Local GW mechanic?

Hmmm... Two days - 50 views but not a single response.. Am I to conclude that there are NO decent GW mechanics in our area? Then, how about some thoughts on places to AVOID??

Like many on this forum I do my own maintenance on all my vehicles. I've had too many bad experiences with vehicle sales/service businesses. I feel bad for people who for whatever reason are stuck with no other option. I did offer to change tires for members of this forum, but I'm not in business and have no present intention of starting a business. I have a NoMar tire changer and make no claim of being an expert with it. I've often wondered how anyone who loves to ride could be tied up with a business servicing motorcycles when it's time to ride. Hopefully, others will reply to your inquiry.

jlbc212 said:

Like many on this forum I do my own maintenance on all my vehicles. I've had too many bad experiences with vehicle sales/service businesses. I feel bad for people who for whatever reason are stuck with no other option. I did offer to change tires for members of this forum, but I'm not in business and have no present intention of starting a business. I have a NoMar tire changer and make no claim of being an expert with it. I've often wondered how anyone who loves to ride could be tied up with a business servicing motorcycles when it's time to ride. Hopefully, others will reply to your inquiry.

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Hi Jack. Thanks for the reply. I do all my own maintenance because like you, I have no trust in the "service" conducted by any shops I'm familiar with. I've always used Venco Wings for tires because I don't have a tire machine and Jim did great work that I knew I could trust. Also had him service my forks a couple years ago because I didn't think I want to attempt that. (He also correctly pointed out that I had a bit of notchyness in my steering head bearings that I was going to have him fix at a later time....) So I was hoping to find another reasonably competent wrench to help me once in a while and thought someone in our area must have come across one they thought knew what they were doing. Will continue to hold out hope but you may may hear from me again when it comes time to replace my tires if the offer is still out there!

Larry

Larry,

I check in here daily. I'd enjoy meeting you and helping you out with tires and whatever other repairs or maintenance you may feel uncomfortable tackling alone.

jack

jlbc212 said:

Larry,

I check in here daily. I'd enjoy meeting you and helping you out with tires and whatever other repairs or maintenance you may feel uncomfortable tackling alone.

jack

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Thanks. Will keep you in mind! What town you in? (PM me if you wish)

greyhound said:

Thanks. Will keep you in mind! What town you in? (PM me if you wish)

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Pm sent.

greyhound said:

Hi Jack. Thanks for the reply. I do all my own maintenance because like you, I have no trust in the "service" conducted by any shops I'm familiar with. I've always used Venco Wings for tires because I don't have a tire machine and Jim did great work that I knew I could trust. Also had him service my forks a couple years ago because I didn't think I want to attempt that. (He also correctly pointed out that I had a bit of notchyness in my steering head bearings that I was going to have him fix at a later time....) So I was hoping to find another reasonably competent wrench to help me once in a while and thought someone in our area must have come across one they thought knew what they were doing. Will continue to hold out hope but you may may hear from me again when it comes time to replace my tires if the offer is still out there!

Larry

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RocketMoto in Nashua NH for all my suspension work. They did the Full Monty 35k ago and will be doing the Mega Monty this spring for me along with the scheduled fork maintenance. Great guys and I have not had any issues with my suspension since they worked on it.

I belong to GWRRA Chapter F in Berkley MA we have a sponsor that advertises on our newsletter that has a good mechanic and reasonable pricing...Archies 469 Ashley Blvd. in New Bedford and if you are a GWRRA member you can get a 10% discount

raythekay said:

I belong to GWRRA Chapter F in Berkley MA we have a sponsor that advertises on our newsletter that has a good mechanic and reasonable pricing...Archies 469 Ashley Blvd. in New Bedford and if you are a GWRRA member you can get a 10% discount

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Thanks. I'll keep them in mind. Have you had personal experience with the service there?

I'm up on the North shore.. had a good mechanic a couple years ago from Seacoast NH, but he is no longer servicing. For the general simple stuff, I do the work on my two wings. Any major work, I'll take them to Depot Honda in Rye, NH. But I'm not too fond of their work all the time. For the frame recall, they forgot to reassemble all parts on the bike. The fairing was reassembled incorrectly, as also the mirrors - where they used the incorrect bolts and stripped out the threads. I've had to fix so much since then, which it's been a few years now. So, anytime I take the bikes to a dealer, I am always asking what they are going to do, how they will do it, and if there are spare parts at the end to give them to me. Of course, they'll never admit to spare parts at the end of a job. Also looking for a good GW mechanic up this end, but will drive a distance (like when Venco was around) to get the job done correctly.

For the past 33 years I have used Bettencourts Honda in West Bridgewater.
Gary is the mechanic I have work on my bike and I have never been dissatisfied.

I live close to and bought my '02 from Bettencourts but have always been leery of their mechanics. But perhaps I will try to find out more about Gary based on your experience. Thanks for the info.

I'm 72, now and still ride my Goldwing. I remember in 1981, I bought my used 1977 GL1000. That was an easy bike to work on. I pulled the engine twice. Once to replace the valve guide seals, and once to replace the entire engine with one out of a 1978 Goldwing. I worked on that bike from Friday Night until 7am the next morning and was so happy my wife being a nurse had gotten up to go to work. Once she was up I could start the engine. The mufflers were on yet, but the headers were. What a racket. Shortly after that I pulled the engine on my uncles GL1200 to replace the stator. That was an easy job too compared to the GL1800s. I'm retired now, and still wish I could work for a Dealer just part time to stay busy when I'm not travelling.

i Just called Bettencourts to see if they had room to change my tire today. They are no longer doing first come first serve on Saturdays. I have been taking my wing there since Weymouth Honda closed, I live in Braintree. I plan on dropping my bike and tire off on Monday. Hopefully I can get it back in a couple of days.