My motorcycle has a serious problem. No help in Sierra Leone. |S7E42|
Вставка
- Опубліковано 20 чер 2023
- In this episode, I am riding to Freetown, in Sierra Leone because my motorcycle has been making a bad sound for a very long time now, but in between Dakar in Senegal, and Ivory Coast, there are no mechanics to be found that work on bigger bikes...
Unfortunately, this episode is very short, because of an audio issue. I tried to salvage as much as the footage as I could, but unfortunately this video is not up to my usual standards. This is real adventure travel though and I don't record in a studio where you can take several takes! I have one take and if something goes wrong, it goes wrong.. I hope you can still appreciate this episode!
Want to learn how to use drones, GoPros and 360 cameras to film your solo motorcycle adventure? Check out: www.itchyboots.com/academy
Here I teach all my filming techniques including getting drone shots while riding!
Gear & Equipment that I use in this season:
www.itchyboots.com/blog/gear-...
Follow my journey on: WWW.ITCHYBOOTS.COM
Instagram: / itchybootstravel
Facebook: / itchyboots
#itchyboots #adventure #crf300rally
If anyone can sort a problem out, it’s you Noraly! Best of luck and be safe.
The longer I look at your wonderful high quality videos the more I realize how few we western people know about Africa. You always find the right solutions to face any kind of problem. Thanks for providing a real world channel. You give us hours of great pictures of places most of us will never travel and you never try to make a “drama” out of you & Alaska's problems!
Che cazzo dici!!!!! Millions of other youtubers go to Africa, and they let you know also african people, which this channel does not. Sorry...but i disagree.
when you get to Ghana Accra service your motor bike they have motor bike shops
Africa is big am in kenya 🇰🇪 and am also amazed I don't know much about West Africa am also learning alot.
I’m a new subscriber! An old video showed up on my feed a few days ago so decided to watch it. It got me hooked straight away and I binge watched all of season 6 and I’m now up to date. I’m a 65 year old grandmother and I’m not even interested in motorbikes but you are so personable and I’m in awe at what you’ve achieved so far in your life. You’ve shown me parts of the world I thought I’d never see so I thank you for that. And thank you for taking us on your travels. I’ve learned a few things from you too. Can’t wait for the next instalment! Stay safe Noraly. Best wishes from Scotland ❤
Now that you are caught up, start watching from season one. You will not regret it.
Welcome to the world of miss Shoemaker
Big Welcome Diane to Noraly's channel. A friend told us about itchyboots a few years ago and we also got hooked and couldn't wait for her next episode. My wife and I live in West Somerset the other end of the country to you but Noraly appeals to all generations and like you we are not really into Bikes, but she is such an engaging character and always smiling. We love her All the best from Valerie and Mike.
@@ADMIRALSCORNER Thank you Valerie & Mike 💐 Noraly is a great storyteller and, as you say, very engaging. It’s very hard not to get hooked on her channel. I’m still binge watching but starting at the beginning this time. I can’t get enough of her travels!
watch season 5 next. I believe it was the best.
Dear Itchy boots.
We hope you are all right. We are an old couple entering pension and we like what you do and follow you because you are all that we are not. We do not have motorcycles. We do not have the opportunity to travel. But we do have the opportunity to see and admire your adventures. (on a big 75 inch TV and with very good sound) Your work is excellent. You make our lives richer by sharing your life the way you do.
Thank you.
Great omment.
Noraly, you must have been one of the last to see the famous cotton tree standing. It collapsed on May 24th 2023 after heavy storms hit the city. This was reported in all Dutch news media. 😢
Yes, I just read that in Wikipedia. So sad!! As you said, she must have seen it just before the trees demise. We're lucky to get to view it through her lens before it was no longer . . .
I can't believe these videos are almost a month old when we see them. I thought were no more than a week old. Better late than never, I guess!
@@oldscout80 Yea, there's always been a substantial delay in her uploading them, especially since she went to just posting twice a week rather than thrice weekly. That buys her time to put out the videos and stay ahead. Plus it's safer for her so people can't track her.
@@stonew1927 Makes sense, I never thought about the tracking thing. Thanks
Ironic....it hung in there until noraly could show it to the world....thanks for sharing this tree with us itchy boots 😎👍
Dear Noraly. You wondered why those ropes were across the road? I asked my colleague who is from Sierra Leone. According to him, they are militia groups that extort some money from smugglers who pass by. You as a foreigner have nothing to fear. Thank you for all your hard work, really a bright spot in the week. I've been following you since day 1 and words fail me how much admiration I have for you.
Greetings from Utrechtse Heuvelrug, The Netherlands
Danke wel 👍👋👋
Thank you for asking about the ropes on the roads ... good to hear she has nothing to fear❤
Itchy boots videos surprise me in that most African countries have quite good infrastructure ,much better than I thought
Wow Noraly... to think you were amongst the last to document the 'cotton tree' right before it got struck by lightning, is magical to me. Always looking forward to your next adventures. Love from South Africa!
