oil changes

I'm sure someone can make one that will fit. Maybe rip out the paper from the silcone frame and put in a foam insert that I can wash and oil.

It's interesting, though, that many bike jobs are very cheap in Vietnam, but when you need a new battery, or a decent Dunlop tyre even from Thailand, you hit more-or-less Western prices,

I just took apart one CBR1000rr on Sunday..
Some genius mechanic had made 1 clutch plate from metal..  and it was friction plate.. Needless to say is was not good idea.. All thing are possible here, but not all are good ideas in the end..

Ps. I did offer 10tr from that bike.. 

Z1 or CBR1000?  Phew! in Vietnam? Why??? Is anyone trying to commute on those?

Meanwhile, when I was driving to Saigon airport this morning to pick up my wife from her work trip to Hanoi and Hue, I was passed by a Norwegian-plated Victory V-twin with serious-looking luggage. He was obviously legit, probably overland all the way from Norway.

I wanted to chase him down but my taxi driver refused, and he couldn't have done so anyway.

This is totally off-topic now, but I thought you couldn't enter Vietnam with a foreign-registered vehicle. I managed to do so three years ago with a bike from Thailand through Laos, but only because my fellow biker had taught economics at Hanoi University and the people at the border post -- who had said "no way" -- were able to confirm his achievement online. The boss was then called in and we were given the go-ahead.

We were told to come back through the same border post a week later, and the lady gave us her personal phone number in case there was a problem (fortunately there wasn't and we did what what we had to do).

But yes, this Norwegian bloke... Has the law changed yet again? Or has coffee money been paid, or has someone talked to someone?

robvan wrote:

Yeah, I can't get a replacement paper air filter for my Honda CBF150. I just ask the mechs to blast air, or do it myself if they don't understand. But it's getting pretty black now.

Any thoughts here?

Recycling air filters is a common practice with farm tractors because they dirty up quickly especially when used on dry dusty soils.  However, blowing the filter out with air pressure is not what you want to do!  It will break down the fibers in the filter even if it doesn't actually puncture holes.  Wash the filter gently with warm water and let it dry naturally.  A fan is OK but no high pressure air.  Drying is important since a wet filter will impede air flow, so do it when you have enough time.

Thanks, Thigv. You're absolutely right that blowing-out paper filters is not ideal. But what else can you do when there is no alternative? And it does get rid of the worst dust.

I had never heard of gently washing and drying a paper filter. I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks!

"But yes, this Norwegian bloke... Has the law changed yet again? Or has coffee money been paid, or has someone talked to someone?"

Nope, the law has not changed

It's the old case of who you know, not what.
I was recently (a few weeks ago) refused entry
(for the bike, not me)  I could enter: not the bike.

..and no one at the Embassy could explain why...     

robvan wrote:

Z1 or CBR1000?  Phew! in Vietnam? Why??? Is anyone trying to commute on those?

CBR1000.. you can't mix Z1000 and CBR1000 and commute.. I do...

You can enter country but only with "tour guide"... but after the border who cares any way you need to pay those companies money to arrange you the "tour" similar if you want to exit Vietnam with big bike... you have to get a "caravan paper" what is plan where you go and to have tour guide with you..

@Wald0: When you say you can't leave the country with a big bike unless you have a "caravan paper" plus tour guide, can you do so on a smaller bike? I'd like to go to Cambodia and Laos on my CBF150. I  have the blue paper but of course it's not in my name. Can do?

off topic, but I think you can..

I tried twice - at diff. gates, but while I could enter, the bike was a no-go.

Ive been to Cambodia many times through Bavet crossing and never been stopped. Maybe my goods looks got me through.

(Grumble..!!!)   ..bloody foreigners...

..it was the bike's fault; not mine, Mr. Marlboro man...   

Never mind, us uglies are adaptive....     

@Colinoscapee and others: Sorry, I know border crossings by motorbike are off topic here, but I started a separate topic on this several months ago and never got a reply ;-)

So, you never got stopped crossing by motorbike at Bavet/Moc Bai? That's interesting. Is your bike under 175cc with a blue card in your name? My bike is but the card isn't.

Nearly everyone who has a bike here the blue card will be in a VN name. I have never been stopped and asked about my bike, I have crossed that border about 6 times so far.

Thanks a lot. That's encouraging news, despite Bazza139's experience to the contrary. Yes, theory and practice at borders are often quite different and can be all over the place one way or the other. You just have to go and try for yourself.

I have never been refused a border crossing by bike in the Americas, Europe, Africa or Asia -- but I suppose Vietnam could be a different case, given my earlier difficulty entering from Laos (but even that worked in the end). My most drawn-out crossing took four hours from Iran to Pakistan on the Iranian side (Pakistan welcomed me with a cup of tea)... until I arrived in Fremantle (Perth) by bulk carrier from Bangladesh. That took from 7:30am to 5:30pm due to temporary bike registration, roadworthy check, insurance, quarantine, thorough customs inspection and other issues. Welcome to the world's largest (and in many ways most inward-looking) island.

Anyway, thanks for indulging my off-topic :-)

Z1 that bike from 70's? yeah hard to find old bikes here. wish to have GPZ900! but finding one here is impossible.. bought one last summer in Finland.. but again no hope to ride it here

Yeah.  We all know (and acknowledge)     

..but what else can we do for excitement?  Refer to the furry Fred..?

Even the moderate moderators seem to be asleep...     

Open a new thread about pros and cons of different bikes?

Naah.. thats no fun at all

Agreed.   Oil changes are more fun.   

OK, let's start a new topic about one-day rides along country roads around VN's major cities, Maybe we can ride together on them too with a few beers/coffees along the way. Anyone game to start the topic? I started a new topic once and no-one replied, so I'm throwing this one over the fence ;-)

Almost every one of us is overdue for an oil change ourselves so how can we be off topic.   

..thank goodness you said 'Almost'...     

robvan wrote:

OK, let's start a new topic about one-day rides along country roads around VN's major cities, Maybe we can ride together on them too with a few beers/coffees along the way. Anyone game to start the topic? I started a new topic once and no-one replied, so I'm throwing this one over the fence ;-)

I thought up a topless topic, but it met much the same fate...     

The good oil ?   ..we're trying to change...