kappy1027 wrote:The problem is I can't get new hoses here, because as I said any auto parts I bring in have to fit in my pocket or a friend's pocket when they come.

Why can't you work with the NAPA auto parts store in Tegucigalpa? They have an international reach. Where do you live in relationship to there?

Point-Seven-five wrote:The coolant hoses on Bricks seem to be nearly indestructible.  All my bikes had original hoses and the only problem I had was when I tore a hose on my RT when I went down on an icy patch.  If they don't leak, I would let sleeping dogs lie.

NEARLY is the operative word. I had one blow a hole on my 94 RS when it had less than 50K on it. And it was well-maintained when I got it. This happened about 500 miles after a coolant change where I pulled the hose instead of the temp sensor to drain it. I don't know if that was a contributing factor but I only drain it from the bottom of the water pump now. (And I always carry Rescue Tape now when touring.)

None of my other Ks have ever had hose issues though, even an 86 K75 with 130K on it.

Duck, the point of my post was that as long as his current hoses were okay, it didn't make sense to bother with the hassle of getting replacements. 

As both of our experiences indicate, these hoses will last the life of the bike unless some outside influence damages or stresses them.

Point-Seven-five wrote:Duck, the point of my post was that as long as his current hoses were okay, it didn't make sense to bother with the hassle of getting replacements. 

As both of our experiences indicate, these hoses will last the life of the bike unless some outside influence damages or stresses them.

And I've never heard of one disintegrating internally like kappy is worried about.

Yeah, that's what I was trying to say, that what he was hearing/feeling was probably heavy mineral deposits crumbling in the hose.  Been there, done that.  That's why you have to use distilled water.

duck wrote:

Point-Seven-five wrote:Duck, the point of my post was that as long as his current hoses were okay, it didn't make sense to bother with the hassle of getting replacements. 

As both of our experiences indicate, these hoses will last the life of the bike unless some outside influence damages or stresses them.

And I've never heard of one disintegrating internally like kappy is worried about.

That is comforting to know

Point-Seven-five wrote:Yeah, that's what I was trying to say, that what he was hearing/feeling was probably heavy mineral deposits crumbling in the hose.  Been there, done that.  That's why you have to use distilled water.

I'll try the vinegar trick this week and report back. I wasn't sure what book the crunchy feeling I was getting was either but mineral deposits does sound accurate since there's so much calcium in this water here

Any chance of some touring photos of the countryside? Even some cigar factory photo's would be interesting, oh and some brick photo's I spose.

kappy1027 wrote:

Point-Seven-five wrote:Yeah, that's what I was trying to say, that what he was hearing/feeling was probably heavy mineral deposits crumbling in the hose.  Been there, done that.  That's why you have to use distilled water.

I'll try the vinegar trick this week and report back. I wasn't sure what book the crunchy feeling I was getting was either but mineral deposits does sound accurate since there's so much calcium in this water here

That will do it.  Lots of calcium in the well water here.  Always use distilled water in batteries and the cooling system.  We have a dehumidifier that controls the dampness in our basement.  It supplies all our distilled water needs.

I use rain water, not as good I spose, but hasn't given me any grief over a couple of decades.

daveyson wrote:I use rain water, not as good I spose, but hasn't given me any grief over a couple of decades.

Nothing wrong with that.  I remember how my grandmother had a couple old barrels collecting the water that ran off the roof for washing "special" laundry.

daveyson wrote:Any chance of some touring photos of the countryside? Even some cigar factory photo's would be interesting, oh and some brick photo's I spose.

Should I post those photos here or is there another more appropriate place? I've been here for 2 and 1/2 years and visiting for another two and a half before that, so I have plenty of photos. If anybody wants to share an email or WhatsApp I can send them that way also. Also if anybody wants to come visit, I have a spare bedroom and my wife is a great cook.

So the bike just hiccuped. I went to pick up my stepdaughter at English School and as I accelerated from the stop sign it died and would not start. I opened the gas tank and saw that there was fuel inside, probably half a tank. But I also noticed the fuel pump was kind of floating and the front was higher than the back. I'm assuming it should be bolted down. Once I switched bikes and went and got her from school I came back and pulled the gas cover off and got my hand in there and seated the fuel pump into its pit, and the bike started.
On another note, the bike seems to be heating up a little less and it's idling a little lower. So maybe the old adage that a K bike doesn't like resting is true.

Were you able to do a cooling system flush?

There probably is a more appropriate place, like the section called North American rides, but here would be ok too.

The accelerator cable might want to be freed up a bit, if it doesn't snap back good. It needs to be a special lube, just forget the name of it. (Triflow?)

kappy1027 wrote:

daveyson wrote:Any chance of some touring photos of the countryside? Even some cigar factory photo's would be interesting, oh and some brick photo's I spose.. . . like the section called North American rides,

Should I post those photos here or is there another more appropriate place? I've been here for 2 and 1/2 years and visiting for another two and a half before that, . . .

Post those photo in the General meeting and rides section or in the K bike Pictures section where Mad Rider from Russia has posted extensive photos of his touring. Your photos are more likely to get noticed in those sections than in a repair section. The North America section wouldn't be a logical place for somebody to look for photos of Central America.   Be sure to put the country of your ride in the title.

daveyson wrote:The accelerator cable might want to be freed up a bit, if it doesn't snap back good. It needs to be a special lube, just forget the name of it. (Triflow?)

You should not lubricate the interior of BMW cables. 
https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?95882-Cable-Lubrication

Here's what I do to improve throttle return:
http://www.kbikeparts.com/classickbikes.com/ckb.tech/0.ckb.tech.files/throttlereturn/throttlereturn.htm

I think there's been case's where it hasn't been needed, and case's where it has been, and been successfully used for decade's.