The random happening of driving up to 2 guys on another bike and sharing a spontaneous fist bump...well that says it all for me. Bravo Zulu Noraly.
All those technical issues with the bike and cameras and you still manage to put together a great video.
Thanks for your perseverance 🙂
hi noraly, it was nice to follow you a while, but whazt i missing is what do you actualyx know about the country, people you pass in a hurry. it start to look more and more like a maraton race to PA'ss reord nnumber of country, thats sad.
She in the uk this weekend after posting this. She's fake 😂
Helo haw are you doing ❤❤❤
@@lifeinthewild6187 Her posts run several weeks behind her actual travel. This is for security reasons that I'm sure you are aware of.
@@rene-ni7hh Having traveled on a bike already as well I can totally understand. The journey is the destination. She's visiting different countries and having a look around all the different interesting locations to get a feel for the places. Riding from Morocco to South Africa, you can't really stay a week at one place at a time. And she did stay longer here and there and embrace different cultures.
And you have to also remember than not everything is on camera. The videos are 15-25 minutes long, but a day has 23:30 hours more. It seems rushed because it's edited together
Noraly;you're representing the best side of human beings. you're the model of mind a person should be,the heart that we should have,the willingness that we should own,the wisdom that should guide us,the courage that never give up.
Best comment! Thank you!
It is the heart that should be at the base of all morality.
Hi Norally - I know this noise in your engine, I had the same on my CRF. The engine sounds like a bag of spanners !! The engine in pretty bullet proof except for the Cam Chain Tensioner. It sits on the back of the engine and is held in place with 2 small screws. If you can get a new one posted to you, it is easy to change. Just follow the instructions. Remove the old one, fit the new one and ONLY THEN release the spring tensioner. Problem solved. The tensioner assembly is only the size of an egg ... so shipping should be no problem.
Good luck !!
I did 50,000 Km on my CRF and I had to change the tensioner 3 times.
I sensed some anxiety in Noraly's voice and facial expression 2 or 3 video's ago when she commented on the beating Alaska was taking. I felt there was something more she wasn't ready to talk about but was hoping it was my imagination. I guess after watching 570 wonderful videos you get to know someone pretty well. I am confident issues will be resolved one way or the other as Noraly is very common-sense smart and her decision making under duress is A+. Fortunately she has the full support of the selling dealer. As always, Thank You Noraly, Peace ❤❤❤
So sad that this Cottontree was destroyed in a rain storm around May 24/25. Glad Noraly got there before this happened.
Yes, I saw that on the news, really sad😢
That’s sad. Btw I didn’t expect that the publishing delay is so big😮
@@pindeed good point, me neither, that’s a bit of a surprise. It explains why the production of Itchy’s videos seems so crisp, when I was wondering how she had the time and energy for all that editing on the go.
Maybe I'm being particularly stupid but aren't we in 2023 yet you say 24/25 ??
@@neilbiker320 May 24th, 2023.
The noise Alaska was making sounds to me like a camchain rattle. Could be just a sticky tensioner, making an intermittent rattle. Best of luck.
My guess also. I hope we find out :o)
Makes sense, when the bike warms up would it stretch and rattle, maybe?
My guess also, tensioner worn out.
My thoughts as well. Could be a easy fix depending on the construction
Beat me too it Cam chain tensioner is my bet also.
The information pertaining to Freetown and its beginning was very interesting. You bring the world a little closer together. We are all better for it. Thank You
Your heart sings when you discover new places.We feel the excitement with you
We are becoming as addicted to travel adventure as you.Thank you for the videos. All real you tell it as you feel it .What an ambassador for this planet....wow.Thank you so much..We owe you so much.
In full knowledge the problem has been sorted, I can't hold back the smartarsey corner of my self and suggest that there's a problem with the primary chain that transmits the power from the crankshaft to the gearbox. Probably the chain tensioner is worn out or the spring/hydraulic piston that set the chain tension have some malfunction. When the crankshaft slows down the primary shaft of the gearbox is spinning slightly faster, feeding the chain to the crankshaft rather than the crank pulling it. If the chain tension is low, the chain would be lose in that part and free to rattle.
As Alaska is doing a lot of off-road work, putting out high torque much of the time, that would just be wear. Nothing to break your engine in ten kilometres, but something to have fixed soon.
Hah! 🤗 I feel better, now that I said it! ☺😇
Fascinating story about the origin of Freetown there! And lovely episode!!1! 🤗² 😍³
All yours,
Zweispurmuppet
🤔 …mopped 😊
Researched (As the smartarsery in me wasn't satisfied with my answer), found that the CRF 300 Rally doesn't even have a primary chain. That puts the big end bearing in focus.
…and that would be a nasty one. 😵💫
I understand your anxiety over Alaska. You totally depend on her - and she has been so dependable up to this point. I hope you are able to find a solution quickly. Regardless, you've produced another great video!
So amazing that you got to see the Cotton Tree before it fell and share it with us!
Means this video is 5weeks back.Enough time to repair the Honda...
