Bringing my V-Max overseas - What parts should I bring?

[Lotsokids]

I'll be moving to Hungary in about a week. I just got a "green light" and decided to bring my 1985 V-Max. I'll have NO availability to get parts over there. My company will fly me and my family home to the U.S. every year, though. We'll be over there for a total of about 3 years or longer.

My starter has been making some grinding noises (for about 4 months), so I'm bringing a new starter with me. I'm also bringing a set of spark plugs, brake pads, and oil filters. Plug wires are very good. I can get fluids there. My bike has 56,000 [hard] miles.

It's just going to suck paying $7 per gallon for fuel!!!

Am I missing anything?

 

[ghostntheshell]

bring

1.) Air filters
2.) More than one set of plugs. Maybe wires to boot.
3.) Light bulbs
4.) Fuel filters
5.) Oil filters

for simple basic maintenance.

 

[Nick.]

don't forget fuses and maybe an extra battery, they may not have that size over there

 

[satariel666]

I'll be moving to Hungary in about a week. I just got a "green light" and decided to bring my 1985 V-Max. I'll have NO availability to get parts over there. My company will fly me and my family home to the U.S. every year, though. We'll be over there for a total of about 3 years or longer.

My starter has been making some grinding noises (for about 4 months), so I'm bringing a new starter with me. I'm also bringing a set of spark plugs, brake pads, and oil filters. Plug wires are very good. I can get fluids there. My bike has 56,000 [hard] miles.

It's just going to suck paying $7 per gallon for fuel!!!

Am I missing anything?

Nahhhh dont worry dude. I know bunch of euro machine, parts, dealers shops you can imagine. I will be not to far form you so i can help you with eventualy problems. I use to travel to Hungary couple of times, i like spicey Hungurian food and its nice country ayway

And common guys, thers no problem to get running parts in europe, problems will appear when he will need to pay for them LOL :rofl_200:

 

[Rollie]

I'll be moving to Hungary in about a week. I just got a "green light" and decided to bring my 1985 V-Max. I'll have NO availability to get parts over there. My company will fly me and my family home to the U.S. every year, though. We'll be over there for a total of about 3 years or longer.

My starter has been making some grinding noises (for about 4 months), so I'm bringing a new starter with me. I'm also bringing a set of spark plugs, brake pads, and oil filters. Plug wires are very good. I can get fluids there. My bike has 56,000 [hard] miles.

It's just going to suck paying $7 per gallon for fuel!!!

Am I missing anything?

Does the starter noise sound like marbles in a metal can ? If so , it could be the starter clutch .

 

[tvmax]

Bring anything that you do not want to break. LOL I would put a pc680 battery in before you go.

 

[Lotsokids]

Does the starter noise sound like marbles in a metal can ? If so , it could be the starter clutch .

Thanks everyone.

It kind of does sound like that. I was convinced it was the starter, because when I bought it, the start button was VERY sticky and stuck in occasionally keeping the starter engaged. I assumed the prior owner didn't know this and toasted the starter bearings and shims.

The battery is brand new - only about 1 week old. My whole charging system has been replaced and very strong.

Tires are good.

I got some cool LED turn signals in the mail now.

 

[satariel666]

I got some cool LED turn signals in the mail now.

Aaaaa one more thing, very important one.

Some US thins are illegal in UE. For example you must disable your running/blinker lights, some reflective areas at the radiator side cover and
tailight..etc.
For example in Chech Republic you need to have evry kind of extra bulb while your driving an motorcycle, also you need to have first aid kit.
Dunno how its exactly in Hungury but you better check this out, and road regulations and terms too.

Some cops here dont give a damm about US homologations/legalizations, they intrested in EU ones only.
I know what i've had to do with my US v-max to make it street legalized.
You can get a hudge ticket somethimes.
And even cops here do not need a reason to stop you for inspection, they can do it whenever they want.
Again, dunno how its exactly in HUN, but its very similar in PL, Chech, Germany, Slovakia, Ukraine etc

Good luck.

