5,000 baht Click dies in burst of smoke! (though no visible flame)

[ClareQuilty]

The six year old Honda Click I bought recently for just 5,000 baht has performed flawlessly till the other night it suddenly died while driving to the bus station. First the engine sort of stopped and started, the instrument panel lights went out, and then the engine died completely. I ended up parked at the 7-11 with smoke pouring out from under the instrument panel and down near the headlights. After that there was no power at all, nor would it start.

I wonder what it could be? I'm actually not very worried as its probably just a short circuit or something like this, but its certainly not something I've ever faced with my old two strokes - the old bikes just drive for years and years without ever breaking. My lifelong conviction has always been that things only get worse, and older is better - can't say its ever been proven wrong.

[paz]

I've got news for you, two stroke, four or six, or doesn't make a difference when it comes to short circuits.

Then for the mith that good old things were better, it's probably even written on the internet.

[Dutchbike]

Is That the Click you described a while ago (which had run without engine oil)??

It's sounds indeed like a short circuit, i hope the wire harnnes is not toatsted.

Partly agree with you on the older 2 strokes, they can take some abuse and need little maintenance.

But if you drive them on the limit,they do break down ( seize) if not well maintained/adjusted ( 2T oil, jetting, sparkplug)

The way most ( older) Thai ride them they seem to last forever.

[VocalNeal]

Clare,

Didn't you know that electricity is simply smoke inside a wire. It's called magic smoke. If something serious goes amiss it trys to escape into the atmosphere

[taninthai]

yep the battery sits just behind the head light on the click sounds like you have burnt some of your wiring down to bare copper.

[paz]

yep the battery sits just behind the head light on the click sounds like you have burnt some of your wiring down to bare copper.

The battery sits under the seat.

[Dutchbike]

yep the battery sits just behind the head light on the click sounds like you have burnt some of your wiring down to bare copper.

The battery sits under the seat.

On the newer ( FI) models it's under the seat.

But on older models it's indeed located behind the headlight,

I once had to replace a battery for somebody and found it out the "hard" Were the *^#!">/ is that battery?! LOL.

[ClareQuilty]

Is That the Click you described a while ago (which had run without engine oil)??

It's sounds indeed like a short circuit, i hope the wire harnnes is not toatsted.

No, its not that Click - its the one I bought instead of that one. I didn't buy the oll-less one. This one seems to have a very good engine, and a fairly good transmission. This electrical problem seems unrelated to the engine or transmission.

I wouldn't be surprised if the 'wiring harness' is all burnt out (and probably the battery too). I once had all the wires on a Honda Tena replaced (full wiring harness), and it was only about 450 baht I think. So, we'll see what it is on the Click, couldn't be more than double that... I'm traveling and so won't be able to get back to take the bike into the shop for a few more days - hope its still there at the 7-11.

[Beardog]

Clare

Why do you keep on buying all these roach coaches for 20,000 baht you can get a roost of good dependable bikes to rent instead of being the king of dead horses! just sayin.,.,,,,

[JonnyF]

Clare

Why do you keep on buying all these roach coaches for 20,000 baht you can get a roost of good dependable bikes to rent instead of being the king of dead horses! just sayin.,.,,,,

He doesn't, it's just another one of his silly stories. A Honda Click (from a dealer) for 5000 baht? I'd assume the dealer is making a decent profit here, so how much is the dealer buying them for? 3000? And why is the luckiest dealer in Thailand passing on his incredibly good fortune to the local farang instead of selling them at the market rate which is at least double that price, more likely triple?

Ever seen a Honda Click at the local dealer for 5000 baht? No, me neither. I'm willing to bet 'Clare' was an Elite member of the SAS before he started renting bikes out in Issan, but if he told us that he'd have to kill us

[ClareQuilty]

Clare

Why do you keep on buying all these roach coaches for 20,000 baht you can get a roost of good dependable bikes to rent instead of being the king of dead horses! just sayin.,.,,,,

I've never paid 20,000 baht for a bike, Beardog - I always pay 3,000-8,000. Five thousand is my usual price, and its also the most frequent price I encounter in the trade in area behind my favorite Honda dealer. And, I should note that out of all the bikes I've bought (admittedly 90% non-automatics), I've had hardly any problems - and those few problems have been generally fixable for a few hundred baht.

