Since I left mauritania the back hasn’t been running as good as it usually does. And I think that’s down to the air-filter and fuel-filter, so today I took the opportunity to take the tank off to change the air filter and also change the fuel filter.
The air filter wasnt too bad but I still changed it. As for the fuel filter – it was horrible. Now I know why she wasnt running as good as she should. The fuel in Senegal was okay, as when I was getting refuelled I could see the fuel and it always looked quite clean. i think the damage was done when I was in the Western sahara and the fuel always looked dark – and dirty.
When you’re in Europe the petrol is sparkling clean and clear, especially in Spain – which has a lovely blue tinge to it – but when you come to this part of the world sometimes the fuel isn’t as clean. The fuel in most of Morocco is excellent but the further south you go the fuel can become dirtier. I only brought one fuel filter with me as I intended to change the filter here in Morocco on the return leg where the fuel is pretty good. If you’re venturing to this part of the world I wouldn’t worry too much about air and fuel filters, but if you’re going down to the Sahara, Senegal or further – then fuel and air filters are definitely something you need to take seriously and bring spares.
I got the work done and she started first time – and she sounded great. Back to normal and breathing fire as usual… I took the bike for a quick spin – and it feels like a different bike now, which has cheered me up.
