rmacdon61

Fuel conditioner, leaving motorcycle idle 6 months??

Will look today, but don't hold out much hope.

For me, a seller requesting payment thro western union would be a huge red flag, I have had some experience with paypal and have always checked buyer/seller history of purchase. I may have been lucky, but have sold/bought thousands of dollars using paypal with no issues (credit card). I would think if I had a concern, I'd fold my tent and run. You can check paypal history of a buyer/seller for past performance.

Good Luck

Farang usually cannot borrow. G.E. Capital are ok but there must be a Thai on the paper. The nay way you get finance from a bank here is 50% deposit on new vehicles only (in my experience). My present financed vehicle is solely in my wife's name and I am the registered owner. Weird. Good luck but yes, the prejudice continues against us good paying people.

Not clear by what "usually" implies and "nay way"? means?

Is it possible to purchase a new vehicle, with bank loan at a given down payment?

On retirement visa, with proof of income as means for visa.

Would like to keep personal money and use bank money for items that will not be liquid for myself.

Thanks

Maybe like the bridge to Laos. Saw the sign, last year, on the way to Mae Sai and did two trips looking for it HaHaHa. Apparently, if you cross in a car now, you get wet, so best to wait for the bridge. Maybe the train station will be quite lonely if you wait now? Driving a train for a thai most be very frustrating as you have to actually drive it on the tracks??????

And remember the Lifan 250B is just a Yamaha Virago 250 that china reverse engineered. Most parts interchange.

OK went to the Lifan dealer in Bandu, they have a 200 and 2 - 250B's there. The 250B's have 4 inch risers (mine 2 inch) which would be nicer for me so asked where I could get some for my 250? Wife assisted in Thai. They have no idea about the motorcycle or what it was I wanted. Asked about a luggage rack and carrier, same luck. Asked to have the oil changed in my bike, they had to pound the socket on with a hammer and use a 1/2 inch impact to get it out. Kept my mouth shut and watched them change the oil but left the old filter in. Did not attempt to change. Not sure if they know it can be changed with a paper one or at least wash out the existing one (stock is metal mesh) to clean. When I get back, will bring a couple of paper ones with me and change then. I will go back another day and hopefully meet someone there with more knowledge about the bikes.

Thought I would post my conclusion to my blocked drain. I could not find anyone in Chiang Rai that unblocks drains and started searing for the spiral drain cleaner. I eventually found one in Homebase and after a few hours of poking, hot water and some chemicals, I got it cleared.

It was full of what looked liked cooking fat.

The spiral was 350 baht and if anyone wants to borrow one, I will be happy to lend it.

Similar to the one below but only 5 metres.

Thanks for posting that. I keep a list of where is that item!!! With no adverts here to help locate, I try to keep a list of where is what for future issues.

Next is to locate a tap and die set, wish me luck HaHaHa

CR does not have a Lifan dealer altho it is supposed to open soon (MaeLao Tractor) on super hwy south of CR.

200, 250b and GPX are all available at a dealer in Bandu ... about

10 klms down the Hwy toward Maesai.

Good to know, thanks. Hope they do warrenty?

Lifan is apparently one of the largest motor manufactures around and the tuktuk has Lifan motors (not all). The lifan 200 and 250B have been available for years outside thailand and seem well accepted. They are made here in thailand so parts are available locally (not CR) but can be ordered. The price is its biggest draw but I don't think for long as they seem very popular now in BKK/CM and Pattaya. I ride the 250B but only have 1200K on it, but seems very well put together, lots of power/weight and looks great (my mind, feel free to question it). Met a guy in CM at the dealer with a 200 and he loved it. Has a 125Kaw, but nothing to the 200 Lifan. 51K is not bad for a 200 moto next to the cost of anything close. CM has good service and parts, 3 stores selling them, best up by the train station. CR does not have a Lifan dealer altho it is supposed to open soon (MaeLao Tractor) on super hwy south of CR. The 200 is also available in a cross over with better street tires at 56K. I am certainly happy so far with the 250B but am considering buying a 200 Lifan as well to take care of my off road needs. At their price, like buying a bic lighter, runs out of fuel, get another HaHaHa.

