Large Bike Repair In Pattaya

[Thailaw]

I have a Honda Shadow 750 that seems to loose power when it is warm/hot (not over heated). I thought it was the clutch, but when I hold down the brake and release the clutch and give it plenty of gas, the engine dies, so I think the clutch is ok. Not sure what else the problem might be. Can anyone recommend a competent, honest and reasonable (not necessarily cheap) mechanic in Pattaya that repairs larger bikes? If you can, a name, address and phone number would be appreciated. One of the Thai bike renters on Beach Road with several Shadows recommended a repair shop on (or just off) Pattaya Klang near Carrafores. Does any one have any experience with that one, and know a name and address/location? Thanks,

[Kerryd]

Never had to get work done on a Honda (yet).

I would suggest going to someplace like Wranglers and ask them for a recommendation.

Here is a listing of motorcycle repair shops in Pattaya, from the Pattaya Yellow Pages (telephone directory):

Yellow Pages - Motorcycle Mechanics category

I know a Thai place that could/would probably do the job. Problem is, I know how to get there, but it's hard to describe.

Ah but wait ! I have a plan.

It will take a few minutes.

I have to do some screen captures from MapJack.

What do you know, it goes right to Min's shop (but doesn't go down my soi ) !

A little longer (got to copy, paste, save as, bulk upload, properties, paste, preview, edit, accidentally delete everything, cry, start all over again and get it right the 2nd (3rd ?) time)

If you turn left on to Sukhumvit from Pattaya Tai (South Pattaya Road) and go a couple hundred meters, you should see this:

(the two big signs are the best landmark to look for)

Turn down soi 18 (I can't believe they actually went down this soi):

Travel down the soi, past the VFW and Hogs Breath Salon:

Min's shop is on the right:

Hope that helps !

[LivinLOS]

Mapjack is cool as fuc_k isnt it..

I know they are talking about doing this for town here too..

[Kerryd]

Mapjack is cool as fuc_k isnt it..

I know they are talking about doing this for town here too..

It appears to be expanding rapidly. It was just a couple weeks ago when the thread appeared about it here (and my internet connections was so crappy, it wasn't worth the effort to try it).

Now I see by the map that they have apparently been adding quite a bit to the Pattaya part (Chiang Mai was added recently as well). All the roads on the map that have a blue line on them are ones they have filmed/photo'd/added, even though they don't appear on the menu.

Haven't looked at "Chom Thian" beach yet, and they missed my apartment building by maybe 100 meters ! (not that I was expecting to see myself in the pic, but I have found that when giving directions, a picture says a thousand words !)

[JimmyTheMook]

Road Machine on 3rd Road across from "The Village" housing complex and next to the Fire brigade ,

The owner is Chadtree and he speaks good English and is among the few honest businessmen around.

[Thailaw]

Thanks. I'll try Min's unless someone gives a better suggestion before I head over there.

I have used Road Machine on Third Road. Yes, he speaks reasonable English, and people's experiences can be different, but my experiences with RM were not good at all and I won't go back there. But as bad as he is, perhaps he is better then the rest -- I intend to find out.

There are at least 3 other big bike shops on Third Road -- one small one accross from Excite, one around the corner from Road Machine (on the next soi heading south) and one past Pattaya Tai next to Tony's gym. Does anyone know anything about or have any experiences with any of these?

Thanks,

[INTJ]

the owner is Chadtree and he speaks good English and is among the few honest businessmen around.

[Thailaw]

INTJ: What is your post trying to say??? Sorry, but the "smiley face" just didn't do it. Do you agree/disagree with JtM's statement about Road Machine and its owner? And do you have some experiences to support your view (what ever it is!)? And if you are not a "fan" do you have a better alternative?

[Kerryd]

ThaiLaw: Have you taken your bike into (any) shop yet ?

Just curious, as my buddy just informed me that he has taken my bike into Min's to get some of the mods done (that I asked him to do while I was gone).

So if you do go into Min's be careful not to scratch (or fondle) my bike eh !

[Thailaw]

Kerryd:

I have not taken my bike any where yet. I spend last Saturday getting the gf's Honda Click sorted out (6 months old and a dead battery). The Shadow is next on my list. I promise if I take it to Min's I will NOT fondle your bike. I reserve fondling to (young) women with large breasts or firm buttox. I get no thrill out of fondling cold steel -- but something big between my legs with rapid acceleration can be a rush. Vahrooooom!

Rgds,

Thailaw

[Kerryd]

-- but something big between my legs with rapid acceleration can be a rush. Vahrooooom!

That's funny, because my g/f says the same thing !

