Meridian007

How is Fast Corner with custom work? I've got custom pipes that are backfiring on my bike that my mech says he can only fix with a welded addition to the end of them. I'm not too big on the idea of that but I know Fast Corner does Exhaust systems and that they are a K & N distributor. I'm hoping they could suggest something different.

How are they with carbs and exhaust? Anyone with firsthand experience?

I think you have 2 options. You can go over the Saphan Thaksin bridge and follow Suksawat road to Phra Ram 2, as seen on this map in red:

(if that isn't big enough, you can download the original here: http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?qui...fyh&thumb=4

or check the thread I used it in: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Escaping-Bangkok-t206174.html ...)

Otherwise, I'd go over Phra Pinklao bridge, follow the road to Th. Boromarachachonani, and take that out to Ratchapruek and down to Phra Ram 2. I live near Boramara though, so that's why I'd choose that way.

Hope this helps! I've done the trip before, the roads are mostly good (except for one bad stretch around Petchaburi, but I think that's on the way back) and it's pretty easy riding. I plan to do this run again soon, probably in the beginning of next month before the craziness of Songkran starts.

(What part of Canada are you from? I'm from Southern Ontario, near Waterloo.)

The Orangery in Paragon has some "Greek" dishes that they label as Turkish. Dolmades, Zatziki, etc.. They used to have a passable Taramosalata, but now it's off the menu.

I'll head out there today, I want to try the klong route, and I think I'll look for some air box alternatives to what I have now. I'll email you with a price!

So has anyone been out to Klong 6?

Wow, he must have been having a bad day. When I went there he had a helper who was very patient with my stumbling Thai, and allowed me to look around for a while. I got a pretty good price on a front mag rim, about 2/3 what I would have payed at RB.

I agree though that most of what he has is junk, and the shop is not organized at all. I just usually go there to see if I might find something before I head to RB.

RB seems to care about their stuff, and the guy who runs the warehouse (I can't remember his name right now) is really nice and helpful. They are more expensive than what I would expect for used parts (I'm used to the junkyards at home), but I guess the extra money is for infrastructure.

Were you able to get wheels Philipp? What kind of prices did they have on them?

There are some truly unfortunate T-shirt wearers in the Kingdom, I've seen loads of inappropriate shirts for sale at JJ market but only 2 pop to mind that I saw being worn.

I was getting on to a train in the MRT when a young, innocent looking teen-aged girl (she couldn't have been more than 14) walked by with a T-shirt that said "<deleted> YOU, YOU F*CKING <deleted>!" (without the stars of course). I think I almost jumped back in shock!

The other was a student of mine who wore a shirt with a large mug of foaming beer on it, along with the words "The best head in town!". I had one of the female Thai teachers explain to her that it wasn't the best wardrobe choice, I didn't want to explain why to her...

I always wish I had a camera with me for these situations, then I could upload them to one of the "Engrish" websites.

This is where a lot of the big bike shops in BKK get their tires. I haven't gone out there but I think it is in China Town (Yaowarrat).

Cut and Paste from the BKKriders page:

Big Bendum

(Ek Pai Boon)Mr. Pairoj has a large stock of specialist bike tires. He can supply, change and balance tires for you. 481 Santiphab Road

Tel: 02-222-7535

Email: toger05 (at) yahoo.com

Meridian007,

They are based in Pathom Thani,I am not sure how easy they are to find.! Its on my go to list as I need to get a few bits for a Virago.

I can let you know after I have been if you are interested, or check for what you may need if that helps?

Nick

That would be great! If they are sufficiently out of town it will be easier to get to them! I'm mainly curious as to how they rate when compared to RB, the pictures show a similar amount of stock, I wonder if their prices are as high?

Could you add them to the map project when you find them? Thanks!

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&amp....775391&z=6

Cool, I'd love to see some of the old Brit bikes. Good luck on your buying spree this weekend!

ThaiCBR, I'm not sure about Yut being much of a racer, he does love bikes though! His main clientele are BMW bikes, but I talked him into looking at my Steed when I first bought it, and he's been my mechanic ever since. He wasn't too excited about messing with my carbs when I first got the bike, but he cleaned them out and got the bike running well. I'm not sure about fine tuning sport bike carbs (I assume there's not too much difference, but then again, I suck at carbs. I've tried a few times to do carb rebuilds over the years, and I've always made them worse so I leave them to the pros).

I'll let you know how he does with my carbs this time. Ever since I got my pipes modified, the bike has been backfiring, so I brought it in a couple days ago to get it looked at. I think it's just a jet problem, so hopefully I'll get it back soon! He's packed with bikes right now though, so I might be waiting...