I would give the 200 serious consideration for the buck!

I know most posts have been on the 200, which I dam_n near bought, but left with the 250B from Chiang Mai dealer. First run was back home to Chiang Rai which was a good opportunity to feel the 250 out. Handles well and took 200 bht in fuel for the trip. Is a good looking bike and feels like a cruiser in the handling. It is an exact copy of the Yam Virgo 250 with that wierd exhaust thing Yamaha did with the back pipe. I have always had a soft spot for dirt and do miss not having the 200, but at this price, 78,000, I can buy both and still have gas money. 2 up appears no different (wife is only 46k) and lots of power to weight. No HD sound but is different from most bikes here. Doesn't do city like the wifes 110 Yam scooter, but still can move around traffic in CR. There are no options available from Lifa such as carry alls so have after market saddle Bags. A rack for the back would be nice so can put a hard carry for ease of access but such is life. Have run it around north east thai and 1000+ K and no issues. If it keeps up, Lifan will have a good hold in the local market if the price doesn't change.

Is there an atheists AA group anywhere in Thailand?

Any AA meeting is for an atheist or christian or Buddist or non-believer of any type

Just go and see. I had no god, no higher power or beliefs, sober for over 1 year now, thanks to AA.

Now I believe in the fellowship, my home group, have become the man I always wanted to be, not the A**hole I turned out to be!!

Good Luck

I love CR, well living in a small village 30 k away but having access to city fair. My first trip was Sept and driving a scooter into CR, I had the usual rain come down. Sitting under a tree for shelter seem to get the attention of a local who waved me into shelter at his home, with tea from the wife and I no thai, they no english, just a helping hand and a smile to a stranger. Like being back in the 60's in Canada.

Shopping for something, finding everything but that something and "who cares" always tomorrow or the next day, Mai Phen Rai, love it!!!

Stopping for directions and soon having 1/2 the village around you trying to help, leaving with no better idea of where you are going but a smile on your face from the moment.

Understanding why thai eat so much chicken, who wouldn't after the first few morning being woken at 0400 by roosters showing off (who wakes them?)

Having to shuck off all that 21st century, 1st world nonsense and just live in the moment and actually like it

I will be returning to Chiang Rai on May 16 for 10 days, then back to Canada (May 27) for our summer here. I know Manny mentioned he would like some type of bandana for his face (no he isn't starting a new career) for riding. I am still unsure what this item is, so hope he reads this and can send a good discription? Are there any other riding items that I can return with for people (that will fit in a bag, no HD's please). The Canadian dollar is doing well so I hope can get best price for those interested. Kandahar, anything for the store?

Be safe all

Bob

In Canada, heavy use of alcohol among 15-24 yrs is 12% as opposed to 3.9% over 24. Of that, 3% is considered the rate for true alcoholics above 24 yrs.. In the work place, white collar workers consume more at work (lunch) then blue collar. It is thought that this is due to blue collar workers requiring more hands on type of work. There is a greater concern for worker safety in the work place for blue collar then white collar, but they drive home after work which is not the company's responsibilty. Even at 3%, this is a large number of people and a great deal more in Thailand that are out and about 24 hours a day. As a note to this, I have seen more public intoxication in Canada then here in Thailand??? I have to ask "would you like to board your aircraft in Bangkok going to where ever knowing the pilots had a couple of beer with lunch?".

Funny this is all happening now. When I first came to the north around Sept 2010, I saw the sign "Bridge" on the way to Mae Sai and asked the wife, "lets go over the bridge HaHaHa". Well we went to CK and looked every where for this bridge and could find no one that knew anything about a bridge. Took a boat over to Laos and have since pointed out the bridge sign to the wife every time we go north of CR. At least now I know what that sign was all about and look forward to my first trip across it into Laos.

Good to see everyone is having fun as I deal with this cold weather here in Canada. Canada has such a wonderful riding season, all 2 months of it .

Be safe, enjoy and see you all soon on a ride.

