Garage Day in Seattle area?

Does anybody want to have a garage day, in the Seattle area? We would need somebody to host, snice I don't have a garage, and since none of my friends have VFR's, or even ride for that matter, I'd like to have some people go over my bike with me and tell me what's normal, and what's not. Those kinds of things. We do this for our local Mustang forum/club, and usually bbq, eat some food, drink some beer, and work on whoever's car that needs something done. Yes? No? Maybe posted in the wrong section? probably lol Whatever, just gauging interest here..

- Ian

 

When? I could come over and drink your beer.
I have quite a few friends in your neck of the woods who ride and have a garage. Not sure how many members from this site live in the Pacific Northwet.

 

Sounds like and interesting concept. Too bad I am three hours away. Not that I am any kind of techie or anything like that.

 

At last count there were 568 Harley Garage Days going on in the Seattle area 24/7.

For other stuff, go to www.soundrider.com and take a look at the local scene.

There are local wrenches that will take a look at your bike for you at much less than dealer or shop rates but if you are looking for freebies these guys are wise to that.

 

Or pony up the cash and go to Ride West BMW for an inspection. Ever since University Honda closed, Seattle is f'd for Honda shops. I can't tell you what to do, but I would never, ever, ever let Lake City Honda touch my bike - they've diligently earned a terrible reputation over the years. Ride West has something like 3 Honda master mechanics, and while the shop fee is like 8 bucks higher than everywhere else, it's worth it. And you can go test-ride a Bimmer while they change your tires :eagerness:

Edit: There's also that shop out on Aurora, Seattle Cycle Center. They're cool cats, have a decent reputation. I've only had tire changes there, but they have been really standup folks with parts ordering and stuff.

 

UHonda fucked themselves years ago. The major problem was making it a "family" business. Sorry to hear Lake City has gone down the tube... Seattle Cycle center has been doing tires for years. Good prices and great service. The original sub contractor for SCC was George Dean whose standards are over the top. Ride West has of recent lost two of their guys. They bought out Mick Vallantine's shop. The rumor is that Mick has Retired. I ain't buying that for a minute. Mick has had the contract for doing work on BMW Police bikes..

George Dean sold his shop to one of his top guys and now builds bike engines for several types of small racecars. He just installed a new dyno (a real dyno) in his new shop space and may even be doing dyno runs for bikes.

Newworking for mano a mano advice is best found at events in the local bike press or by going to the various bike functions in and around the Seattle area. The one in Ballard is one example. The VME meets in Georgetown are good for sourcing and schmoosing about "vintage" Bikes. There is also a division of VME out of Tacoma that deals motly with older Japanese bikes of small and medium displacement.

 

I appreciate the tips, but I don't plan on taking my bike to any shop. That's not how I roll. My rule is that If I'm going to make cars/bikes a hobby, then all the work will be done myself because building cars/ bikes in the first place, doesn't usually turn out to be a good investment lol. I'll be going to the Ballard meet on Dec. 7th though, that seems cool.

 

Ya never know who you might be telling how you roll at these meets. If your roll gets rocky and comes to a halt in the first couple of minutes you'll know for sure. There will be dudes there that have built more cars and bikes than you can imagine and what is funny they don't look like that at all.

The clue is when they tell you how great it was talking to you but they really need to take a dump.

 

You lost me.. By no means am I some super knowledgeable mechanic that likes to showboat. I just graduated college with a BA in Business. This is just a hobby lol And I have a willingness to learn, and to know how to work on, fix, and build my own stuff to my liking. I'm not saying I have anything against taking my stuff to a shop, or against anyone else that does, either. I'm probably going to have Twinline in Seattle tune my 85' XJ700 when my build is finished. They build some awesome café racers.

 

Dress warm.http://www.shinyshiny.tv/noob-shirt.jpg