There's no way one could make any profits renting 20,000 baht bikes, much less new ones, anywhere outside of tourist zones.

[ClareQuilty]

He doesn't, it's just another one of his silly stories. A Honda Click (from a dealer) for 5000 baht? I'd assume the dealer is making a decent profit here, so how much is the dealer buying them for? 3000? And why is the luckiest dealer in Thailand passing on his incredibly good fortune to the local farang instead of selling them at the market rate which is at least double that price, more likely triple?

Ever seen a Honda Click at the local dealer for 5000 baht? No, me neither. I'm willing to bet 'Clare' was an Elite member of the SAS before he started renting bikes out in Issan, but if he told us that he'd have to kill us

Your doubts are understandable, Jonny, but these aren't retailed bikes - these are the trade ins the dealer wants to get rid of. He would never attempt to sell anything that wasn't shiny and new to a Thai customer - these old bikes are all just wholesaled off to the rural/village dealers and the guys who ship them over the border, so yeah, they're cheap.

Most of the bikes I've bought are old two-strokes such as Honda Tenas, or old oddball four-strokes (Kawasakis or Yamahas, rather than Hondas). Thais just will not buy this sort of thing. They only want shiny and new.

[JonnyF]

He doesn't, it's just another one of his silly stories. A Honda Click (from a dealer) for 5000 baht? I'd assume the dealer is making a decent profit here, so how much is the dealer buying them for? 3000? And why is the luckiest dealer in Thailand passing on his incredibly good fortune to the local farang instead of selling them at the market rate which is at least double that price, more likely triple?

Ever seen a Honda Click at the local dealer for 5000 baht? No, me neither. I'm willing to bet 'Clare' was an Elite member of the SAS before he started renting bikes out in Issan, but if he told us that he'd have to kill us

Your doubts are understandable, Jonny, but these aren't retailed bikes - these are the trade ins the dealer wants to get rid of. He would never attempt to sell anything that wasn't shiny and new to a Thai customer - these old bikes are all just wholesaled off to the rural/village dealers and the guys who ship them over the border, so yeah, they're cheap.

Most of the bikes I've bought are old two-strokes such as Honda Tenas, or old oddball four-strokes (Kawasakis or Yamahas, rather than Hondas). Thais just will not buy this sort of thing. They only want shiny and new.

You're right, there's no way a Thai dealer would be smart enough to spend a thousand baht fixing up a few scratches and then sell it at the market rate.

First one I saw on the TV classifieds was this one, quite an old model (108cc) and not very shiny, 20,000 baht.

http://classifieds.thaivisa.com/automotives-vehicles/motorcycles/honda-click-for-sale-automatic-108cc-in-chiang-mai-261882.html

Anyway, carry on...

[ClareQuilty]

You're right, there's no way a Thai dealer would be smart enough to spend a thousand baht fixing up a few scratches and then sell it at the market rate.

First one I saw on the TV classifieds was this one, quite an old model (108cc) and not very shiny, 20,000 baht.

http://classifieds.thaivisa.com/automotives-vehicles/motorcycles/honda-click-for-sale-automatic-108cc-in-chiang-mai-261882.html

Anyway, carry on...

I do believe you're out of date and out of touch, Jonny. My dealer sells huge volumes of new bikes from a large but still not unlimited floor-space, and makes very good profits - he simply doesn't have time or space to bother messing about with a few old bikes for a few thousand baht profit. His main complaint to me - a perennial one - is the labor shortage. He says he has to pay a minimum of 500 baht/day for even marginally competent workers.. and so he is woefully understaffed: thus, the idea of employing people to paint or otherwise fix up old bikes, and having them linger about for weeks waiting for a buyer is a complete non-starter. He always says 'clear it out, get it out - now'.

