Finally Found A Good Big Bike Mechanic In Chiang Mai

[Rancid]

My Suzuki Intruder 800 was belching smoke and coughing, being mechanically savvy I eventually concluded that something was wrong. Did the usual, went around to lots of big bike shops in Chiang Mai, after every attempt the bike ended up with more problems and me less money.

Eventually decided to strip it myself but couldn't split the crank so had a shop do that, however all the gears were handed back disassmbled in a plastic bag. I only belabor this as when I reassembled I wasn't 100% sure that I got the gear selectors right. Later it was apparent I didn't. Went back to one shop that at least seemed genuine and he finally told me where he gets his bikes with real problems fixed.

So went around to Rays Shop and chatted, he said no problem, arrived at my place with a cab and carted the bike off to his shop. Ray works alone so isn't super fast but he certainly knows what he is doing. His English isn't 100% but enough to communicate. Got the bike back today and runs brilliant, finally found out how it is supposed to perform. He wasn't expensive and found all sorts of other problems, which he showed and explained before fixing as well. That included a valve that was leaking, sorting electrics, water pump problem and the thermal switch for the fan (it now still runs after the bike is turned off till cool).

He also does lots of full mechanical classic restorations and have seen some real interesting ones there. If you come from the moat go up Chang Puak, when you get to the lights for the bus station turn left, then right at the first small intersection. The place is on the left, looks run down but don't let that put you off, he knows what he is doing.

Just posting this as a community service as I got so much run around from clowns that don't know what they are doing and ripped off in the process. I did ask on GT for names and the only one that came up was a German guy who always too busy to even look at the bike.

[WonnabeBiker]

Thanks for sharing! I'm tired of some big bike shop with a nice front and some teenager doing the work out back.