Yut is a good guy, he speaks English really well so it makes it easier to explain what I want done. The poor guy seems to be perpetually overworked though, I guess that's what you get for being good at your job!

Yup, I think I was on Phet Kasem, not Ratchapruek. (well, it was really hot that day...)

When I get the bike back (again) I will check out Apichai.

Yo is a very competent customizer, I just wish he was closer to Pinklao!!! I am lucky to have Yut (Dynamik motors) close by though, so I can't complain.

I just stumbled upon that map 2 days ago, I never knew the klong ferries went so far out! I can catch the first one not too far away from Pinklao too!

I looked around on the net some more, and I think Klong 6 is in Lum Lukka. After buying my bike from a guy who lives near there, I swore I would never ride that close to Don Muang ever again! I hope I'm wrong and that it isn't so far away, but I'm having a hard time making out the letters on the map.

The more I look at a map, the more I'm unsure that I ended up at Apichai...

If you'd like somewhere that I know does good custom seat and tank work, check out Dr. Bike instead. He doesn't speak English well, and he will want to see your bike before he starts any custom work (so he can see the connection points), but he has some nice stuff for good prices. If I suddenly have an extra few thousand baht lying around, I think I want to get a modified form of his OCC styled tank and seat combo.

Is the night market nearer to Sutthisan or Ratchada station? I'd love to check that out! I remember that one of the antique shops in Fortune Town used to have a beautifully restored 1930s Indian Chief! Only 1 million Baht! Beautiful though...

I wish I knew who did the entry for Chula on the BKKriders list, I've done the same thing as you, but I keep thinking (dreaming) that there is another RB warehouse hidden somewhere, and that someone found it. It would be nice to be able to go to some used parts shops close to a BTS/MRT station and aren't so baanok!

With that in mind, I found an alternative for those of you without a car (or hate driving/riding in town) who want parts from RB without sitting in a taxi for an hour! I finally found a website that outlines the canal ferries, and one goes relatively close to RB! Check it out:

http://www.ebangkok.org/map.asp?cat=276

I think RB might be just a motorcycle taxi ride from the mall bangkapi, maybe I'll have a chance to check it out next week.

Nick: Can you read it? I can understand a little written Thai, but I'm not sure where Klong 6 is, and the address on the map says Klong 7, but I don't see any recognizable road names on it... I need to learn to read Thai better! Great find if we can find it!

Don't forget the gps-enabled mobile phones, I have an Asus 527 that has GPS as well as music and WiFi. I got a Bluetooth stereo headset for it, and the Garmin maps so it tells me when to turn even though it's in my pocket ( sometimes in a ziplock when it rains! ). That way I have music and GPS for in and out of Bangkok.

At 16,000 Baht when I bought it (a year ago, it's about 6000 now I think) it just made sense to get everything together in one package with my mobile.

You can get the Garmin maps at MBK or Fortune Town if you ask around.

Hey Philipp, I just msg'd you but I'll add to this discussion as well the suggestion to check out Somchai Alai's place down the road from RB. They are cheaper but their stuff is a little more banged up.

Allan: Is the place you're talking about Apichai Motor? I went there a few months ago, and didn't see any used parts. I might have gone to the wrong place though...

They did have some interesting seats for Steeds, and seemed to do some custom work. I'll double check the name the next time I'm out that way.

**EDIT**

I almost forgot, has anyone ever found any good used parts places near Chula? According to the BKKriders map there are a few shops around there, but when I checked it out, it was only small bike parts and auto parts. Has anyone ever found big bike parts there?

Great report Jim!

Could you add it to the motorbike directory map?

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&amp....775391&z=6

I'd love to take the Missus there, I think she'd enjoy it.

I just added the Department of Land Transport Bangkok to the Motorbike Directory Project.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Motorbike-Di...ct-t241191.html

Check out the satellite setting to see the buildings. Enjoy!

Just added the pertinent buildings at the Department of Land Transport in Bangkok, as per suggestion.

Trying to keep this on the first page until it gets stickied!

Why was the forum topic about this removed? I got the email pointing to this topic:

Manchester City dump fugitive Thaksin from president's role

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/City-Bye-Bye...sin-t242120.htm

But it is suddenly removed. Server error? Too hotly debated? What happened?

SMH has a story on it too.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/thaksin-droppe...90211-84oz.html

Evidently regular members can't start new topics in this sub-forum, or I'd have re-posted it myself. Good on England for finally doing something the public will see.

Great idea LivinLOS, this is the perfect way to save some of the BKKriders info that I'm afraid is just going to disappear one of these days!

