Opening up the engine of my Honda CRF300 Rally in West-Africa |S7-E52| 

These are real mechanics. Not part changer's.

Hope the valves are tightened to spec., important to presoak clutch long before install, they got er done...

@@gpt3342I was concerned about the presoak as well.. And as far as valves.. do you think they did?

some of us are "laboratory" mechanics. they are street technicians. kudos.

@@oscarmike4596 they sound over tightened, I could be 100% wrong.

So true. Real as they come

Very true! It was great to see the smile on Noraly’s face!

Africans got many talents and extremely smart if not for corruption, tribalism, colonization africa would have been the best place on earth but still it is the best the people are friendly the continent overall is just beautiful even with all the problems

The way these men worked together fixing the clutch was amazing

You don't need a manual there. Little cubature motorcycles are all very similar. The only thing you need a manual for is to adjust the gaps and tighten the bolts with a torque wrench correctly. Such mechanics know about everything by sight.

Well said...

My mates dad is Jamaican, have seen him fully rebuild a v6 Mitsubishi engine in a wheel barrow of all places, car still running mint 10+ years on

there are great mechanics in every single country on earth.

"...look down on Africa?"....I've never seen such sweet accomodation. I wish we still had that gentile behavior towards each other in the USA...

and a black BMW M3. He's obviously an 'in demand' mechanic !

I hope they pre-oiled the clutch plates🙈

@@stmasch7 mechanic humour haha.

Questioning their ability to repair motorcycles is sort of silly. Remember, when Noraly was stuck in the mud...all those motorcycles going through --- who fixed them?. Do not tell me some one from Europe and Japan or somewhere else came and fixed them. These guys must be very talented to keep those motorcycles running. And look at some of the brand's...TVS from India was one of them. I was wondering why Noraly did not get it fixed in Liberia. They would have done an amazing job too. BTW, you can do without a torque wrench. After a while you know the difference between 5 lbs/foot and 35 lbs/ foot ...like wise Newton/ meters. These countries lacking resources do so much with so little. Can some of us in first world do the same? Be honest!

And, driving an M class bmw and a Mustang !

@@stmasch7 Its a wet assembly as soon as you pull the clutch.

I believe their work would be more effective if they constructed a workbench upon which to overhaul engines. Otherwise, excellent shade tree mechanics.

Sadly according to the WEF the world needs less guys like these.😢

Amazing work. I didn't see them use any torque wrenches so hopefully everything is OK in the long run, but at this point it was great just to find someone so knowledgeable to work on this bike. (When I saw it torn apart, I had my doubts if it would get back together running again.)

2 часа хорошее время для сборки двигателя

@@ibnewton8951 это было замена сцепления на маленьком 300cc :)

Adaptation

I love your channel. My dad was a master mechanic in Uganda in 50s -70s and a motorcycle racer. He built his racing bike from parts, a British Triumph. He was dubbed Dick Kawesa King of speed. Many Kenyan Racers were European of origins with factory racing bikes. He beat all in the 60s to become East African champion. Drum magazine crowned him King of Speed. To this day I look at those magazine pictures and they give me chills. Your channel especially this episode brought back sweet childhood memories to this 66 year old senior citizen. Those super mechanics are real heroes. If you like I could share those race pics some day.

the bike is litterally made for that exact scenario.. You can disasemble the whole thing with the included toolkit for a reason..

Yes!

me too

That’s how you do it hahahaha

Welcome to africa

barefoot is good

IN SHOWRROM ITS ALL MARKETING GIMMIKS ... JUST A NORMAL TOOL AND ALLOY TOOL IS ENOUGH......

Like my old days living on the farm.

Definitely an incredible achievement!

Hope the MECHANICS make VIDEOS..

Wow! That's awesome!

people have been forging metals for 6000 years, mate

That's incredible. Human inginuity!

"Ya gotta do with what juh got"....was the old saw about getting it done with the most primitive of conditions. They did good. As a retired mechanic, I was marveling at the "work bench" and wincing that a little more area would be comforting to, well, me at least.

Professional mechanics should not need internet or manuals. Its experience and knowledge they learned probably through the years and deconstructing engines, or someone passed knowledge to them if they did not learn it in some educational facility.

You can never underestimate the thirst world ingenuity.

Remember that they live in a motorcycle oriented society, where everyone appears to have one, and basic mechanical skills would be common.

