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View Full Version : Big Bend: keep this number handy


davemoore
Apr 21st, 2009, 8:27 am
The ghost town of Terlingua, Texas, is about as remote as it gets. It's my antidote to civilization and I try to make it out there at least once a year. Eight of us rode there this past weekend, including my friend Tom Cantrell from Albuquerque. As we were about to head out Saturday to ride in the National Park, Tom informed us his clutch cable had snapped.

On past trips, I had met Ralph Delmar, who runs a motorcycle repair business down there called CycleTek. He was formerly with BMW Fort Worth. I called Ralph and he said "I was about to leave for lunch, so give me a minute. I have 50 clutch cables in the back" and looked up the P/N for an '03 F650GS clutch cable and, by golly, he had the exact part. Thirty minutes later, we had it in hand and fixed Tom's bike within minutes.

So put this number in your cell phone if you're planning to ride out there: Ralph Delmar,CycleTek, (432) 371-2560. Ralph says if you get the answering machine, leave your number, your problem (make, model, what's broke) and where you are and he will get back to you.

ibbones
Apr 21st, 2009, 8:33 am
What an amazing trip that was . And that evening as we were sitting on the balcony having supper, Ralph was walking out from the lower level and thought he heard Dave's voice. He called up to us just to make sure the part worked and if we needed anything else. Really great guy.

tumbleweed
Apr 21st, 2009, 4:32 pm
Wow! That is amazing...would have never thunk it! Where is he located? Terlingua? Study Butte?

That is great information. Wonder if he keeps final drives? :rolleyes:

davemoore
Apr 27th, 2009, 6:23 am
Wow! That is amazing...would have never thunk it! Where is he located? Terlingua? Study Butte?

That is great information. Wonder if he keeps final drives? :rolleyes:

Ralph has a shop on his property a few miles north of Study Butte. He had a store front in SB but recently closed it down. He is frequently found on the porch in the ghost town (in front of the general store). I suspect he has a final drive or two. I know he fixed someone's 1200GS with a crashed rear drive a couple years ago. An awful lot of bikers pass through the area. I'm guessing he works on Harleys a lot.