(finally, what some farang on thaivisa classified thinks he can get for his old bike is most definitely not the market price, and anyway most Thais simply don't want old bikes at any price)

[Beardog]

Clare

Why do you keep on buying all these roach coaches for 20,000 baht you can get a roost of good dependable bikes to rent instead of being the king of dead horses! just sayin.,.,,,,

I've never paid 20,000 baht for a bike, Beardog - I always pay 3,000-8,000. Five thousand is my usual price, and its also the most frequent price I encounter in the trade in area behind my favorite Honda dealer. And, I should note that out of all the bikes I've bought (admittedly 90% non-automatics), I've had hardly any problems - and those few problems have been generally fixable for a few hundred baht.

There's no way one could make any profits renting 20,000 baht bikes, much less new ones, anywhere outside of tourist zones.

Me thinks that is bullshit. I have rented jetskis & snowmobiles in Lake Tahoe in California. I NEVER had anything older than a 1 year old vehicle. At the end of the year I sold & got a new one. Made tons of profit My customers were always stoked that the machines were new & up to date & ran perfect & never caused them problems. If I would have used old dead horses I would have been down the road motors talking to myself & my competitors(friends) would have taken away my business. The business model is the same for U.S. England Thailand Singapore Australia Europe Phillipines Indonesia Malayasia etc. If you are that cheap to provide your renters with better than the agony of defeat You are indeed a poor businessman. You don't make any friends that way & repeat business will be lost. I myself haven't had a piece of crap since 1986 when a buddy gave me his 1978 80cc Yamalube motorcycyle. I am worth more than 5000baht & would not be caught dead driving such a gamble of a dead horse

And I am with JonnyF on this one . I myself have never seen a bike at any dealer for less than 19,000 wholesaled. Either you are the cheapest fck in the world or your making up stories weekly in TV to fill the boredom in between beer Changs . So sorry for the harshness but you have some of the wildest stories I have ever read.

Edited February 8, 2014 by Beardog

[Beardog]

Edit to last post: the Yamalube was a 68 in 1976 not a 78 in 86.

[BSJ]

"My lifelong conviction has always been that things only get worse, and older is better - can't say its ever been proven wrong." That's nonsense. Only the brain of a fool could convince himself that the path through life is based on that statement.

[Turkleton]

Me thinks that is bullshit....

And I am with JonnyF on this one . I myself have never seen a bike at any dealer for less than 19,000 wholesaled. Either you are the cheapest fck in the world or your making up stories weekly in TV to fill the boredom in between beer Changs . So sorry for the harshness but you have some of the wildest stories I have ever read.

Absolutely.

I have visited lots of motocy auctions in BKK and even the most crappiest Clicks (first models with carburettor, damaged and with 30000 Km or more), were rarely sold below10-15k! (plus auction fee).

5000 Baht for a Click (especially from a dealer), is definitely the same bullshit, like most of CQ other weird stories...

[ClareQuilty]

Me thinks that is bullshit. I have rented jetskis & snowmobiles in Lake Tahoe in California. I NEVER had anything older than a 1 year old vehicle. At the end of the year I sold & got a new one. Made tons of profit My customers were always stoked that the machines were new & up to date & ran perfect & never caused them problems. If I would have used old dead horses I would have been down the road motors talking to myself & my competitors(friends) would have taken away my business. The business model is the same for U.S. England Thailand Singapore Australia Europe Phillipines Indonesia Malayasia etc. If you are that cheap to provide your renters with better than the agony of defeat You are indeed a poor businessman. You don't make any friends that way & repeat business will be lost. I myself haven't had a piece of crap since 1986 when a buddy gave me his 1978 80cc Yamalube motorcycyle. I am worth more than 5000baht & would not be caught dead driving such a gamble of a dead horse

And I am with JonnyF on this one . I myself have never seen a bike at any dealer for less than 19,000 wholesaled. Either you are the cheapest fck in the world or your making up stories weekly in TV to fill the boredom in between beer Changs . So sorry for the harshness but you have some of the wildest stories I have ever read.

