KymcoForum.com
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: CROSSBOLT on July 21, 2018, 03:22:17 PM
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The "old days" were populated by many real mechanics who could really fix things. Focusing on two wheels, the Harley mechanic was literally famous in his community for realistic solutions at a reasonable price. His experience usually spanned decades and he never touched a torque wrench even if he knew what it was! He did things by feel and sound. He was generally admired and respected. His experience was with a brand that changed very little over the years so he could store knowledge today that would be valid for years. The Brits were probably more stable than Harley in that when they found something that worked, they froze the design and WOULD NOT change regardless of competition. BSA and Triumph mechanics became similar to Harley guys in experience and effectiveness. Harley, as a manufacturer, very reluctantly changed to the hand clutch/foot brake of the Brits but only after much griping and complaining. Things were harmonious and predictable for a few years, mechanics doing their thing well at a fair price just as before. Then along came Honda! That event set the two-wheel world on its other end with pleasant marketing and innovative designs. Along came dealers with a glint in their eye for profit and prospered at the new wave of record sales. The number of old-style mechanics who branched to the newer, technologically superior was very small. Younger men with an interest swarmed to the new opportunities with enthusiasm and many became the new go-to guys who became the highly-competent race team preparers and even some service managers of the bigger shops. Honda changed constantly in comparison to Harley and the Brits and spawned competition like Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki. Innovation abounded in oil seals that sealed and we're not made from animal skins, CDI that made the two-stroke actually reliable, wiring the insulation did not crumble off the conductor, overhead cams, balance shafts to reduce vibration, solid-state electronic just about everything, lights that could be seen and show the way. America and Britain had to notice but we're slow to act. Meanwhile, motivated mechanics were finding it difficult to keep up considering how puzzling the "language barrier" was in what tech information was available. Honda was first in clearing that up as well. Things were changing outside the realm of manufacturer, dealer and customer. Things that effected everyone in all walks of life. The inflation of the currency hit hard in '64 when the last of the silver coinage was removed leaving nothing to stabilize the economy. 16% inflation ate up everyone's savings and prices skyrocketed to keep up. Slowly changing gas prices gave way to daily fluctuations and made the market for signs that could be changed with a computer rather than having to climb a pole. Motorcycle dealers started taking guys off the street to put their machines together causing all sorts of warranty problems. The wage for a really competent mechanic became too much for dealers so they seemed to hire anyone with a red toolbox. Then the schools cropped up to get grant money, VA money and other scholarship funds plus linking to finance companies to make student loans. Schools like MMI. Graduates are unaware that they are at the starting point of their career and what they learned in school was generally behind the industry. Dealers are still reluctant to spend any money for test equipment unless forced by either the manufacturer or irate customers who have rallied the importer.
There are good shops out there but few and far between. Customer testimony is the only reliable way to find them. Dealers are very secretive and uncooperative in putting their customers in contact with prospects almost like hiding something. The independent shops are probably the best bet.
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Depressing...
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Good read! I do believe that there is great opportunity for scooter mechanics or someone wanting to open a Scooter shop. I've ridden motorcycles my whole life and as we all know, parts/service is readily available regardless of what brand you ride. I've recently joined the scooter craze and again, as we all know, parts and service, especially for Kymco can a pain in the a$$ to find. In the few months that I've owned my 50 and my 500cc scoots, I'm seeing more and more scooters on the road. I baught both of mine not running and with a little TLC and a good spitshine, running and looking like new. I've been tossing around the idea of opening a shop myself because I enjoy working on them for one, and I really believe that we are on the tip of the iceberg for scooters being as popular here as they are in China and other parts of the world.
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Having been a long time professional mechanic for a local Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealer I just do not trust most to work on my own vehicles. Also having to pay for work means I couldn't afford the stable of vehicles I have. I work on all my own vehicles and have done so for a few others or even assisting them to do their own maintenance or repairs. Most motorcycle mechanics simply do not like all the plastic body work because they don't trust themselves not to break it removing it. As a mechanic I was used to complete interior removal including instrument panels so this isn't difficult for me.
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Good read I still think there's a couple of good mechanics with integrity out here in the post Honda world I'm gonna buy a torque wrench this weekend ;)
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The Bug Hut serviced my VWs for decades. In & out the same day with an appointment. They did not always do all the stuff I asked for - if their experience told them it wasn't necessary. A pair of master mechanics, and trustworthy.
Then Beetles and Transpoters faded into history - causing the owner to retire to Fla. And I quit buying German, as well.
It was a hell-of-a good run for a few decades!
Stig