​​Most people in Africa know how to read and they do have internet in lots of places😉 Nothing beats amazing skills but it would be foolish not to use all resources available and I am sure they checked which parts to order etc. instead of winging it...

yes I agree

Do they have a documentary award? Maybe a oscar!

I think the 1.73M subscribers is at. Least a partial award.

She is a superb, good natured woman. I enjoyed this documentary very much. I was very happy to see my good old Sierra Leone again. I am a son of Sierra Leonean mother side and a Mauritanian father side . I wish I could find her trip through Mauritania.

I agree

Need to build these guys a workshop with all the tools and benches,great guys deserve more from life,these people Rock,just goes to show the lies the media tells us!😊

So you wrecht the whole clutch? And the particals went inside the whole motor? Why did you not replaced the oil pump? Or was it still good?

Honda should be sponsoring Itchy Boots with free bikes.

@@gixxusmetalman7435 why dont you buy them a nice metric socket set and assorted tools and send it to them? WIRA or Teng tools would do - doesn't need to be Snap-On...

@gixxusmetalman7435 he is olrady driving a nice car. And got the trust of the hotel owners. He is doing well. In the end he is a self told mechanic that's nothing special. But the love's his job so he is olrady a winner🙂

In Africa, we have values to love, hospitality, and do right for future purposes Respect to all Africains and all Europeans with great values

​@@user-fy9vm1kv8gI am South African but some African countries that I never visited r dangerous.

@leratosetlogelo7004 There's police station in every country and continent. Bro

It’s called “a job”.

@@leratosetlogelo7004 whaaaaat i think south afica is more dangerous..

You've never had a bike repaired?

@@mirarstudios You don’t even have a passport I imagine 😂

You imagine wrong ​@@gullintanni😂

Truly, there are SO MANY mechanics in West Africa with those skills. My time living in that region of the world proved over and over again the resourcefulness and talents of so many mechanics. While not all of them can do what these fellows did, there are more angels like them in this part of the world. So happy for Noraly!

Well Said, my Thoughts Exactly...

When I had a 125cc I blew up the valve and a piston, I was thinking about taking it to the shop. But I took it to youtube and fixed it myself. It was running perfectly for another few months until someone decide to hit me with a car

Yeah..blew me away when i saw the intro.....

Plus they did it using Google translate and no manual A1 job!

Her name is Jeff

Her name is Noraly..

Glad Alaska got fixed up and cleaned up, safe travels

The problem with most African countries is the West is invested in ensuring that African don't good governance because they are trapped in neo-colonial financial systems which are designed to ensure they stay indebt and the West engages in coups, assassinations, election rigging and insurrections to ensure cheap access to resources.

It's funny you should say that because China has been investing heavily in Africa for decades. Billions of dollars have been spent massively improving its infrastructure integration, transportation, communication/connectivity, job creation, railway development and overall economic growth.

@@nGAhGENVH0Ul for what in return ? Because China is not doing all of that for free in my continent. We know what China and other western nations want from Africa , the richest continent in the world for resources.

⁠@@nGAhGENVH0Ulit's funny you should say that because then you should realize africa is very very large. Meaning some countries have received little to no aide from large foreign powers, so in you saying "oh yes china has helped y'all !" I'm not seeing what your trying to gain or point out something that isn't known already in your reply

The angels that rescue Noraly are always where she needs them. Coincidence I think not.

Noraly gives out such positive energy and great vibes, that is what she gets back from the world! ❤

I'm dying to know the cost of parts and labor

@@FITNESSOVER45 would be interesting but Noraly does not usually disclose much about her expenses.

​@@FITNESSOVER45I am positive about the quick shipment of the parts... will cost a premium. In Ghana for instance, the repair cost will only be a fraction of the actual shipping due to USD being involved 😅

@@aberba how much to ship clutch plates? that's very small package to ship.

I agree about Honda, but repairs are normal for any backyard mechanic.

Yeah but having knowledge on how to pull out everything and putting it back to one is a great feat

Exactly!

@@TC-dw6wg Four-Stroke engines are complicated and heavy. Not every backyard mechanic is up to it…

not thaat complicated, specially single cilinder ones....@@g35hunkers

True! So confident and quiet. They deserve a perfectly equiped work place.