PeaceBlondie: Can this thread be added to the "important topics" area?

Updated 6 more points on the map:

Red Baron

Somchai Alai

Dynamic Motors

Dr. Bike

Jammers

Powerstation

To the other Bangkok members: Please add places you've been to, you can easily just cut and paste info from the BKKriders page: http://www.geocities.com/bkkriders/shops/index.html (that's what I did! )

Oh, I adjusted the location of the Paddock, it's closer to Huay Kwang station.

I was having similar problems with my 400 Steed. Fitted a new battery and was ok for a while. Then left it standing for a couple of months. Problem returned. Alternator checked and OK. I'm now wondering if the CDI is the problem as I also have ignition problems.

That's pretty typical, if you leave the bike for more than a month you should charge the battery before trying to start it. The ignition could also be your starter, I've heard that they have a tendency to burn out on the steeds.

I think things are really going to start "heating up"more and more.

As the police refuses to do their job, many citizens of this country feel it is their duty to defend the government they elected.

As the police didn't do their job and arrest the other criminals (Thaksin etc) many citizens feel it is their duty to protest against this puppet government.

All these attacks on PAD protesters these last few days are a normal reaction of frustration.

True, but it hasn't changed a thing, they are still entrenched.

The peoples you call "reds" are tired of seeing illegal acts being perpetrated non-stop by the "yellows" in complete impunity.

The people you call "yellows" are tired of this puppet government consisting of criminals, fraudsters, liars etc who act with impunity to fill their pockets at the country's expense.

If the police was doing what they are paid for there wouldn't be a need for the pro-governments to throw grenades.

If the courts had done what they are paid for, Thaksin would be in jail along with his ex Mrs and the pro-government guys would still throw grenades..

Finally, some clear thought! Good post rat catcher!

I think if Thaksin acted pro-actively by admitting his wrongdoings and making a statement that he and his family would go away and leave Thailand completely alone you would see this situation disappear immediately. While I find it harder to support the PAD since their goals have changed over the past 6-8 months, I think their legitimacy is based on the fact that they originally opposed government corruption using Thaksin as their rallying point. If Thaksin and his family wanted anything for the good of Thailand and the King they would follow Somchai's suggestion of doing good deeds and remove themselves from the fray, and even allow the dissolution of the PPP. Then the PAD wouldn't have a viable focus anymore, and would have to go home.

Would this stop Thaksin's cronies from developing another party? Would this stop another Thaksin-like leader from running the country? I think no on both counts, but there is too much bad blood associated with the Shinawatra name now for this country to move forwards with anything while they are involved.

Whether you support the PPP or the PAD, or neither, you must admit that Thaksin is the root of everyone's thoughts and issues in this situation. The only way is for him to leave. His verbal attacks on everyone (including England!?!) show his megalomania is getting the better of him, causing him to become even more unstable.

I hope everything can be kept peaceful and that no-one else has to get hurt during this trip towards democracy.

Ya, I've got to agree. The frame geometry on my bike makes it much more difficult to control than any other bike I've had, and this is my first cruiser. Even foot position makes a big difference, I thought I'd like that the cruiser foot pegs allow you to stretch your legs a bit, but it reduces the ability for quick manoeuverability.

I'm glad I bought the bike, I think many of us need to get a cruiser out of our system, but would I buy a cruiser again? I'm starting to think that I wouldn't...

Anyone wanna trade a Steed600 for a Triumph Bonneville (or one of the many knockoffs)?

Damnit, I knew this would be epic! The pics are great!

Can you remember the road quality for different parts of the trip? I saw the pic with the road work, and while you guys can go all "dirt bike" on it, my old beast sits too close to the ground for that.

Sounds like a great trip!

Grrr. Sorry for the late reply, I spent yesterday on the phone with my mechanic when I had free time from work, trying to push things along. I just called again and now he's adamant that the bike won't be ready till after the weekend. Sorry guys, it looks like I'm out.

It looks like you're going to have better than expected weather for it too. Oh well, the winter is just beginning, hopefully I can tag along the next time.

thanks! now i have a few options.

Or if you'd rather not spend so much, ask your local motorcycle taxi guys if they have a truck. My guys (3 of them) took my (at that time not working) motorcycle from Pinklao to the land traffic department (Mo Chit), hung out to translate what was needed for a change of ownership, which took about 4-5 hours, and brought it back to my condo with me for 600B!

Alternatively call Expat Motors.

The boss is a keen biker, they store cars so should be able to store bikes.

Do you have a phone number for them? Thanks!