bsacbob

We are using Inventa, I believe it is called, but it is slow and produces a lot of waist water. The water tastes great, I must say. You will have to look around for up to date pricing.

Have heard good things about Amway but believe their system is quite expensive. Regardless of the initial outlay of cash the convenience of not having to lug around all those bottles and the added taste and health benefits, make it worth it in my opine.

You will need to clean and reuse some of those leftover bottles for storing the new filtered stuff in the fridge. A good source for replacement filters is also an important issue that needs to be addressed.

VF i believe we have the same reverse osmosis filter system, did you find a good source for spare filters in CR ?

Myself and many others have played around to get he best from the KLX, the CPU mod can be purchased or fitted at most Kawasaki dealers, or you can clip the wires, you could try fitting a 13 tooth front sprocket beforehand it might just give you that extra you are looking for.

As for aftermarket pipes, the list is endless depending on your wallet, i have a spare Tsuyuki exhaust i fitted and removed because it was too loud for long trips, if you live in the Chiang Rai area it's yours ...:jap:

Thanks guys. Nice list.

You're right, cool blue. I didn't watch the vid. But I did add it to the list.

wjmark, I haven't heard of that group but I'll check it out. Thanks for the offer. The dirt biker thing is new to me but it won't be to the customers.

The rest of the suggestions are just what I was looking for. Can't ever remember titles and groups when I need them but always know it when I hear it.

If anyone else has any favorites, type them in here. I'm sure I'll add some extra Creadance CR whether it is really biker music or not.

I am sure if you stick the Easy Rider soundtrack on as background you won't go far wrong, Allman Bros or CCR willy and the poor boy's i will come round every day :jap:

I can say that the visa on arrival stopped last September and visa's are only available in person via the embassy in BKK costing 1,200 baht, if you arrive first thing (9am) you should be able to collect the same day. If you are thinking of another motorcycle trip, forget it motorcycles cannot enter the country (check out GT Rider site for more info), although you can take your car across the bridge at Mae Sai for example and so long as the car is in the owners name you pay 100 baht insurance and 100 baht for a pass.

Your normal walk over visa is valid for 14 days, but i understand you must stay within the region you crossed over. :jap:

gps4you.net

Oop's i stand corrected thanks :jap:

I will recommed RAM mounts also. Very top quality hardware. About 1200 from Gadgettrend for the medium sized generic mount that holds my iPhone, or GPS or camera. Very easy to mount. But that said, here is something you might want to take into consideration. I had my brand new iPhone 4 mounted and went for a little ride. When I got back home and took out my phone, I noticed that there was an impact spot on the back of the phone where a small rock had flew up and hit it. There was no protection from the mount there. Luckily, I had my phone in a case, and no damage was done to it. But the impact was very close to the unprotected camera lens. Since then I have been looking for a way to shield the phone from flying debris. Ram makes a waterproof enclosure for their mounts, but then I can't use the phone while it is in there. Maybe a clear plastic shield on the back? I am not sure yet.

Thanks, yep that was/is my consideration also ... as I have a car-mount of what I could use a part to mount with a clip on my handle-bar. But even in my car I sometimes lose my phone. In the car no problem but on a motorbike .....

For the Iphone the should be for sale some kind of cases with a at least a clear plastic front. Still your camera lens would not be free then. Well I have to be in BKK anyway this week so I will check some shops ... also GadgetTrend (I like gadgets anyway).

As my phone is almost the same size of a Iphone I could use some after-market things for a Iphone.

Chang Noi.

You could also try www.gpsforyou.com they are in BKK and sell the full range of Ram mounts including the Ram aqua box to stuff your phone in to keep it dry, delivery is quick and cheap obviously with no import tax, run the site through Google translate.

Shouldn't need any motivation to do 100klicks on a Harley.

I suspect you'll find fellow harley enthusiasts there for sure. Give it a go, and do report back

100 klicks is not an issue.

When I first moved up here 7-8 years ago I was in CR every few days to a week so I decided to pace myself.

In the sticks we move and think very slowly

Yeah, I'm in the sticks too. only 50k's out but I know what you mean. It just got a bit slower as they've pulled my internet service this morning (3bb) with zero notice. they didnt know how to tell us apparently.

So its no more Youtube videos from me for a while which will cheer a few people no end.

Jubb,

I hope you explained fully and carefully to your ISP that those sites you have been looking at in the early hours are strictly for research purposes for and behalf of the farang community in CR before they pulled your service

Air Asia has a first class?

