Topic: Who fixes CB550K in Nashville

[rcan2000]

This is a multi-part question.My '77 550 broke down last Sunday(1st time in 8 years). I had it towed to a Honda dealer service.
They called today and said it needed a new ignition switch,which they said was like $240 for the part alone! The repair bill,tune up,oil change estimate was close to $480.  THAT SEEMS LIKE B.S.!..    I looked up ignition switches, and so far I found what they say is the right one for 39$ at THE OLD BIKE BARN. Is this the exact one?,and does anyone know a good mechanic in the Brentwood/Nashville TN area. I'm too weirded out by the dealer prices.If they are asking $240 fof a $39 part, they must be killing me on the labor too!
The bike is leaking a little oil around the heads too(always has)...They said if I wanted that, the job would be $1200. THATS INSANITY!
PLEASE HELP ME FIND AN HONEST,REASONABLE SOHC SERVICE GUY!!!
Thanks,
Randy
'77 CB550K

[bryanj]

The genuine honda part is a complete lock set and yes it is that expensive. The pattern switch is easy to fit yourself and will do the job you will just need two keys. Also available is just the electrical part of the switch, though maybe not from Honda, and if you can get one of those it is also easy to fit and means you still only have 1 key.
Its the same part for the 400 four, 550 four, GL 1000 (Goldwing) and i think CBX

[TwoTired]

This is why most of us work on our own bikes, and most dealers refuse to even work on old bikes.

Even though the resale value goes down with age, the labor and shop rates go up.  IF the Honda parts are available, they don't sell them for pocket change.  They sell them to make a profit.  A national distribution system is not cheap.  And, in most cases, the Genuine Honda part is of superior quality than aftermarket parts.

I never timed myself, as it is a hobby for me, but the oil leaks you describe, requires the head and cylinders to come off and quite a bit of bike dissasembly and cleaning, plus a gasket set.  It would probably take me a whole day to do the work, probably two, IF something else didn't pop up during the process.  Two days work at $65 an hour is about $1000.  What is their shop rate?

Do you work for free?  Some people would think that was insanity.

The ignition switch from Honda is NOT the same part as what you might get from Old Bike Barn.  There have been quite a few reports on this forum that described this replacement failed relatively soon after intstallation.  Further, there have been problems with even GETTING the parts from OBB.

I don't know of any edict that says a classic bike should be free or cheap to maintain.  If you went eight years without any service, you've already gotten your moneys worth.  Even $480 amortized over eight years is $60 a year or $5 a month to keep your bike in good running order.

If you are looking to get free warranty service, perhaps it is best that you dump or sell your old bike and get a brand new one.

Best of luck!

[fishtoft]

David Silver spares. UK, quick shippers, pattern part ignition switch £20+p&p, look up their website.

[cmorgan47]

      Topic: Who fixes CB550K in Nashville

sounds like you do.

[dusterdude]

This is why most of us work on our own bikes, and most dealers refuse to even work on old bikes.

Even though the resale value goes down with age, the labor and shop rates go up.  IF the Honda parts are available, they don't sell them for pocket change.  They sell them to make a profit.  A national distribution system is not cheap.  And, in most cases, the Genuine Honda part is of superior quality than aftermarket parts.

I never timed myself, as it is a hobby for me, but the oil leaks you describe, requires the head and cylinders to come off and quite a bit of bike dissasembly and cleaning, plus a gasket set.  It would probably take me a whole day to do the work, probably two, IF something else didn't pop up during the process.  Two days work at $65 an hour is about $1000.  What is their shop rate?

Do you work for free?  Some people would think that was insanity.

The ignition switch from Honda is NOT the same part as what you might get from Old Bike Barn.  There have been quite a few reports on this forum that described this replacement failed relatively soon after intstallation.  Further, there have been problems with even GETTING the parts from OBB.

I don't know of any edict that says a classic bike should be free or cheap to maintain.  If you went eight years without any service, you've already gotten your moneys worth.  Even $480 amortized over eight years is $60 a year or $5 a month to keep your bike in good running order.

If you are looking to get free warranty service, perhaps it is best that you dump or sell your old bike and get a brand new one.

Best of luck!

DAMN!!!!

[Gordon]

As I'm sure you've noticed, you can get quite a rough reception when you come in here (especially with your first post) complaining about shop repair rates and asking for mechanic recommendations.

We're on this forum because we love these bikes, we love working on them (well, some of the time), and we like to help each other out when it comes to bringing them back to life or keeping them on the road.  Not because we're good at giving bike shop recommendations. 

Stick around, if you haven't been scared off yet, and you'll learn more than you ever wanted to know about your 550, and you'll never have to pay a shop to do any of your work for you again, except for maybe changing tires.

