Sharp's Bikeshop in Amarillo, Tx Sucks!

Just took my 1982 Yamaha 550 Maxim to the Sharps shop in Amarillo Texas. I needed to get my carbs rebuilt. The service tech said my bike was too old and he will not touch it. He said the carb kit parts can't be ordered anymore. (XJBikes, Dennis Kirk, K&L, JPCycles===Hello!) I said just forget it, but can I at least get a rear tire put on today ? He said NO and wouldn't even sell me a tire! I had a few choice words to say to his face and left. If you are from Amarillo TX area, boycott Sharp's! If anyone knows where I can take it in this area, let me know. Later---

 

Derrek don’t take that personal.... that is why you are here, a lot of places employ people that are younger than our bikes, expecting satisfactory results from them is foolish. You learned a lesson, a real good one. You and only you can insure reliable repair/ refurbish of your bike. Probably best they didn’t change your tire. Find a different shop to do that.

Check this out.
https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/the-information-overload-hour.27544/

Then get ready to dive into your carbs:
https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/in-the-church-of-clean.14692/

Those two links are a lot to digest. Do not fret, this is a good community with beaucoup knowledge. Ask questions - if you don’t understand the answer(s) ask again until you grasp it. Chances are really good if there are fellow members near by you that they will be more than happy to help you out.

 

we have members here who will rebuild your carbs

 

All the new bike dealers here have taken same approach.
Anything older than 10 years they won’t touch it.
That is why guys like me are so busy. If you want your bike fixed I have a 2-3 week wait list from April to October.

 

the last time i was at a suzuki shop to get brake pads (06 sv1000s) after looking at them, the man said i didn't need them.
i asked him if they would be cheaper next year, when i do. i got my pads

 

I had a local shop in GA that might take on an old bike. (No longer in business) The service manager would walk out and look at the bike, first. They weren't going to R&R a wheel on a POS. I've heard of shops requiring $1500 to $2000 deposit before they start work on the old bike. Face it, most of these bikes are worth less than the repair bill if you decide to walk. It's business. I once moonlighted at a Yamaha dealer. After ten years, they tell you to go away. 1st hand experience, my wife ran a business being nice. She's no longer in business.

 

A shop gets to decide what they will, and will not, work on. I'd call them a decent place just because they were honest with you up-front, instead of taking the bike in and billing you for doing nothing (or worse, charging you to screw things up).
The rear tire size for your bike is a common, but only for front tires. He very likely did not have a rear of that size in stock. I have to order tires in, because nobody stocks a full set since they won't sell quickly.

You are your own best mechanic when it comes to older machines.
Welcome aboard. We're here to help.

 

The only thing I don't like is that they overstepped a line to say parts aren't available anymore. They could have left that out. My bet is they don't know that parts ARE available. So, they didn't want to work on it cuz they don't know what they'd be doing. Good for them to say that.

 

And they want you riding something shiny from their showroom

 

So they can hook it up to the computer and charge $400 buck for a service charge

 

Derrek don’t take that personal.... that is why you are here, a lot of places employ people that are younger than our bikes, expecting satisfactory results from them is foolish. You learned a lesson, a real good one. You and only you can insure reliable repair/ refurbish of your bike. Probably best they didn’t change your tire. Find a different shop to do that.

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out.

 

we have members here who will rebuild your carbs

I may need some names soon.

 

All the new bike dealers here have taken same approach.
Anything older than 10 years they won’t touch it.
That is why guys like me are so busy. If you want your bike fixed I have a 2-3 week wait list from April to October.

I just bought a Clymer manual. If I can't figure it out I may need to be on your list!

 

I had a local shop in GA that might take on an old bike. (No longer in business) The service manager would walk out and look at the bike, first. They weren't going to R&R a wheel on a POS. I've heard of shops requiring $1500 to $2000 deposit before they start work on the old bike. Face it, most of these bikes are worth less than the repair bill if you decide to walk. It's business. I once moonlighted at a Yamaha dealer. After ten years, they tell you to go away. 1st hand experience, my wife ran a business being nice. She's no longer in business.

I love this bike and never going to sell it. You would think that bike shop owners are bike lovers too and would like to see the old classics on the the road. I am just trying to get someone to do a carb rebuild, if I ever need a complete engine overhaul, OMG!

 

A shop gets to decide what they will, and will not, work on. I'd call them a decent place just because they were honest with you up-front, instead of taking the bike in and billing you for doing nothing (or worse, charging you to screw things up).
The rear tire size for your bike is a common, but only for front tires. He very likely did not have a rear of that size in stock. I have to order tires in, because nobody stocks a full set since they won't sell quickly.

You are your own best mechanic when it comes to older machines.
Welcome aboard. We're here to help.

Just bought a Clymer manual and ordered a tire from JP Cycles. Thanks for the support.

 

The only thing I don't like is that they overstepped a line to say parts aren't available anymore. They could have left that out. My bet is they don't know that parts ARE available. So, they didn't want to work on it cuz they don't know what they'd be doing. Good for them to say that.

I'm annoyed by that shop, but I understand also that they have a business to run. I ordered the carb kits and Clymer book, going to try it myself.

 

Their bikes aren't as cool as my 550 Maxim!

 

There are shops that specialize in just that. The problem is that the market for those services is dwindling (as is motorcycle ridership in the U.S.). The independant motorcycle shop (catering to pre-1990 machines) in my town closed two years ago, and this is a town where almost a quarter of the residents own and ride motorcycles. Most of us who own older machines also maintain them at home though. No customers = no shop.