The noise seems to come from the timing chain.
I think there's a tensioner pressurized by the engine oil.
If that's the case, heat, making the oil thinner, can reduce the pressure on the tensioner, and if it has an o-ring to keep the pressure, the overheating you had has damaged it, leaving a bad seal.
@dadoVRC I reckon you are absolutely correct! The noise is on the overrun, so this would cause the tensioner to resonate, and not be dampened by oil pressure. Higher Viscosity and a better VI oil would help in the short term.
Cam chain tensioner. Nothing wrong with changing the oil and coolant as well.
I am relatively sure that the CRF 300 has no hydraulic tensioner. And even if, it would not sound like this. It is also very difficult to diagnose something like this using only an audio recording. To me it sounds like a bad crankshaft bearing. I hope that I am not right.
@@skripy I didn't know that engine, but being a single cylinder it have probably ball bearings for the crankshaft support and needle ones for the big end of the rod.
Don't know if camshaft bearings are ball ones or if they are simply rotating in the head like some older models are (like the smaller XL engines, but I think there's ball bearings.
If ball/needle bearings are used there's no chance they make that clattering noise.
However that noise reminds me only about timing chain.
Don't know how you are listening to them, I'm watching videos on a quite good quality audio setup, maybe listening from a smartphone sounds different.
However, a severe overheating of the engine oil can damage also the timing chain guides, causing a bigger slack of it.
I bet we discover what the issue is on the following videos, hoping if it is the timing chain it doesn't skip teeth, because that's a disaster.
Nope, I was wrong. It has cast iron bearings on the crankshaft and also a normal bearing on the rod.
Hope they aren't the issue.
The Honda team should follow you. Possibly also send support. You are a really good ambassador for them.
❤ from Africa twin rider.
Why would they do that?
She is rich enough to have anything shipped overthere, including a new bike or a mechanic.
@@ekimandersom4478 If you say so..
May I suggest Jørgen Johnsen.... If money is not the issue
@@ekimandersom4478 She is doing free Ads, why not they do something.
That is a magnificent tree and from the comments, I am thrilled that you filmed it for us and shared the story. It is typical Itchy Boots to absorb the stress and continue travelling and vlogging - this amazing biker who brings us the world in a very unique and personal way. Thank you. May your problems with Alaska be sorted soon.
Sorry to tell you that the amazing tree blew down in a storm very recently, so Noraly was one of the last people to see it standing. Sad loss for Freetown and the people of Sierra Leone.
@@stonemarten1400 The trunk and roots are still intact, it's possible new shoots will grow from the trunk. But if so, it'll take hundreds of years to grow to the previous size of the tree.
Perseverance and self confidence will take you a long way. An engine knock and an absent mechanic does not deter Noraly. Thanks for another great video.Stay safe.
From an armchair mechanic if I could take a guess where the noise is coming from, sounds like the timing chain for the valves😊
I think that one day the Itchy Boots Ride will be a priceless historical document. When our descedants wish to learn what life, society and nature was like in the early 2000's Noraly's unique perspective will entertain,enthral and educate future generations. An Epic Ride for the ages!
It is a priceless document. Some days after the visit of Noraly in Freetown, the Sierra Leone's iconic cotton tree felled by storm!
@@MajorAlb Wow, the Cottton Tree completely gone! What a conincidence, to mention the video as a historical document and then a few days later it may be one of the last to document the Tree.
Alaska certainly has some miles beneath her wheels. This issue does highlight the complexity of modern liquid cooled engines.
There’s a reason the locals run around on air cooled motors.
I was a bit doubtful when the Honda people didn't recognize Alaska as a Honda. I know you'll get it straightened out as soon as you can. Your attitude and spirit is commendable and contagious. Thank you for taking us along with you. Be safe.
There are plenty of Honda motorcycles that Honda people (even in the US) don't recognize as a Honda. One of the motorcycles I ride most is a 1994 CB250. It's as common as air in much of the world but, they didn't sell in the US and most people, even Honda mechanics believe it's a Chinese bike.
Thank god it’s a Honda
You got a very good point! Good eye.
@@ralphgesler5110 Perhaps engine covers would have Honda on them but body work not so
Honda is a very big and diverse Company with many models and versions of the same models all over the World . Not every model sold in Europe , the Usa or South America is available in Africa. Also Alaska was updated and made to look dif. To me it sounds like a cam chain situation
Nice to see your video at the Adventure bike Festival UK. Waiting for your Future Video!
Aww. Wikipedia says the cotton tree was felled at the end of May 2023 by a heavy rain storm. It must have been just after Itchy Boots was there. Cool we all got to see it.
A centuries-old tree fell in a storm - and left a hole in a nation's heart. Sierra Leone has been dealt a “great loss,” the country's leader said Thursday, after its Cotton Tree, which served as a symbol of national freedom, was brought down.26 May 2023
The words "SL wasn't really inhabited (before)" hurted, though.
