I need a good mechanic in Auckland for Yamaha XS660

[suntrakr]

Have a custom '81 Yamaha XS650 with a starter motor problem (not engaging properly but will start the bike) and a clutch that needs dialing in better (the 650 is well known for being hard to find neutral!). Needing a good mechanic...out in the wild west - preferably - that I can take the bike to. Ideally would like to be there when the work is being done so I can pick up some tips.

Prefer not to have a mechanic wannnnnabee. Any recommendations?

[gammaguy]

Any mechanic worth the name is unlikely to want the owner around, looking on and offering advice, or asking questions.


Not to mention the fact that workshops these days need to comply with health and safety regulations which effectively bans non staff from the workshop

Good luck with that one.

[avgas]

That guy, where motomail used to be in Pt Chev.....the tyre shop. He can help ya.

[Hobbyhorse]

Auckland Motorcycle Services .... Toby Beadle is the guy you want 09 835 1172 ... West Auckland

[suntrakr]

Auckland Motorcycle Services .... Toby Beadle is the guy you want 09 835 1172 ... West Auckland

Cheers hobbyhorse. Will give Toby a nudge.

[suntrakr]

That guy, where motomail used to be in Pt Chev.....the tyre shop. He can help ya.

This might be an option. I work in Grey Lynn. Will keep an eye out for the tyre shop. Is it Gt North or somewhere else in the Pt?

[suntrakr]

Any mechanic worth the name is unlikely to want the owner around, looking on and offering advice, or asking questions.


Not to mention the fact that workshops these days need to comply with health and safety regulations which effectively bans non staff from the workshop

Good luck with that one.

Thanks. Will let u know how i get on. :eek:

[Waihou Thumper]

Not to mention the fact that workshops these days need to comply with health and safety regulations which effectively bans non staff from the workshop


I am sure they do...
BUT, the rest is a different matter....
As the principal, sure, they have obligations, or a duty of care....
So, effectively, it I was to induct said rubber neck-er, wannabe mechanic, bystander videoing for you tube etc....of said hazards, controls, where you cannot go and can....That includes, Keep your 'fukkin mits off the tools' esp since you aren't trained...sort of reasoning, then it would be fine to see my bay being dismantled, amputated etc..

The H&S act 1992 isn't that bad, but the bigger issue is people don't understand it......I guess.

[avgas]

This might be an option. I work in Grey Lynn. Will keep an eye out for the tyre shop. Is it Gt North or somewhere else in the Pt?
Hmmm looks like it gone now. Now its a jeans shop. Western Springs Road.

Suppose it has been quite a few years since I was last there.

[suntrakr]

Thanks anyway Avgas.

Hobbyhorse> I have talked to Toby. He'll be looking at it next Wednesday..his rates seem reasonable and he sounded like he knew what he was talking about. Have you had work done by him previously?

[Swoop]

Thanks anyway Avgas.

Hobbyhorse> I have talked to Toby. He'll be looking at it next Wednesday..his rates seem reasonable and he sounded like he knew what he was talking about. Have you had work done by him previously?
Toby is a good bastard. Used to work at Wild West Honda in New Lynn (no longer there, sadly).
You will be well looked after.

[Hobbyhorse]

Thanks anyway Avgas.

Hobbyhorse> I have talked to Toby. He'll be looking at it next Wednesday..his rates seem reasonable and he sounded like he knew what he was talking about. Have you had work done by him previously?

Yes Suntraker, I have always used Toby for my work starting with various Yamahas and now on my BMW R80RT. He is a really good guy to deal with and very knowledgeable over a vast range of bikes.

Cheers,

Rhys

[suntrakr]

Cheers Swoop/Hobbyhorse. Good to get re-assurance. Thx.

[Tazz]

Any mechanic worth the name is unlikely to want the owner around, looking on and offering advice, or asking questions.

I would have thought a shit mechanic would be more worried about being watched :sweatdrop

[SILVER SUZI]

Saw sign in a mechanics workshop, can't remember exactly how it went, but something like this.
Rates
If I do the work $80 hr
If you stay and talk $120 hr
If you stay and help $160 hr

You get the picture!

