I had an oversize Clarke gas tank overnighted to meet me at the border so I’d have more than a 90 mile range. I was thrilled when it arrived, but wasn’t sure how I was going to take it anywhere.
So I promptly got to installing it on the road outside the UPS station.
Wouldn’t you know it. The tank didn’t fit.
Clarke had apparently mislabeled a batch of tanks at the factory. There are other reports here on ADV and also at JustGasTanks about the issue. The tank doesn’t sit right on the frame, the petcock hits the motor, and the seat can’t mount up properly. So unfortunately I was stuck with a giant box for a couple days until I could send it back.
The bike was a little cramped to say the least.
I also took the opportunity to do a little rewiring of the tail light. It had been flickering in and out for a while.
But I eventually was able to drop the box back off at UPS and head out with my stock tank and a plastic jug strapped onto the back.
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I crossed at Mexicali, but not without my fender pack getting swiped off the bike first. I’m not sure exactly when it was taken, but it had my spare tubes, tire patch kit, and tire irons. Sure hope I don’t get a flat!
The crossing was uneventful other than they only accept cash for the visa fee and I had to walk around and find a bank. Once across I was a bit confused where I was supposed to file the importation fee for my bike. Eventually I ran into a customs station in Sonoita where I had to stop, and they helped me pay the fee and have the bike registration inspected. Good to go!!!
I hate all the border areas so I cracked the throttle and blasted a couple hundred miles the first day towards Hermosilla. I got the smallest hotel room I could find.
(fyi – it was Movember – look it up if you need to)
This trip isn’t about covering miles and tying myself to a schedule or deadlines. So I loosened up my pace and rolled around for a few days.
The scenery was excellent. But nothing like what would come a few weeks later.
The best food is always from the smallest places.
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