I see driving lanes are optional in Freetown. 😁 Thank you for the story of the famous cotton tree. I did not know about it. Fingers crossed that Alaska will be okay until she can get properly looked at!
Expect anything! That is probably the main traffic rule in Freetown.
I was researching about the cotton tree. In Asia and Africa it's more commonly known as kapok, and their seed pods which are large contain fluffy substance that mimics cotton. I remember seeing these trees when I traveled in Indonesia many years ago... SADLY, the tree FELL in a big rain storm on May 24 of this year with only it's base standing! So Norally must have seen it just a few days before its demise!!
Good morning Noraly. It's always a good day when you post and share your experiences with us. I have to say, it's a shame Honda isn't sponsoring/supporting you and Alaska on your adventures around the world. They could at least provide you with a direct contact who could advise and be there when you need help. They have a worldwide network/supply chain that would be of tremendous assistance to help diagnose the problems and direct you to an appropriate dealer/mechanic that is certified by them. In return they get the worldwide exposure of their product you are providing here to 1.69M subscribers plus the non-subscribers that view your videos. It's a good thing the dealership in the Netherlands are supporting you , but is it enough for such an adventure? Yes, Alaska is getting punished severely and still taking you where you need to go, which is a huge testament to Honda's product. You have displayed over the years that you have a strong, vested interest in maintaining your bikes and ensuring they are in good running order. They are you lifeline in many ways. You can't do what you do without a serviceable bike. I hope you manage to find the help you need to fix Alaska in Freetown so you can continue on a worry free journey. Stay safe, keep well, and happy trails. P.S. If I may, it would be great to see a tire company get on board to help you as well.
I agree...what a great opportunity for promoting their products...getting fully tested under extreme conditions....by a beautiful intelligent woman...get on board you companies she has earned respect of 1.6+million....potential for equipment n clothing testing...
Honda is not her sponsor, for good reason. If you think about it Honda is better off watching from the sidelines to allow the bike to make it, or not, on its own, on her own. That is better advertisement if you ask me. A Honda supported rider would be less interesting. Its pretty basic really, she let the engine overheat, didn't check her coolant, and is in need of a new engine, or a rebuild.....for reliability....which is obviously something she needs. Sooner or later taking chances in long distance riding luck will change.....then its rescue time....emergency rescue.
@@greyfisher3897 i agree...that's what i meant...maybe a healthy discount when she's worn out her current bike and looking for a replacement.......im sure they would love feedback on how to improve the machines reliability.....but yeah i do agree with what you are saying...
It sounds like the spring in the automatic cam chain tensioner is broken and is an easy fix and easy to check.
Noraly, even when faced with a potentially serious issue with Alaska, you maintain your cool and calm attitude. Considering where you were when the engine noise became more serious, you are amazing. Wishing the best for you and Alaska and finding the right mechanic to fix it. Cheers and stay safe, Dan ❤️✌️🇨🇦
Hi!! Noraly,
Deze hele nieuwe serie (Afrika) is een soort openbaring geweest voor je hele publiek. Deze delen van de wereld staan niet op de bucketlist van elke reiziger!! En zeker niet met de motor, dat weet ik zeker. Maar zoals gewoonlijk heb je een voorliefde voor het kiezen van minder bereisde wegen en slaag je erin ons allemaal te laten zien dat de wereld inderdaad klein is, alles is daarbuiten, wachtend op ons - of het nu gaat om stranden, bossen, bergen, vlaktes, woestijn, jij noem maar op, het is er allemaal. Je informele interacties met de lokale bevolking in verschillende landen blijven ons hart verwarmen. Altijd, respectvol, dankbaar voor de verschillende gewoonten en gewoonten en nooit een glimlach, zij het in sommige stressvolle situaties. Bedankt voor alles wat je ons hebt gebracht en ons hebt laten zien dat de mensheid nog steeds bestaat als we ondanks alle verwachtingen positief blijven. Blijf rijden en ontdekken en breng ons al deze spannende avonturen. Blijf veilig en wees voorzichtig!!
Groetjes!!
Poor old tree. Standing there for 400 years, and then falling down in chock after seeing the world famous Itchy Boots parking her bike right by his roots :-D
That noise is probably from the cam chain due to a faulty tensioner. It is simple to see if it is a faulty tensioner, just have to take out the bolt Ans washer at the end of it, place a tiny screwdriver inside of it, start the engine and slowly turn the tensioner anticlockwise and see if the noise disappears. It's a "simple" and fast diagnose to exclude a faulty tensioner or stretched chain.
I'm impressed by the natural setting of the city sourrounded by beautiful mountains and gorgeous seafront. Even the more congested center seems to have its own charms. Love the massive historic cotton, also known as kapok, tree. SADLY, according to Wikipedia, it was felled by a big storm on on May 24 this year. So Noraly you were VERY FORTUNATE to see it just in the nick of time!! A few days later you would have missed it!! I feel grateful to have witnessed it through your lens too. RIP beautiful kapok tree! Hopefully you'll resprout from the base or they'll plant a new one. Hope you had good luck getting your bike repaired. Kind of wished this episode was a little longer. A lot of these videos in Africa are leaving us hanging "to be continued . . ." !!!
