Moto Guzzi: Finding a mechanic for an obscure brand

[knowmaddd]

After the loss of MPH, I went to Metric Motorcycle, which has since shut down. 

While I was checking the oil on my bike today (I was planning to ride up to Austin for the Handbuilt show), I found a nail in my tire.  After calling several places I was not able to find anyone with tires in stock.  Disappointing, but not surprising given our shift to online purchase with just in time delivery.  One shop (that was not brand specific) would not even consider a tire change (or any other service) when I told them my bike was a Moto Guzzi.

I live in a major city (sort of) and don't have the facility to do my own service work.  An apartment parking garage is not really a place you want to be doing maintenance in. 

I've since made arrangements with Italian Superbikes (new to me) to order tires and I'll be dropping the bike off next week when I get back from Austin.

Given this situation, I've been thinking about maintenance long term and would like any feedback you could offer.  A bit tongue in cheek, but here is a poll to start the conversation. 

"What's the best maintenance option for someone living in a location where motorcycles are not commonly owned?"
a) Move to a more bike friendly city
b) Get setup to do your own maintenance
c) Get a Harley and enjoy a more extensive service network

Thanks!

[JJ]

QUOTE:  "What's the best maintenance option for someone living in a location where motorcycles are not commonly owned?"
a) Move to a more bike friendly city
b) Get setup to do your own maintenance
c) Get a Harley and enjoy a more extensive service network

There is another option...(d)...through the network and recommendation of this forum, and since you said you live near a fairly large city, find a qualified "experienced" Guzzi mechanic / technician in your area...and pay him a friendly visit!

Imagine if you owned and rode one of THESE!!!

[oldbike54]

 Mike Haven is working from his house . Davedel44 can direct you . For basic stuff just find a shade tree and ask questions here . You will get plenty of advice , and some of it will be valid 

 Dusty

[Idontwantapickle]

A good relationship with a dealer is always a good idea but given your situation I choose "B".

You may also want to seek out other Guzzi weirdos riders in your area. You may be able to use their place to do your PM work.

Hunter

[oldbike54]

A good relationship with a dealer is always a good idea but given your situation I choose "B".

You may also want to seek out other Guzzi weirdos riders in your area. You may be able to use their place to do your PM work.

Hunter

 No Hunter , you had it right the first time 

 Dusty

[Lcarlson]

For an inquiry like this, it would be helpful to know what city you live in.

[PJPR01]

Where in the Houston area do you live?

Mike just finished up working on my Scura a couple weeks ago, but for tire changes and a new set of brake pads I had bought online I just went to 3P Sport Cycle

 up in The Woodlands, just north of FM1488 off I-45.

These guys sell Triumph and service all brands, have worked on Guzzis and had no trouble doing the work in less than 24 hour turnaround...droppe d the bike at 2pm on Saturday and it was ready by mid Sunday morning.

[giusto]

Mike Haven is working from his house . Davedel44 can direct you . For basic stuff just find a shade tree and ask questions here . You will get plenty of advice , and some of it will be valid 

 Dusty

 :1:

and as far as the tire goes....most shops will change a tire if you bring it in off the bike. as Dusty mentioned a shade tree and a very few simple tools....shop manual in hand ....will have you riding the bus to your nearest "discount tire shop" or the like.
there's that... and you have found the best resource on the planet for info and answers Guzzi related...and sarcasm...all for free...kinda

[ohiorider]

Move to the Cleveland, Ohio area.  Pull your wheels.  Put in trunk of your car.  Drive a few miles to the Broadway/Forbes area to Dougherty's shop where you've  pre-ordered the tires you want fitted.  Have them mount and balance.  Take them home and remount them on bike.  Go ride.  Done this for years.

Bob

[SmithSwede]

Knowmadd:

First of all, welcome to the forum! 

Yes, Mike Haven is highly recommended.  He is working out of his place in Hempstead.   Let us know if you need contact info.   

Your tire question has been addressed. 

Mike can fix anything major or catastrophic.   For more mundane maintenance issues, you can rely on this forum and a bit of self-taught mechanical skills.   Or local Guzzi Texans.

I am up towards Dallas, but happy to help.   Fear not. 

Maybe some of us Texas folks can get together for some BBQ soon.   Come join us !

[knowmaddd]

Mike Haven is working from his house . Davedel44 can direct you . For basic stuff just find a shade tree and ask questions here . You will get plenty of advice , and some of it will be valid 

 Dusty

I do know Mike, as I was his customer for both of my bikes. I'm sure you can see how being able to have a tire changed within a couple of miles of your house would be a good thing. 

I think my issue has more to do with Houston and the level of interest in motorcycles here.  An ideal situation would be to have a variety of options for the smaller stuff, such as basic valve adjustments, oil & tire changes in a pinch.  Something as simple as a (soon to be) flat tire really opened my eyes today; I need to have a plan.

[knowmaddd]

Where in the Houston area do you live?

Mike just finished up working on my Scura a couple weeks ago, but for tire changes and a new set of brake pads I had bought online I just went to 3P Sport Cycle

 up in The Woodlands, just north of FM1488 off I-45.

These guys sell Triumph and service all brands, have worked on Guzzis and had no trouble doing the work in less than 24 hour turnaround...droppe d the bike at 2pm on Saturday and it was ready by mid Sunday morning.

Hi Paul, thank you for the information! I live near the medical center, close to downtown. I'll keep this option you've shared in mind.

[knowmaddd]

Move to the Cleveland, Ohio area.  Pull your wheels.  Put in trunk of your car.  Drive a few miles to the Broadway/Forbes area to Dougherty's shop where you've  pre-ordered the tires you want fitted.  Have them mount and balance.  Take them home and remount them on bike.  Go ride.  Done this for years.