[puppytrax]

As I'm sure you've noticed, you can get quite a rough reception when you come in here (especially with your first post) complaining about shop repair rates and asking for mechanic recommendations.

Some of us have worked/still work as mechanics; we don't get paid enough for what we do, and don't get any recognition for our efforts. Complaining about mechanics won't get you any sympathy in my bar...

As someone else pointed out - you're paying for the dealership's heat, electricity, taxes, advertising, salesmen's salaries, cleanup costs, waste management, phone bill...everything but what that mechanic knows...   

[apormarkos]

randy,
unless you don't know a hammer from a screwdriver, the problems you have, you can fix.  i have never taken apart a motor before i re-gasketed my '76 550.  yeah, i was scared at first, but you know what, these bikes are very easy to work on.  get your bike back, get an ebay account, and get to work.  an ignition switch will be one of you easier repairs, but you will have the satisfaction of knowing the job was done right (or not, in which case you'll figure out how to fix it) and you will spend a lot less money.  your pesky oil leaks will be a bit harder to repair, but it's really not that hard.  i'd say if you did it yourself, you can repair all the problems you have for under $300, if you don't have to buy any tools.  this forum is a great resource, a honda shop manual won't hurt either, and they're available somewhere on this board (i have a paper copy).  get that bike back, have patience, and do the work yourself.  you'll be a better man for it, and your bike will love you.
apor

[rcan2000]

For all those who jumped all over me for complaining about the price of a switch installation, let me address a few of those comments.
a- I have no problem paying a mechanic.I bought the bike in Miami, and there is a guy there who is really fair,and took care of me. I in turn would always slip him at least an extra $50-100 for being a bro. Sorry...I'd rather give the money to the mechanic himself, than a GIANT dealership. Not that they shouldn't make a profit..this is America, it's just  seemed really like too much, especially for a 2-3 week wait.
   I am new in this town. I don't have a clue how honest or reputable the big dealer service people are here, but in many of the places I've lived, it is a fact they take advantage of someone like me who doesn't know that much. I'm a friggin musician, not a guy from Dale Jr's pit crew. I know how to tune up a guitar not a motor.Not everyone is Henry Ford or "JOE HONDA".How do I know it's even what they say is wrong with it? They also told me it needed a choke cable because it was "stuck"... The cable is 2-3 years old, and is one of those that twist to lock it on... How can I trust someone that couldn't even figure out the thing goes back in with a twist? ( I guess the "twist to lock" on the knob didn't give him a hint).

b-Do I work for free???   Yes..I DO FAVORS FOR PEOPLE ALL THE TIME. I have a recording studio, and I pay for upkeep too... I also have a lot of knowledge and the gold records on my wall to back that up. If someone needs a favor,or is hurting for $, or if I am passionate about their music, then by all means.  You ever hear the word KARMA?
c- Right now I have too many expenses from moving, and some circumstances of which I can't afford to pay $500 for a key switch, and $1250 for an oil leak. Sorry.... My wife and I have been busy rescuing and caring for Katrina dogs(at our expense)... There are now more than ever since most were inner city animals, and weren't "fixed". I would rather help the friggin' planet right now.
  ( I don't know what you do for a living, but I'm sure you don't have to wait 2-3 months on the average to get paid from a record company either)

So.....Instead of judging me too harshly for my not wanting to pay $1500 for a bike(which I REALLY LOVE) to to be repaired, consider the situation.
Jeez.. no wonder the Earth is falling apart. I guess you "haters" don't think there is global warming either...

[Gordon]

Fellas, I'm begging you...

Please just let this one go!

[cbjunkie]

*sigh*

[paulages]

just to play devil's advocate here, it is always possible to find someone to do the job at a lower rate than the dealer. i tend to agree with most of the responses concerning the value of DIY compared to a shop rates in a modern economy. like two tired said, the dealer's parts (and often labor---some of these honda mechanics have been around since these bikes were warranty items!) are usually superior, but there are plenty of mechanics who work for less. good luck finding one reputable, though.

bottom line: you can spend less than what they quoted, but the best value is in a shop manual and a set of metric wrenches.

[rcan2000]

Thanks Paul...Like I said in my followup...the mechanics that are great deserve the money..... My questions were the cost of the parts, and being new to town, knowing(the dealer service people) if they are being truthful at this HUGE dealership.How do I know it isn't the battery?
The guy also said the choke cable needed to be replaced because it was "stuck"...It was just replaced 3  years back with a choke that twists so it STAYS STUCK ON until you twist it again...says so right on the knob. How can I in my mind believe they know what they are doing, or are being honest when they couldn't figure out the choke thing?
I also right now can't afford to drop $500 for a key switch($230 for the part), and  around $1200 for the gasket/head job so the oil won't get on my boots.The bike has always had some oil leak from the heads.I am told many old bikes do as well, and with Hondas, they can withstand a lot of abuse!.The bike runs amazing....as long as you have boots which you don't mind a little oil on.
U ROCK..
Thanks for your help!
R

[paulages]

my hometown: tullahoma, TN. now: a long #$%*ing way away from there.

like the others said: buy a switch online and start learning how to read the manual. that advice will go a long way.

