Mike Rich Motorsports-Out of Business?

[John Croucher]

Shipped $1,000 plus in parts for service and Crickets.  No return calls, not answered E-Mail, No realistic time frame on repairs.  Over 4 months since parts were shipped.  If I owned a machine shop and had a 4 month or longer back log of work, I would be looking at a way to maximize shop time, cash flow and expand My business.  Building a reputation off extremely long Lead Times is not a way to survive in the Long run.  Looks like a road trip and a call to LEO to recover My parts. 

He may have "use to be a great shop" but not any more in my experience.  Obviously this shop is not what it "use to be" as previous customers have exclaimed about the past work preformed.  Lessons learned. 

[blackcat]

I had Mike do the heads on my 1000S and it took awhile to get them back from him, he does know what he is doing but his communication skills are typical for a one man operation.

[John Croucher]

I had Mike do the heads on my 1000S and it took awhile to get them back from him, he does know what he is doing but his communication skills are typical for a one man operation.

How many years ago was this?  Apparently not the recently. 

[blackcat]

How many years ago was this?  Apparently not the recently.

No, this was a while ago but there are others on this list who have worked with him over the last year and hopefully they will chime in here on their experience with Mike.

[guzzisteve]

A friend just got his heads & barrels back, was 2yrs. He does have a full time job at a shop besides his shop. Also has had some health issues in the past. I got this info from listening to my friend. Mike does have some formula's for fast headflow, Griso 2V almost doubled.
I would have more patience or ask him to send it back. 

[LowRyter]

Lots of businesses are impacted by the virus.

[guzzisteve]

The Tri/BMW shop here just closed it's doors, told wrenches to get their box's.

[amamet]

He's around, I spoke to him last week. Try him again. He's been nothing but super professional with me.

[Turin]

I have a bare set of Big valve heads I wanted to have done. I didn't realize MR Motorsports was a side hustle.

Any other performers of cylinder head magic ?

[BigDen]

In April 2019 I had new Kibblewhite valves & guides installed and seats recut in a set of T3 heads done at a shop in Petaluma, CA called Engine Dynamics http://www.enginedynamics.com/.  The shop owner, Mike, is from the UK.  This is how the business is described on the website:

"Engine Dynamics was started by Michael Crowther. His knowledge and enthusiasm for small valve internal combustion engines spans over 40 years and covers many countries from Europe to the U.S. and the different uses of those engines from motorcycle, plane, car jet, ski and boats."

His shop is near Sonoma Raceway, and he does work for local racers.  He has a flow bench capable of testing to 330 CFM.  I was pleased with the quality of Mike's work.  He turned my heads around in less than four weeks.  I don't know if the coronavirus has impacted his business.

Dennis

[nc43bsa]

The Tri/BMW shop here just closed it's doors, told wrenches to get their box's.

Which is where?

[oldbike54]

Which is where?

 Atlanta .

 Spoke with the manager of the multi-line dealer here , Honda , Kawasaki , Polaris (no Indians) , Suzuki , the business has been bad for a couple of years , he thinks within a year they will just shut down after 30 years in this location .

 Dusty

[John A]

Mike got tired of starving and had to concentrate on the automotive side ten + years back.  He likes doing stuff on Guzzis but the volume of business wouldn’t support him.  He won’t cheat you and knows Guzzi heads.  He had been super busy, last time I talked to him, before the mass hysteria