yea!Summer! By mcalli (Read 583 times)

[mcalli]

Hi everyone. I got Fred out of storage at the beginning of March and decided that I was going to take the easy way out this year. Took Fred to the shop and had the radiator pressure flushed (yep the chinese gunk was in there), oil and gear oil change. two new tires (the back one had a slow leak even though it was new last summer (cheap chinese tires). Had the air filter cleaned, breaks checked. Idle adjusted. Boy, does Fred run well now. He just purrrrrrrs! Total cost for all this? HORRIBLE. It was over 500 dollars. No wonder I did my own oil and gear oil changes myself last summer! But I just didn't feel like the hassle this year. I have to admit that I liked it better this way. Even though next year, I will do it all myself again. It is nice to be lazy every once in a while.

Weather here has been terrific. Been riding since the last week of March. Oh and by the way- the tree pollen count here (with the early spring) has been way up there. Every one in Ohio is suffering with swollen sinuses.

[scooterran]

I'm sure fred feels a lot better but $500.00. WOW ! Ouch ! That hurts . I really don't know what the going rate is but that might be a little stiff. Is Fred built by Lambordinni ? LOL's

[mcalli]

No lambordinni.lol. Chinese bike maintance is high around here. All places that work on bikes charge 70 dollars an hour for labor. plus two new good tires (I didn't get cheap ones because when I am going 55 or 60 or 65, I want good tires. It is a 250 cc bike. I have checked prices for about 2 years and everyplace gives me about the same quote. If I am being taken, it is by everyone who gives me quotes. But all shops have signs that say they charge 70 dollars an hour labor. I probably am getting taken. Being female does'nt help. Being a "dumb blond" doesn't help. Stereo types still exist, sadly. Being older (63) doesn't help. Looking much younger (I look 40) doesn't help. The people don't know I am a masters degree RN. They don't know that I know how to change oil which takes 15 minutes time. (you go do something else while the oil drains.) Same with gear oil. It is easy and involves very little time. Which is why I do it myself. It seems like that 70 dollars includes any partial hour. They charge 70 dollars labor for an oil change. And all of us know, it doesn't take an hour of actual labor to do that.
So scooterran, if you think I am being taken (and you are probably correct), how do I get it to stop?

Plus, they did have to take off the entire cover, and from what they told me, it did take them a while to flush that radiator filled with chinese gunk.

[scooterran]

Check out Motorcycle Super Store.com for your Tires . You give them your size tire and then click on the recomended tire store. Super store will send them the tires and when they get them in they will call you for an apointment. Call the shop that is going to change the tires and ask them how much $$ it will cost you to change out the tires. You did the right thing by changing out the tires. They are JUNK ! Well you said that you've changed the oil before, then you know how. $$$ saved . How about the gear lube, can you do this also ? Again $$$ saved. I would tell you to change the oil and the gear lube at the same time but I'm not going to for an obvious reason . Sorry , I couldn't help myself....... ;D Actually, If you did those 2 jobs that would take some of the time off at the shop. $$ Saved Now you know how they charge so you have to haggle with them if they want the job. Ask , How long will it take to change the oil ? They say 1/2 hr . You say, Too much how about 10 minutes ? Settle on 15- 20 . Same for everything that you have done on Fred .

[wolfhound]

Hi, Mcalli. Wolfhound here. That is about what they charge for labor down here. Fortunately my scoot
mechanic and I have a deal---I take care of his 2 dogs and 1 cat when he travels and we trade out
on the labor when I need any thing done. I do my own oil and tranny changes, plugs, but beyond that
he kicks in. We have a small motor home and the going labor rate down for that sort of work is $110.00
an hour. Hope all is going well with you.

[mcalli]

scooteran, yes, I have changed oil and gear oil last summer. Got a good pair of tires. Bike requires 13 inch front and back interchangeable. I got Avon tires that are rated safe up to 110 miles per hour (I would Never go that fast!) Old tires were junk. Not only did the back have a slow leak (even after being remounted) but the tires were rated for very low miles per hour even though my bike will go 85 wot. (No, I don't go that fast either. 55 is my top comfortable speed and I try to avoid interstate whenever possible.
Wolf hound, thanks for the info about rates. Boy, what a sweet deal you have! I would gladly watch a cat and dog for that. I have a dog anyway. BTW my dog scooter was 1 year old on March 3rd. He is doing very well. I have to say, he really enjoys life (even though he was neutered! lol. His enthusiasm is catching. He is 35 lbs and thinks he's a lap dog. He is always on my lap the minute I sit down. He's just a mid size affectionate lug!