You're missing the obvious part of the equation - your customers were rich, mine are poor. The sort of farang who rents a bike in Isaan is almost always very poor, and usually an English teacher (and it doesn't get any poorer than that).

I give my customers a high-value option - older but excellent condition bikes for a pittance (which is what they can afford on 30,000 baht/month incomes). In years of renting I've never had a customer have any serious problems with a bike - nothing which would leave him sitting or cause an accident. I keep the brakes up to date, oil changed, engines tuned up, good tires, etc. You guys are being silly if you think that just because something is old it can't function well. I think the worst problem I ever had - the only time I had to actually go out and help a guy along the road - was when a young overmuscled fellow actually twisted the accelerator handle so hard it twisted loose and wouldn't give any gas anymore. I found him, pushed him to the repair shop, and 100 baht later everything was copacetic.

If you're not seeing 5,000 baht bikes for sale you don't know where to look. But it doesn't surprise me that foreigners generally know very little about what is really going on. Though I speak a rough and ready Thai, I do get most of my bikes from a particular dealer who speaks perfect English, but I've picked up plenty of bikes for sale for 3,500-8,000 along the street, sold by individuals.

Just to give you skeptics an idea of the type of bikes that are very redily available for giveaway prices (I hope its ok to post links here):

Honda Tenas: http://killbill1.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/2008_05_07_bikepics-1280181-8001.jpg

Kawasaki Cheer/Kaze: http://a1.trd.cm/thaisecondhand/201106/14g/9707012_1.jpg

Honda Smile: http://www.pramool.com/classified/attach/R17219-0.jpg

Yamaha Fresh/Spark: http://s.exaidea.com/upload/1/20101127/00dd57fe7219d1500d157279b3b25a26.jpg

Yamaha Alfa: http://e3.isanook.com/df/0/ui/post/2013/10/14/2/b/ae353f9e00af6ee21449c1625b49a999.jpeg

Suzuki Crystal: http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/henryhartanto/24122009640.jpg

Suzuki Smash: http://a1.trd.cm/thaisecondhand/201208/21s/10234860_0.jpg

I've bought or been offered all these types for just 4-8k. I've also bought quite a few sportier clutch bikes such as Yamaha Tiaras, Suzuki Akiras,the older Honda Novas, etc, all in this price range. In about half the cases, the bike would turn out to be fine at that price, in about half, I had to invest in an engine rebuild or new wheels or something, but it usually only set me back a couple of thousand.

Edited February 8, 2014 by ClareQuilty

[Beardog]

Me thinks that is bullshit. I have rented jetskis & snowmobiles in Lake Tahoe in California. I NEVER had anything older than a 1 year old vehicle. At the end of the year I sold & got a new one. Made tons of profit My customers were always stoked that the machines were new & up to date & ran perfect & never caused them problems. If I would have used old dead horses I would have been down the road motors talking to myself & my competitors(friends) would have taken away my business. The business model is the same for U.S. England Thailand Singapore Australia Europe Phillipines Indonesia Malayasia etc. If you are that cheap to provide your renters with better than the agony of defeat You are indeed a poor businessman. You don't make any friends that way & repeat business will be lost. I myself haven't had a piece of crap since 1986 when a buddy gave me his 1978 80cc Yamalube motorcycyle. I am worth more than 5000baht & would not be caught dead driving such a gamble of a dead horse

And I am with JonnyF on this one . I myself have never seen a bike at any dealer for less than 19,000 wholesaled. Either you are the cheapest fck in the world or your making up stories weekly in TV to fill the boredom in between beer Changs . So sorry for the harshness but you have some of the wildest stories I have ever read.