Well said and totally agree 🎉

Yes! Excellent mechanics in their ‘open’ shop!

Given the conditions i give it about 30% chances for successfully repairing it. There us a reason you have to have clean environment to do that.

Gotta love the working conditions and gear!

YOU SAID IT ALL MY FRIEND... kŷdos to those Guys. You SURELY picked the Telltale signs of competence and understanding. // There would be very few Mechanics in the West who could pull this Job off under those conditions. // A Major engine overhaul; Resetting, Timing, Sequencing.... .... squatted over on a STOOL/ come Table... in the Dust. Hands bathing in "Solvent" what looked like Petrol. They had the sense to strip the Motor down... not only a Check Over but to find/ and Flush bits of Demolished Clutch assembly particles from the lubricating "system". Truly Unbelievable under the circumstances. In the West... we think we Know it all with all our Fancy "Gear". // NORALY being the "Film production Manager" had no reason to falsify anything but tell and show it as it was. What AMAZING ENDURANCE and TRUST this WOMAN has! // Karma is surely an Amazing reality in all this.

@@FreeCrack4Hunter Certainly true, but I don't think they have removed to many 350 engines from that model Honda. They certainly have mechanical aptitudes to go with their skill. Removing that engine is not a simple task, and they gentleman in Alaska had a nice clean garage unlike these guys.

@@notyermonkey2134 Did you notice the first guy that took the motorcycle for a test ride. He did it bare footed. Try that sometime. Additionally, did she head mechanics' car?? It was a BMW "M" car which ain't cheap. My neighbor has one, so I know how much they cost. I think his expertise is well paid for.

Yes, the mechanic was better than good. I'm not criticizing.......ok .....but this is the first time i have ever seen a barefoot mechanic. I would hire him in a heartbeat , bare feet and all. LOL

@@jmn93065 That is definately not a M Car. The M badge is the most sold item from the BMW M store. You can basically slap it on any car you like. This is a standard BMW with an aftermarket exhaust, a aftermarket spoiler and a lowered suspension at the best. Still astonishing for the area, but nothing special 😉

It is truly great that Noraly found such competent mechanics!

a small release of your clutch is good coz the release bearing is not always leaning on tge clutch presure, when you grasp your clutch and the hard is on the top its not good coz the release bearing is always leaning on the diaphram and that is not good. the bearing is always turning and a lot friction.

Not sure why they even removed the engine to replace the clutch assembly. And why did they even take the engine apart? All it needed was new plates. JMO. ✌️🫶🇺🇸

My brother and I changed out my clutch and it took us three days to do it!! What a feeling of satisfaction it was to be driving again!! Great job by these young men!! Another great great video Noraly!!

❤No doubts about that! After being "ill" for almost half a year and after a whole sequence of repairs, at last my bike sounded and showed healthy again yesterday evening. What a wealthy feeling having this bike back. Back on the road again by Adamo and his helpers, for plenty of new adventures. Lots of success and fun Noraly!

Yep, i remember after my Opel Corsa OPC had a new engine top installed, it felt a bit more powerful

I agree 100% 😊

Great you see that Noraly was able to get the repairs and parts so quickly.

A big honda dealer official in zone 4 Abidjan Farhat😂😊

@@sebastienmoureau2133 but she was set to this mechanic, he was recommended. Dealership is different from servicing/repairs

Their only torque wrench was "gootentight" 😆

Probably he has worked of hundreds of these jobs that's why he handled this one seamlessly. One can't be this perfect as a newbie

Seems to me like doing Open Heart Surgery in a Dumpster. 😱

Patience? I think she's nuts going to Africa, a lady alone in a dangerous place like that, absolutely NUTS.

they didn't soak the clutch plates in oil before assembling bad mechanics. 👎

Why did they even took the whole engine apart to change to clutch plates? Seems like they did much more work than necessary...

@@S.... so true only the bottom half needed to be taken apart, NO metal will pass through the oil filtration system to the top end, bad mechanics.

Wonder why her clutch pack disintegrated though. That bike doesn't seem old enough for that. I wouldn't even expect that ever, no matter how old the bike was. Wearing out the clutch is one thing. Disintegrating is a whole other thing.

Yes - Teachable moment here. Big fancy equipped expensive workshop does not make a good mechanic! Love it.

