Biker posers

**friscofrankie** · 17-04-2006, 02:42 PM

Thanks for the advice. It just sounds like so much of a hassle and gamble though. What is the availability and cost of a 2-3 year old Fatboy in Thailand ? I'm guessing over a million baht ?

With papers right around a million, give or take. Saw one advertised for 800k, while back. Most of the ones I've seen are in the 1.2 range. Best bet; do some shopping around when you're here. Get to know the lay of the (Harley) land, so to speak, then you can either buy here or have one shipped in parts and assembled here.

If you go for shipping in my advice is; build a clone. By choosing wisely you can have a bike that is faster, handles better, looks nicer and is much cheaper. You also get separate certificates of origin for all the major components. It is easier to register a completed bike with separate certs. Bringing a complete (unassembled) bike in with one bill of sale/registration then assembling it, you may run into registration problems. Like, "Why wasn't this bike entered properly?"

Plenty of bikes available without reg and they are cheaper but then you've got to get that done. But for about 80K? might be a way to go. Lot of dudes ride without reg. To my way of thinking that's too much risk with such a large investment.

**mrsquirrel** · 17-04-2006, 03:54 PM

FF

If you go to the police with your invoices from the import of the parts they will issue with a local red police plate to use in the province whilst you "wait"

No definite time of when it is due back either

**friscofrankie** · 17-04-2006, 04:44 PM

Understood. But, if you import a complete bike with a single bill of sale/invoice for a "complete bike" But have no record of entry for the complete bike you really are at the mercy of the "mood of the day." There's a dude up here brought in a twin cam, in parts, assembled it here. No plate red or white. All he has is his invoice/bill of sale for the complete bike. There is no record of entry for a "complete bike."

Buildig a bike from separately purchased parts with separate invoice/stmt of orign is easier. The completed bike must suffer some "inspection." The level of inspection & compliance is often negotiable depending on locale and "inspector." With imported parts properly documented, you are in essence registering a brand-new bike; built from imported & local parts, in Thailand.

All of this is from observed instances and some careful investigation, not intimate personal experience. And, this being Thailand, experiences may vary from province to province (or day to day). I believe you quoted 20K for registering a "built up" bike. In Chinagmai the cost quoted 80k (for a hog).

Still, as far as Harleys go, it is by far cheaper to buy quality aftermarket parts with invoices and ship in than to buy a complete bike, tear it down and ship in and reassemble with only registration and dealers invoice.

maybe it's just me, I bought two running bikes in my life. A Pan-head when I was 15 and a BSA at 17. After that, I built everythng I ever rode from parts collected in various places and ways. These days, you can build a complete HD clone from brand-new, quality parts without one Harley Part at about $5 - 10K savings over a new bike.

**Rigger** · 17-04-2006, 07:12 PM

So How cheap can you build one FF here in Thailand and whats the import taxs on bring in a full motor any ideas. Is there places in Thailand that sell rolling frame and gear boxes and engines

**mrsquirrel** · 17-04-2006, 07:44 PM

70k is basically the going rate for registering a bike.

I have heard of 80k for American bikes so that could be about right.

Rigger - there are a lot of warehouses that bring bikes in parts into the country. I can't remember the Thai word for them. I have been to two or three out west of BKK and there are a couple around CHonburi and other places.

My mate who knows about these places is AWOL again.

**RDN** · 17-04-2006, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by Goddess of Whatever

Actually I agree with him that "The farang "bikers" in Pattaya think they are soo cool".

They act like they are the coolest in this world, ride so fast and make it loud...

That's the only thing I have against big bikes - the f*cking noise. I don't care that most look ridiculous, with their Nazi style helmets, tattoos, beer bellies and (possibly) a whore on the back - I really don't care at all. But I don't see why they should be allowed to destroy the peace and quiet of every other person within 500 yards of them.

I know straight-through pipes give you more power, but I also know that they wouldn't be allowed in their own country, so why have them here?

If your engine's not big enough to give you the power you want, get a bigger bike - with effective silencers. Don't inflict your f*cking noise on the rest of us.

