Iffy bike shop

Today I called a local bike shop to find out how much they would charge to service the carbs on my 750 maxim. The guy on the phone was either busy or is not very customer service oriented.

The guy said that if I had the carbs off the bike it would be between $80 and $120 on labor + parts depending on what its needed.

I asked what he does when he "services the carbs" and the answer was "do what it takes to get them running".

I was hoping for clean circuits, bench sync, setup floats, at least give me something but when the guy gave me zero details I felt the urgency to end the phone call.

One more thing that I will have to do myself if I want to make sure that is done right (unless Fitz or Dave are willing to "service" them).

I wish there were more shops with knowledgeable people out there to do the job for people that do not have the time but I guess I will have to make time

 

The sad truth of the matter is this:

Servicing and Cleaning our Carbs is "Labor Intensive"

Latter day Shops would rather not bother taking-on the chore of servicing these old Carbs, ... when the Techs can spend :: Less time :: doing MORE service work on Late Model Bikes which might only need:

• A Plug-'n-play Module
• Reprogramming the "Brain"
• No age-related hassles

 

(quote) - and the answer was "do what it takes to get them running".

Translation - a 5-10 minute scrub on the outside with gasoline and toothbrush,
removal of float bowls, and clean-out with CLR or toilet bowl cleaner,
a quickie blow-thru of the exposed jets with carb cleaner,
some fiddle-farting with the sliders, with WD-40, of course,
and a crudely concieved bench sync, with paper clips.

(warning to Noobs - do not do this !!)

 

No surprises there I'm afraid Eco! An interesting question for the potential shop would be: Do you have the YICS blocking tool? Their reaction would tell all!

 

There are lots of shops around like that, if they can't plug a computer into it to diagnose problems they don't want to work on it.
If you are ever in the Raleigh NC area, bring your carbs we can fix them up right. There are sever al local members that can vouch for my carb skills.

 

And that is why I was considering paying to get it done since I have little to no time to do it myself.

Well... he didn't make it that far to begin with

 

Now we are talking more local. I make the trip to Raleigh every couple of times a year. I also have a few friends up that way so I can make the trip to drop them off or I can ship them your way.

 

don't be so quick to write off newer bikes as quick and easy, the FI section of the book on my 06 suzuki goes from 4-3 to 4-94

 

Its up to you weather to drop them off or ship them.
If you are not sure of the condition of the throttle shaft seals I strongly suggest replacing them along with the other normal carb service items. Needles/seats , O-rings, bowl gaskets. PM Chacal he can get them.

 

yea... carbeurators are a dying art....

 

Well... he didn't make it that far to begin with

Understood, I was referring to any potential approach to a bike shop :wink:

 

Agreed Polock! Modern bikes can be a PITA but for different reasons-honestly I'd rather work on ANYTHING pre '95 anyday. XJ carbs are labor intensive..hmm..more like TIME intensive 'cause the labor isn't hard compared to most jobs.

BTW padawan there are WAY more than 2 XJBikes members who could 'service' your carbs...YK...just review our 'in-pain' testamonials followed by SOLVED!

 

Agreed, you could probably just mail your carbs to any wizard.

OR you could read the church of clean and the whole nine yards, grab a couple beers and become a carb expert. It's intimidating and scary at first, but once you do it, you will wonder what you were so scared of!

 

I'm about to pick up a second set of carbs for my 82 xj750r seca very cheap. So I can experiment with them and not be too worried about messing things up with the ones on the bike that are running now. But if anyone is within 300 miles or there abouts to NYC let me know and I will take a trip to learn how to do it right from someone who knows.

I'll bring the rum. (How does 25 year old bottle of rum sound?)

 

If there is free Rum involved my garage is open! :lol:

 

"Why is the rum always gone?" - Capt. Jack Sparrow

 

NYCXJ, I'm near Harrisburg PA, and IWIN is a couple hours south of me.... wanna make a trip to my place? There's also some others that want to come too. I have been thinking of hosting a carb clinic. LETS DO THIS!

 

I'm only about an hour south now. I moved. I'm near Antietam battlefield.

 

Lets ride!

 

Yes. I get Rum and Cigars from the Caribbean all year long.

Specifically from the Dominican Republic.

I'll have them bring me up some this month. And bring more myself when I go in October. Let me get my hands on some Rum and the carbs this weekend and will see when it would be a good day for you.