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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland, Ore?
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Message started by winterwalker on 10/07/16 at 09:17:19

Title: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland, Ore?
Post by winterwalker on 10/07/16 at 09:17:19

Howdy folks! It's the rainy season here in NW Oregon, and I'm finding it's time to swap out my tires. I have them on order, but I dont have the tools or stands needed to change them.

Would any of you other Oregon members be able to recommend a reliable mechanic who's maybe at least a little familiar with the Savage model?

Thank you much!

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/07/16 at 21:12:36

Pick up the phone.
Call the local shops.
Ask what they charge for mounting and balancing.
You take one wheel at a time unless you can safely do both.
And you adjust the belt tension.
Tubes?
Rim strip?
Rerun or replace?

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by Ruttly on 10/08/16 at 10:28:24

Anyone know a good mechanic ?

That's a never ending joke at our shop !

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by batman on 10/10/16 at 21:07:30

You should get a Clymers manual and become your own GOOD mechanic,get to know the bike ,we're here to help. Buy tools as you need them ,check out the tec section and build a lift for a few bucks ,if you pull the wheels yourself you probably save $100 buck in labor fees.

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by winterwalker on 10/10/16 at 23:36:06

I have a Clymers manual and have done plenty of work on the bike including disassembling the head to take care of that annoying plug leak that seems to be so common. I've replaced the speedo cluster, sorted wiring and electrical issues, do my own general maintenance, and fixed the engine when it seized after the last mechanic I took it to reassembled the motor incorrectly.

The real issue is that I don't have the space to store chocks or a lift. I just need the work done and was hoping another member in the area would know of a competent mechanic familiar with the LS650 model.

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by jcstokes on 10/11/16 at 00:17:16

Tyres are a bit of a specialist thing. Some here do their own, usually with a fair amount of struggle. As said before just check out local tyre specialists and find what they charge. Ring local motorcycle clubs and see who they recommend. The potential agony in fitting your own, particularly the rear may not be worth a tyre shops charge.

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/11/16 at 10:29:37

usually with a fair amount of struggle.

Ha! I've changed the frame on two pickups, been a roughneck, dug ditches, and overhauled big pumps.

I'm Paying someone to mount the rear tire.
Front one, not so bad, but dadgummitt,, the rear one was way harder than the savings was worth.

And the online videos of welding didn't fix my welds, either.

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by verslagen1 on 10/11/16 at 12:24:26

having the right equipment makes it an easy job.

at a minimum, a m/c tire holder and a long tire mounting bar.
I'd like to try a few on fleabay.
But I have the HF version along with a No-Mar bar.
With our steel rim we don't have to worry about scratching the rim.
But if you have an alloy rim you'll want mojo blocks too.

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 10/11/16 at 12:31:26

Tires are a G I G A N T I C pain in the butt. I can get 'em off the rim with no problem. When I put them back on there's a 50:50 chance that the rims will no longer look as nice as they did prior to me changing the rubber. I've tried all of the tricks; wide spoons, soapy water, WD-40...

If the rims already have some scuffs, I do the work. If they are nice and I want them to remain that way...off to my favorite shop.

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by batman on 10/11/16 at 16:54:22

I'm with Gary, I just did both of mine ,the more times you do it the easier it gets.

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by ohiomoto on 10/11/16 at 17:36:06

I don't understand all the fuss. Two tire irons, a little soapy water and some elbow grease is all it took to mount my tires. About 10 minutes per tire. I guess it's just experience???

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by Ruttly on 10/11/16 at 18:47:36

Yeah do my own tires , I like pain and the challenge and the victory when they hold air and making new swear words during the process ! ;D
I have a half size steel drum,the kind bulk grease comes in,with a hose that covers top lip of drum,3/4" heater hose slit end to end so it stays on the lip,it keeps spokes from getting scratched,nice long set of levers and some dish soap,chain lube works too, anything slimey that comes off easy.
To me it's part of owning a bike , it's a Ritual. Part of being a biker.

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by Dave on 10/12/16 at 03:27:27

I do the same as Ruttly....except I do mine on the floor so I can used my knees to hold the tire in place while I lever it on. I also have some plastic guards (4) that protect the rim from scratches.

If you have never changed a tire - it would be hard to figure it out on your own......maybe there are YouTube videos to help. It is not all that hard once you have done a few (unless it is an 8 ply desert Knobby).....however some tire brands are stiffer than others and put up a good fight.

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 10/12/16 at 05:10:34

In addition to the aforementioned soapy water (or WD-40) and proper tire spoons (you need three of them), the other key to success is to keep the beads of the tire that are between the edges of the of the rim in the very center of the rim. This is the smallest diameter of the rim and allows the tire some degree of movement. Once the sidewall becomes stiff, you're fighting a loosing battle. A shop rag under the tire spoon will keep the rim from getting damaged by the spoons - I wish I could remember that every time I want to protect the rim.

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by Ruttly on 10/12/16 at 21:20:07

A few tips
If rear sprocket can't be removed easily make sure to put sprocket side down unless you like smashing your knuckles on it and bleeding a lot , that goes for rotors too

As Dave said use rim protectors , I have 4 too

Levers I have 4 , 2 long , 2 short , but I only have 2 arms

When using levers don't go much more than 90 degrees to avoid pinching a hole in tube

Always replace inner tubes & rim strips

Put just barely enough air in tube to make it take shape

I use corn starch or baby powder on inside of tire & all over tube,it keeps tube from sticking to tire so tube can grow when aired

When airing tire use wd40 soap whatever's slimey on both beads so they seat,air to max check both beads are seated,release air this lets tube straighten itself air to max again

Let it sit awhile recheck pressure before installing

Hope this helps

Title: Re: Anyone know of a good mechanic near Portland,
Post by Ruttly on 10/12/16 at 21:29:00

The dual purpose Kendas I put on my tracker were every bit as tough as any knobby I have ever done , 2 tires mount only 2 hours being careful not to scratch my new rims , that's right 1 tire 1 hour. I was beat up when I finished !