V Star 1300 - 1st Service = $242.96 ? - Page 2

 ftlibs wrote:

If you have not installed an oil filter relocation kit on your Vstar,
this is true - removing the exhaust to get to the oil filter.

 

Well, do that, and then call some Yamaha $tealer$hip$ and ask them
what the Flat Rate book has to say about the labor hours required to
do the initial service on your model. There might be overlapping Flat
Rate charges involved.

The Flat Rate book makes it possible for a mechanic to still make
money off a job even if he runs into problems and has to do a lot of
extra disassembly and reassembly to get the job done right.

It seems to me like if you can afford to ride a big cruiser like that,
you can afford to pay for the first service so you will have proof of
early problems if you need to have major warranty work done a few
months from now, even if that is unlikely.

I was talking to a whiny Harley rider who owned no less than FIVE
brand new Big Twins at the same time. He fell in love with every new
Harley that appeared on the showroom floor and he said he couldn't
sleep nights, he'd have anxiety attacks until he bought it.

He had different tires mounted because he didn't like the original
equipment tires and he also wanted custom twisted spokes installed in
his wheels.

So the mechanic charged him the Flat Rate for removing the wheels and
changing the tires, and turned around and charged him the same Flat
Rate again for removing the wheels and relacing the wheels with trick
twisted spokes and removing and reinstalling the tires.

The Harley rider was a rich guy by most people's standards, he owned
$100,000 worth of new Harleys and he made $150 an hour in his
business, but he didn't want the mechanic to make any money off of him
if he could somehow avoid it.

I don't know if he cried to the Harley $hop owner or not, but he sure
did whine about it to me. Good gawd, what was $200 to that guy?

 On Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:22:10 -0000, "Mr. Freeze"

Obviously that labor rate is way out of line.  What I would do is go
back to the shop and ask to speak to the owner/manager.  Explain in a
calm, reasonable, and polite manner exactly what your objection to the
bill is, and explain to him that if they want your return business,
they will need to make the appropriate adjustments on your bill.  I'd
also explain that you are not the only bike rider/owner that you know
of and that word of mouth is not only the best, but also the worst
advertising possible.  

I'd be willing to pay up to $50.00 in labor if they can prove that in
addition to the oil change they performed a check of all items listed
under the recommended service items listed in the manual.
--
Ray Sirois
SysOp: The Lost Chord BBS
http://thelostchord.dns2go.com:6080
telnet://thelostchord.dns2go.com:6023

 Raymond Sirois wrote:


According to the maintenance manual for my vstar 1100:

at 1 month of 600 miles:
1) check and adjust valve clearance when engine is cold
2) adjust synchronization of carburators (does not apply to the 1300
with fuel injection)
3) replace engine oil filter (remove front exhaust and exhaust gasket)
4) replace engine oil
5) Check brack system - add fluid, replace pads if necessary
6) check clutch operation, adjust or replace cable - this usually
stretches during break-in
7) replace gear oil in final drive (is the 1300 a belt drive?)
8) lubricate control and meter cable
9) check sidestand switch operation.

Add the typical dealership markup on parts and labor and you have about
what he was charged.

If you only want to pay $50 in labor for service, you need to ask up
front what you get for that $50, or go somewhere that only charges $50.

This is buyer's beware, for assuming that a bike service would cost no
more than a car service. In my local dealership the prices for their
services are posted on the wall.

Dave

 in an obviously impaired state, wrote:


The only parts and work listed was an oil change.  For that, I'd be
willing to pony up the extra $50.

Anything else should be itemized on the work bill, and therefore time
and labor would be charged per item.  

HOWEVER, the original poster indicated that the only work listed on
the order was and oil change, at $200 for labor.

--
Ray Sirois
SysOp: The Lost Chord BBS
http://thelostchord.dns2go.com:6080
telnet://thelostchord.dns2go.com:6023