Not Rocket Science!

[vintage53]

    Do people take pride in their work anymore? ------------ MG of MC

I rode 65 or so miles to try out a newer MG / Vespa Dealer and to check out the new Primavera 150cc Vespa for my wife.

Simple task Mount two new tires on my V11. I dropped off the bike at 1pm, an arranged to pick it up at 5pm.
My daughter, who lives 15 minutes away in Monmouth County, NJ picked me up, I spent the afternoon with my
grandchildren.

Picked the bike up at the end of the day, and returned home. Next morning I go into the garage and rear tire completely flat. .. The replacement right angle valve stem was loose, and you could rotate it.

Called the shop in the AM, and they say "bring it in an we will take care of it" ** 65 miles away?    I removed the Wheel myself and returned to the Dealer a few days later, with the wheel.  They admit they screwed up, and replaced the valve stem. (and did not offer any refund ) 

What really ticked me off, if that they put a nice scratch in the wheel, and would not admit to it.
(I will deal with it via my CC company)

They are the big loser here, we decided on a 75th Anniversary Vespa. and we will be buying it elsewhere!   

[not-fishing]

Many decades ago like nearly 4 I learned that a Dealer who doesn't know how to maintain a vehicle In this case an Alfa spider isn't worth even taking the vehicle to.  I found and independent who  knew how to make the Alfa sing!

The same goes for Italian bikes.

[ozarquebus]

As said here before by others, most new mechanics are learning on the job using your machine for training before they move on to something else better in a few months. Its kind of a hard way to make a living. Tire changing will be the task of the new guy. Also previously mentioned by others is that you probably know a lot more about your machine than the random bike shop mechanic does and he will probably not do any research before diving in. A good mechanic is very rare indeed and should be rewarded for his competency which though once commonly expected, is now a special thing.

[Scout63]

The only things I outsource are machine work, bead blasting and paint.  I don’t trust anyone to work on my bikes and the nearest dealer is like the waiting room in Beetlejuice. I’m sure it’s just as hard on the other side of the service counter these days and I just don’t want to get involved.  If I had a bike under warranty, that would be different.

[Ncdan]

I really feel lucky that I have the same mechanic that I’ve had since 1981. He worked at the Honda dealership where the WSPD bought our patrol bikes, CB900C. He became a friend and my personal mechanic. He is retired and has a little shop behind his house and he does all of my service work, including my tire changes.
He does work for me so cheap that I always add around 25%, to the bill, he gives me because he’s well worth it and doesn’t charge me enough.
We have a little joke between us that the day he no longer accepts work is the day I retire from riding and we are the same age.

[n3303j]

The only things I outsource are machine work, bead blasting and paint.  I don’t trust anyone to work on my bikes and the nearest dealer is like the waiting room in Beetlejuice. I’m sure it’s just as hard on the other side of the service counter these days and I just don’t want to get involved.  If I had a bike under warranty, that would be different.

Been doing my own stuff since I was old enough to own stuff. It's the rare individual who will treat your stuff as well as you do. Always looked on a new procedure as an adventure and derived much joy exploring it. Been successful at it so far (age 75). Few more years and I'll probably be done. Meantime I'm trying to pass on this adventure to my son. He just recently saved $3,000 on a jet-ski repair because he chose the adventure. It's gotten so much easier with the internet and groups like these. I remember, as a kid pouring through my uncle's Motors Manuals (and sneaking peeks at his wife's copy of Lady Chatterly's Lovers). Mom's fault, she taught me to read after public schools were failing at the task.

[guzziboy66]

Joe,

I'm right up the road from you in Kingwood (Frenchtown)  I've got a No-Mar and have successfully changed dozens of tires on it.  Net time just bring your stuff up and we'll have a beer while I change your tires.  No big deal!

Younger NJ Eric

[vintage53]

Hi Eric, 

Wish I knew. 
Thanks for the offer, and I will definitely bring some cold ones.    We also need to do a ride to Sky Manor, Lunch is on me.

PM me and we can hook up. 


Thanks

 

[Kev m]

Was this the new place, the Indian dealer?

Either way, sorry to hear. Wish I was surprised.

[vintage53]

Hi Kev,

Unfortunately, Yes.