I say they did a ton of unnecessary work! Overall engine condition could have been determined with a valve check and leak down test. They didn't adjust the lever free play or even presoak the clutch fibers. I say unless it was free Norely got ripped off.

@@jasonzerbini2375 that is how it is in any country that isn't rich, it is just the way it is.

@@jamescox4823 those guys probably charged penies for the work given where they are from, they clearly got it working and did an ok job with their best of their knowledge, try being a bit more positive.

Noraly, who is knowledgeable, was very happy with their work. I feel that your judgement here is harsh and incorrect.

Not sure what the conditions are you are talking about, they pull up in a M3 in a city full of cars and bikes, and bank machines. Surely there was a motorcycle repair shop somewhere better suited to fixing a broken (not just burned out) clutch...with metal filings everywhere.....the key word "everywhere". A little compressed air and a proper cleaning, and a repair shop, would have made me feel a little better about this repair......Noraly is still concerned as you might have noticed.....because of this issue. The fact that they took the whole engine out for a clutch repair seemed odd to me, but maybe they knew something I didn't. Anyhow , I am commenting on your comment because I am noticing that there is this belief now that everything is good to go, normally there is a test run period to get past, and at least one oil change looking for metal filings......much sooner than a few thousand kilometers.

@@greyfisher3897they need to open engine so they make sure there is no other problems with it

I think you missed to see the blue superbike they rode with to the premises.

All motorcycle engines of that design are very very similar.

@Holywood_Entertainments I did see it. Not sure what that has to do with my comment.

They must see the bike before, before they can work on it, you mumu eh

​@@scuddroit doesnt matter..most of the bikes they fix are built very similar

well those parts only fit one place.. and the only hard part on an engine to figure out is transmission

@@vihreelinja4743 The parts may only fit in one place, but remembering to put them together in the right order, and have none left over -- that requires a bit more talent!

@@vihreelinja4743 Spoken as a true armchair mechanic.

Truly amazing

Really? what other tools would you have needed? they had everything they needed. i could have used a couple chairs and a taller table but a box of tools is enough for any simple part installation :D

@@vihreelinja4743 Bigger table.

No a western mechanic would have fixed this in the frame with no problems. There is no way they are fantastic except in imagining stuff to do the doesnt need doing.

So true..in Western countries it's time over money.

@@gregorykleiman2137 I have to agree, Time will tell just how good these guys really are. It would not take much to miss some of that broken clutch basket and quickly destroy the new one. If I were Noraly I would change out that oil sooner rather then later if at all possible. Great program!

@@gregorykleiman2137 Whatever. I enjoyed watching the way they worked together wordlessly, without a bench, and seemingly chaotically, but then put everything back together like savants. I'm sure they could teach Western mechanics a thing or two (and vice versa, no doubt).

@@geezer5357 always fun to watch. They have done this a lot. I have seen a brand new chinese motorbike engine driven once and second gear broke a tooth. I watched a village mechanic pull it apart into parts and throw them all jumbled in a steel wok he had to collect them all. Then he got the part and put it all back together. They have a lot of practice it is like a rubiks cube. Great to watch if it isnt your engine.

Exactly 💯

Yup . . . . I am an HVAC service tech . . . . NOT a 'mechanic'. (Although I did successfully replace the camshaft in a 1975 Norton 850 a bunch of years ago).

Absolutely!

Nobody does actually. You see it everywhere around the globe. Personal anekdote: rented a light scooter/motorbike on a small island in thailand years ago. Broke something and ran a flat. Just in front of a small shed. Two thai stepped out: fixed the complete bike and asked next to nothing for it. Handicraft!

@@jazzper_nl These people are nothing but heroes to our trips.

The limitations of hunger situation of our versions country giver liability to acknowledge skill provided with government or not sometimes help to overcome and tackle challenges it a typical things around the world expecially African tumb up guys

Really heroes to our trip indeed

@@DM-ur8vc we have become an individualistic and egocentric culture in the West.

You are very naive to think reparation was well made. The motor will probably break down definitively soon...

@@lecroiseblanc These places are the only places in the world with 50 and 60 year old cars and trucks still plying the roads maintained in the exact same fashion. As the saying goes, "there is more than one way to skin a cat". It is naive to think that people are not knowledgeable because they don't do things your way.