Oh, and Aden at Restorace also knows Yamaha's inside out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[avgas]

Saw sign in a mechanics workshop, can't remember exactly how it went, but something like this.
Rates
If I do the work $80 hr
If you stay and talk $120 hr
If you stay and help $160 hr
You get the picture!
Yep - only bring swanky bikes here from customers whom don't give a rats arse.
I hope he doesn't sell Hanes manuals. They are probably are collecting dust.

[suntrakr]

Toby picked up the bike this morning. Had a good convo about it. He identified a few things we should sort that make sense and I hadn't picked up on which is good.

Decent chap and lives nearby too. So far, good result. Shit hot.

[Swoop]

Weirdest thing yesterday. Met a chap (never seen before) and he is good mates with Toby. Used to race at speedway.
Confirms the "good bastard" rating of him!


Toby picked up the bike this morning.
Good move. Have you seen his driveway...?

[suntrakr]

Weirdest thing yesterday. Met a chap (never seen before) and he is good mates with Toby. Used to race at speedway.
Confirms the "good bastard" rating of him!


Good move. Have you seen his driveway...?


Seen his driveway? Nope but now have hopeful visions of a long and twisty road!

[Hobbyhorse]

Suntrakr I was out at Toby's today and saw your bike .... and I like it a lot!!!

The drive way does have a bend in it half way up but not exactly long and sweeping. I am well past the gold card qualifying date and I said to Toby that if he wanted me as customer he would have to ride my bikes both up and down his driveway, which he was happy to do. However whilst visiting him one day another older motorcyclist came up the drive and when I found out that he was 84years old I figured that as I am only 73 I had better get my act together and ride it too or I would look like a wimp ... it is easy enough when you know how!!

Glad to hear you are happy with your introductions to him.

[Swoop]

The drive way does have a bend in it half way up but not exactly long and sweeping.
It is a little daunting looking down from the top, but quite entertaining really!

[suntrakr]

Suntrakr I was out at Toby's today and saw your bike .... and I like it a lot!!!

... it is easy enough when you know how!!

Glad to hear you are happy with your introductions to him.

ha ha...sounds like it did good seeing the 84 year old handling the jandle and good that you took up the personal challenge.

Re: the bike. Thanks, it's pretty unique. With a bit of luck between Toby and myself we can make it road legal soon.

Thanks for the intro too. Again, much appreciated.

[Tazz]

ha ha...sounds like it did good seeing the 84 year old handling the jandle and good that you took up the personal challenge.

Re: the bike. Thanks, it's pretty unique. With a bit of luck between Toby and myself we can make it road legal soon.

Thanks for the intro too. Again, much appreciated.

Pics pics! :p

It wasn't on trademe 6 months or so ago for 6-8k was it?

[suntrakr]

Pics pics! :p

It wasn't on trademe 6 months or so ago for 6-8k was it?


Nope wasn't on TM.

Here you go Tazz.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/119152909@N03/13572848483/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/119152909@N03/13572850833/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/119152909@N03/13572795775/

[suntrakr]

Shit. That didn't work. :(

[suntrakr]

Pics pics! :p

It wasn't on trademe 6 months or so ago for 6-8k was it?

Well, that wasn't easy. Lets see if this works.


http://www.rollhq.com/tristan/photo1.jpg
http://www.rollhq.com/tristan/photo2.jpg
http://www.rollhq.com/tristan/photo3.jpg

[suntrakr]

***whew!***

[Hobbyhorse]

Good stuff Suntrakr. I like it even more now.

[F5 Dave]

No usually my sort of thing, but I quite like that. Good luck getting a WOF though.

Thing I'd replace first though is the rear tyre that I assume was an old sidecar one lying around & wouldn't risk riding with that, oil smeared or not.

[SILVER SUZI]

Haha F5 Dave, that was my thoughts exactly. Not my cup of tea, but a very nicely presented machine. And what is with that rear tyre!? Not having a go, it just looks like it came off something from the war. Love the speed stripe!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tazz]

Nice man. Simple but different =)


No usually my sort of thing, but I quite like that. Good luck getting a WOF though.

Thing I'd replace first though is the rear tyre that I assume was an old sidecar one lying around & wouldn't risk riding with that, oil smeared or not.

Yeah throw a whitewall on it :msn-wink: