The current method would not last. While stripping the patch, Chengis helped me find an Argon Welding shop, but it was closed so we got back to the hostel and left the tank in the garage.
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| Best Hostel in Balkhash |
Later that evening I decided to do more work with the tank, slowly opening up the fuel pump, which I was so nervous because if there was any mistake the pump may not fit back in and more leakage would occur. Fortunately, it was simple and I striped out the fuel pump and this time really emptied the tank of petrol.
The uncle doing the renovation was curious about my work and made some calls and eventually asked me to pop the tank into his car and follow him. He brought me to another workshop that had Argon Welding machine. The guys there had a look, filled up the tank with water and helped weld the tank where the crack was effectively sealing the leak.
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| Strip off the Fuel Pump from the Tank |
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| The Kind Uncle that Help me sort out the Tank |
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| The welding guys |
It cost 5000 tenge which the uncle paid and refused to accept my money. Next morning with Chengis around I greeted the uncle again while he was working on the hostel extension. I gifted him my last lucky charm or, as he replied to me, a Talisman for his upcoming grandchild. A bunny rabbit crochet that I had brought from Khiva.
For understanding, I usually have a bunch of soft toys hanging off the bike which I constantly give away to kids, and I am constantly replenishing the soft toys in every place I visit. Bragge is out of toys now and I would have to restock it later.
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| Can you see the bunny rabbit sitting on my Dashboard ? |
Bike was now in good condition, and the next day was spent tuning up the chain, oil change and fixing the signal wiring that I had somehow knocked off while re-attaching the tank. It was a good day, and Balkhash was a small enough town that an hour ride was enough to cover the whole town.
Lovely as Balkhash was, I was really not doing much other than tinkering with the bike and chilling. The hostel was cozy and the town had enough things to do for a day. I ended up staying for 5 nights in Balkhash, tuning up Bragge and catching up with writing my journal. .
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| A double Rainbow in Balkhash |
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| Lake Balkhash |
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| Local Market in Balkhash City |
Life is good travelling slow.
Travelled on : Aug 2024