You are true bike vlogger. Be safe . You are my inspiration
We all hope you stay safe while traveling. Bless you.
Thank you for being at the ABR festival you were fantastic oh and thank you for signing my programme
Cam Chain/cam chain tensioner issues? Hi Noraly. I am a retired motorcycle mechanic from rural Victoria OZ.
You are right that it is not the valves . You would hear them all the time and you don't.
The fact that the noise comes just above idle and as the revs are descending screams cam chain or cam chain tensioner to me.
I only ever did a minor service on a CRF 300 Rally just once but I have plenty of experience with it's close cousin, the CRF 250L. The camchain tensioners fail regularly and often. I have repaired a few of them successfully but some of them failed soon after so I adopted the replacement policy.
The good news is that testing the theory is easy and cheap. I have two tests with the tensioner still in place and one with it out.
!: Engine cold and not running; Remove the screw in the center of the tensioner. It looks like a Philips (+) screw but it actually a Japan Industry Standard screw. Different tool but a #2 Philips screwdriver will do. About ten mm inside the hole, there is a slot in which you can insert a flat blade screw driver. Turn the internals a turn or two clockwise and let the screw driver go. If it does not spin back to where you started, the tensioner spring is broken and this is the fault I found so many times. If it spins back but the noise persists wham the engine is hot and running, there is not enough tension on the spring or the workings are clogged with crud from dirty oil. Not likely in your case. Or the chain is worn beyond what the tensioner can accommodate.
2: Engine running, preferably hot; With the screw out of the tensioner, insert flat blade screw driver. While blipping the throttle as you did in the video, very slowly and gently turn the inner workings counter clockwise. If you can't turn it at all, the tensioner is out of travel as the cam chain is worn beyond what the tensioner can accommodate and you need a new chain. If you can turn it and the noise goes away, the tensioner is the problem and you need a new one.
As I said before, they can be repaired. They have what looks like a clock spring inside and the inner end of same breaks off where the bend is. It is possible to put a new bend and thus make a new end to engage with the slot but I found that they often break again.
That said, this repair will keep you on the road until you can get a new part. Then you can swap new for old and carry the repaired old one as a spare. My experience would urge me to urge you to carry one of these on principle.
I feel it's important to test this theory ASAP. If the tensioner has failed, the chain will flog itself to death in a very short time. This will lead to, at best, the chain slipping a tooth or two, usually on shut down and then refusing to start again. This could happen anywhere, any time. At worst, the crankshaft/camshaft sync being far enough out as to cause the piston to contact the valves with seriously stranding results; at least two bent valves, possible damage to valve guides. All easily fixed here in OZ but not cheap.
If it is the cam chain, the above applies just the same.
Was the cam chain replaced in Anchorage? If so, it's probably the tensioner. If not, it could be either.
3: Tensioner out. Insert flat blade screw driver and turn internals clockwise and let the screw driver go. If it spins back, it's probable okay. If not re[place with a new one or disassemble and repair the one you have.
Warning about the engine running test: The exhaust header pipe is right where your hands need to be. Third degree burns are an occupational hazard. Be careful!!!!!!!!
If your overheating/coolant loss caused the problem, the noise would be excessive piston to bore clearance due to a partial seizure. This would be most obvious when the engine is cold. Given that you hear it most when it's hot, I doubt that this would be the problem. It's still screaming cam chain or tensioner to me.
Please get to the bottom of this while help is at hand.
Then carry on and keep giving us no excuse to stay at home. 🙂
Oh goodness Noraly! You are beyond amazing. I can’t believe how you manage to keep your wits when you are faced with so much of a serious problem. The fact that you keep this channel up with fantastic videos in the face of wondering if poor Alaska is gonna poop out any minute, is mind boggling. Some call it bravery, some call it patience....you are just unbelievable! I hope things worked out but will be sitting on the edge waiting for the next video. I always have to tell myself...I’m seeing the video...things worked out, somehow. You go girl!!!
Its unbelievable alright....losing all your coolant is a serious problem, and not the kind of event you come out of unscathed. The engine is damaged. The type of damage that is not easily...or hopefully repaired easily. It make noise when its hot...not good.
@@greyfisher3897; have faith, it’s a Honda.
In spite of the issues with the engine, you were in a cool city with beautiful views and a rich history! Hope you were able to get Alaska repaired and running smoothly again. Thanks for sharing this day in your adventure. Ride safe Noraly!
Amazing to see how the mode of transport changes from country to country in Africa. First it was camels, then the venerable donkey cart, or Kalahari Ferrari as it is sometimes known, then predominantly bicycles, next scooters and small motorbikes, and now, in Sierra Leone three wheeled tuk-tuks, similar to countries on the eastern side where they are prevalent. Further south it will be great big white SUV's in the more affluent communities.