You're missing the obvious part of the equation - your customers were rich, mine are poor. The sort of farang who rents a bike in Isaan is almost always very poor, and usually an English teacher (and it doesn't get any poorer than that).

I give my customers a high-value option - older but excellent condition bikes for a pittance (which is what they can afford on 30,000 baht/month incomes). In years of renting I've never had a customer have any serious problems with a bike - nothing which would leave him sitting or cause an accident. I keep the brakes up to date, oil changed, engines tuned up, good tires, etc. You guys are being silly if you think that just because something is old it can't function well. I think the worst problem I ever had - the only time I had to actually go out and help a guy along the road - was when a young overmuscled fellow actually twisted the accelerator handle so hard it twisted loose and wouldn't give any gas anymore. I found him, pushed him to the repair shop, and 100 baht later everything was copacetic.

If you're not seeing 5,000 baht bikes for sale you don't know where to look. But it doesn't surprise me that foreigners generally know very little about what is really going on. Though I speak a rough and ready Thai, I do get most of my bikes from a particular dealer who speaks perfect English, but I've picked up plenty of bikes for sale for 3,500-8,000 along the street, sold by individuals.

Just to give you skeptics an idea of the type of bikes that are very redily available for giveaway prices (I hope its ok to post links here):

Honda Tenas: http://killbill1.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/2008_05_07_bikepics-1280181-8001.jpg

Kawasaki Cheer/Kaze: http://a1.trd.cm/thaisecondhand/201106/14g/9707012_1.jpg

Honda Smile: http://www.pramool.com/classified/attach/R17219-0.jpg

Yamaha Fresh/Spark: http://s.exaidea.com/upload/1/20101127/00dd57fe7219d1500d157279b3b25a26.jpg

Yamaha Alfa: http://e3.isanook.com/df/0/ui/post/2013/10/14/2/b/ae353f9e00af6ee21449c1625b49a999.jpeg

Suzuki Crystal: http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/henryhartanto/24122009640.jpg

Suzuki Smash: http://a1.trd.cm/thaisecondhand/201208/21s/10234860_0.jpg

I've bought or been offered all these types for just 4-8k. I've also bought quite a few sportier clutch bikes such as Yamaha Tiaras, Suzuki Akiras,the older Honda Novas, etc, all in this price range. In about half the cases, the bike would turn out to be fine at that price, in about half, I had to invest in an engine rebuild or new wheels or something, but it usually only set me back a couple of thousand.

Dude all these bikes you are buying are basically junk status bikes. I rented a bike for 200 baht a day last time I was in Buriram. Even my girls fathers bike is only 3 years old. Hard to believe that from what you are saying most of the farangs are broke upcountry....some are granted but please give us a break. fess up you are just a tight ass & won't get a newer rides for your clients. I personally would be scared to be in the country on some of the archaic bikes you are posting.

Just out of curiosity what value are you providing for the poor sots that have rented from you 50 baht a day? the price you paid would put the rent at 30-50 baht a day at the most. No one cares how you play your cards out but don't kid yourself that you are a true tightwad. At the very least Man up & get yourself a full time mechanic to take care of your heaps & Keep the stories out of the bike forum. Every week since you been posting it is the same old same old. If you get a real stable of horses

you wouldn't have to ask some of these questions that you are asking. In 40 years of horse trading & renting cars bikes trucks snowmobiles atvs & jetskis I have never met more than maybe 2 people that were not mechanics themselves or had a full time mechanic to teach them what to look for & how to fix.....Later they all become business partners. I know every person that is questioning you has the same thoughts. You just sound either really dumb or full of it or drunk on to many changs

[Dutchbike]

For some reason i sort of enjoy reading CQ's threads ( true or not true, troll or not troll)

Thanks to a tip from CQ, 2 years ago on TV i got hold of a brand new ( old stock ) TZM150. mayby that's got something to do with it.