Bob

  Ouch.  I salute you, sir. I always thought of Cleveland as a major city.  I'm a bit surprised you don't have more convenient options.

[knowmaddd]

:1:

and as far as the tire goes....most shops will change a tire if you bring it in off the bike. as Dusty mentioned a shade tree and a very few simple tools....shop manual in hand ....will have you riding the bus to your nearest "discount tire shop" or the like.
there's that... and you have found the best resource on the planet for info and answers Guzzi related...and sarcasm...all for free...kinda

  My breva has tubeless tires.  I've purchased a patch kit online and I already have a small electric pump.  The next time I have this issue I should be able to fix it myself, at least enough to buy me time to find a permanent solution. I'm not looking favorably at the V7C with its tubed tires...

[pete roper]

Ask Mike? He’ll probably know which places to avoid even if he can’t recommend someone to go to.

Pete

[Dilliw]

There are so many good mechanics like Mike working from their homes; you just need to look for them.  And find one that's not afraid of an "obscure brand." 

Doug is my local do-all mechanic who will work on pretty much anything and anywhere.  He has a trailer set up for mobile service, has a shop at his house, and did have a shop in town until he got in a fight with the landlord.  And at night he's easy to find; he's the biggest guy at the local biker bar.    So far he has swapped the motor in my son's Subaru after picking one from a breaker, fixed our lawnmower, serviced our cars, and replaced the steering bearings on my EV.  He's trustworthy to a fault and knows people who can help if he needs it. 

There are TONS of Mike's, Doug's, etc. out there too that would love to work on your stuff. 

[Denis]

One shop (that was not brand specific) would not even consider a tire change (or any other service) when I told them my bike was a Moto Guzzi.

THAT is the dumbest kind of attitude to have. I once had an auto parts store refuse to sell me a battery for my Studebaker truck because it wasn't listed in their applications book. The same kind of stupid.

[knowmaddd]

THAT is the dumbest kind of attitude to have. I once had an auto parts store refuse to sell me a battery for my Studebaker truck because it wasn't listed in their applications book. The same kind of stupid.

it was a very strange conversation. After I said Moto Guzzi it got so quiet I thought the line went dead. I didn't even have a chance to ask about tire sizes and what they had in stock.

[pressureangle]

Imagine if you owned and rode one of THESE!!!




[/quote]

Yer killing me, smalls.
I tried so hard to get one, went in person to Roger Slater's home and had tea with his wife trying to finagle one. Not to be had, unfortunately.
If I ever find one for sale, my soul is at auction.

[Lannis]

There are so many good mechanics like Mike working from their homes; you just need to look for them.  And find one that's not afraid of an "obscure brand." 

Doug is my local do-all mechanic who will work on pretty much anything and anywhere.  He has a trailer set up for mobile service, has a shop at his house, and did have a shop in town until he got in a fight with the landlord.  And at night he's easy to find; he's the biggest guy at the local biker bar.    So far he has swapped the motor in my son's Subaru after picking one from a breaker, fixed our lawnmower, serviced our cars, and replaced the steering bearings on my EV.  He's trustworthy to a fault and knows people who can help if he needs it. 

There are TONS of Mike's, Doug's, etc. out there too that would love to work on your stuff.

There are guys like this in every area, rural and urban.    Everything's by word of mouth, and cash, though, so it can take some doing to find them!

I sometimes forget how hard it is to deal with a bike when it's parked on the street or in an apartment parking area.   Oil changes and other things that take less than a day are do-able, but unpleasant.    A "go-to" guy is invaluable, and worth paying what he asks ....

Lannis

[JJ]

QUOTE:  A "go-to" guy is invaluable, and worth paying what he asks ....Lannis

Agree with that 100% :1:

[PJPR01]

Knowmadd...glad that could help...

There do seem to be quite a few options here to explore...including a new place I just found on line that is not too far from you.  At any rate, here are the list of the 19-20 motorcycle dealers in Houston...some not too far from you.  Maybe worthwhile checking out the Vespa place in the 6th ward...they may be able to handle tire issues...

https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=motorcycledealers&find_loc=Houston%2C+TX

[malik]

Another option, perhaps in the longer term - check out the availability & cost of industrial units in your area, get together with some other guys & share the cost, as well as skills '& tools.

I used to do all my maintenance & repairs on the open air parking space linked to my apartment - doable, but often awkward, having to allow for the weather & such. Couldn't conveniently leave work undone overnight? Another problem of apartment living is the lack of storage space - tools, consumables, spares tend to accumulate. Unless you are one of the fortunate few (I have a mate with a 6 car garage on title with his penthouse apartment), one has to streamline. Now I share an industrial unit with another 6 guzzisti - who as you know, often have more than one bike. It has been very, very convenient. Recommended.

Another option in big cities, especially with densely populated sections, is the community workshop - check to see if there's anything like that in your area.

Good luck. And there's no need to be wary of doing your own routine maintenance - it's all pretty simple & straightforward, and then there's the money you'll save.

[toma nova]

I'm in The Woodlands and can offer feeler gauges, Guzzi Diag, and an air-conditioned garage.  Let me now when you want to do valves, re-map, sync TBs, etc.

For tires, I order online then take the wheels into Motorcycles Unlimited on 1960.  They also price match so just add tax.

Tom

[ohiorider]

  Ouch.  I salute you, sir. I always thought of Cleveland as a major city.  I'm a bit surprised you don't have more convenient options.

More convenient options?  Of course.  However, this option works for me and has worked for ages across a bunch of bikes.  They'd do the entire job, but it's way too easy to put the 1200 Sport on the center stand, support it with a scissors jack, and pull the wheels (yep, both of them, with the bike high in the sky with both wheels off.)

Bob