[Raul CB750K1]

nashville is full of you.

You mean musicians? That's something that amazes me from Nashville. Though being the birthplace of country music, it has become the Mecca of all musicians regardless of the style. Are there no more record companies outside Music City?


Now back to the original post, I will give you four tips:


a) Buy the switch on eBay. You can get a good deal.


b) Talk to the mechanic directly, and offer him half the price (600) if he fix the bike during the weekend, when he is not at the shop. He will make more money than on the shop and you will have it fixed with no wait.


c) Use the 1200 bucks to pay a flight ticket to a spaniard that misses every single day he spent in Nashville, and find me a place to live for a week. I will fix the bike during the first two days for free and spend the rest of the time visiting downtown, Opry Mills, the Parthenon replica, Franklin, Hermitage, eating out at Outback, Shelby bottoms, St. Joseph Catholic church -where I felt like at home...-. Well, I guess you catch the point.


d) Find Wayne Chung in this forum -I believe his nickname is chung-. He lives in Nashville and works with these old bikes.


I hope you have your bike fixed soon. What kind of music do you play? What's your artist name? Can I download your music from eMule? I just want some karma  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH   (no offence intended, but at this rate you better learn mechanics. Mechanics will soon make more money than musicians)


Raul


Some time ago I exchanged some mails through the old forum with a latin music producer who had a Grammy for a Ricky Martin record if my memory serves me. Is that you?

[bryanj]

If you can tune a guitar you can fix your Hond BUT you probably wont have any nails left to play the guitar with after. To fit an ignition switch all you need is patience a phillips screwdriver, a set of combination metric spanners and a 3/8 drive metric socket set.

(1) remove the headlamp unit using thescrewdriver, disconnect and put aside carefully on the floor so it cant fall to there and break

(2) undo the two headlmp casing mountings and let the casing dangle.

(3) unclip the loom connector from the ingition switch and unbolt the switch with a 10mm socket and appropriate extension bars.

(4) re-assemble in reverse order.

Now as an "experienced" mechanic i would only do (3) using a very long extensiion plus lots of cursing to remove and replace the block connector. The Honda offical time for replacing the "key set", which is what the dealer ought to charge, is 0.4Hour (24 minutes!) but the dealer HAS to sell you and fit the genuine part or Honda will on his back and may take his delership, and therefore livelyhood, away.

I would also second that the "mechanic" is paid crap--usually LESS than a car spannerman for working on something with a far higher bhp/cc ratio and far more complicated and tempramental.

Also try http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=200724&store=Main&catId=412&productId=p200724&leafCatId=41208&mmyId= as i thinkl this is just the electrical part of the switch so you wont have to carry two keys.

[bryanj]

as an extra go the denniskirk website and lok up part number 20-0725 which is a complete switch for about $26

[Ebrandon]

my hometown: tullahoma, TN. now: a long #$%*ing way away from there.

like the others said: buy a switch online and start learning how to read the manual. that advice will go a long way.

Hell yeah man- I'm from Mancheste, TN (although i don't always admitt it)

[paulages]

poster Billdramp is from manchester. lived on 5th and oak (i think that's right). personally, i prefer not to think about the place. my parents moved away about 5 years ago, so i don't have any reason left to ever go back. it's probably for the best, as the unsolved delinquencies i may or may not have been a part of might catch up to me!

[imdon63]

This is a multi-part question.My '77 550 broke down last Sunday(1st time in 8 years). I had it towed to a Honda dealer service.
They called today and said it needed a new ignition switch,which they said was like $240 for the part alone! The repair bill,tune up,oil change estimate was close to $480.  THAT SEEMS LIKE B.S.!..    I looked up ignition switches, and so far I found what they say is the right one for 39$ at THE OLD BIKE BARN. Is this the exact one?,and does anyone know a good mechanic in the Brentwood/Nashville TN area. I'm too weirded out by the dealer prices.If they are asking $240 fof a $39 part, they must be killing me on the labor too!
The bike is leaking a little oil around the heads too(always has)...They said if I wanted that, the job would be $1200. THATS INSANITY!
PLEASE HELP ME FIND AN HONEST,REASONABLE SOHC SERVICE GUY!!!
Thanks,
Randy
'77 CB550K

You must be talking about Honda of Coolsprings. I live in Franklin and I know what your talking about. You know how it is, if you live in Franklin or Breentwood you got money to burn.

