Dellboy218

As a matter of interest, which types could you not get on with? As someone who has to wear ear protection all day long I prefer ear defenders (Peltor/3M) but on the odd occasion ear plugs are more convenient. I have never been able to get on with the foam type plugs but a good quality soft 'silicone' type rubber ear plug I find much more comfortable, they are also easier to keep clean. I think Global house had them at one time.

I've mostly tried the foam ear plugs in various shapes and sizes. I use the ear plugs when touring on my motorcycle so I can't adjust them once my helmet is on. I would keep them in for up to two hours at a time (i.e., between fill-ups) and usually have 10 hour days.

I've heard a lot of bikers raving about custom fit silicone ear plugs so I want to give these a try.

One brand of soft silicone type plugs I prefer to wear is made by Aearo in the UK. SNR = 32db. Lots of them at work.

Just in case you are interested, I will bring an extra set back with me which will be later this month (I hope), they are not custom but they might be better. There is a motorbike shop off Wualai Rd, ask the owner about the silver BMW in there, it's mine. He will know when I am back and how to contact me.

As a matter of interest, which types could you not get on with? As someone who has to wear ear protection all day long I prefer ear defenders (Peltor/3M) but on the odd occasion ear plugs are more convenient. I have never been able to get on with the foam type plugs but a good quality soft 'silicone' type rubber ear plug I find much more comfortable, they are also easier to keep clean. I think Global house had them at one time.

If all else fails try the luggage department in Robinsons airport Plaza, I have had suticases repaired in there before, no idea of their charges these days though.

As has already been mentioned it is to do with the power factor. The relationship between the current and voltage waveforms, if they are in phase then that would be a PF of 1. One of the biggest losses in domestic use has been fluorescent lights when they have been used with wire wound ballasts. The 'cheap' wire wound ballast will introduce a PF of .3 to .4 caused by the coil forcing the current waveform to lag. If you measure the current/power consumption of, say, a lamp circuit with a 20 watt fluorescent tube you will probably find it taking in excess of 80W ( over 100W from a 40W fluorescent lamp circuit). If you put a 4 micro Farad capacitor across a 20W lamp ballast input to the other line this will drop to 30 something Watts. This is Irrespective of whether you have a 20W lamp or an energy saving 18 Watt lamp. Electronic ballasts get around this problem and hence, energy saving lamps. With modern domestic appliances, Tv's, Videos, computers etc the shift has been to what is known as switch mode power supplies rather than the old fashioned types with bigger, heavier and more expensive transformers. These tend to distort the Sine wave and cause a lot of problems with power stations around the world as the distorted sine wave also changes the PF. Factories that have a lot of inductance, motors and the like tend to have a large power conditioners on their supply. Domesticaly without any machinery, look to your lights. Without spending too much on electronic ballasts a 4. something Micro Farad capacitor on a 20 W lamp ballast and a 5 point something Micro Farad capacitor on a 40W lamp ballast will work just as well.

Chris

Sorry that didnt work too well. Try www.richcopowdercoating.com who are in the city.

Derek

Have a look at Custom Powder-coating | Custom Polishing | Custom Motorcycle Finishes | Chiang Mai, Thailand

Derek

Matt

Have a look at Webbikeworld, this link should take you to the right page

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/reevu/msx1/

Derek

Have a look at http://rotweilermaps.com/maps.cfm. I know some people do not like them but I drive around the country using these maps without a problem. $100 for a variety of maps, currently the one you are interested in also covers Vietnam/Cambodia and Laos.

It's not the drunken fights, it is when the guns come out, and they will. Enjoy but use common sense. There are those that cannot take a drink, turn around and walk away.

In Chiang Mai taking the Thai licence could not be easier. A couple of quick tests to check your peripheral/colour vision and reaction times and then 30 questions on a computer of which you have to get 23 correct and a short practical around their own course. Ride about 10m on a 6 inch wide slightly raised rail and ride in and out of a few cones. You have to bring your own bike though. Say what you like but at least they are more than willing to change the language of the computer just for you. As has already been said you also get cheaper entry into parks and forests. It is not worth the hassle, go get a license, the local Police understand the local license better, they will usually smile and wave you on your way. Though I have to admit, in Issan they sometimes stare in wonderment. The car license is much the same deal.

As they say do not touch at any price. In Chiang Mai the raids were mob handed and very heavily armed. Even if it has a plate do not touch it, you might find it is off a Honda Dream!

Yep, as they say a couple of hours or so but if you want an enjoyable relaxed ride/drive then 4 may be closer. Route 1095 is a road of continuous twist and bends including any number of hairpins that range from steep to very steep. I would not recommend it for an inexperienced person on a motorbike and not 2 (Western sized people anyway) up on a small engined bike, if you are in a group it would be much safer, do not attempt it at night. Consider taking a car or a minibus from the bus station. Take a good face mask, I was there a week or so ago and the smoke was very thick. Small bikes are available for rent there from 100B a day. Pai can be an acquired taste, a couple of days will be plenty to tell you enough. Route 1095 to Mae Hong Son is also twisty and steep in places in case you are tempted. You should see the Pai turning about 20km from Mae Rim although you can continue into Ban Mai Malai and turn there. Pong Dueat geyser and hot springs are on the way, turn right off 1095. I am afraid it is 200B for foreigners unless you have a Thai driving license in which case it is 40B. 42km past Pai on the 1095 on the road to Mae Hong Son is Tham Lot, one of the bigger Cave complexes. Enjoy and Stay Safe.