**friscofrankie** · 17-04-2006, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Rigger

So How cheap can you build one FF here in Thailand and whats the import taxs on bring in a full motor any ideas. Is there places in Thailand that sell rolling frame and gear boxes and engines

I've been talking with a few distibutors like S&S and Custom Chrome (among others)in the US about this. None of 'em want the hassle of international shipping. I've got a dude in the states that'd foward for me and i've got a company and customs broker here to accept 'em. Like MrsQ stated, there are quite a few around the Country that do it, you'll end up paying all the costs plus some markup. Then there's tools, a place to build and incedentals, like wiring, hardware. If you've got all that covered I'd price your order out, print out a detailed estimate, take it to a customs agent and have him work out the tariff for you.

Several folks can tell you about the horrors when shippin stuff in personaly. A good customs agent is mandatory.

I worked all out a few months ago, was gonig to bring enough to buld a few bikes, it worked out I could do it profitably if I sold the bikes at about 900k - 1.2 mil depending on ultimate configuration, all with carbuerated 96 or 100 inch motors (the 100 inchers are actually less radical). Deal collapsed (as with most 'deals') so I'm, ridin' a chair but that wsa the figure I worked out.

If you shop with a sharp pencil and try to buy as much locally as you can, you should be able to get a new clone up for < 800K maybe a lot less.

Depending on how frugal and resourceful you are, think you can get one up for maybe less than 5-600k, if you're willing to assemble enough parts for a basket then rebuild the motor & tranny and then order any missing parts you might could beat that. used to do it all the time "back in the day" fame here, tranny there, odd box o' parts somewhere else, get a tired ol' motor breath some life into it...

There is a thriving community of Thai Bikers here. Getting invloved with them you're likely to find all the parts you need. Friendly folks, mostly, lot like "bikers" back in the States during the 60s & 70s , 'cept they talk funny. Scroungin' up a bike here isn't impossible.

I'll be over to a shop this week that builds bikes; get you an estimate if you like.

I know straight-through pipes give you more power, but I also know that they wouldn't be allowed in their own country, so why have them here?

Actually only true in the higher RPM ranges. Low-end and mid-range torque (90% of your riding) suffers from staight pipes. Hogs have a unique firing sequence that make them seem louder than they are.
But who don't like the sweet sound of 45 degree v-twin?

**Rigger** · 17-04-2006, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by RDN

Originally Posted by Goddess of Whatever

Actually I agree with him that "The farang "bikers" in Pattaya think they are soo cool".

They act like they are the coolest in this world, ride so fast and make it loud...

That's the only thing I have against big bikes - the f*cking noise. I don't care that most look ridiculous, with their Nazi style helmets, tattoos, beer bellies and (possibly) a whore on the back - I really don't care at all. But I don't see why they should be allowed to destroy the peace and quiet of every other person within 500 yards of them.

I know straight-through pipes give you more power, but I also know that they wouldn't be allowed in their own country, so why have them here?

If your engine's not big enough to give you the power you want, get a bigger bike - with effective silencers. Don't inflict your f*cking noise on the rest of us.

Its a safety thing I can tell you that since I put straight out V & H pipes on my bike people dont pull out in front of me. Dogs run away kids get off the road and I get to set everyones car alarm off and theres nothing like a v twin breathing out of loud pipes. Plus the bikes arent as loud as most the trucks or tak taks getting around

**mrsquirrel** · 17-04-2006, 10:48 PM

I know of a Harley Sporster for under 300k (Pretty sure it was that much) nothing fancy.

**friscofrankie** · 18-04-2006, 01:46 AM

yeah sporty's are cheap they go for 200 - 400k all over. I actually thought about one, few years back, when I was in BKK but nah...

**bios** · 18-04-2006, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Storekeeper

Thanks for the advice. It just sounds like so much of a hassle and gamble though. What is the availability and cost of a 2-3 year old Fatboy in Thailand ? I'm guessing over a million baht ?

http://www.geocities.com/bkkriders/shops/index.html

Take a look around these shops. Some are foreign but not necessarily better or more expensive. I wouldn't run around with an unregistered bike in BKK. The khakies will give you all the trouble and extort all the money they can.

**peterpan** · 18-04-2006, 02:48 PM

If you Nickys handlebar in Phuket, well he builds some nice (if you like that sort of thing,) bikes. Those Harley thangs with big rear wheels, lotsa chrome, Weezin beagle stuff all over 'em. They are still slow tho'.