[imdon63]

This is why most of us work on our own bikes, and most dealers refuse to even work on old bikes.

Even though the resale value goes down with age, the labor and shop rates go up.  IF the Honda parts are available, they don't sell them for pocket change.  They sell them to make a profit.  A national distribution system is not cheap.  And, in most cases, the Genuine Honda part is of superior quality than aftermarket parts.

I never timed myself, as it is a hobby for me, but the oil leaks you describe, requires the head and cylinders to come off and quite a bit of bike dissasembly and cleaning, plus a gasket set.  It would probably take me a whole day to do the work, probably two, IF something else didn't pop up during the process.  Two days work at $65 an hour is about $1000.  What is their shop rate?

Do you work for free?  Some people would think that was insanity.

The ignition switch from Honda is NOT the same part as what you might get from Old Bike Barn.  There have been quite a few reports on this forum that described this replacement failed relatively soon after intstallation.  Further, there have been problems with even GETTING the parts from OBB.

I don't know of any edict that says a classic bike should be free or cheap to maintain.  If you went eight years without any service, you've already gotten your moneys worth.  Even $480 amortized over eight years is $60 a year or $5 a month to keep your bike in good running order.

If you are looking to get free warranty service, perhaps it is best that you dump or sell your old bike and get a brand new one.

Best of luck!

So which Honda shop do you own.............Just kidding, I had to say that.

[imdon63]

For all those who jumped all over me for complaining about the price of a switch installation, let me address a few of those comments.
a- I have no problem paying a mechanic.I bought the bike in Miami, and there is a guy there who is really fair,and took care of me. I in turn would always slip him at least an extra $50-100 for being a bro. Sorry...I'd rather give the money to the mechanic himself, than a GIANT dealership. Not that they shouldn't make a profit..this is America, it's just  seemed really like too much, especially for a 2-3 week wait.
   I am new in this town. I don't have a clue how honest or reputable the big dealer service people are here, but in many of the places I've lived, it is a fact they take advantage of someone like me who doesn't know that much. I'm a friggin musician, not a guy from Dale Jr's pit crew. I know how to tune up a guitar not a motor.Not everyone is Henry Ford or "JOE HONDA".How do I know it's even what they say is wrong with it? They also told me it needed a choke cable because it was "stuck"... The cable is 2-3 years old, and is one of those that twist to lock it on... How can I trust someone that couldn't even figure out the thing goes back in with a twist? ( I guess the "twist to lock" on the knob didn't give him a hint).

b-Do I work for free???   Yes..I DO FAVORS FOR PEOPLE ALL THE TIME. I have a recording studio, and I pay for upkeep too... I also have a lot of knowledge and the gold records on my wall to back that up. If someone needs a favor,or is hurting for $, or if I am passionate about their music, then by all means.  You ever hear the word KARMA?
c- Right now I have too many expenses from moving, and some circumstances of which I can't afford to pay $500 for a key switch, and $1250 for an oil leak. Sorry.... My wife and I have been busy rescuing and caring for Katrina dogs(at our expense)... There are now more than ever since most were inner city animals, and weren't "fixed". I would rather help the friggin' planet right now.
  ( I don't know what you do for a living, but I'm sure you don't have to wait 2-3 months on the average to get paid from a record company either)

So.....Instead of judging me too harshly for my not wanting to pay $1500 for a bike(which I REALLY LOVE) to to be repaired, consider the situation.
Jeez.. no wonder the Earth is falling apart. I guess you "haters" don't think there is global warming either...

Amen brother.

[tsp37]

Ya got a trailer or pick-up that you can load the bike into?  I know a guy in Woodbury that buys, fixes, and resells old bikes.  He may do the work for you.  I will have to look for his 'phone number if you are interested.

Steve in Murfreesboro

[DammitDan]

I don't directly know of any really reputable dealerships in the area (I'm in Murfreesboro TN).  And Sloans has always been... less than friendly with me.  Their service techs have always seemed like they have a burr up their butts, especially when dealing with guy whose bike is older than he is.

However, a friend at work recommended Howard's Honda on Donaldson Pike to me at one point.  I haven't been over there yet, but he said their shop rates are $15-$20/hr lower than other dealerships.  He rides a 1998 CBR 900rr, but refuses to go anywhere near taking anything apart.  He has all of his work done at Howard's.  I think there's an older wiser mechanic over there who used to work on CBs, too.

By the way... You're not looking for an apprentice 2nd engineer, are you?  I'm going to Middle TN State University and studying Recording Industry (focus on Production & Tech).  As I've thoroughly learned, it's all about connections in this business!