Motorcycle maintenance/repair

Mr H · Apr 4, 2013

Son is in need of bargain yet quality sprucing up of his 2002 Shadow ACE.

Tires for sure, maybe some electrical, new chain, some tweaking. He's getting into bike work as a career, but not comfortable enough to do it all himself, and can't afford dealer/shop prices.

He's here in Glen Burnie, but can't really give up the bike for more than a day or two at a time.

A lot, I know... but we can really use an assist here.

offroaD · Apr 7, 2013

he should join a forum for his bike type. Im sure he'll find all kinds of how to's and info.

straightsilver3 · Apr 7, 2013

Used Bike emporium It's next to Cancun Cantina in Hanover MD This Guy, I grew up with him He can Help. Tell your son to talk with him about the Business. He started this by going around town finding junk bikes repairing them then selling He's a Millionaire now.

willtill · Apr 7, 2013

straightsilver3 said:
Used Bike emporium It's next to Cancun Cantina in Hanover MD This Guy, I grew up with him He can Help. Tell your son to talk with him about the Business. He started this by going around town finding junk bikes repairing them then selling He's a Millionaire now.

ha!

OP said his son couldn't afford dealer prices. He certainly will not be able to afford visiting the Bike Emporium for any work. Last time I went there; inquiring about the price to mount a tire (I was going to bring in the wheel myself, not the whole bike) he said $100.00 !!!!

I was floored and asked him why it was so much; he start rambling about having to pay for the equipment; he was going to take my bike on a check ride; yada...yada.... :sad20:

TonyB. · Apr 7, 2013

willtill said:
ha!

OP said his son couldn't afford dealer prices. He certainly will not be able to afford visiting the Bike Emporium for any work. Last time I went there; inquiring about the price to mount a tire (I was going to bring in the wheel myself, not the whole bike) he said $100.00 !!!!

I was floored and asked him why it was so much; he start rambling about having to pay for the equipment; he was going to take my bike on a check ride; yada...yada....

Doesn't sound like Jon. He may have misunderstood you in some way.

Armadillofz1 · Apr 8, 2013

run, do not walk, away from this industry.

pbharvey · Apr 8, 2013

offroaD said:
he should join a forum for his bike type. Im sure he'll find all kinds of how to's and info.

This

Armadillofz1 · Apr 8, 2013

if he has his tires and chain already, i can help. in and out in a few hours. bring new tubes if the tires are tube type. new chain usually means new sprocketts are needed too. check rear wear, front sprocket wears 3 times faster than front. PM me with more info on electrical.

and i stand by my assertion that he should stay away from this industry. 2 decades in it here, I finally grew up and got out.

PS: and we can shoot in my back yard after we finish with the bike.

Mr H · Apr 8, 2013

Armadillofz1 said:
if he has his tires and chain already, i can help. in and out in a few hours. bring new tubes if the tires are tube type. new chain usually means new sprocketts are needed too. check rear wear, front sprocket wears 3 times faster than front. PM me with more info on electrical.

and i stand by my assertion that he should stay away from this industry. 2 decades in it here, I finally grew up and got out.

PS: and we can shoot in my back yard after we finish with the bike.

Appreciate the information from everyone!

I'll pass it along.

Truth be told, he has GI Bill money burning a hole in his pocket, and this has been a dream of his.

Personally, I'd rather see him extend on other skills he already has, say in welding, gunsmithing, hydraulics or pneumatics, or get into Small Engine...

But hey, I'm only his father, right?!!

rdc · Apr 8, 2013

I agree with Armaillo. I also worked in the business for about 15 years. Get him to spend the money on a better trade. Keep the bikes as a hobby. Your reccomendations would all be better and would be useful in hobby MC repair. Getting a job as a shop grunt might be good for a summer to learn but I do not recommend it as a career. Chain is easy (get sprockets). Tires can be frustrating without proper tools.
I really think he should try it himself. Take Armadillo up on his offer and start learning.

r3t1awr3yd · Apr 8, 2013

Someone's already said it but he really should join the forums for his bike. If it wasn't for me joining the SVRider forums, I would have never learned to change tires/oil/spark plugs/chain and sprockets/handlebars/forks on my bike. Someday when my engine aspoldes, I hope the swap it for a newer engine on my own.

51k miles on my bike and all the maintenance was done by yours truly. You'll save a crap-ton of money that way.
(minus my first set of tires, some forum members helped me with that task but now i do it at home with spoons on my own)

But I've only been riding for five years

rdc · Apr 8, 2013

What year is your SV? Naked or faired?

t84a · Apr 8, 2013

As others have said, he'll have a tough go in the MC repair industry. Shops are employing like 2 techs total.

In the absense of a tire changer, he'll either have to remove the wheels and take them to a shop or take the bike to a shop. Its kind of crappy but a lot of shops charge different prices to change if you don't buy your tires from them. Have him call around. I work on my own bikes but quite frankly, for the extra $20 the charge to take my wheel off the bike (per wheel), its not worth it for me to mess with.

Bohlieve410 · Apr 8, 2013

Have him post up on

www.dcsportbikes.net

there's plenty of good folks on there from Bmizzle.

I've been on there for a long time and there's some good folks up ya'lls way that should be able to help.

I take it he wants to at least watch as his bike is being worked on so he can see what he's in store for?

t84a · Apr 8, 2013

I run Seafoam all the time in both of my bikes as well as my lawnmowers, trimmer, blower, snowblower, even my cars.

r3t1awr3yd · Apr 8, 2013

rdc said:
What year is your SV? Naked or faired?

07 SV650N. She's ugly but she's mine

(Oh, and I ride year round. I'm probably the only idiot you see in the snow on two wheels lol. Minus the ever elusive and rare idiot bimmer rider)

rdc · Apr 8, 2013

Nice. I used to commute on my 2002 year round as long as there wasn't snow. Heated gear is awesome. I put it off for a long time. I now wonder why I waited so long. I personally don't like the hippo hands. I would put hand guards from a Vstrom on my SV for the winter.
I'm well acquainted with BMW riders. I spent more than a decade in a BMW shop.

hawxter996 · Apr 8, 2013

Armadillofz1 said:
run, do not walk, away from this industry.

this....as a hobby ok.....career? hell no!

davsco · Apr 8, 2013

no offense, and it's easy to be blunt on the interwebz, but if your son doesn't want to give these minor repairs and maintenance a try, he may want to reconsider going down the motorsports business trail.

sprockets and chain are very easy, pretty much plug and play.
removing tires isn't too hard. i haven't actually changed streetbike tires, not sure if a machine is needed or not. i have changed dirt bike tires and it's doable but not fun at all.
electrical work could be serious, but start by looking for frayed wires, loose connections, blown fuses.

very nice that a fellow mds-er offered to help you out.

t84a · Apr 8, 2013

You, sir, are a better man than I. Props to you.

r3t1awr3yd said:
07 SV650N. She's ugly but she's mine
(Oh, and I ride year round. I'm probably the only idiot you see in the snow on two wheels lol. Minus the ever elusive and rare idiot bimmer rider)

Motorcycle maintenance/repair

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Banana'd

Active Member

Banned

The Dude Abides

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Habitual Testifier

Ultimate Member

Banana'd

Ultimate Member

Meh.

Ultimate Member

USCG Master

Ultimate Member

USCG Master

Meh.

Ultimate Member

this avatar is offensive!

Ultimate Member

USCG Master

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics