KTM 990 ADV - Chiang Mai, Thailand to Phonsavan, Laos

KTMphil

KTMphil

Senior member
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Location
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Bikes
2007 KTM 990 Adventure Suzuki DRZ 400
KTM's engine rebuild had it running like a sewing machine, so time to stretch its legs.


First day was a nice 700km + day eastwards to Luang Prabang, Laos. With the road sealed eastwards from Hongsa to Xayabouri & sealed NE to Luang Prabang it makes a nice, long day ride on big bikes'




cnx phonsvn by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




The locals no-nonsense restaurant, Luang Prabang, in the main street always busy


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A free day to poke around Phonsavan the next day. The Russian-donated PT-76 tank that was obliterated by the U.S donated artillery


P1010418_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





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Views over the LS 108 U.S runway just out of town



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& Bamboo lake



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Plenty of artillery shells still on the mountain near LS 108




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Amazing this hasnt been cleared yet'



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more to come
 
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West of Phonsavan is huge Cave. Locals say it dates back 1,000 years and the drawing on the cave wall below date back to that time


P1010440_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




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Ancient Buddha sculpture in the Ding Dok Cave

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The cave was used by Vang Pao's, CIA trained Hmong Army (more on that later) as a military hospital. Hydraulic airplane maintenance platforms were used as operating theater beds


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You can see the hydraulic lift pump for the platform below


P1010451_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






A lot of the community war scrap has already been sold, you can still see some of the bomb casings used around Phonsavan if you look hard enough


P1010452_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Legs



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Back into Phonsavan and a 105mm gun with some huge shell casings



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Upside down of course



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Mig aux fuel tank



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105mm gun


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More war scrap use



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One of the hotels out of town (Phonsavan) has a great collection of Vietnam War memorabilia



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The hotel might have the best collection of war memorabilia outside the UXO and tourist office, even a copy of The Ravens book signed by many of the pilots from the era who have stayed at the hotel on one of their revisits to the region


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The family that owns the hotel were involved in the filming of "The Most Secret Place On Earth" documentary about Long Cheng


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Nasty, evil, jumping, spring mine



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Phonsavan, the 990's rear wheel bearings were making some nasty noises, east of town, there is an excellent mechanic. He couldnt match the bearing there but puled the bearing seal and repacked them with grease




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20150514_093907.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






Cracked axle nut, they managed to fabricate another from steel


20150514_121011.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





While waiting for some parts, fabricating a rifle barrel site for a customer!!

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Interesting bike in the mechanics yard


20150514_101515.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






All finished and lunch at Craters (Bamboozle is shut lunchtime's now), how cute was the owners daughter?


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Bike all fixed, off south towards Long Cheng, which was the most secret CIA base on earth, take a look at the link below for that part of the trip


http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...ng-cheng-tieng-lima-site-20a-3.html#post53222





One more problem with the 990, for some reason since the engine rebuild doesnt seem to be charging, looks like you can get around 3 days out of the battery with the headlight on and say 15 starts. For safety tracked down a 10-AH battery as backup and charged the main battery



20150516_151822.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



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Out through the Vientiane, Laos/ Nong Khai, Thailand border & off to Udon to get some new bearings

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Mr Moto in Udon is a passionate MX racer and great mechanic


20150518_095146.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Bearings out and off to get them matched


20150518_095409.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Everything cleaned properly


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Even added grease to the new bearings - great service


20150518_112840.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





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Blast north westwards to Phitsnaluk and one more overnight charge


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An the big monster gets me home safely, great trip




20150519_130500.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr
 
CraigBKK said:
Not sure if the shop has moved or the street has two names, but the address on the business card is Phosri Road.
Click to expand...

Yes, I "read" that also (my Thai is not good but that is what I thought I read) but when you Google it, the consensus seems to be that the location is near the Centara hotel. His Facebook page at Mrmoto-sports/ also gives the address as Watthanuwong Rd. reason for me to post this address also.
 
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