Thailand Expats

LivinLOS · #1 23-09-2005, 18:41

My baby blade needs a service, simple stuff like chain & sprockets, tyres, oil etc and I want to have the carbs balanced and cleaned etc..

Even though theres some great kids who take care of my scooter for a pittance I know they dont know or have equipment to balance carbs and they also tend to screw up if I want semi synthetic / specific oils etc.. Basically I dont trust them with my sportbike..

Also I want real quality parts on there not the cheapest Thai pattern parts.. I know that costs more (like a good jap import chain and sprokets runs near 4k but a Thai pattern part is a bit over 2k.. I am happy to pay for the quality parts but dont want to pay 4k for a 2k chain !!!)

I know theres bike arts on the Phuket town Rd past Lotus and theres a really good Thai guy near Chalong circle... Both of these require me going away then getting a taxi etc and returning the same..

Does anyone have a trustworthy reliable mechanic in Patong that can balance carbs, use the oil spec I say, do a proper job and not cut corners.. Basic English would be helpful..

marc26 · #2 23-09-2005, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

My baby blade needs a service, simple stuff like chain & sprockets, tyres, oil etc and I want to have the carbs balanced and cleaned etc..

Even though theres some great kids who take care of my scooter for a pittance I know they dont know or have equipment to balance carbs and they also tend to screw up if I want semi synthetic / specific oils etc.. Basically I dont trust them with my sportbike..

Also I want real quality parts on there not the cheapest Thai pattern parts.. I know that costs more (like a good jap import chain and sprokets runs near 4k but a Thai pattern part is a bit over 2k.. I am happy to pay for the quality parts but dont want to pay 4k for a 2k chain !!!)

I know theres bike arts on the Phuket town Rd past Lotus and theres a really good Thai guy near Chalong circle... Both of these require me going away then getting a taxi etc and returning the same..

Does anyone have a trustworthy reliable mechanic in Patong that can balance carbs, use the oil spec I say, do a proper job and not cut corners.. Basic English would be helpful..

when i was in samui got a flat on robb's motorbike, went to a shop and some 13yr old kid fixed it. robb almost crashed and dided the next day because it wasnt put back on properly

LivinLOS · #3 24-09-2005, 08:37

The baby blade (CBR400RR) isnt sold in UK anyway.. They are really popular as grey imports (would be a superb pocket rocket for the under 6 footers / mid size guys.. Bit on the small size for my frame).. Also as generous as your offer is, its a bit mad for you to bring something halfway round the world to save me a trip to Chalong !!!!

Its not so much parts as service level and communications.. Last time I sorted a service I insisted on 15/45 semi synthetic oils (thats what they like) and even after writing it down and making sure this was all undertood came back and they had dumped 20/50 semi in there (I made them change it and they thought that was completely mad.. Waste etc).. They dont seem to get that I want soft compound tyres and dont mind that they will wear fast (they keep me connected to the road) let em be sticky.. A quality chainset will last multiple times as long as a thai pattern part but thats not how stuff gets serviced here..

Its much more to do with communication and knowledge to balance out carbs and keep the bike tuned well..

I guess a taxi back from Chalong is a minor inconvienience..

stevem · #4 24-09-2005, 09:01

I have no idea what their like as never been in there, but what about going to have a chat with the folks in nick's handlebar??

LivinLOS · #5 24-09-2005, 09:15

hmmm.. Not a bad idea there Steve.. Know Nickey a bit also..

Probably more Harley and probably harley rates though..

joe418 · #6 25-09-2005, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

My baby blade needs a service, simple stuff like chain & sprockets, tyres, oil etc and I want to have the carbs balanced and cleaned etc..

Even though theres some great kids who take care of my scooter for a pittance I know they dont know or have equipment to balance carbs and they also tend to screw up if I want semi synthetic / specific oils etc.. Basically I dont trust them with my sportbike..

Also I want real quality parts on there not the cheapest Thai pattern parts.. I know that costs more (like a good jap import chain and sprokets runs near 4k but a Thai pattern part is a bit over 2k.. I am happy to pay for the quality parts but dont want to pay 4k for a 2k chain !!!)

I know theres bike arts on the Phuket town Rd past Lotus and theres a really good Thai guy near Chalong circle... Both of these require me going away then getting a taxi etc and returning the same..

Does anyone have a trustworthy reliable mechanic in Patong that can balance carbs, use the oil spec I say, do a proper job and not cut corners.. Basic English would be helpful..

When in in phuket,a mate of mine uses a guy opposite simon cabaret,heading out of patong towards karon.

Joe.

LivinLOS · #7 25-09-2005, 19:35

I know the spot you mean.. They are a big bike rental.. Hadnt seen them do service but maybe never looked..

Anyway I have the basics (chain tyres etc) taken care of and can do the carb balance with someone else.. Probably give Nicky a try..

alibaba · #8 25-09-2005, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

I know the spot you mean.. They are a big bike rental.. Hadnt seen them do service but maybe never looked..

Anyway I have the basics (chain tyres etc) taken care of and can do the carb balance with someone else.. Probably give Nicky a try..

If Nicky dosn't do it, he will certainly advise who can.
And he won't bullsh-t you either.

urtheman · #9 26-09-2005, 14:23

Yes Sefton it's hard geting good work done on your bike.

I have the same problem.

I have a 11 year old 100 cc honda dream with 89,000km's. I'm currently trying to convert it to nitros and want to add a four carb set up but the guys just don't seem to get it. They just keep scratching their heads when I try to talk to them.
Yeah I know it's pink and all with a tiny thin little back wheel but I'm sure when I get done with it it will shred every other 100cc dream out there! I'm trying to find alloy pink rims for it as well.
Any tips would be appreciated.
Cheers!

redfast900 · #10 08-10-2005, 01:07

Howdie. LivinLOS, I've got a 900 Blade and had same sort of problems getting parts and good work done. The guy at Chalong, as nice as he is, is not a quality setup. Check out this link http://members3.boardhost.com/thaimotorcycle/ and look for the post by Toby about a good mechanic in Phuket on Sept 12. There's a couple of options posted there by Thomas.

For parts, I ended up getting mine shipped from Australia and will do the servicing myself. Red Baron in BKK has parts for big bikes but is expensive (stocks K&N filters). Siam Superbike also has parts but is slow answering emails, if at all.

I called into the rental shop out of Patong en route to Karon 3 days ago and asked if he did work on bikes other than his own. Answer was no.

LivinLOS · #11 08-10-2005, 12:48

Thanks I have had chain sprokets etc done now..

Would like tune up and carb balancing.. See what I can fgind..

slackula · #12 16-10-2005, 20:30

There is a bike shop on Phra Barrami (sp?) just past Soi 2 and before the 7-11 that has done some good work on my 400 RR (fitted steering damper, re-wired ignition, upgarded rear shock etc)

The owner/boss speaks enough English to get the point across, and is quite concientious about his work. Also he always gives two quotations, one for genuine parts and one for non-genuine and he sticks to his word.

The mechanic at West Coast Riders (not Patong I know) speaks excellent English, is very sharp and they will happily work on bikes other than Harleys. More pricey but a class act imho