 

[tugla]

not sure but maybe a spare tire might be handy, are they expensive there????

 

[[email protected]]

+1 on the starter clutch. You may want to make sure it is good before leaving, otherwise, take the parts.

 

[one2dmax]

Starter Clutch, Gaskets, Carb Gaskets in case you need a rebuild, Spark Plugs, Maybe some electrical parts, brake parts if you think they will wear in that time frame, ect...

Keep in mind as Prezmek noted, you can still get parts over there and I've shipped to that country a few times so not a huge deal I don't think.

Sean

 

[Geek_Law]

Just spruce it up now, and enjoy your experience. If the bike does blow up, you'll be out of commission for 3-4 weeks instead of 1-2 weeks if you cannot get the parts locally, but I'll bet you'll find some local connections. If not, you'll pay a bit more, and wait a bit longer, but it's not the end of the world.

Also, I like 666's input. Know your place. You've probably traveled a good bit if you are going over there for 3x years, but just remember you are a foreigner in a somebody else's country. The phrase, "But I'm an American" isn't gonna get you far if you break THEIR laws.

So do make your bike street legal, and do as the locals do.

And have fun, and learn the language, if you do not already know it. Sounds like an absolute blast.

 

[satariel666]

And have fun, and learn the language, if you do not already know it. Sounds like an absolute blast.

I would not recommend that, most outsiders brakes thier tongues when trying polish and personaly ill find Hungurian more dificult LOL :rofl_200:

Of course no offence to anyone.

 

[Lotsokids]

Bummer... it looks like I can't take the bike now. I was going to throw it into my household goods, but it started blossoming into something very ugly. I intended to keep current U.S. registration, but I ran into a wall with customs. It's going to cost up to $4,000 to register it over there.

So I will be draining the carbs and filling the tank with fuel and stabilizer.

I'll be coming home once a year, so I can fire it up briefly then.

Ducati / KTM dealers - Here I come. *long sigh* :confused2:

 

[Geek_Law]

You know ... I think its probably for the best. Get a cheap fun bike that you can re-sell, and know that your max will be waiting for you at home.

 

[satariel666]

As far as i know you dont need to register the bike, theres something like:
Repatration property witch is non duties and no tax.


I've had a friend who living in USA, once he needed to move out to Poland for about a year. He takes his bike and car with him to PL.
All the time he was driving with USA license plates and as far as i know he didnt pay anything for that. Law is similar in whole europe(well it should be) and i do not bealive that it costs 4k$ for take a bike with you.

I registered my USA v-max in december last year and i've ended with about 200$ for registration...

 

[gamorg02]

honestly. i'd drain the tank.

 

[Lotsokids]

honestly. i'd drain the tank.

That's how they rust up.

I also got a document from a representative over in Hungary who works for my company as the registration specialist. The document listed all the fees, etc for bringing a vehicle over and it was about $4,000. You have 12 months of grace, though.

 

[satariel666]

That's how they rust up.

I also got a document from a representative over in Hungary who works for my company as the registration specialist. The document listed all the fees, etc for bringing a vehicle over and it was about $4,000. You have 12 months of grace, though.

Talk to my firend who used to travel from usa to many diffrent countries and heard another story form him but never mind if you've contacted with specialists.

Cheers

 

[DenniSM]

God gives you lemons, make lemonade. My KTM is a blast. The KTM690SMC. Its no VMax, but man what a good time.

This bike has Brembo brakes all around stock and a suspension that will make most spotbike guys cry. And will handle most on and off road situations. I use mine to shop, day ride, trail ride and road race. Although the RatMax has taken over as my street bike (because its my new toy). The SMC gives it a better run for its money then one might think.

Offroad-I trail ride it to do my shooting at different tracks.

I do track days on it where I control ride and raced CCS.

And use it for 300 mile days playing Tag O Rama on ADVrider.com.

55 hp and 305lbs does not sound like much. But its a real good time and pretty dam fast up to 100 mph.