I remember being in equatorial guinea with 3 Australians when their car which they had driven from Britain finally packed up. Locals took the spare parts and the aussies got a bus. No mechanic for miles... no proper garages but heaps of love and kindness from the locals.
Hola Noraly,el sonido que hace el motor parece ser la cadena de distribución muy estirada o el tensor de esta que se rompió. Reemplaza el tensor es muy facil pero cambiar la cadena es más complicado. Saludos cordiales desde Buenos Aires Argentina.
I concur it sounded like timing chain rubbing.
@@smokeskull would that noise only occur when it's hot?
Just by hearing that noise at idle has me thinking timing chain is worn or the tensioner is not doing its job. Some times a clutch can sound like that too. Impossible to accurately diagnose via video though. I hope you get on top of it soon.
I agree , I suspect the clutch too
@@davidyendoll5903Could be the clutch basket anti shock springs rattling ,they are prone to wearing on small Honda singles 250 cc - 350 at around 16 ,000 miles + . They are more annoying than serious ,I had a 1980 Honda RSA 250 that ran with clutch rattle & a knackered cam for over 20,000 miles no problem just got a little noisy when warmed up .
I agree….. sounds like the timing chain tensioner or the clutch.
could be a loose nut inside the clutch.
@@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr Automatic cam chain tensioners can also stick & play up & clutch thrust bearings can also wear & rattle . The little engine has took a lot of stick ,on some gruesome terrain ,loaded with gear ,for long periods in dust & heat ,being dropped . Even though it’s a Honda it’s had a hard life in all kinds of climate & terrain . The engine is only around 270cc with small oil capacity .
I remember reading: A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. Just a regular boy lowing hip hop and dreaming of becoming rap artist turned to merciless killer overnight. It is a hard read and I will never forget his story. So happy seeing Freetown in peace.
Thank you for sharing the tree with us ✌️now
Wishing Alaska a speedy fix to her issue and Wishing you Safe travels and more great adventures. Love you Itchy Boots @!😊😊😊
Oh Noraly was not expecting this. We know there is a significant time delay in your posting, that being said: Hopefully, Alaska is now fit and soldiering on. She is an ever faithful companion! 🤞💪Best Wishes and Ride Safe 🙏❤🏍🤠
While chatting with a friend about doing a joint local adventure tour on our Scooter Motorbikes, he mentioned this 'Itchy Boots' channel.
My 1st time here and have subscribed.
Itchy is so calm despite every other bike and tuktuk seemingly coming too close for comfort.
In Thailand, I had taken my International Licence with me thinking I'll hire a bike, but on day one, I saw 2 bikers crash into each other while driving in the middle of the road!!, so decided not to dare ride.
I should have watched Itchy boots 1st for inspiration and hope 😉😊
Africa is such an amazing country - pretty advanced.
I'm very surprised they dont have someone in each town able to sort Alaska out for her.
They should at least be able to isolate the issue.
They can normally handle anything, including repurposing similar parts - but not valves and cams! - but if they dont have parts for this model of bike - yeh, it can be many weeks to order and wait for an oversea's shipment. Great show Itchy Boots 💯👍.
I am in love with Africa , the entire continent and the beautiful,kind ,helpful happy people 🙏🏼🌅💜🌍
Considering the audio problem and being worried about Alaska's engine, Noraly, I would say you did a wonderful job with your video. What blows my mind is how you can safely make it through that horrendous traffic!!😅I sure hope everything turns out well with Alaska. Lots of love from Gene in Tennessee.
Happy Summer Solstice Noraly, from Derbyshire England 😍
Cam chain tensioner rattle for sure. Easily cured by moving the adjuster.
Hi guy's, so Colourful the people, clothes and landscape😊
Regards Rickard from Sweden 🚐🌺🎸🇸🇪
So nice to see you in Sierra Leone, brought back memories of my childhood when my dad worked for a Dutch Company SLST in Koidu and Yengema as a Civil Engineer at the open cast diamond mines. Could almost smell that red earth.
Beautiful scenery. Wishing you luck with Alaska. Thanks for sharing your adventures.
Noraly, you have inspired me and so many others to get out and see the world. I just purchased a 300L day before yesterday and am looking forward to getting on some trails. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Announcement From Noraly (Itchy Boots) - there will be no video this coming Sunday, as I have just landed in the UK to attend the Adventure Bike Rider Festival the coming days!
Alaska is waiting patiently for my return, so don’t worry, I’ll be back in Africa 😅 Next video will be next Wednesday on my channel !
The completely random city traffic is amazing. Just go where ever.
Unusual noise from the engine.. I think the most common issue in most engines is the chain tensioner.
Yeah... but it would be clickity clackity at idle as well if it was a bad tensioner.
@@v4pilot331 It gets more pronounced on the over run. I think the tensioner (or the chain) is the likely source.
You’re back, thanks you’re awesome 🏍️🇺🇸👍🏻😎
Been sensing too that Noraly is not herself. Somehow more deeply tired. Noraly, you are good at listening the problems of Alaska. Do you remember to listen to yourself as well?
