Habble Habble

Making a habble habble motorcycle A habble-habble is a Honda TMX 155 that has been modified with a seat extension so the driver can carry 4 or 5 passengers on his motorbike. Usually they are used on rough trails where cars and tricycles cannot go. I have seen up to 8 people on one motor bike already. I selected a small shop in Basey in southern Samar near the San Juanico Bridge to do the job for me. I do a bit of camping in the Philippines and felt that having that rack on the back will make it easier to carry extra people and gear. This roof over attachment is very common in these parts and usually bodgered together with a bamboo frame. I live in Catbalogan, Samar but habble habble are not common there. Calbayog, Basey and Calbiga are places where this modified bike is the usual so the mechanics are very efficient at creating these one of a kind seat extensions. I negociated a price of 2000 pesos to get the job done and it took two welders 3 to 4 hours to finish the job. We did not use real heavy duty steel but I think it will work for me. If not, we can just keep welding more steel onto it. Be sure to disconnect the CDI and the battery before welding begins. It's a good idea to install extra springs to handle the extra weight. It's weird, but it doesn't take long to get used to 3 or 4 passengers. The main problem is your stopping distance. The locals all have an excellent sense of balance so that really helps. If you took a load of people on their first ride it might be kind of shakey. There it is, painted up and ready to go. With only two or three people you get a stiff ride but as you add to the load the ride gets smoother. ---------------------------------------- oct 2008 update Maintenance on the motorbike in the Philippines I get my oil changed at the Honda Motor World shop here in Catbalogan. The mechanics are first rate and it only costs 30 peso plus the cost of a litre of oil. (155 pesos today) The shop is across form the Rose Pharmacy on the main street in Catbalogan. Labor is a good deal in the Philippines so I usually get all my work done, rather than doing it myself. It only costs 120 pesos for a tune up. 400 pesos for a top overhaul 700 pesos for a major overhaul 300 to replace a clutch 180 to change a chain and sprocket 200 to replace a startr motor + parts Have the air filter cleaned while you are there. The bike just turned 11,000 mostly Samar kilometers today. I have a lot of fun with that bike. 2008     www.dutchpickle.com

 

< Prev		Next >