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Message started by Oldfeller on 01/10/10 at 00:42:30

Title: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by Oldfeller on 01/10/10 at 00:42:30

This is a post for newbies ....

It is about Mechanics who work on your Savage.

The purpose here is to encourage you to work on your own bike, instead of assuming "mechanics know best" because they really don't.

A true, really skilled mechanic makes a whole lot of money -- working on cars. Or Harleys. Or Ferraris. Or Corvettes. These really skilled guys don't work on your Savage.

Joe does.

The guy who does work on your Savage sees like one of them every other year or so, and it wasn't him that worked on the last one, it was the previous Joe who left last year to go to college.

Currently I know two people who have bikes who have had commercial bike mechanics (alias Joe) work on them. Neither is currently happy about it.

One is a 550 honda that needed the carbs balanced. Mechanic quoted $250 to do the job, charged $550 for "complete carburetor rebuilds", bike now pukes gas out the overflow tubes and the owner wants to kill the mechanic who now doesn't know him or his bike as "it was running great when he gave it back".

Then there is this dude from Virago land.

"I have a 1991 Virago XV 535 and was a little rich in terms of fuel. Took it to a local mechanic and asked him to tune the carbs for me. when bike was ready it worked fine but not on high reves, not even on medium revs!! took it back again and the mechanic told me it was set to specifications !!! signed "pissed"

If you let a "mechanic" work on your bike you can pay large dollars for not getting what you asked for.

Bluntly, you can do that yourself for a whole lot less money.

And occasionally, you may screw up and actually fix it. After a while, you learn a bit more and your fix rate goes up, plus you actually know how your own bike works and sure enough, it becomes your bike for real.

============

Now, I want to stop and thank my Father, for teaching me what he knew on how to work on cars. He wasn't always super patient, but he did show me what he was doing and he did help me to both get and to work on my own bike and my own car when the time came.

For those of you who don't have fathers to show you how, we collectively can try to do that here. You may not always agree with everything we say, but we will be here for you to say it.

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by Toymaker on 01/10/10 at 02:03:34

OF...excellent post. Yep..learn to fix it yourself....you will get much better quality and you will learn your bike.

T

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by False Illusion on 01/10/10 at 05:58:17

Thanks for this post Oldfeller.

My helmet is tipped to you, sir.

Hopefully for the members of this forum who have taken their bikes to "Joe"...were NOT "Taken to the Cleaners."

On a personal note..."Thank You!" to all who contribute their time-tested expertise of the Savage to this forum. I for one am greatly appreciative. I am learning (not to mention saving) a LOT!

Sincerely,
Marty aka False Illusion

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by WebsterMark on 01/10/10 at 06:21:52

I'm considering a new or perhaps 2nd bike, (650 V-Strom), but I gotta tell you after looking at the Vstrom forum, nothing compares to the level of expertise and practical tips that I've found on this forum. Since I began reading this forum when bought my S40 almost two years ago, I have learned to look up forums or support groups before almost any major purchase I'm considering. Its amazing the information you can get from speaking to those who have what you want and are willing to share their knowledge. The people on this site are particularly knowledgeable about their bike. You will not get this level of insight from a Suzuki factory mechanic.

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by Oldfeller on 01/10/10 at 06:36:22

For the Vstrom you go to the SV650 lists for engine information. I like the SV650 engine a lot, yours would be a de-tuned version of the same engine that lives in a frame that is too tall for my stubby little legs.

Still, 70+ hp in a bike that weights not much more than a Savage isn't to be sneezed at. Perfect primary balance in that 90 degree twin engine, gotta love it. The 650 Ducati has like 3 copy engines running around now, all are powerful and light.

Still waiting to see that engine in a shorter upright seating position format. Aprilla or somebody will eventually do it.