**davethailand** · 18-04-2006, 08:51 PM

I arrived back from Patong 2 hours ago, Before you ask Mr Earl i rode there and rode back again, I'm effing knackered.

**peterpan** · 18-04-2006, 09:57 PM

Dave, good stuff matey, its a LOOOOng ride, I know a Scot guy who does it regular on mini chopper thing. like a phantom. thats brave enough but he only has one leg. rides down there with his plastic leg strapped on behind him. Tuff crunts those Scots. Anyway how was the wank session in Phuket ? Not referring to you but Jesus those bike weeks do attract a lot of knob polishers don't they ?

**Rigger** · 18-04-2006, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by davethailand

I arrived back from Patong 2 hours ago, Before you ask Mr Earl i rode there and rode back again, I'm effing knackered.

How many klm is it from patong to pattaya and how many hours and what is the road like

**davethailand** · 18-04-2006, 11:57 PM

Roads generally are'nt bad, We rode from Pattaya to chumpon which is about 700kms, next day Chumpon to Phuket which is about 550kms.
The first day took about 4 and a half hours to Hua Hin where we ate and had a swim at my mates house then we left for chumpon which took about 4 hours.
Chumpon to Phuket lasted about 5 and a half hours together with pussies with sore arses etc etc, otherwise its only 400 kms which could have been quicker.
I like riding but i 'm not into the biker gangs/ clothes shit.

**Wallalai** · 19-04-2006, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by Goddess of Whatever

They act like they are the coolest in this world, ride so fast and make it loud. I hate it. I don't mind if they ride outside the town.

I totally agree with your comment, why do they need to be so noisy ?

The last part of the OP is a little bit....hmmm, subjective and very denigrating.

**davethailand** · 19-04-2006, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by Jinjok

Originally Posted by Goddess of Whatever

They act like they are the coolest in this world, ride so fast and make it loud. I hate it. I don't mind if they ride outside the town.

I totally agree with your comment, why do they need to be so noisy ?
Because it pisses people like GOW off.

The last part of the OP is a little bit....hmmm, subjective and very denigrating.

**dirtydog** · 19-04-2006, 12:38 AM

it is cos they cant afford silencers, as for having stop offs that is for nancy boys, did I tell you about the time I rode from Penang to Pattaya on a 125 cc bike in one day?

only bloody nancys stop off for the evening after only a few hundred kms

**davethailand** · 19-04-2006, 12:48 AM

Penang to Pattaya on a 125 cc bike in one day?

**mrsquirrel** · 19-04-2006, 07:04 AM

My biker gang has gone against the norm an dhas bright orange T-shirts for out team colours.

NO skulls and crossobnes for us

**Rigger** · 19-04-2006, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by davethailand

Roads generally are'nt bad, We rode from Pattaya to chumpon which is about 700kms, next day Chumpon to Phuket which is about 550kms.
The first day took about 4 and a half hours to Hua Hin where we ate and had a swim at my mates house then we left for chumpon which took about 4 hours.
Chumpon to Phuket lasted about 5 and a half hours together with pussies with sore arses etc etc, otherwise its only 400 kms which could have been quicker.
I like riding but i 'm not into the biker gangs/ clothes shit.

Sounds like a good ride because I would be starting from Nongbaulamphu and going across to Changmi then down to the south I have mate coming over so we plain on about a two week tour of Thailand with the wives on the back This why I need to buy a second bike before he gets here as the rented bikes here are shit I guess we could rent a good one in Changmi

**mrsquirrel** · 19-04-2006, 09:01 AM

You are welcome to buy my Blackbird if you want.

**Rigger** · 19-04-2006, 01:07 PM

it could be on the cards as I have been thinking to save some money I will chop the shadow with a kit from the states $2000 and hand carry it in then buy a large sports bike with a comfey seat for the missus sit on the back with out bitchen
I would even save my self some money

**RDN** · 19-04-2006, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

...did I tell you about the time I rode from Penang to Pattaya on a 125 cc bike in one day? ...

Did I tell you about the time I rode a 150cc scooter from Dagenham to Portsmouth one-handed 'cause the throttle cable broke and I wrapped it around a finger on my right hand which was lying on my lap so I could pull on the carburettor on the left side of the bike and change gear with the left hand.

I don't think I told anyone that before...

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