Chicago area members- Any good shops?

[ChicagS25o]

wondering if anyone out there in the chicago area knows of a good,trustworthy place to get work done or maybe even you do it yourselves?

im new on 2 wheels so i dont have much to work with. craigslist has a lot of folks but they are pretty far in the west/sw burbs.


thanks!

[rustybronco]

Standard answer around here... get a mirror and look in it, that is who you need to find to do the wrenching.
we'll help with the rest.

[Baatfam]

wondering if anyone out there in the chicago area knows of a good,trustworthy place to get work done or maybe even you do it yourselves?

im new on 2 wheels so i dont have much to work with. craigslist has a lot of folks but they are pretty far in the west/sw burbs.


thanks!

You are going to have a hard finding any shop in the area that will even look at your bike, let alone know what to do with it. And even if you did, the charges will kill you.

Best to get your self a manual and start reading the forum...it's really not that hard, and all the help you need is here.
Tackle one problem at a time and only buy tools as you need them.
If possible, find a helpful member near you.

Honestly, take this opportunity to begin learning. Every time you fix something yourself you will learn things that will pay off the rest of your life.
All my life I've tried to do everything myself to save on repair bills and know it was done right.
It was tricky before the internet, but now there is no excuse.

Later,

[ChicagS25o]

i figured i may get that answer here

i have a manual and ive been contemplating taking on the work myself, i am just not very confident in my "putting back together" . taking apart and cleaning/resto/replacement isnt a thing for me, just the final step im always uncertain that ive reinstalled whatever it is correctly.

well i guess thats why ive got you guys.

[hikermikem]

Have no fear - the minds here are the best!!! I was just like you not that long ago.

You can do it, it's as Baatfam sez, the satisfactiction you'll receive from doing the job yourself AND right is a great feeling!

[Redman]

What year model?

Anything in particular that needs work?

.

[ChicagS25o]

hikermike- thanks for the encouragement.

redman- right now i am addressing a battery/charging circuit issue. i think i need a solid tune up and eventually tire replacement, nothing too huge. its an 81 GS250.

i have begun trying my hand at this last night, but id like to have somewhere/someone to go to if i screw up.

[Larry D]

i have begun trying my hand at this last night, but id like to have somewhere/someone to go to if i screw up.

You're headed in the right direction. This site is chock full of info, just use the search feature to try and answer your own questions and if you can't find what you're looking for......just ask.

I'm sure if you eventually need an extra hand there's probably a friendly "Windy City" member that would give you some help.

And we love pics....here's how.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/how_to_post_pictures.pdf

Enjoy the journey....and welcome !!

[ChicagS25o]

thanks larry, i was wondering about the pics.

So for everyone on here, i opened a thread about my charging isse in the technical info section - here is the link

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?p=917988#post917988

[Flaggo60]

Have no fear - the minds here are the best!!! I was just like you not that long ago.

You can do it, it's as Baatfam sez, the satisfactiction you'll receive from doing the job yourself AND right is a great feeling!

Ditto for me-my history of mechanical DIY is dismal-a spaz at times, fix two things, break three. The key difference here is the information you will receive, all you need to do is ask. Basscliff's excellent website (URL below) is a catalog of articles and references on many subjects that will talk you through a repair or modification.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

Take digital photos of problems, that always helps. If you need parts, you will be given sources to get them, or suitable substitutes that work just as well.

Treat it like a learning experience, something to do that's interesting (and it is) rather than something unpleasant that you have to get through. Walk away for a bit if you get frustrated, the answer will come. Above all, go slow-don't be in a rush.