Yes, it's way up front at the pointy end next to the pilot ...........Joking, he was in the cheap seats with the rest of us.

a Dodgy Ducatti with some Harmonic frequency inbalance.

VF's Ninja .

and another Ninja with what looks like a wafer of a seat. whats the story behind that. Bike too comfy !?

I know nothing about Harleys but I guess thats a custom Job. That Back tyre is for show or designed to transfer some serious torque !?

I wonder who the tail end Charlie was who was riding the unassuming black step through behind the Duke, is this your new ride Jubb

Absolute rubbish John. Because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth he commands your respect?

Because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth he deserves your derision.

?

The guy is very eloquent and very learned - this is evident - there are an awful lot of privately educated people who are neither.

Where in my post did I deride Mr Fry???

Many will be pleased to note Mr Fry left CR last Wednesday traveling first class on the early morning Air Asia flight ......... I got his autograph on a sick bag which he found very amusing for my son who is a big fan of Pocoyo (he narrates the show). Apparently he was up with the Akha hill tribe people and is in the middle of doing a small series on the regional language's around the world and there slow disappearance, a very funny and bright man :jap:

For JD pools, if I am not wrong, the pump and filter is in the ladder steps correct? If true, then there is no equipment room correct? Meaning, you would have to find an external location, and likely there would be blue PVC pipes coming out and then back to ladder steps. Not a convenient system to install a sand filter.

Gil

Hi Gil,

No our's is a conventional skimmer basket on the side of the pool, the main pumps are located in a pump house with the chlorinator etc, the ladder type is a company based i believe in Phuket a french sounding name that escapes me :jap:

Hi Guy's

We have a JD skimmer system pool and wonder about adding a sand filter to the system, is this big deal and how much would i expect to pay for one. Could i install myself or need a pool company to fit it ?

thanks

Me too. Would also like to know if there are steps or would a wheelchair get round.

Having just made the trip over i can confirm the room rates at the Regina are 2,500 baht a night or free if you cash in 20 K baht in the casino, they did not mention a pool to me but do have massage facilities. Access wise as i recall it was steps into both the casino and the hotel and the casino is in the basement and did not see signs of a lift.

Option hotels, we found two the first being the Maekong River hotel, a very nice hotel on the main road (rooms 1,500 baht per night) the other being on the way up to the Regina, called the Mya Shwe Yee Hotel, rooms started at 300 baht for a basic room, again no lift or pool. Another option would be the Allure Hotel and casino in the middle of town sadly i did not have time to check this one out.

Just to confirm you can take your car across, so long as it is in your name, the cost is 100 baht for a permit and 100 baht for insurance the border police told me. Your mickey mouse passport you get from immigration on the bridge is good for 14 day's, the VIP option where you copy the picture page (twice) and pay an extra 100 baht to cross but do not get a stamp in your paasoort is only good for a day.

We found everyone in Tackhilek to be very friendly and helpful, the manager of the golf course even came out to see us whilst we played to make sure everything was to out satisfaction.

For those of you who want more information or pictures of the golf course PM me.

About time too. Tens of thousands of SCUBA divers have had a drastic effect on our coral reefs.

They have scared all the big fish away especially sharks who have very strong hearing and the noise of escaping bubbles spooks them. Novice SCUBA divers constantly tread on the corals in spite of been asked not to by there instructors. Dive boat have to anchor over the coral for safety purposes and thier anchors cause extensive damage.

Snorkeling causes no damage to the environment and the boats used anchor well awa y from the coral reefs and should be allowed in national parks. The water is so clear there is no need to use SCUBA. But of course SCUBA shops cant make much money out of snorkeling. They make their money issuing fancy certificates to people who are unable to dive without SCUBA.

You obviously have not dived the waters around Thailand the viz and can be very poor at times out in the open water and not suitable for snorkeling. Whilst i admit some of dive shops may out to make a quick buck Put Another Dollar In springs to mind, i agree with an earlier poster that maybe some of the out of bounds islands should be opened and rotate the usage.

Proper concrete reef anchor points would be useful to avoid anchors dragging the bottom, like you would find at most of the popular dive sites in the Red Sea, but alas until the fishermen are brought to heal things are only going to get worse IMHO.

:jap:

Sven,

If you show up on Tuesday for golf you can borrow my JVC mini DV :jap:

You can find the place on the interactive map in the CR forum, it's off the old Chiang Mai road leaving town, get to Den Ha traffic lights turn right and it's around 200 metres on your left, apparently they are now stocking body armour and bluetooth headsets as well.

You can also find a leather place that makes bags on Jet Yeod just across from the big wat i am told.