[Thailaw]

Woah....., "big fellah"! Keep that acceleration under control or you may push straight out thru the back door (or out the front door if you came in thru the back).

[INTJ]

INTJ: What is your post trying to say??? Sorry, but the "smiley face" just didn't do it. Do you agree/disagree with JtM's statement about Road Machine and its owner? And do you have some experiences to support your view (what ever it is!)? And if you are not a "fan" do you have a better alternative?

Wasn't a "smiley" face if you look carefully. It was one of shock at Chatri being described as an honest business man.

You'll probably have more success at finding the information you're looking for over at the GT rider website.

Cheers

[Thailaw]

Thanks. I checked out the GT-Rider forum and there is indeed more information on repair shops for big bikes in the Pattaya area. In most cases, however, the directions to the identified shop are nearly impossible to understand. Min's gets a nod and I know how to find his shop, so I will check him out as soon as I get back to the LOS.

[Thailaw]

Got my Shadow back from Min yesterday. Min is a nice guy, and his English is good enough. The bike runs well and the price was reasonable, so I am very satisfied. Thanks for the help/suggestions from all who responded. Information (useful and reliable) is probably one of the most difficult commodities to acquire here in Thailand. Thumbs up!!

[Kerryd]

Got my Shadow back from Min yesterday. Min is a nice guy, and his English is good enough. The bike runs well and the price was reasonable, so I am very satisfied. Thanks for the help/suggestions from all who responded. Information (useful and reliable) is probably one of the most difficult commodities to acquire here in Thailand. Thumbs up!!

Good to hear. I'm waiting to hear from my friends whether or not you cast envious eyes on my Harley while you were there !

One thing to watch for at Min's is that he sometimes gets distracted by numerous visitors and phone calls. His place can be 1/3 shop, 1/3 home and 3/4 social center all at the same time !

And if there is a Bike Week rally somewhere in the country, he will often be there (i.e. hope your ride isn't in the shop at the time, or it could be there until he gets back, though he does have other people working there now and then).

How was the soi getting to his shop ? I figured with all the rain recently it was probably like a lake in front !

[Thailaw]

Sorry to say I am not a Harley (or Cadillac -- I put them in the same class) enthusiast, so no envious eyes here. And except for my Vette, which was my dream car, I don't want anything with wheels that is "made in the USA"; I am pretty much a "made in Japan" kind of guy -- reliability, reliability, and ....... reliability. Sorry if that moves me into the "heathen" class, but I do appreaciate being directed to Min, what a pleasure after Road Machine!

I take your point on Min's availability, and will try to schedule work accordingly. And the pool table kinda suggested that more went on there than just work, which is actually good in my view -- it is nice when the guy doing the service is looking at it as more than how big he can make the last line on the invoice.

The soi was pretty wet with several big puddles, but nothing that going slow didn't remedy. And with a slipping clutch I wasn't going very fast anyway!

Cheers,

[Kerryd]

I haven't heard how much my bill is going to be yet. Not even sure what work has been done so far ! My buddy told me he had taken the bike into Min's, and a couple days ago mentioned that he got it back, but didn't say what got doen (I left a list of things to be done while I was gone. Minor stuff like a crash bar, new brake cable, rear foot boards, new rear seat and back rest, maybe new pipes and tires).

I expect I'll probably be paying Min's rent for a couple months by the time it all gets done !

[HDRIDER]

Hi

I remember someone said he would not change his pipes, he was not like some other Harley drivers, Remember?, not sure who it was

[Thailaw]

Now that it runs, I will be taking my Shadow back to Min next week for a seat recover and back rest and some rechrome work. If I see your HD there I promise not to look. What color is it, so I know which one not to look at? Cheers,

[Kerryd]

Hi

I remember someone said he would not change his pipes, he was not like some other Harley drivers, Remember?, not sure who it was

Let's see if I can read my post again, the part where it says "maybe new pipes"

I probably won't make that descision until I get back though (hope my buddy hasn't already done that for me, but if he has, then I can say I had no choice in the matter !)

[HDRIDER]

Hi

I remember someone said he would not change his pipes, he was not like some other Harley drivers, Remember?, not sure who it was

Let's see if I can read my post again, the part where it says "maybe new pipes"

I probably won't make that descision until I get back though (hope my buddy hasn't already done that for me, but if he has, then I can say I had no choice in the matter !)

He he lucky for you if he change them, or maybe you can send him a mail ans say, dont do it.

[thaiclan]

INTJ: What is your post trying to say??? Sorry, but the "smiley face" just didn't do it. Do you agree/disagree with JtM's statement about Road Machine and its owner? And do you have some experiences to support your view (what ever it is!)? And if you are not a "fan" do you have a better alternative?

