to go into Valdiva to search for a Suzuki Moto dealer.  At this point, having someone new look at the problem with fresh eyes is my best/only option.  Something had to be missed in Vina del Mar!

No joy.  But we learned about there is a Suzuki Moto dealer and a tour/rental facility “MotoAdventura” in Osorno 100 km (60 miles) south.

An hour later we were in Osorno.  I stop at a gas station to get directions to the Suzuki dealer and the attendant said there is no Suzuki dealer in Osorno but go to MotoAventura near the airport.  Well it looks like my rental option might happen.  The guys at MotoAdventura were great.  No, they do not work on Suzuki’s but there is a Suzuki dealer in town.  They called the dealer then gave us proximity directions and we eventually find the dealer with the help of a local driving a mini-Suzuki pickup.  This guy became Lisa’s NBF.

Lisa: Yup, we talked for a loooong time and he gave me lots of hints and tips for the rest of our trip.  Finding out Dean was not my husband threw him into a complete stroke as ‘in Chile, that would never happen”.  Imagine that.  Like it’s the first time I’ve heard THAT in the last few months.  But frankly I’ve spent enough time sitting in moto shops so I appreciate the diversion and standing in the sun chatting is a wonderful diversion.

Dean: MotoSur, Suzuki & Yamaha, C. Amthauer No. 977, Osorno, Chile Fono: (64) 21 1788, suzukimotosur@gmail.com   My first impressions were not good.  A clean, small show room full of scooters, quads, dirt bikes, and one lonely DL650, a new KTM Adventure 990 and a new BMW 1200GS.  The workshop under the show r0om only had scooters, dirt bikes and quads in various states of repair.  There’s only one person at the dealer.  With no other options immediately available, this is where I’ll take my next service stand.

Lisa gets out her laptop, hooks up and is on the internet with taking care of her business.

Lisa: This whole credit card thing has taken on a life of its own.  It would appear as though some pretty sophisticated people got my card number.  The gal at the furniture store where it was used to purchase over $3K insisted that “I” showed my passport on Feb 18.  Well, that would be difficult Senora, since my salida stamp from Colombia was 23 Jan, and on and on.  The unfortunate part is that my poor husband is left to contend with all that…big bummer.

It quickly became apparent that we weren’t leaving Osorno today so out came the book and Boom! Hostel Riga is less than a full block from here and highly recommended.  I walked over to check it out.

Dean: I strip the VStrompasourus of all plastic and make her ready for the fuel tank to be removed.  I later learn that the 3 service techs and the owner were out to lunch.  We wait an hour for their return.

The owner comes down to the service bay and introduces himself.  I explain the situation and encourage him to test ride my bike.  He’s gone for 15 minutes and returns with “it’s the fuel injectors!  We will pressure test them at my friends auto garage and ultrasonic clean them.”

Me:  ”But they cleaned them in Vina del Mar!”

Owner: “Did they pressure test them?”

Me: “I do not know!  They yanked them out and took them over to the other side of the shop for 20 minutes.”

First the techs put the bike on the Suzuki Diagnostic System to check for any abnormalities.  None!  Then the tank and air cleaner came off exposing the throttle bodies.  In another 10 minutes the fuel injectors were off and the tech puts them in his pocket and rides off.

Now Lisa and I are both on the internet sitting on the shop floor.  The techs go completely over my bike mostly checking out the fuel cell and all my electrical work (switched and unswitched buss) and harness.

At 5 PM the upstairs shop manager comes down with a wireless phone.  I’m SKYPING with Sue in California.  Lisa takes the phone.  Its the tech with the fuel injectors.  He states that 2 of the 4 injectors are plugged.  The ultrasonic cleaning will take 5 hours and we will not get the injectors back until 9AM Friday.

“Hurray!  My injectors are plugged!!!”  I refrain from doing a little “Hurray!  My injectors are plugged!!!” dance around the shop.  This is the first positive indication of what might be the loss of power problem.

Installed and running at full power is tomorrows goal.

Lisa: Ok, so I wasn’t exactly THAT excited and I made sure that the 9am they quoted was not the time they were going to start the 5 hour ultrasound. Once they assured me that was the time the shop opened and the cleaned injectors could be picked up, I loaded both our bags onto my bike and set off toward the hostel through the series of one way streets while Dean walked down the block. We met at the hotel, unloaded, parked and got settled.  The owners are dear, sweet people and kindly allowed me to use the washing machine to do a load of clothes.  I am most grateful for that.

I couldn’t get my computer to connect to the internet so took off walking, in search of an internet cafe.  3 blocks later I was set up and spent a bit of time there before going back to get Dean and head into town for a light dinner.  We’re both ready to get going but trying to be patient and keep it all in perspective.  If this fix works, we’re good!!

10 comments to Day52-The Good Karma Doesn’t Last!, Thu, Feb 17, 2011

  • Steve Aikens

    WOW! I’ve been watching and wondering what could possibly be the problem. Reading earlier that one of the shops had checked the injectors, I’d discounted them as the problem. This dicovery is really going to be a relief when you can get back up to speed again. I can’t imagine the run you’re making with that kind of power loss Dean.

    Next time we see each other, I’ll buy you your dinner fill Lisa…

  • John H

    You know, I typed up a whole paragraph a few days ago about testing the injector nozzles by pulling them, running them off the bike, and looking to see if they squirted or dribbled. A good friend bought an old Mercedes convertible for a silly low price a few years ago because it would crank and run, but would not get up to highway speed. He towed it home, pulled the injectors, cleaned them, hooked them up to make sure they squirted instead of dribbled, and was as LL says “golden”, with a good running classic. But after reading all the testing the shop was doing for you, I deleted that paragraph. Sure hope this will fix the issue.
    While the bike is apart, don’t forget what BR said about removing the secondary butterflies. Have a little magnet handy to keep from dropping the screws down the intake tract.
    Remember that the only thing we really have any real control over is our attitude. Being patient and keeping things in perspective sounds easy enough, but can be one of the hardest things to actually do. Anyway, it sure sounds to me like y’all are doing really great given the difficult situations that have been encountered!
    Arise ye Stromasaurs! Onward to the South!

  • John Parker

    Dammmmmn! When I read that there was a KTM 990 for sale down there I visualized Dean riding continuous wheelies all the way to Ushuaia and back. Oh well hopefully these techs have the gremlin cajoled and Strompotomus will soon be his (her) ol’ self. Then you guys can ride faster so Lisa with have time to stop and eat. Sending you my extra karma. Haven’t had to use it much lately. Last time was the NWP Rally. @*#!!! Joe!!!

  • Brian R.

    Here is wishing you best of luck on this fix. Makes sense to me – remember I said something about injectors not vaporizing properly after you had told me the fuel pump pressure check was good, Hopefully this is it, and it makes sense.

    Now if you can just keep from getting Lisa’s “injectors” plugged with all the “crap” she is eating. Sorry “L”, I know your starving but it so much fun to hear you eating this bad stuff.

    Good Luck Adventurers!

    • Lisa

      Well BR, I’m happy this is keeping you amused but it is no laughing matter. I’m not kidding you, I am starving here all the time. I’m a little concerned that when I get home and have food available to me 24/7, it’s going to become a problem. Here, not so much. If I never see another hockey puck biscuit and slice of ham served with instant coffee, it will be too soon. :)

  • Terri

    Lisa,
    I am looking forward to taking you out to LUNCH when you get home. You and Dean don’t know how much I enjoy reading about your adventures… It takes me away from all my stress! Things with Trevor are slowing improving. Yeah! Jeff-not so much!!! Miss you

    • Lisa

      Oh Terri, music to my ears!!! Lunch!? I am sooo there! We can then fix all the problems of the world, including my growling stomach. YAY! Glad to hear about Trevor too.

  • Bob K

    Let’s hope that they can fix the plugged fuel injectors on that damn bike and get on your way to your final destination! I’m keeping all my fingers crossed!

  • Brian R.

    Wait a minute – I just caught something …. Dean is NOT your husband!?

    Holy Crap, that explains a lot of things. I was wondering why he was not there when ever I visited, and why the kids just did not look Danish at all. Guess that also explains the good looking guy that scurries around the kitchen with you, quiet but strong type, smiles a lot. NOW this makes a lot more sense !

  • Colin Tanji

    I for one will be sad to see the technical problems go away & I think you will too… after all, what will you have to blog about? It makes for such interesting story telling.

    I predict the rally van will be stopping for fried baloney biscuits on the 11′ IBR.

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