Discrimination - I was refused service!

[Guest]

I went to the local bike shop to see of they could take a look at my 84 GS1150 since I appear to have shorted out the ignition or starter switch or something. The answer: we don't do bikes that old. Too many headaches. It's like opening a can of worms, and it turns into one problem after another, and the owner keeps bringing it back to sort out the succession of newly-revealed problems, and so on.

He took me into the back shop and showed me a '93 GSXR that cost (so far) $700 plus labour, and waiting for parts, and the owner wasn't happy about that; an '84 (I think) Suzuki Tempter with 2500km on the clock, minty clean, but with cracked and dried rubber bits lurking everywhere out of sight, etc etc...

So I see his point, I can understand, but I'm guessing the motorcycle indusrty can't be hurting for business if they can be so selective of their customers.

Has this happened to anyone else?

[earlfor]

I went to the local bike shop to see of they could take a look at my 84 GS1150 since I appear to have shorted out the ignition or starter switch or something. The answer: we don't do bikes that old.

Its universal. If your bike is more than ten years old, you can just about forget finding any shop willing to work on it. The good news is (in my experience anyhow) that if you do find a shop that will work on it, the workmanship will be so shoddy that you will still have to take it home and fix it properly yourself.
Save yourself a lot of time, frustration and money and learn to do the work yourself.

Earl

[cranemonkey]

Good advice! Motorcycle dealers are in the business of selling new bikes, not restoring classics. There are many small one-man shops in every town that will be of more help than a dealer. Ask other vintage owners;they know the bone yards and the wrenchers who I trust more than the "factory-trained" dealer mecs. Besides--once you tear into something and get it back together, you become the pro! Get a manual, utilize this great website and all it's links and have fun.

[tkent02]

Usually it takes a lot of money to learn this lesson, you have done well.

[Sunburn]

I had a full tune up and clutch replacement on mine once at a shop. I had to make many, many calls and do a song and dance saying "look, it's a 83 gs1100 like brand new with 10,000 miles on it." This was about 3 years ago.

Vance & Hines shop did it for me.

With that being said, it wont go back in the shop again.


Mark

[jola]

I took my bike in the first day I got it because I didn't want to risk screwing up and dying because of poorly rebuilt brakes. I think looking back I would do it myself but I was excited and just wanted it done ASAP. Anyways, I know of two Japanese bike dealers that will work on my bike as long as parts isn't an issue. The Honda dealer just said parts would have to be ordered if any needed replacing but they didn't mind doing it. Actually, now that I think of it, the BMW/Ducati dealer said they would work on it too and that the mechanic knew a mechanic at a Suzuki dealer so parts wouldn't be an issue. Guess I lucked out, sort of. Still get charged top dollar.

[Mr. Brown]

The head mech at my local Suzy Dealership pointed out that my bike is older than most of his team...

Fortunately, thanks to Craigslist, I was able to find a local guy who used to manage dealership shops in the 80s, and knows my bike VERY well. He solved some of my nagging issues quickly, and I spent far less than I expected.

So find that guy... and good luck.
-=T=-

[dennis roy]

I have found a shop in my area that specializes in the older bikes. His shop does fantastic work. He can't be the only one out there.

[spchips]

I have found a shop in my area that specializes in the older bikes. His shop does fantastic work. He can't be the only one out there.

Is that the guy down in hindsale on 119, or another one? I've talked with that one at length, and he's a really cool guy, and very knowledgable. Also has at least 10+ carb racks sitting in his parts pile, and it used to be all GS suzuki.

Too far for you, but I've turned my love of wrenching into a semi-legit business on weekends. see below.

[Buffalo Bill]

Car Talk idea: Recomended mechanics

There is a sign in my nearest dealership, (Honda-Michigan City, IN): "We do not work on motorcycles built before 1985".
On the other hand, over the phone the Suzuki dealership in Valparaiso IN, told me I could bring my bike in, (82-GS1100G).
Can GS RESOURCES maintain a list of recomended mechanics? Is there already such a list?
P.S. Remember, mechanic work is a low paying, dirty, frustrating job, so don't wonder why you can't find a mechanic over 25.

[Craiger]

I went to the local bike shop to see of they could take a look at my 84 GS1150 since I appear to have shorted out the ignition or starter switch or something. The answer: we don't do bikes that old. Too many headaches. It's like opening a can of worms, and it turns into one problem after another, and the owner keeps bringing it back to sort out the succession of newly-revealed problems, and so on.

He took me into the back shop and showed me a '93 GSXR that cost (so far) $700 plus labour, and waiting for parts, and the owner wasn't happy about that; an '84 (I think) Suzuki Tempter with 2500km on the clock, minty clean, but with cracked and dried rubber bits lurking everywhere out of sight, etc etc...

So I see his point, I can understand, but I'm guessing the motorcycle indusrty can't be hurting for business if they can be so selective of their customers.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Best advice I can give you is to find some locals in your area that are mechanically inclined and know what their doing when it comes to our older bikes. If they happen to be GS Resource members, all the better.

I'm in a Jeep club. We're really good about having something like a "lift party". Basically, owner purchases kit, starts thread on the clubs website about the lift party, tells everybody that shows up that they'll be fed something like pizza and soda (some provide beer), and members come out of the woodworks.

Several things happen at these "club get togethers". One, your lift is getting put on by guys that know what they're doing. They've installed several before....so you know it's getting done right. Two, you're getting involved and learning things. Before you know it, you've been to a few yourself and can turn a wrench or two without having to ask questions. Three, you save lots of money on labor (or in your case, labour) costs. And Four, the comaraderie and the bonds built between Jeep friends can't have a price associated with it. No matter how hard a project might seem, we always have fun.

Mr. Brown hit a little on what I'm about to describe.

We've started a Social Group in our local area on this site called "Southern Illinois, Eastern Missouri". We're having our first official get-together tomorrow at my place for something similar. Mostly, it's just to get to know one another for a first time. However, we're going to be doing a little wrenching on a bike or two. I'm providing the BBQ and drinks (though I don't need any wrenching done myself) and everybody else just gets to come enjoy the day. In the late afternoon/early evening, we're taking a ride together before a couple of them have to head home (about 100 mile ride for one).

Perhaps you could do something similar....start a group in your area. Then start looking for local GSR members and invite them to your group. Next thing you know, you'll be doing the same thing.

Good luck, dude.

[pinner]

When I first picked up my 83 1100ed it neeeded a valve cover gasket replaced. I had the gasket and the shop still charged me $350 for that. Then gave me a "list" of things needed to be done. Most of those things were an excuse for them to make money and didn't need to be replaced. I now do my own work. Since workin on my bike i've got a few other people who go to me for bike work. Ha ha dealers. Take that.

[cranemonkey]

The best defense is common sense.

[82Shafty]

After getting three classic bikes on the road and the endless paper trail I posses, I replied to a craigslist advert asking for someone to bring their CB750 back to life after it had sat in the corner of the garage for the last 15 years.

I gave them a list of all the items that would need to be replaced to make the bike safe and road worthy and they wrote back to me asking me if I was nuts, they just wanted to ride the bike, not restore it.

I left it at that, obviously if they don't value a thorough job that will not only keep them safe but others as well, then I know they won't bother paying or will want to take the bike in an unsafe condition.

[doctorgonzo]

I have found a shop in my area that specializes in the older bikes. His shop does fantastic work. He can't be the only one out there.

Same here. A guy who was a mechanic at the dealership in town from the late 80's until about 5 years ago when he opened his own shop. He knows these old bikes well, and now specializes in them. That being said I mostly use him for advice and a go to guy for stuff like valve shims.