Is there a flat rate manual for Japanese motorcycle repairs?

 


How many manhours of labor should it take to repair various items on
Japanese motorcycles?

I have several people who have asked me to rebuild carbs on their
bikes. I need to have an idea of how long this will take.

I have found an online source for Harleys, I do believe there's one
for the Japanese bikes.

Please help me if you can, thanks in advance.

Biker Dude

 


I'd be really surprised if anything like that exists. I mean,
manufacturers have their own rates and times, which they allow for
warranty repairs and suchlike, but there are often dodges that
mechanics evolve themselves in order to shorten the time (valve-shim-
under-bucket changes and starter clutch replacement on some models
spring to mind).

As for rebuilding carbs on bikes; what carbs? What bikes? Slide carbs?
CV carbs? Vees, inline fours, or what?

The variables are immense.

In addition, you can be sure it will take longer on older bikes than
it does on newer ones, because fasteners will be corroded and stuck,
or damaged where some donkey has had a go at it first (this holds good
for *all* work), and once you get into the carbs a pound to a penny
you'll find that the bike hasn't been used for a decade and all the
fuel has turned to varnsh, meaning it'll have to be ultrasonically
cleaned as well.

So how long will it take? "As long as it takes".

 

TOG@Toil wrote:

Well you should be surprised then. They actually do exist.
Almost all manufacturers in this context use them for their
authorized repair shops. I have seen them for Honda and
Yamaha, however they are all electronic these days.

The flat rate only is a guideline, and typically is longer
than an experienced mechanic will take, BUT he gets paid by
the book, not how long it takes. Again, for authorized
repair centers.

I have know idea how to get a copy.

 


Yes, I know that. I said that. What I meant was I really doubt an
online version, covering all Japanese bikes, exists.



Yes, again, that's what I said.

 I have seen them for Honda and

Didn't know that, mind.

Yes, I know. And in some cases, mechanics develop shortcuts.

Nor I :-(

 

Way back when I was a Honda parts man, the FRT was on the parts microfiche
pages with the parts. It was what they paid for warranty work, about half
what it actually took. We figured they let a little japanese guy do twenty
practice runs with every power tool he could think of, fed him some uppers,
then timed him.
I used to double it for repair  estimates and usually it was pretty close
then.
As for you doing "carb rebuilds" on other people's bikes with the amount of
knowledge/experience evident from your many posts; NOT
recommended...........
AND any FRT assumes a trained tech with proper tools, so , totally
irrelevant.