My first serious accident

Maholli · 12-03-2007, 2:20 AM

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Baby blade in Respol..

Surffrog · 12-03-2007, 2:47 AM

Thanks Maholli, yeah, I like her.
She's getting old now (16/17yrs) so she's probably not as on song as she could be. I certainly do my best to keep her up to scratch but it's getting harder. I'm sure she could do with a new rear damper, but getting a new one of those round here is a pain. If I want a second-hand one, no problem - idiot tourists are writing them off all the time in high-season. But I feel that defeats the object of the exercise.
Now, I have seen a couple of pretty new 600 CBRs in the new showroom we've got here in Phuket and I've been watching them with envious eyes...

Btw, have you guys got any intel on how our bikes fair when using E85 fuel. It seems that during Thaksin's reign (Thailand's ousted prime minister), he got a lot of farmers to start growing palm oil (not literally). Now the farmers need to sell it, so the government's selling it to the petrol stations on the cheap. Getting 95 (the only fuel we can use for sure) is getting difficult, and we're seeing more and more of this 95 gasahol stuff. Most are saying don't touch it, but we may soon have no choice. So your views on that would certainly help.

Surffrog · 12-03-2007, 2:49 AM

Yeah, Maholli, she is both a babyblade and my baby

Maholli · 12-03-2007, 2:53 AM

While I personally don't know too much about it this is what I found...

"The current problem with using the 85% ethanol fuel in non-certified engines is that ethanol tends to be somewhat corrosive to some aluminum and rubber components of your fuel system. It could damage hoses, seals and erode carburetors or fuel injectors. Also, in older vehicles, it can stir up the rust and gunk in the bottom of your tank and clog your filters. The newer E85 certified cars and trucks have been designed with stainless steel parts and rubber hoses and seals that are not as sensitive to the alcohol's corrosive tendencies."

Orange County Choppers is building E85 bikes and also China is developing bikes specifically for E85 there might be more but thats all Im aware of.. Oh also Triumph motorcycle and I just read where you can get a conversion kit for e85.

Surffrog · 12-03-2007, 2:55 AM

Thanks for that Maholli. So even with a newer 600 I'm still going to run into the same problem, right?

Maholli · 12-03-2007, 2:58 AM

Well Im thinking maybe you could get a conversion kit for it.. Let me do some searching, which im doing as we speak..

Maholli · 12-03-2007, 3:00 AM

E85 Conversion Kits Change2E85.com

Yep It can be done.. click the link...

Maholli · 12-03-2007, 3:19 AM

Well Surffrog? U gonna E85 your baby blade.. Maybe a newer 600RR...

I know, I have lost it..

Surffrog · 12-03-2007, 3:41 AM

Just reading up on it now. Bear with me...
I don't think I can do the babyblade coz she's carb'd, is that right?

Surffrog · 12-03-2007, 3:59 AM

That just looks too good to be true. It does look like the baby's not able to get done though. Maybe it's time to...

Surffrog · 12-03-2007, 4:43 AM

Hey Maholli, my bad. Apparently, Thailand's fuel is E10, not E85. How do our bike's fair on E10?

Maholli · 12-03-2007, 5:34 AM

Um.. I will research... Had to actually do some work, let me check on that for ya..

Maholli · 12-03-2007, 5:37 AM

Good news as far as what I read no modifications are required..
Ethanol Powered Vehicles - DMV.ORG

"Currently ethanol is sold as an E10 blend, meaning one gallon of fuel contains 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline. It's compatible with all cars; no engine modifications are required."

Surffrog · 12-03-2007, 6:56 AM

Maholli, thanks mate. I love your work

I ask a question and you rapidly provided an answer. Your a star.
Speaking of work. Yeah, it's a pain. I have to keep tearing myself away from Fireblades' just to get some done. This site is seriously addictive. If it wasn't quiet at the moment, I don't think I'd get any work done.

slickwill · 12-03-2007, 4:20 PM

Yeah, I knew yours was the CBR400. I was asking about the RVF's because I have heard that there a lot of them in Thailand and I have been researching a Thai export company that claims they can ship them over here. I would feel much more comfortable with the process if I had someone over there to "oversee" the operation.

Yes the RVF400 is the NC35. It is also different from the VFR400 which is the NC30. They are both a 400cc V4 engine but the RVF is a slightly "hotter" overall package, a little more horsepower, and has a little bit better styling. The biggest difference though is that they RVF has upside down forks where the VFR has conventional forks. Not many RVF400's ever made it to the states and those that did sell for absolutely ridiculous prices.

Surffrog · 12-04-2007, 2:34 AM

I hear ya Slickwill. The RVF is also the latest of that model bike, too. So they've got the latest kit on them. They both (VFR and RVF) look really cool with single sided swing arms (imho).
I think I've seen the site you're talking about. Based in Bangkok, right?
If it is this one, I notice they won't organize any insurance for the exporter, i.e. you. Out of order, if you ask me. However, if you're serious about exporting these things, p.m me and lets chat. If you're only talking about one for yourself, i'll certainly help you find a decent bike. I check the ads all the time. In fact, there's a beautiful camel racing colours bike here in Phuket. It's expensive for Thailand (about bht 120,000 last time I looked) but I've got to tell you it's in mint condition having been restored recently.
Anyway, let me know.

Bigdaddy75 · 12-09-2007, 9:22 PM

I would imagine fuel in Thailand would be mixed with all sorts of "goodies" - It's bad enough trying to police fuel quality in Australia with all the stuff they sneak into the mixtures.

Surffrog · 12-10-2007, 2:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdaddy75

I would imagine fuel in Thailand would be mixed with all sorts of "goodies" - It's bad enough trying to police fuel quality in Australia with all the stuff they sneak into the mixtures.

Yep, combined with the fact they don't seem to use the same fuel ratings as the rest of the world.

I'm surprised you say that about Oz, though. I always thought you guys were on the ball where fuel's concerned.

Well, you live and learn.