Wasn't a "smiley" face if you look carefully. It was one of shock at Chatri being described as an honest business man.

You'll probably have more success at finding the information you're looking for over at the GT rider website.

Cheers

Chatree at Road Machine is without doubt THE most honest and trustworthy Chinese/Thai businessman around. Id rather wait around for his repairs than go elsewhere and be fed BS and then be overcharged for it.

[dotcom]

Got my Shadow back from Min yesterday. Min is a nice guy, and his English is good enough. The bike runs well and the price was reasonable, so I am very satisfied. Thanks for the help/suggestions from all who responded. Information (useful and reliable) is probably one of the most difficult commodities to acquire here in Thailand. Thumbs up!!

What did they do to it? Clean the carbs & new spark plugs I assume.

[Thailaw]

Min rebuilt (apparently part, not all) my clutch. I just took it for a spin and it seems to work great -- plenty of grab.

As far as Chaitree is concerned, thaician, we are all entitled to our opinions, but your's seems to be in the minority -- check the comments on GT-rider forum, for example. And if he is the ONLY Thai/Chineese businessman in Pattya repairing big motorcycles (did you intentionally limit the comparative class to such a small set), then he is by definition the most honest and trustworthy. I don't see any other way he would deserve that destinction. But, again, we are all entitled to our opinions, and if you are happy with him, stick with him. If I am any example, you'll find yourself in a dwindling crowd.

Cheers,

[thaiclan]

Min rebuilt (apparently part, not all) my clutch. I just took it for a spin and it seems to work great -- plenty of grab.

As far as Chaitree is concerned, thaician, we are all entitled to our opinions, but your's seems to be in the minority -- check the comments on GT-rider forum, for example. And if he is the ONLY Thai/Chineese businessman in Pattya repairing big motorcycles (did you intentionally limit the comparative class to such a small set), then he is by definition the most honest and trustworthy. I don't see any other way he would deserve that destinction. But, again, we are all entitled to our opinions, and if you are happy with him, stick with him. If I am any example, you'll find yourself in a dwindling crowd.

Cheers,

I didnt actually set the class to which I called him trustworthy..another poster did which I agreed with. Infact I have done business with him on several occasions over many years on completely unrelated bike matters (big or small). Thats how I garnered my opinion.

But I agree with your post that each to his own opinion ..Thank God.

[moo9]

Hi Guys,

so talking about Harleys, what is the best place for regular maintenance in Pattaya. Wranglers or Hotrod?

I prefer to keep my Baby in a original state, I do not like the fancy modications....I just want to get it maintained well and in trust.

Mine is a 2003 Sportster XL883R (no, it is not a chicken bike, but the most traditional HD).

Cheers

Moo9

Edited July 22, 2008 by moo9

[Kerryd]

Hi Guys,

so talking about Harleys, what is the best place for regular maintenance in Pattaya. Wranglers or Hotrod?

I prefer to keep my Baby in a original state, I do not like the fancy modications....I just want to get it maintained well and in trust.

Mine is a 2003 Sportster XL883R (no, it is not a chicken bike, but the most traditional HD).

Cheers

Moo9

My (Thai) friend told me before, if you want good work done quickly, go to Wranglers. If you want good work, and aren't as concerned about time, go to Min's. I'm not sure what the price difference would be between the two.

As I mentioned before, Min's tends to be popular and some times he's gone off to an event somewhere in the country (thought there are other mechanics working there too).

Never had anything done at HotRod.

As you've got the bike, wouldn't hurt to drop by each place and ask. See what they say (price/time/etc). Good way to meet other big bike riders too (not just Harley riders).

[moo9]

Hi Guys,

so talking about Harleys, what is the best place for regular maintenance in Pattaya. Wranglers or Hotrod?

I prefer to keep my Baby in a original state, I do not like the fancy modications....I just want to get it maintained well and in trust.

Mine is a 2003 Sportster XL883R (no, it is not a chicken bike, but the most traditional HD).

Cheers

Moo9

My (Thai) friend told me before, if you want good work done quickly, go to Wranglers. If you want good work, and aren't as concerned about time, go to Min's. I'm not sure what the price difference would be between the two.

As I mentioned before, Min's tends to be popular and some times he's gone off to an event somewhere in the country (thought there are other mechanics working there too).

Never had anything done at HotRod.

As you've got the bike, wouldn't hurt to drop by each place and ask. See what they say (price/time/etc). Good way to meet other big bike riders too (not just Harley riders).

Thanks, first tour to Wranglers today and I got a good impression. Inquired a SissyBar probably get it installed next week. My wife already after 3 km's complains about the seat of the the Sportster ;-)