DrGMIA
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2011
- Bikes
- Oldest 1931, newest 2019, numerous makes and models in between on several continents
SMITHS MOTORS COMPANY - ONE OF A KIND PLACE
Off the well trod (beaten) tourist paths in Bangkok is a happening place, SMITHS MOTORS COMPANY/Cafe/Museum/event venue/Vintage Club home/and motorhead candy shop. I wrote in a 2025 article published in a USA based magazine, ON THE LEVEL, borrowing from the song made famous in 1967 by Buffalo Springfield, For What It's Worth, "there's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear...."
Entrance to SMITHS MOTOR COMPANY 2025, USA gas station pumps in front.
Inside is a bar/cafe, Vintage Club (founded 1971) meeting point, an eye full of phonographic LP covers covering one wall, a changing display of restored/customized BMW motorcycles, exotic cars and sometimes a DJ spinning records for the visitors. A second building hosts a wall stacked with vintage/antique motorcycles and display items, plus items for sale.
Above that's "Smitty" in front of the "Wall Of Motorcycles."
Below is their constantly changing retail outlet, with some interesting items on display: Steve McQueen and EASY RIDERS posters, SMITHS T-Shirts and caps, and even a SMITHS privately branded cold water bottles.
SMITHS hosts a wide range of events like an exotic car show, quality parking lot garage sale, an evening with TV/Film and social media VIPS, and motorcycle ride ins/outs. In the parking lot there are Avon trailers from the USA, and several well preserved VW Combi"and Beetles. One weekend saw nearly 100 Harley-Davidsons on display. SMITHS also manufactures (away from the above location) custom projects, some extreme modifications for customers.
Closed on Monday's to accommodate weekend work schedules of customers, and Saturday/Sunday afternoons and cooler evenings are often when events are held.
This isn't some knock-off motorcycle shop for those wanting what they left "back home," it's a Thai happening place.
They have an active social media presence, starting here:
Log into Facebook
If in Bangkok with some spare time give SMITHS MOTORS COMPANY a physical look. It you see or meet Smitty, tell him "Dr. G" highly recommended a visit, and at least buy a T-Shirt or cap, or a cool drink in the bar/cafe,. Enjoy the ambiance of some motorcycle place that is a serious bit different.
Dr. G
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine, and Adventure Motorcycle University
Moto-Journalist, author, script consultant and general motorcycle wastrel
Latest publications: ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLIST: FRAZIER SHRUGGED (2022-Amazon), and
(Revised/Updated) MOTORCYCLE SEX, or FREUD WOULD NEVER UNDERSTAND... (2024-Amazon)
Sole sensual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com
Off the well trod (beaten) tourist paths in Bangkok is a happening place, SMITHS MOTORS COMPANY/Cafe/Museum/event venue/Vintage Club home/and motorhead candy shop. I wrote in a 2025 article published in a USA based magazine, ON THE LEVEL, borrowing from the song made famous in 1967 by Buffalo Springfield, For What It's Worth, "there's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear...."
Entrance to SMITHS MOTOR COMPANY 2025, USA gas station pumps in front.
Inside is a bar/cafe, Vintage Club (founded 1971) meeting point, an eye full of phonographic LP covers covering one wall, a changing display of restored/customized BMW motorcycles, exotic cars and sometimes a DJ spinning records for the visitors. A second building hosts a wall stacked with vintage/antique motorcycles and display items, plus items for sale.
Above that's "Smitty" in front of the "Wall Of Motorcycles."
Below is their constantly changing retail outlet, with some interesting items on display: Steve McQueen and EASY RIDERS posters, SMITHS T-Shirts and caps, and even a SMITHS privately branded cold water bottles.
SMITHS hosts a wide range of events like an exotic car show, quality parking lot garage sale, an evening with TV/Film and social media VIPS, and motorcycle ride ins/outs. In the parking lot there are Avon trailers from the USA, and several well preserved VW Combi"and Beetles. One weekend saw nearly 100 Harley-Davidsons on display. SMITHS also manufactures (away from the above location) custom projects, some extreme modifications for customers.
Closed on Monday's to accommodate weekend work schedules of customers, and Saturday/Sunday afternoons and cooler evenings are often when events are held.
This isn't some knock-off motorcycle shop for those wanting what they left "back home," it's a Thai happening place.
They have an active social media presence, starting here:
Log into Facebook
If in Bangkok with some spare time give SMITHS MOTORS COMPANY a physical look. It you see or meet Smitty, tell him "Dr. G" highly recommended a visit, and at least buy a T-Shirt or cap, or a cool drink in the bar/cafe,. Enjoy the ambiance of some motorcycle place that is a serious bit different.
Dr. G
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure, SOUND RIDER magazine, and Adventure Motorcycle University
Moto-Journalist, author, script consultant and general motorcycle wastrel
Latest publications: ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLIST: FRAZIER SHRUGGED (2022-Amazon), and
(Revised/Updated) MOTORCYCLE SEX, or FREUD WOULD NEVER UNDERSTAND... (2024-Amazon)
Sole sensual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.com
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