[BSJ]

Beardog, you have to let it go man. You called it for what it is. In LOS if there are 100.000 bike/scooter renters, 99.999 think like you Beardog......and the other one is a lot smarter and doesn't!

[ClareQuilty]

Dude all these bikes you are buying are basically junk status bikes. I rented a bike for 200 baht a day last time I was in Buriram. Even my girls fathers bike is only 3 years old. Hard to believe that from what you are saying most of the farangs are broke upcountry....some are granted but please give us a break.

You must be joking! A full time mechanic would cost more than the total income from renting the bikes. I just charge 1,000-1,500/month for a bike, which is a very fair price. Your idea that something is 'junk' just because of its age makes no sense at all.

If I got three year old bikes like you suggest I'd have to charge double or triple what I do now, totally out of the affordability range for poor teachers. 200/day is fine for the tourist, but it won't fly for someone who makes 30,000 baht per month.

Anyway, back to the original story, for those who are interested:

I got back from Bangkok, and with a friend went to get the bike, planning to push it with another bike as one does. Alas upon arrival we found the rear tire flat, which made pushing very difficult. We only got it about 2-3 kilometers away to the PTT station. Will try to get the mechanic to go pick it up in his pick-up truck soon.

[taninthai]

1000-1500 month for an old <deleted> heap, in the tourist town of ao nang tourists can rent brand 1 year old honda clicks for 2,000 bht a month or a manual honda wave for 1,500 bht,there must be some pretty dumb teachers out where you live.

i didn't think you were making things up until you came out with that silly price.....................lets see some pictures of this honda click

im not even sure you live in thailand after quoting that you think that is a good price ,I'm still laughing

Edited February 10, 2014 by taninthai

[transam]

OP, your bike has had an electrical short and burned your wiring. Take it to a shop to source the short.

Short means electricity via a wire source is touching framework or another wire and shorting out.

[macknife]

I think you lot should lay off Clare a bit. It is certainly possible to buy old crappy bikes in the sticks for the money he has said. I even lived on Koh Samui for a while and the Thai rental guy offered to sell me an old Honda Dream for 5000B. I used it for 3 months and sold it on to another guy for the same price.

You might be able to rent a 3 year old wave for 1500B a month in a tourist or built up area but if you are really in the sticks there are no rental shops anywhere so you make do with what you can get.

[ClareQuilty]

OP, your bike has had an electrical short and burned your wiring. Take it to a shop to source the short.

Short means electricity via a wire source is touching framework or another wire and shorting out.

Thanks transam, that's just what the mechanic said. I got him to come out with his pickup, and he and I and one of his lads put the bike in the back. Really a breeze. He said to expect new wiring, and he said he didn't know about the battery. Anyway, should all be fixed up within a day or two. Will try to put up a pic soon.

[VocalNeal]

1000-1500 month for an old <deleted> heap, in the tourist town of ao nang tourists can rent brand 1 year old honda clicks for 2,000 bht a month or a manual honda wave for 1,500 bht,there must be some pretty dumb teachers out where you live.

I'm still laughing

Keep laughing. Clare has a niche business. It works for him and the guys/gals that hire his bikes.

[paz]

1000-1500 month for an old <deleted> heap, in the tourist town of ao nang tourists can rent brand 1 year old honda clicks for 2,000 bht a month or a manual honda wave for 1,500 bht,there must be some pretty dumb teachers out where you live.

I'm still laughing

Keep laughing. Clare has a niche business. It works for him and the guys/gals that hire his bikes.

I agree. Beside, 1yr old Click at 2,000 or Wave at 1,500 a month, is not happening anywhere. Thaninthai just made that up.

[taninthai]

^

yep coarse i did I'm well known on the forum for making things up........had a business here for 6 years which sometimes involved renting bikes out.

you must be one of them ferang that gets overcharged for everything.......i suppose you pay 200 bht x 30 to rent a new click for 1 month 6000 bht a month lol

Edited February 11, 2014 by taninthai