Mt Eden Motorcycles - Not going there again

**kwaka_crasher** · 22nd March 2010, 13:39

Originally Posted by breakaway

There isn't. Find someone who has had a lot of business with a certain shop, and get them to take you into the shop and introduce you.

But remember! They have to introduce you by saying "This is (insert nickname here - like say "Johnny Tightlips"). He's a friend of OURS". Otherwise you aren't 'in'.

**avgas** · 22nd March 2010, 13:46

Originally Posted by kwaka_crasher

But remember! They have to introduce you by saying "This is (insert nickname here - like say "Johnny Tightlips"). He's a friend of OURS". Otherwise you aren't 'in'.

haha no not really.
Approach is everything. Walk in with a smile to pick up bike, when they give you bill ask politely (like a noob) "What is this for"......
Mechanics can be quite nice if you don't walk in with an attitude like "What the fuck, that bike doesn't have filter...."

**Headbanger** · 22nd March 2010, 13:51

I'd suggest "WTF, you fuckin arsehole, there is no filter, You can stick your bill right back up your arsehole, I'm not paying the fucker, and I'm gonna tell the world your a rip off cunt. Fuck you"

**Cayman911** · 22nd March 2010, 14:52

Mate you got ripped off bad. they are wrong in the first place because normally they come upto you and say "It will be this much" then you say ok great its fine.
then its your fault for paying without knowing what kind of unicorn tears they have your bike running on now that is costing so much.

90 mins to change oil my foot. Oil change dosnt cost more than $40 with the best oil. i pay $100 for a full service. which includes oil change + full inspection of the bike.

**Madness** · 22nd March 2010, 15:30

George from Motorcycle Doctors got my business after I was left disillusioned with Mt Eden's ability in the workshop. I use VTNZ for WOF's (sunday mornings works for me) and George comes around for anything I can't be arsed to attack with my 1/2"dr strongarm & 12" crescent. The guy is good.

**p.dath** · 22nd March 2010, 15:34

Originally Posted by breakaway

There isn't. Find someone who has had a lot of business with a certain shop, and get them to take you into the shop and introduce you.

Pretty harsh. There is many a fair business out there who makes money from trading, not theft. But don't forget, they are commercial companies, their to make a profit. So don't expect to get a tradesman with qualifications and decades of experience to do your job for $5. And just because the workshop chooses to use brand "x" of component that costs 25% more than what you like doesn't mean they are trying to rip you off. Perhaps they have found that your preferred brand has a 1 in 100 failure rate or something, and they'd prefer to use a more expensive component that deal with the consequences of failure.

Originally Posted by Ragingrob

$20 will buy ya a tool set that will allow you to change your oil

Assuming you haven't got any tools, then you probably haven't done it before. So you'd probably want a torque wrench for the sump plug and oil filter. You'll probably need an attachment to fit the torque wrench to the oil filter. You'll need some kind of drain tray for the oil. It makes it easier on some bikes if you have a funnel to poor the oil in. You'll need something to store the old oil in (big enough to hold many oil changes). You'll probably need a couple of screw drivers and sockets to remove enough bits of the bike to take the oil filter off.

So I think the number would be much closer to $200. But if you want to get an actual set of sockets, a set if screw drivers, then probably closer to $300. If you want a nice torque wrench and quality tools ...

**p.dath** · 22nd March 2010, 15:36

Originally Posted by Cayman911

90 mins to change oil my foot. Oil change dosnt cost more than $40 with the best oil. i pay $100 for a full service. which includes oil change + full inspection of the bike.

Your winding everyone up right? You seriously think you can buy 4l of the best [meaning synthetic] oil for $40? Please tell me where.

**Maha** · 22nd March 2010, 15:41

Originally Posted by tcpdump

So, would you please recommend an honest shop?
Thanks.

A very honest and dedicated Honda shop is right here in Warkworth.
I deal with them all the time, even when I had my Triumph.
The last time I needed thier services, they came and picked up my bike, fixed the puncture and charged me $30-35 for thier effort.
Theres a lot ot be said for small town dealerships.
On a good day, you can be up here in 40 mins.

**DEATH_INC.** · 22nd March 2010, 15:49

This stuff always takes longer than you think. If you count the time the salesman spends with you (he gets paid for this) then the mechanic has to retrieve the bike from where it's parked, give it a quick once-over, perform the job, clean up, return the bike to a suitable parking spot, write up the paperwork and pass it on to the aforementioned salesperson, who then must complete the transaction...... it does take more time than you think.
As for the filter charge thing....I too suspect it's just part of the job charge. We have codes for tyre fitting that include valves and stuff, that you don't always use...but as it's all part of the quoted price it is still charged the same (we always include this stuff in the price the customer is given for the product, not add it on later...)

**avgas** · 22nd March 2010, 15:51

Originally Posted by p.dath

So I think the number would be much closer to $200. But if you want to get an actual set of sockets, a set if screw drivers, then probably closer to $300. If you want a nice torque wrench and quality tools ...

I have built said kits with supercheap auto stuff for about $40.......from scratch. Sometimes gets a bit more expensive if you have to buy filter wrench that is fancy - $20-$60, but the rest can be bought for about $20

**Crasherfromwayback** · 22nd March 2010, 15:54

Originally Posted by avgas

I have built said kits with supercheap auto stuff for about $40.......from scratch. Sometimes gets a bit more expensive if you have to buy filter wrench that is fancy - $20-$60, but the rest can be bought for about $20

Best advice I can give anyone that wants to take on their own work is buy good quality tools...not cheap shit. Much less chance of rounded of bolts/nuts etc. It really does make a big difference using nice tools.

**avgas** · 22nd March 2010, 15:56

Originally Posted by Headbanger

I'd suggest "WTF, you fuckin arsehole, there is no filter, You can stick your bill right back up your arsehole, I'm not paying the fucker, and I'm gonna tell the world your a rip off cunt. Fuck you"

and then the bar tender says "I think you have had too much sir" upon which you are thrown into the cold Wanganui streets and proceed to walk out to the beach

**p.dath** · 22nd March 2010, 15:57

Originally Posted by avgas

I have built said kits with supercheap auto stuff for about $40.......from scratch. Sometimes gets a bit more expensive if you have to buy filter wrench that is fancy - $20-$60, but the rest can be bought for about $20

Last time I asked about a torque wrench their the cheapest one they had was $100. So don't know how your making up kits for $40.

**avgas** · 22nd March 2010, 15:58

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Best advice I can give anyone that wants to take on their own work is buy good quality tools...not cheap shit. Much less chance of rounded of bolts/nuts etc. It really does make a big difference using nice tools.

I was actually pleasantly surprised with some of the cheap stuff I have got.
My koken stuff hardly ever comes out these days. Probably because I am scared it will get stolen