Tag Archives: breaks

Day 298 – Brake time

One day in Trabzon to take a breath and look at the sights in and around the city. For Turkey, we got a 3 months visa on arrival so after rushing around in Iran, we do need to take it slower now. Thus, we slept in, enjoyed the breakfast that was included and…started on chores.

First thing to do was finding a money changer. We deliberately took too many USD into Iran, given that credit cards don’t work, we wanted to be safe rather than sorry. But Iran turned out to be the cheapest country so far which meant we have USD now that will not be of use in Turkey or the EU. The rate offered at the exchange was actually very good so we changed enough for the next couple of days.

Thanks guys for shouting lunch!

Thanks guys for shouting lunch!

Next in line was Rocinante. After the scare in Iran, Flo wanted to take a close look at Rocinante, change the oil, get new brake pads for the front and get a new chain. For all of this, we needed a Honda dealer and Trabzon actually has one. So we showed up and the fun of translation began. The first staff member we talked to was very nice and helpful but translating via google translate takes its time plus he didn’t know all the prices and if the spare parts are actually stocked. Thus, we waited for the mechanic to arrive while sipping a coffee.

Once the mechanic arrived, things seemed to start moving. Flo got a fixed price for the oil change and new brake pads while no chain was available. Being amazingly friendly staff, we were then sat down in the “waiting area” and someone went out and bought lunch for us. It was still a waiting game though and I regretted having joined Flo. I started feeling sick and really just wanted to lie down in bed. Instead we waited. Around 2pm, we were fetched back to have a look at the bike. The oil had been changed but the brake pads didn’t fit because of the ABS and now they were trying to locate pads in any of the close by cities.

These are in dire need of replacement. I have one half used set in spare to get us to the next town.

These are in dire need of replacement. I have one half used set in spare to get us to the next town.

In the end, no brake pads could be found and Ismail advised us to take the detour over Ankara to get new ones. However, the Honda dealer staff had done more than could be expected and Rocinante was even cleaned before we got her back. Looking all clean and shiny again, it’s not quite the same bike anymore.

Leaving at 3pm, I didn’t feel like seeing any of the sights anymore. Instead, we went back to the hotel for some relaxing and then out to find all those confectionaries that the Lonely Planet talks about. We visited two of the bigger ones and were successful: Flo had ice cream while I bought baklava and a chocolate dessert in the first one; in the second one we discovered delicious Turkish delight rolls with a hazelnut paste.

Done for today, we purchased fresh bread and a beer (woah, a country which sells beer) for dinner and a nice and cozy evening watching youtube.

Day 124 – Bikes, big and small

I have been in contact with Andy for a while before we came here and he was helping me to sort out a spare part that was getting urgent. The brake pads on the front breaks (the Transalp has two disks on the front wheel) where getting precariously close to the wear indicator. Luckily, there is one bike sold in Indonesia that uses the same pads (for the most part), the “enormous” CBR 250 ABS. Although the parts list say that only the right side is compatible, I found that the same model could be used for the left side if a spacer from the old set is reused.

Andy found a shop that at least has one pair and was going to drop me off there to get things worked out from here (and check on the state of one of his bikes in the shop). When we turned up they did not only produce one but two sets of pads for me, so all I had to do was get Rocinante and fit them to be 100% sure. Andy rode us to where Rocinante was safely stored away and showed me the way back to the shop. I was back there in no time.

The engineer who rode my bike into the shop got jealous stares from everyone else. I was more worried about my bike. Sure, the Indonesians can ride, but they are used to half the weight and power. At least they picked the tallest guy in the shop and he could almost reach the ground with his feet …

The work was done in 10 minutes and once we found the ABS reset plug everything was good to go. Both sides fitted. It was just in time as well as the old ones both were down to 0.7mm and the wear indicator.

Later that day, I got to use Andy’s tools (well, a rubber mallet) to have a go at my dented pannier. It worked pretty well. I hope the fancy mounting brackets of the ZEGA II pro will last the rest of the trip though. They are starting to bend and warp all over.

The rest of the day was a continuation of yesterday. Chilling, good conversations and a great dinner from Andy. This time we got his take on Indonesian food. I tell you, the eggplants in chilli were to die for! Later I found out that Andy is not only a good cook but also magically efficient in getting the kitchen back into shape. Colour me impressed!