@@lecroiseblancAlaska is still running amazing . Now, what’s your second excuse ? SMH 🤦🏻‍♀️

I guess their skill level is very high out of necessity. I’ve never been good at wrapping my head around engines. The details you guys need to remember is mind boggling.

Only spotted one mistake they should have left the friction plates soaking in oil for a few hours before fitting.

@@ryan88682 they may have , we don't everything

Yes it's matter of high skills to achieve such a maintenance with so limited resources.

Not mandatory, it would be better but ok.@@ryan88682

Well, we'll see down the road how good the rebuild is...

Glad that Noraly was able to get back on the road again!

Africans are just as competent as Europeans. Knowledge and subject matter expertise isn't confined to fancy buildings or high tech garages. Shame on you.

@@RosalindGash kind of true, but better tools make work easier and more efficient.. Europeans learnt to become more efficient, africans are ok with doing stuff for 3 days with 2 people when it would use 5 hours of one guy in europe. Thats why Europe is Europe and Africa is Africa. I hope that you guys are getting there. The best quality of work istn enough if you cant live of it.

@mt-nv4jd , Wow ! Really ! Could you at least give them the benefit of the doubt ?! 🙄

Not so outstanding when they forget to soak the clutch plates in oil before assembly.. :-(

@@DenRoedeMogM With all the shavings that are still in there, does it matter?. Anyway, I hope they change the oil and filter super often.

Its a good enough job that I think it will last until she can get to a proper shop. They did good given the circumstances

@@alexanderstark5192 Yep that's my point. I have watched mechanics in Iraq, Afghanistan ect use basic tools and materials to diagnose and repair vehicles with no workshop manual . I have seen mechanics in the UK with all the gear have no idea what's wrong.

Those mechanics were super and how you have handled such an African Adventure just blows my mind.. You Noraly are also a super lady.

yeah, right, shake it over a pot lol

@@jimksa67 No torque wrench in sight

But still assembled and worked correctly.

Skilled mechanics don't need a torque wrench, you get a 'feel' after many years on the tools.

@@Fekillix i work as car mechaic in Sweden for long time , i belive he did a great job. yeah ofcours he needs use torque wrench inside engine but we have to understod they work on fields and difficult to get suppliys so great job guys

❤ this. 🐿️🍃

couple thing i would have done differently. like attaching the piston before putting it in to the cylinder...also i would have kept the clutch cover open until the chain was mounted on the cams so i could see it is fitter perfectly downstrairs and gave it a few turns by hand to make sure nothing is on a wrong place. but all in all they did a good job.

@@vihreelinja4743 I would not have done any of these things

Those timing chains are easy to get a notch off, and a agree with the piston pin.. never seen it done backwards before.

@@oldmate99 he's got a point. def. not necessary but while you're at it why not make sure it's 100% lol

You guys crack me up, doing it differently than you might, doesn't mean its not 100% and they clearly knew how to time it. there was not a second of hesitation on startup. And the biggest issue that was going to potentially end in a bad bad place was a remaining piece of metal floating around. They made very sure it was clean. They crushed it.

she glad that she not burned alive and ra...

Not sure amazing is the word, Like many of these comments in this stream, over hero worshipping, and blind praise. People are helping people all day long all over the world in this way, and the only difference here is that is captured on video...now if you think about it....Norally is focused on the filming, and not the mechanics of her bike. This kind of journey requires a more acute relationship between rider and machine...letting others tinkers, and help, and put you at risk..(ie towing with a rope), is problematic. The question I have, which maybe you have answer to...how is that she was unaware that her bike had no coolant, and that her fan was not coming on...after that overheating and coolant loss, while she kept riding along in extreme heat, and then a blown to bits clutch, while she kept riding with all those bits churning around in her oil? Come on, she know how to operate her electronics moreso, the Alaska experience is nearing its end after all these problems...preventable. Many Honda's have made it around the world, many many of them. This is no feat of motorcycle adventure, its been done before in spades. Modern bikes will not break, as long as you don't screw up and lose focus....Overheating....a lot of it, and bits of metal in the oil, are big problems for reliability.

@@greyfisher3897 dude, you are wound up waaay tight. Relax, have a brewski and just appreciate the fact that a total stranger helped out another stranger numerous times over. I’ve been riding for over thirty-five years and still can barely change my oil. Big deal…

Absolutely 💯✌🏽😅