The Old Elephant trail to Maehongsong.

[papa al]

Well, maybe Thurs or Friday.

Fitted the mighty Lifan with a clear plastic windscreen.

Pleased with the job;

will upload some photos.

Had a new x-ring chain installed today.

She ready now.

[Randell]

All the best Papa.

I hope you have a great trip and good weather. Up here in CR we just had a good tropical  storm and it has cleared and cleaned the air wonderfully. Crystal clear and sweet and fresh a bit on the cool side but  it will warm up quickly.

[papa al]

Windscreen: trimmed and fit.

lower holes drilled to attach at bark-buster mount points.

Upper screen its braced by 2 mirror stems in extra mounts

attached to handlebar.

 

Added mirror extensions to move them up and out 3"

[soi3eddie]

On 12/6/2020 at 11:39 PM, colinneil said:

Should be a very interesting ride papa ,i used to live on the old trail at Nong Kao Klang, lovely scenery.

A trip not for the faint hearted, only time not advisable to go is in the rainy season.

 

I met an American guy in Mae Hong Son in September who rode the Elephant trail from Chiang Mai in one day. Took him something like 18 hours in pouring rain and many minor spills. He said it was the worst day of his life not knowing if he would make it. Only after did he learn "not advised in rainy season". He was riding a CRF250 so at least he was on a good bike.

 

[elliss]

On 12/7/2020 at 5:48 AM, canthai55 said:

This is one I always wanted to do also - right in my back yard

Have an OSM map of it too

 

 OSM , map in Thailand . 

  Reminds me of the good old days ...

   

 

[papa al]

...chomping at the bit.

Fri. early departure;

1. Chiamphum/ 331, 304, 24,  & 201

2. Tak/ 201 &12

3. CM/ 105 &108

B. willing.

This bike slow; will take a while.

[VocalNeal]

I can't join you, 3 punctures in a week.  I have been using the wrong tube. New ones of the correct size on the way but I doubt will be here in time.

[Randell]

Bon Voyage Papa!

[papa al]

Crack of 9 departure.

A couple of mechanical probs.

1. front brake weak.

found a plastic bag jammed between pads and disk.

Roadside mech had to remove front wheel to clear.

2. Bike steering very bad.

Another mech adjusted head-set to fix.

Chiapoon after dark.

[Issanman]

Thanks for the update. Post some pictures along the way.

How comfortable is the highway riding position compared to your CBR150?

[papa al]

11 hours ago, Issanman said:

Thanks for the update. Post some pictures along the way.

How comfortable is the highway riding position compared to your CBR150?

Not bad but ceeber more comfy;

ceeber 20-30kph faster.

Riding north on 201.

Left on 12 soon.

Great riding Wx.

[papa al]

Tak now.

[papa al]

Real nice ride over the 1175 and 

up the 105 to Mae Saroeng.

Prolly roll into CM tomorrow afternoon.

[papa al]

Rested a day in CM yesty then left

today for 4 hr. ride to Wat Chan.

OET manananana.

????

[guzzi850m2]

14 hours ago, papa al said:

Rested a day in CM yesty then left

today for 4 hr. ride to Wat Chan.

OET manananana.

????

Photos??

[papa al]

Bucket list.

OET.

√

[papa al]

Rode the Old Elephant Trail across the mountains

Ban Watchan to 

MaeHongSong. 95km.

Steep up & down mostly dirt

and old concrete pavement in places.

No cars or trucks first 65km.

Locals riding Waves.

4.5 hr taking it easy and stopping.

Rode with a guy living near Chiangmai.

Fell off of the bike once

parked at side of rode,

pretty funny.

I thought the bike was going to fall on me so I rolled

clear real quick

but it didn’t fall.

Kinda smokey but

the yellow, orange pink, &c flowering trees look cool.

[guzzi850m2]

Papa please post some photos, thanks.

[papa al]

Made it back down Patty

in 2 days ride.

CM ==> Saraburi first day;

Patty by mid afternoon 2nd day.

The mighty Lifan200 running better than ever.

Nearly 3400 km trip overall.

////

Next trip up north will take train and ceeber.

[papa al]

On 2/25/2021 at 4:03 PM, papa al said:

Next trip up north will take train and ceeber.

Change of plan.

Hope to return, riding north Aug/July.

Pechabun, Phitsaulok, Uttaradit, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, Chiang Rai, until Rachaburi in CM prov.

Thence over 100km to Pai, MHS prov.

Ride around CM & MHS some

then leave my bike at storage in CM,

& jet back south.

Lifan.

Go again Nov. for more fun.