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by Charon on 01/10/10 at 07:42:49

Without necessarily defending "Joe" lets look at a couple of other things. Motorcycle makers are notorious for making dozens or hundreds of different models, each to satisfy some perceived market need. Each of these models requires at least some different service procedures, and the mechanic is expected to know them all. But because there are so many models, the mechanic doesn't see any of them very often, so the old rule "The mechanic will never have seen one exactly like yours" applies. The exception here is probably Harley. Harley is condemned for making the same thing year after year, but at least the mechanics have seen the same thing over and over.

Motorcycle mechanics are not well paid, with a few exceptions. The shop may charge $80 per hour, but the mechanic is lucky to get $15. The mechanic is paid "flat rate" for the job, so has every incentive to rush through it. The mechanic probably does not get paid unless he is actually on the job, so the time spent in the morning pushing bikes out onto the parking lot is unpaid. The mechanic does have some incentive to do the job correctly, because if it needs rework he doesn't get paid to do it again - which explains why he will try to deny any problems he may have caused. The mechanic also has to supply his own tools, and may have $20,000 in that Snap-On roll-around tool chest with all the decals on it. In fairness, the shop usually supplies any "specialty" tools.

Motorcycle owners do not like high repair bills any better than car owners - and almost all of us are also car owners. We know we can get a car tire fixed for $10, so it really galls us to pay $30 to $50 to fix a bike tire. Neither motorcycles nor cars are designed for easy maintenance - they are designed to be easy (cheap) to assemble on the factory floor. Cars are designed to require little more than filter and lubricant replacement for perhaps 60000 miles. Motorcycles are much more maintenance intensive - and expensive. When you do the work yourself, you may save the $80 per hour shop charge. But perhaps you need to think in terms of "paying yourself" at whatever wage you might be earning if you were at work instead of working on your vehicle.

Dealerships likely have more than one mechanic. They will range from the experienced and presumably skilled to the apprentice. Jobs should be assigned accordingly, with the apprentice changing oil and filters and the experienced getting engine rebuilds. I have heard of dealerships allowing an owner to specify which mechanic is wanted, and charging a premium for the "good" one. If you know the dealership has a "good" mechanic you could ask about that. By the way, the reason the last "Joe" left for college is that he found out how poorly he was being paid to do the job he liked.

It will interest you to know that aviation shops have exactly the same set of problems. Think about that next time you fly.

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by kimchris1 on 01/10/10 at 08:21:16

Thank you all for your advice. I enjoy learning and never have been one to close my brain to learning new things.

I am an ole dog that can be taught new tricks. haha..

My wish would be for one of you that are soo knowledgeable to live next door to me so I could be taught.
O well with that not happpening, I will enjoy reading all the tech advice I can and hopefullly be able to work on my bike or help hubby work on our bikes together..

Thank you all again for sharing your knowledge.. Have a great day and week... Kim

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by bill67 on 01/10/10 at 08:28:07

The motorcycle dealers I know have good mechanics,They don't charge anymore the the auto shops do. They do have to make a living like everyone else.

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by Oldnewguy on 01/10/10 at 09:41:54

Last Memorial day weekend I took a ride on Saturday afternoon just to cool off. It was hot. I live about 1 mile from a dealer who sells Harleys, Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Artic Cat, etc. I got to the top of hill about 4 miles up a county road when my bike quit (I could not shift). I had forgot my cell phone so I hitched a ride back to the dealer. It was 3:15pm on a holiday weekend and the place closes at 4pm. While I was waiting for the service manager to free up, I noticed the owner standing talking to a friend. I asked him if he could help me and told him my plight. He said sure and off he went. He drove to their garage, picked up the flat bed, drove up and picked up my bike. He got back about 20 mins to quiting time. I had broken the shift rod and they didn't have one in stock. The owner recalled that he had a used bike at the storage garage. He took a mechanic, got the part and installed on my bike. At 5 to 4pm (closing time) the service manager :) :)said I owed $6.35 fot the 10 minutes the mechanic spent installing the rod. No charge for the owner's time, no charge for the flat bed, and no charge for the part! :D

I do my own minor repairs, but something big? I'll be going to this dealer for sure! :) :)

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by photojoe on 01/10/10 at 10:03:58

Good post. When I first got my Savage in March, 2008 I was feeling generous since I got what I thought was a great deal, so I figured I'd get my first oil change and once over over by a qualified mechanic at the Suzi dealer. I called and they quoted my $85 for the oil change alone. I bought the oil/filter and did it myself.