Your patience in the traffic is Amazing, I hope the bike gets sorted soon 😳
hello, hug from Brazil, i love your videos...
Brings back memories 🫣 the old Honda is still knocking. It might be the timing chain tensioner in your case too and I reckon it’ll be fine until you find a a chance to replace it👍🏼 Hope you could sort it out already! Cheers Noraly 🤙🏼
Timing chain noise was my thoughts too.
That place is MAD. No helmets, no road rules.. CHAOS. Don't know if anyone has told you this before, but with enthusiasm, and optimism aside, you are one serious BADASS😀As a fellow rider, i doubt there are many of us who don't cringe, every time you ride in those conditions.
It really is a skill you develop, riding in those crazy environments with few rules being followed. She's adjusted to it well. I've lived in Togo for three years and view driving - on two wheels or four - to be a game. For the most part mass wins... so don't mess with a larger vehicle! Noraly does a great job in the busy cities and out in the empty countryside.
@@DeekerG4 She's amazing. Has my respect.
It’s amazing the obstacles you overcome. Very inspiring!
Over-cooked engine often = head gasket damage. Likely a small leak into the coolant or oil sleeve above a certain temp. It's one of those problems that has downstream impacts: polluting engine oil with combustion gas, for example. Change the oil until you find a workshop as a precaution.
This is one of the advantages of travelling by bicycle. A bike is relatively simple compared to a motorcycle and with a little basic knowledge and common sense you can usually diagnose the problem. There are also a thousand hacks to keep you on the road. Finding spare parts in the developing world is another matter.
I have resisted making this comment for several episodes now because one of the rules for comments is “be nice”. But with the mechanical problems and not being able to get them fixed I can’t hold back anymore. While I love this channel and how it allows me to see amazing far off places from the comfort of my living room, I can’t help but notice that all of Sub Saharan Africa looks like a total disaster. Seeing how many river crossings had to be made in very sketchy canoes was frightening. For places that have been inhabited for millennia not to have built bridges over fairly narrow and shallow bodies of water is shocking. Love the channel. Sorry for the negative comments, but seriously Africa, get your self together.
Poor countries often with not so good authorities. Makes it hard to be anything else,
If you would have told us earlier about Alaska’s odd and intermittent noise all of your followers would indeed be very worried! Good luck, we’re all sending positive thoughts!
I know you will get Alaska sorted, but i hope that gets done without too much stress and hassle for you. I hope your next few days go especially well.
If the sound appear only when the engines is hot, it might be your timing chain tensioner. Honda moped is so popular with that problem here in south east asia. 😅
It seems like coming from the timing chain, or timing chain tensioner, ride safe❤❤❤
I think the same. @MarcTravels had a similar issue with his Dominator in Portugal, back when he didn't have EVE yet ;)
Morning all viewers from Australia
Even going through so much trouble seeing your smile and the joy you bring is very rewarding, I love your vídeos
That cotton tree fell down in a storm on 24th May,so Noraly was lucky to see it then.Massive tree.
I hope it works out Boots!😊
Amazing story about the history of that great tree. And let’s hope you find a good mechanic! As always stay safe!
Yes, shame that beautiful, historic tree blew down in a storm recently, so sad for the people of Freetown and Sierra Leone.
Alaska is asking for some TLC…Whenever it happens again putting in a thicker oil will help for a while longer..First tuk tuks! Just like you overheating problems! You ride fearlessly! Liberian Embassy, one customer a day, wake up the guard on arrival.
The way you handle traffic is incredible. Your training in Holland must be put to use extensively in some parts of the world. Best to you and Godspeed.
I do feel for Alaska hope her problem is fixed❤ thank you for showing the cotton tree quite a history there of freedom hope and peace you always gave us something to think about 😊😊😊 👍and as always stay safe much love from Guyana South America
Ohhh, nooo! Alaska is in trouble and needs to be attended by experts ... what to do, what to do? In the meantime we tour Freetown with Noraly, it is a very colourful city and beautiful coastal views. Thank you Noraly for showing us parts of Africa which I am certain I will not get to visit.
Here is hoping you find a good mechanic for Alaska so you can continue your adventurous journey.
GO ITCHY BOOTS, GO ... 🏍🏍🏍
Sorry to hear about your engine problems. May I suggest that in high temperature situations you resist shutting the engine off as soon as you stop. I am a truck driver. They used to tell us to idle the engine for 5 minutes before we shut it down, but now they tell us a couple of minutes is enough to cool it off on hot days. It might be good if you delay shutting you engine off until you climb off the bike. That would be 15 seconds, and would probably be enough to cool it off. Also when coming into a town and preparing to shut the engine off it is wise to downshift each gear until you are stopped. Avoid coasting with the clutch depressed on hot days as this could score your cylinder walls. People have actually seized their engine in hot weather. Bottom line. Try to cool it off as best you can by leaving it in gear until you stop. So you would not clutch until the RPM is almost down to idle. Hope that helps.
If you think it might be the cam chain tensioner, look at (or get your mechanic to look at) UA-cam video "CRF250L TO 286CC (CRF300L) Cam chain tensioner reset / valve clearances". Hopefully (probably) it can be done with the motor still in the frame.
Saludos desde Xela, Guatemala. Me encantan tus videos. Los he estado viendo casi desde que comenzaron. Gracias por compartir tus aventuras.
Hope you get your engine problems fix with not to much hassle, some of the traffic I see is crazy , safe travels
Noraly, I have been a mechanic for nearly 50 years and I've listened to that noise several times over. As a general rule [never say never] damaged internal engine parts do not make a noise that comes and goes. A galled or loose piston for instance is louder cold, plus it burns no oil and seems to run fine which would in turn seem to indicate good compression.
It doesn't sound like a rod bearing. Rod bearings knock under load and at higher RPM, when you were revving the engine at the shop the noise seems to get louder when unloaded. It would also have a tendency to knock loudly when first started in the morning, quieting after the oil pressure comes up.
The frequency seems wrong for a wrist pin, which would rattle at double the engine speed. A knock every time the piston changes direction. Also a sharper rap sound.
It's a duller sound, not a sharp tapping noise like is produced by the valvetrain. You're dead certain it's internal to the engine?
It is almost impossible to help diagnose by watching a video half a world away in Texas, but it almost sounds like a loose baffle in the muffler or something else loose. Vibration related. It has a hollow, almost rattly sound in the video. Perhaps after the pipe gets super hot and expands? Listening while you were riding steady state and also while shifting gears {loading and unloading the engine} I heard nothing amiss, but again I'm halfway around the world.
I would strongly suggest changing the oil and looking for excessive metal or other foreign material in the oil and filter. If something is eating itself inside the engine you will find it in the oil and filter. If you find nothing I would say you could relax a bit.
Hi Noraly, Mohamed from Sierra Leone🇸🇱.
The Cotton Tree was brought down by heavy rains a few weeks ago.
We will surely miss this National icon😢
Thanks for passing through our country 🇸🇱,you've done a fine work and I hope Alaska get fixed
Hi Noraly, it was a pleasure & massive surprise to meet you at the ABR festival in England at the weekend. I know ideally you perhaps would have preferred to have been continuing with your exploits towards the Ivory Coast. But to our gain at the ABR we had the pleasure in being entertained by your really informative & passionate presentations on the speaker stages at the festival. You are as down to earth & endearing as you are in your awesome channel. It's Daz by the way, the chap that asked in your speech at the ABR whether you would consider doing a mini-season touring in the UK? Hope you enjoyed your weekend, look forward to you getting back to your 'beautiful office', Daz. 👍
It needs a spoiler alert! :>)
Awesome video Noraly. Audio issues aside, everything was perfect and the audio was not a problem. Hoping that you get a diagnose on Alaska quickly and the problem can be repaired. Thanks for showing me Freetown and the mountains and the beaches.
Sounds like cam chain tensioner rattle. Pretty easy fix and not too serious. Assuming you can get a new one, of course!!
Good luck with the repair, hope not to serious or lengthy.
hope you say? Its an engine that was overheated and lost it coolant in extreme heat and riding conditions, it was most likely seized during her sand dune crash (when it was stuck in gear...then cooled down and was moveable again), the likelihood of there being something simple and easy to fix is near zero. There is something wrong with a moving part internally in her engine. It is serious obviously, and in need of repair, and continuing to ride around is only going to make it worse....meaning catastrophic failure...its an engine. Losing coolant is a big big....big problem....in a liquid cooled bike. These comments are all full of hope and praise, and only a few are down to earth and realistic.
You should check the owner manual of the bike. Check the ambient temp, its related to the viscosity of engine oil that you have to use. Normaly in hot temperature it is recommended to use 20w 50 instead of 5w 40. Hope it would help
Yea cause Noraly would not have thought of using the correct oil after 30,000 miles or so...geez
I appreciate your amazing video and your never ending, planning, troubleshooting and adventure. I hope Alaska gets sorted out in the near future and once again thank you for taking us along with you.
Keep up the awesome adventure 🇨🇦
You flew the UK and appeared at Warwickshire so I guess Alaska needs some hard to find replacement parts.
i would think that Honda, if there arent any experts in Freetown, would at least offer some remote/video session help to a local dealer or motorcycle shop. Maybe they already have. My bet is that Noraly is gathering a small collection of engine parts to fly back to Freetown. Maybe a new cam chain and tensioner, perhaps a new complete cylinder head? If I were Honda, I would _quietly_ provide some assistance here.
@@bmwtravel1100
I didn't hear her going into the technical issues with Alaska at Warwickshire. I don't know what's wrong with Alaska but IB sending a sound recording to her NL Honda dealer and mentioning it aren't the valves ....Honda's and cam chain issues .... cam chain springs to mind but I'm no expert.
@@AlanCurtis2523
It's a Honda, it probably will keep running...sort of. 😁
Love your great videos and the music you select is spot on👍🏼 First class👍🏿