Mechanic in Northern Virginia Area

[rubadub]

I know a lot of you guys and gals do your own wrenching, I'm not that good, would like to have someone who knows and really can take care of my new baby. I've put over 2600 miles on the MNS since labor day. Basic maintenance, major services. Looking for a mechanic who really understands these bikes, and is familiar with their tendencies. Some of the shops around here will not work on a bike over 10 years old, much less a 30 year old bike. Bike now has a little over 14XXX miles now, I'm thinking major service is due.

All advise is welcomed and appreciated

Thanks in advance

Rubadub

1980 Yamaha XS 1100 Midnight Special

[DGXSER]

My advice would be to get the manual and check what service is needed. Alot of it you can do I have no doubt. If you can change oil and plugs on a car you can do 90% of the service work on this bike.

If you are willing and interested in learning, then with the help of the genious folk here at XS11, there is about nothing you can NOT do on these bikes.

Read a manual, then read the tech tips, if you have questions, do a search for your question, if none of that answers it, no matter how stupid it may seem, ask here before you try something. These folks will keep you out of trouble. trust me...

[fredintoon]

I know a lot of you guys and gals do your own wrenching, I'm not that good, would like to have someone who knows and really can take care of my new baby. - - -

Hi Rubadub,
that would be you. You can buy a Clymer's manual and all the metric wrenches you'll ever need for less than the cost of a carb cleaning job at a bike shop, assuming you can find a shop that'll work on the bike.

[newc4]

I'm right around the corner. I've got carb sticks, colortune and the motion pro valve tool. Haven't done major engine or trans work, but most everything else.

Of course that's why I'm still cogitating over my electric start, failure to.

What are you looking at doing?

Darrell

[rubadub]

15000 Mile service

Looking to do a real good once over on the bike, basically everything + a 15000 mile service, probably a valve adjustment. Oil and fluid changes

I Now have a Yamaha and Clymers manual. Just need someone to maybe show me some of the tricks

Rubadub

[Athedra]

I know a lot of you guys and gals do your own wrenching, I'm not that good, would like to have someone who knows and really can take care of my new baby. I've put over 2600 miles on the MNS since labor day. Basic maintenance, major services. Looking for a mechanic who really understands these bikes, and is familiar with their tendencies. Some of the shops around here will not work on a bike over 10 years old, much less a 30 year old bike. Bike now has a little over 14XXX miles now, I'm thinking major service is due.

All advise is welcomed and appreciated

Thanks in advance

Rubadub

1980 Yamaha XS 1100 Midnight Special

Rubadub,

You are asking the wrong questions. If you dont mind, let me retype your original post for you so that you can get the right response.

I have done XXXX miles on my MNS since labor day. I purchased the Yamaha and Clymer manual, but are unsure of my mechanical abilities. Would any of you guys / gals close to me mind if I pop in at your house one saturday. I need to do a 15k service on my MNS and need to be guided through the process.

PM me, and add what Beer you drink, since drinks will be on me.


Now a post like that, A, shows you want to learn to wrench on your MNS like all of us do. B, shows interest, C, shows that you are willing to do the work but just need a guiding hand, and D, willing to sponsor refreshments.

Heck if I saw a post like that and you where close to me, would have told you to pull in on Saturday with your books, I have the tools, bring the spares and lastly told you to bring 12 Black Labels, the rest will be on me.

[DGXSER]

Heck if I saw a post like that and you where close to me, would have told you to pull in on Saturday with your books, I have the tools, bring the spares and lastly told you to bring 12 Black Labels, the rest will be on me.

Man, I was going right along with you until you got to the Black Label beer. I once had a friend traded one of those for a cigarette and considered it a bargain (that was before cigs became gold like in their cost.).

[Athedra]

Black label is the only beer in South Africa. The rest is all lager and cider. I drink Beer, not lager or cider. Guy telling me he drinks beer and pulls out an Amstel, will get a tongue whipping from me, and he will either drink Black label after that, or will tell everyone he doesn't drink beer, but drinks lagers.