The second, and last time I went to a local shop because the belt chirp was driving me nuts. They said "It's the original belt. It's shot and needs to be changed. $350.00." So, I read more here and with the Clymer I made the proper belt adjustment and it's been quiet ever since. Price: free.

Bought new EBC front brake pads and caliper from a 2008 on ebay for around $45 total and installed everything myself (about 20 minutes). This bike is easy to work on, but I do know my limitations. Just hope I don't have to test them anytime soon ;).

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by WebsterMark on 01/10/10 at 13:32:16

I would like to add one valuable lesson I learned.

NEVER buy a Japanese motorycle from a dealer who primarily indentifies himself as a Harley dealer unless you want to completely understand the phrase "red-headed step child......."

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 01/10/10 at 13:38:50

457770616677605F736079120 wrote:

The Harley dealer in my town seems to be cool about Japanese bikes, at least the head of the parts department is cool with it. At least with me anyway because he is happy to see someone who knows the meaning of true customizing, IE: making something fit.

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by verslagen1 on 01/10/10 at 13:53:37

6A585F4E49584F705C4F563D0 wrote:

I understand that might be the attitude, but any dealer that does looses a future customer.

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/10/10 at 14:34:14

63746574746630040 wrote:

Between now & the time you need service, a trip by just to say Hi & thanks for the way you do business would be a good idea, IMO.

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by Oldnewguy on 01/10/10 at 15:48:57

I am in there almost weekly just looking around. It, a great place to kill some time. Last fall I asked the owner if he had an old 650 motor laying around that I could get cheap just to fool around with. He said that he probably did. I still need to get back to him on that.

By the way, if I remember right, he was originally a Suzuki dealer and took on the rest of his line later.

What is a red headed step child? :-/

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/10/10 at 16:00:47

What is a red headed step child?

Rumor has it they are treated almost as well as a rented mule.

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by WebsterMark on 01/10/10 at 16:10:34

That Harley dealer did lose a customer. When I first bought the bike, I took off and there was a terrible noise coming from the front wheel. I check it out and the axle spacers were put on out of order so the caliber bolts were actually rubbing against the disc. The dealer told me they don't assemble the front wheel. The bikes from Japan are delivered with the front wheel assembly complete. I've seen Harley's prepared for shipping during a tour of the KC Harley plant and the front wheels were off. Fact is, they put the spacers on wrong, test rode it 3 miles and didn't notice it or didn't really care. Their attitude about repairing it was crap. I wasn't the only one who thought this. Bob Schultz Harley Davidson in St. Charles MO was the dealer and I heard from many after I bought the bike who said the service dept was the worst in the city. They have since either sold the dealership or at least changed their name because they have a new name now.

Oldnewguy: red headed step child is a saying that means someone doesn't fit in or isn't really part of the group.

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by kimchris1 on 01/10/10 at 17:15:02

OOO please tell me I fit in. I was not really thought of as a step child, yet was a red headed one. I didn't think of him as my "step Dad" but as a real dad so can I be excused as a step?

I am hoping I "fit in" or else I will be homeless.. OO lord a homeless redheaded so called step child. Is there anything worst? :'(

Title: Re: Mechanics (who work on Savages)
Post by WebsterMark on 01/10/10 at 17:22:03

I heard of a softball team named the Step Dads.
When the other team asked why that was their name they said:
Because we don't like you and we beat you.