Privateers Garage - SoCal

Today I had a very satisfying an peaceful experience. Working on my bike. Doing something that I would have otherwise gone to a service center. I installed a brand new pair of Pilot Power 2CTs on my VFR. With the help of Privateer's Garage, I removed the wheels got the old tires off, put the new ones on and balanced them too before reassembling everything back.

The guy who runs the place was awesome. He let me practice with an old set of tires before I started working on mine. Now I have brand new set of tires and ready to take Lee Parks Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic this Saturday.

But my experience today has left me with the realization that I have found what I have been looking for. I have always wanted to work on my VFR, but lacked the tools, space and mentoring to help get my work done. Privateer's Garage this way is awesome. Kyle, showed me the ropes and then was always around when I got stuck to lend a hand. I now know where I am gonna be doing my,
1) Gen5 header install
2) -1 front sprocket, rear sprocket and chain replacement
3) Coolant, Clutch and Brake fluid change
4) Suspension tuning.
IMHO apart from riding itself nothing else comes close to the feeling of working on your bike. The work I did today made my ride back home all the more enjoyable. I know a lot of you work on your own bikes. I am happy to be now part of your club :biggrin:

People in an around San Diego should check this place out. I highly recommend.
Privateer's Garage.

 

cool! let me know about your experience at Lee Parks clinic.

 

When someone else does it, you never know. When you do it wrong, you learn it and fix it. When it's right, you know it. That, Sir, is a cold beer on a hot day!

Welcome to the next level.

Maggot

 

Way cool. I was overwhelmed with the first V-4 honda I dove into, an early 82 Magna,( if it was a chevy 350 V8 i would have nailed it!)... Anyway, it's allways great to get into your ride. WELL DONE.

 

The guy who runs the place said they hold clinics often, and one of those clinics was on valve adjustment. I am personally not at the level yet where I can adjust/check the valves on my VFR (or my own ), but I think this place is open to you doing it by yourself. They also have long term bike storage too for projects that can span days.

Your garage Reg - well that would be the Grand Hyatt of garages. Would have to pay a premium to access such a garage if it were a business.

 

How much does it cost to use Privateer's Garage?

Choose between monthly memberships, daily or hourly rental rates.

Garage Usage
Per Hour.......................................$25
1/2 day (4 hrs).............................$70
Full day (8 hrs)...........................$120
Monthly (30 days).......................$250
Power lifts are $5/hr extra

Bike Storage
Overnight.....................................$20
Discounts are available for members of certain racing groups, forums, and websites! Please call us and inquire.

 

Does that garage have wives and kids that store their junk on top of your treasures (junk to them)? :wink:

Next step will be to get your own toolkit started. Whether you are at this garage or another, the basic hand tools to work on your ride will be useful for lots of other stuff. Nozzle's word of advice that you did not ask for - don't go cheap on the basic tools. You, and potentially your offspring, will be able to make use of them for a long time. That first quality socket set is a thing of beauty.

 

I couldn't agree with you more Xeipher. Doing your own work on your bike makes your whole motorcycling experience just that much more rewarding and satisfying.
Over the years I've come to find that I enjoy wrenching on my bikes on warm summer nights with the garage door open listening to the crickets chirping away absolutely every bit as much as I enjoy taking them out and putting them through their paces on some twisty back-country road somewhere.
It just takes that whole spiritual Rider/Machine interface thing to a whole new level when you know it was your hands that assembled the machine. Guess you found that out on your ride home. Keep up the good work and +1 to what Nozzle said,don't skimp get yourself a decent set of basic hand tools.