Can samui

Every service will be different but if you are just getting the oil and filters done you should be out of there for about 1000thb or less.

Lots of Thai bashing goes on in Thaivisa so wanted to pass on an experience I had on a ride from my home on Koh Samui to Phuket.

Neil and I were taking his Sportster in to the new Harley shop in Phuket to have its virgin service done, it only has 1000km on it! I was on my Versys and we were looking forward to a nice bit of riding.

Ok, just got off the 44 and headed north when my bike starts making weird clunking noise, not good thinks I as we pull over and to our horror discover metal shavings on my rear rim. Wheel bearing coming apart faster than a bar girl marriage! Oh crap, right at the half way point of the ride. Neil goes on ahead to see if one of the garages up the road can hook me up with a truck to Kawasaki Phuket because my bike isnt going anywhere under its own steam.

So there I am, sitting and waiting when a couple of Thai gentleman stop at the roadside sala I am in and we start chatting, couple of nice guys who work in the mobile phone industry. Subject comes up of my bike and I tell him how screwed I am in the middle of nowhere and before I can finish he is burning up his phone calling everyone he knows to get me and my bike to Phuket! Not long until he says "no problem, my friend is on the way!" Two other nice lads show up with a pickup, we wrestle the beastie into the back and we are off to Kawi Phuket! Very reasonable 4000thb for their time and effort so on to Kawi Phuket! Used the time in the truck to call Kawi and as it looks like we will not get into Phuket town before they close the service manager says "no problem, one of my techs will stay until you show up!" They repaired the rear wheel the next day and I went to pick it up, all better and good for the ride home.

Bottom line is that these very kind people conspired together to save my sorry ass. At no benefit to themselves everyone involved went the extra mile to help someone who needed a little hand....me!

I doubt that anyone involve with my story will ever read this but I just wanted to put it out there because I was so truly grateful.

Thank You.

Just after the Chinese burial site coming from the viewpoint between Lamai and Chaweng. There is a Castrol sign on the left as you are going toward Chaweng, about 50 meters up that road is a very good garage. Well run and with good mechanics, reasonable pricing and I have always had good service there.

Don't know the name of the place but easy to find.

Only thing I have to add is that if you are involved in a decent sized accident make sure you remove the card and give it to your lawyer, not to the copper who shows up at the scene, don't want it to go "missing" do we?

Yep, clean it in diesel, it is after all an oil product.

Clean excess with a rag, let it sit for a bit then lube from the inside of the chain. Dedicated spray lubes are good and fairly idiot proof. Wipe the chain down again with a dry cloth to remove excess lube from the outside of the chain, does nothing but attract gunk out there.

Totally agree with the bicycle helmet line of thought. It is not how fast you are going but how fast the other clown is travelling.

Put up with helmet hair, small price to pay for the continued use of your mental facilities.

Hi, your title says 'buffer' but the message says 'polisher' - I think they are two slightly different things. A rotary buffer is direct drive and usually only for professionals or experienced users. A random orbital polisher oscillates and is far less likely to produce swirl marks or burn through the paint. You can pick up cheap polishers from any supermarket or department stores, look for the MyCarr or Black & Decker brands.

Just got back from Lotus Lamai and picked one up for 990thb.

Many thanks for the reply.

Hu folks, am going to try and resurrect the paint on the hood and roof of my truck but need an orbital polisher, does anyone know where I might find one?

Cheers

Er6n's are a decent amount of bike for the money. Very quick and lots of power to play with, easy to get serviced and an all around very good, proven bike.

Dont think you would regret it.

Once saw a bike that my friend was interested in....same deal.

Sent email to the "seller" asking for green book, copy of id and address.....said I would come down and look at it. Guess what...never heard back!

Simple steps to keep your cash.

Two thumbs up for Chiangrai saddlebags. Great folks and professional.

Kerry, you need to go back to afghanistan.....where it is safer!

If it is more for the social interaction then maybe free coffee or whatever the folks like to drink there. Serve it in real mugs or cups so they have to stick around to drink it. Give mom and pop some chat time with the neighbors and maybe a sale or two to go with it.

Depends how long it takes and the effort involved.

Also consider the goodwill you will purchase for giving the lads a bit more. I always tip the mechanic at the Kawi shop and I never leave there without him going over the bike with a fine tooth comb.

A small investment now will buy a lifetimes good will.

Have just tried top contact my chiropractor Christian and it appears he has had an accident and is in hospital. Unfortunately due to language challenges I could hot find out any details or his status or location.

He is a nice gentleman and I am concerned for him so if anyone has any info I would appreciate a response or a pm.

Thank you

Contact Chiang Rai Saddlebags (crsaddlebags.com) as they sell custom made mesh covers for many different bikes. If you cannot find the covers on their site then just pop them off an email inquiry, they are polite and efficient there, highly recommended.

The way I read it is this, the new Admiral actually knows what he is doing. He has seen the backlash and is laying the groundwork for backing out of the deal. He mentioned helping the poor by postponing the sub purchase. Nice way to let it die a natural death and save face by helping the needy.

I really hope I am reading this one right.

Thanks, picked up a medium bottle, going to try 1 tablespoon in my fresh fruit juice in the morning for a start. Bought the clear cold press oil.

Darn monkey kept trying to steal my motorbike helmet...cheeky monkey.

Try motorcycle.in.th. English full manual.

Old sailor....where exactly in Laem Sor/Thong Krut?

Thanks

Struck out in Nathon, just pretend helmets there. Gotta keep looking I guess.

I would even take a Real or an Index if I could find them.

Thanks, will pop by Honda Nathon in the next couple of days.

Thanks Jimmy, any idea what brand helmets they have?

Cheers.

Hi, looking for an MX helmet on Samui, anyone seen a shop that sells them?

Thanks

No change from the 2000 baht?

Didnt even ask! Still in silly land from the lack of hassle and ease of application.

100 baht tip, earned this time!