Apparently the hotel has a minibus that leaves from Chiang Rai airport and will also pick people up at Mae Sai.

Entry into Burma is quick and painless if you're on the bus.

My source also points out that police and immigration will take great interest in any private car crossing the border.

They may also stop it at the Mae Chan check points in case anything was missed at the border.

Scea,

Do you have any contact numbers to make a booking, regarding taking a car on my last border crossing i did speak to the nice lady in the tour office on the bridge and she assured me taking a car over was easy so long as you have a registration book in your name.

Any more information you have would be very useful, the other option is to stop in Mae sai and simple walk over with your golf bag.

Hi Guy's

Contemplating making a trip over to Tackhilek to play golf at the Regina and staying overnight at the hotel. Do any of you have any contact details to book the hotel and golf course ? I plan to drive over, but do you need any special visa other than the 500 baht normal permit on a Multi O ? Thanks

Happy new year guy's

Have a look at Honda's latest concept bike, unfortunately neither the bike, or the two very cute models doing the demo found there way under my Christmas tree ...:jap:

www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=cuIJRsAuCHQ

My link

This site has saved me when doing older bike jobs.. Not cheap but at least they are there..

http://www.cmsnl.com...650_model16829/

Sven,

I agree with LLOS, i have used them for lots of parts and found them very good and if you ask them nicely they will mark the parcel as a gift

@fishenough

Now I looked at google maps.. I didn't ride the 1148 to Nan but I have heard good things about it! I went on the 1091 instead which was a really nice road too imo

cheers

The 1148 is amazing, a must ride next time. With the 1148 those legs go all the way up.....hmmm I mean those corner go all the way around, or so it seems.

I have to agree the 1148 is probably one of the best roads you will find in the north of Thailand with terrific views although a lot of the mountain views have suffered from deforestation over the years.

I have passed those checkpoints a decent number of times on a few trips up north.. and I have never been stopped. I didn't have a number plate on my bike in july and from what I understood - the police could not have bothered less.

It might be that I don't have enough experience in this matter though.

Lets wait for one of the locals to answer - or else you might ask your question on GT-riders site instead..

This is pretty much what I expected and hoped for. Passing checkpoints on my Ninja 250R with plate they didn't seem at all interested in the plate. Maybe it's just not their job to enforce license plates. I'll try heading up to Phrao on the 1001 and see how that goes :-)

I live in Chiang Rai and the only place i have been stopped on a regular basis is at the checkpoint north of Tak, traveling both ways, i even had an incident traveling in my pickup when the cop reached inside to massage my tummy, nice though it was i was later told he was suggesting to me i was plump and he was hungry and needed some tea money

Hi

Hope I have not missed it on any of the other topics but What is the deal with the Chiang Rai Bike Party listed on GT Rider and afew other places set for 13th December and hopefully 2010??

New's to me, but then again a group of us are just back from a two week bike trip to Laos, but a bike party would be a great idea in CR before the holiday.

Dates anyone ??

Msg362 & Livinlos

Why not just go anyway? You don't need a caravan to show you the way.

It's not difficult & neither is the paperwork. All you need is a map, a vehicle, a passport, vehicle rego /; ownership & away you go.

At the start of next week there will be 3 guys from GT Rider in N Laos, after crossing at Chiang Khong, alone on different days, but they will probably meet up somewhere on the way.

Give it a go.

dam_n, a bunch of us are traveling from Chiang Kong and heading north and then passing through LP around the 6th on a 12 day loop, maybe next time, i promise to post some pictures on GT, David.

Hey.!

If I was you, I wood take a look in different books,and se what you like-and then go to the shops around,and see what they have-then when you are reading about the fish-you also,can se if the can go together-just a matter of spending a litle time on the net-and again-maby you can be lucky on the classified section,that there are some cheap stuff around.

Thanks for the advise. I have looked online for tanks etc that are for sale and contacted a couple of people. I will see what I can find out about what fish to put in the tank, if Im lucky I maybe able to get a Cod

I would like to be able to ask some of the shop keepers here but I dont speak Thai and the books also are in Thai , maybe I will ask in Orns bookshop or the others and see if they have anything written in English/American/Australian/ , im a linguist at heart

Thanks again .

You can find a good fish shop (not the & chips variety) coming from the lights from Doi Chiang coffee towards the Wiang Inn on your left after the hotel , turn left at the lights continue for around 600 metres or so and on your right is a row of newish small shop units i think its the fourth shop along the row. Good shop the daughter speaks good english, no porblems witht he fish or the tank set up.