BobM

First I hope Thailand won't use April 1st to make a joke. But if not it is an excellent proposal. First of all it is not a good idea to marry a 22 years young girl when you are 60 or older. It also protects the male person not to be robbed by a young girl. Besides there are very strange rules applicable from countries paying your pension and reduce it for strange reasons, because they think you will profit from it if you marry a Thai woman.

So a guy 50/55 is OK to marry a 22 you say???? But the Thai Gov says a 50 or older farang can't marry a 45 yr old thai woman??? Maybe they should pass a law that states any farang that asks for a retirement visa must speak thai. Maybe tall farangs shouldn't be allowed to get visa too, make thai oncomfortable?

Will a 60 yr old not have a 22 gf rip him off??

People make choises, good, bad, indifferent, but it is on them.

What would the thai gov. say if other countries told them if you come here, you must speak the language, worship our god, not marry our woman and just "BRING MONEY"!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last time back to Canada, it was pointed out I had lost my "eh" at the end of my sentence?????????

Go figure eh???

Going back tomorrow, will try and remember eh!!!

Did anyone else feel another quake about 2:30am. I thought it was the wife getting up but she spoke more or less at the same time as I awoke and said earthquake again , over in seconds . I have just checked to see if I can find anything online but nothing reported yet .

Report on the internet said to expect small after shocks, didn't feel anything last night but had a small one this morning about 0530.

Our place here moved around during when the first shock hit, few things decided to go for a walk. I am from a quake zone, pacific coast, Vancouver island and this was the longest I have felt. Duration of quake is right up there with strength. A 7 long quake can do more damage then a 9 short depending on depth and location. I moved the vehicles away from structures and got some strange looks from family. All is good though and that is what counts.

Woke this morning and still had good thoughts of our ride, sore bum and all. The morning quake did frighten the wife as she knew right away what was happening.

Had a great day at the ride, met great people and got to see some incredible sites. Thanks to Mark for the run back and a road that was more an elevator with hairpin turns then road, great riding road. Nice to get back to feeling the MC under me rather then just steering it, hope it all comes back. Back to Canada sunday but will check in and see you all in a couple of months.

:jap: sawadee

There is a record of your departure from Canada by customs as you are checked when you leave the country ie: not fleeing the law and such, have a visa if you are travelling to a country that requires it, can't board/no visa. If you purchase travel health care, extra coverage, this is to top up your own coverage from whichever province you are from. Now think? You break a leg in month 7 of your travels? Who do you think will cover you? So your health care provider asks, "how long out of country?". You lie amd say 8 days. You think they will not check? They would check to see when your grandmother took her last sh** if they thought they could save a buck!!!!!! They will cover you, but expect a bill when you go home. If you continue to pay your monthly premiums and don't make a claim and come home, they never check, why would they? You can lawfully take out full medical coverage by a private firm when travelling for extended periods of time. Also carry LOTS of Baht's, good luck

Temp visa held pending immigration for permenant Visa (don't want) but no visit visa without sponsorship papers? Married 6 months, I have thai bank account and address, wife doesn't work now, but has a house in name. We just want to visit, not live in Canada. Papers already in at Canadian Embassy being held pending acceptance of shopsorship papers in Canada which will take months. If required, will have lawyer handle immigration papers to Canada, I screwed them up it seems and have been returned to my canadian address for correction and return.

Help, advice or just take cre of it requested.

I can drag my feet a little and say 0730 on Wiang Chai road. I don't know where VF is so that is no help for a meet? Can always leave it for next time when I am better prepared with locations and stuff. If you see a 6'2" farang on a black MC, that is most like;y me .

See you all tomorrow.

IF you get this .If I can get there by 730, will attempt to link up with you. If not, I will go the Playa Meng Rai route since I know that way. Later

Got it and will wait up for you just up the road from hwy #1 toward Wiang Chai (1173). Not a fast mover on a bike so a nice relaxed run. Google says 1hr & 50min run @60K.

Black helmet over white hair, gray jacket if still a cool morning.

I can drag my feet a little and say 0730 on Wiang Chai road. I don't know where VF is so that is no help for a meet? Can always leave it for next time when I am better prepared with locations and stuff. If you see a 6'2" farang on a black MC, that is most like;y me .

See you all tomorrow.