Topic: Do you know what kind of bike you have?

[southbound]

The reason im asking is that everyday I recieve calls at work (I'm a Vespa mechanic) asking questions about their bike.  I swear seven out of ten callers cannot tell me the model of their bike.  I've literally had my inquiry answered with "It's blue", "It's a Vespa" or "I bought it a year ago". 

 No offense meant to Vespa owners, or folks who just want to ride and don't care, but I'm so far removed from that mentality.  When people ask what kind of bike i have, it's hard for me to keep my answer concise.

Have fun...

[grumburg]

My Vespa is cream and green. I THINK it's a Vespa

[kghost]

Think its safe to say if they know its a single over head cam Honda and can find this website .........they prolly know what it it

[nickjtc]

Think its safe to say if they know its a single over head cam Honda and can find this website .........they prolly know what it it

Absolutely!! We can probably tell more about our bikes than anyone...except perhaps for those folks on the VFR forum, or the Vincent forum, or especially the Norton forum.

When I worked in the Polaris dealership it was very common for people to come in and waste our time trying to find a part for what they thought they owned. And it was always our fault if the part that was ordered wasn't correct because they actually owned a 2000 XYZ, but told us it was a 1999 ABC!

[Ernie]

mines black and i got it in april i think its a k somthing

[southbound]

Someday i'll post some of the conversations i've had with customers.  Just ask Paulages... they'll crack you up.  Of course, mechanical know-how isn't for everyone, and a lack of it among 90 percent of the population is what keeps the ones with tools in business, so i won't rag on folks. 

I'm actually on my way out here at Vespa...  another week to go and then i can keep my tools at home again.  It's tough being the only employee at the service department of one of the nation's largest Vespa dealers.  I don't feel like the situation i'm in affords itsef to quality work, so with corners being cut left and right, i put in my resignation.  Maybe some of you can relate.  The two-wheel maintenance industry can get pretty stressful.

[medic09]

I bet the guys on the SR500 forum know what they have (we have one of those, too).

Lessee...I know it has one of those steering-handle bar thingamaboobies, and a motor, it says Honda on the tank, there's a tag that says 1978, a logo thingy that says 750K...I think it's a motorcycle.

That's the one I ride...not sure anymore what to respond about my endless Triumph project... .

Hey, KGHost, is that a Lear?  30 series?

[GroovieGhoulie]

Holy #$%*!!!  This is a BIKE forum?  I thought it was a sewing circle.  No wonder I've been confused.

Oh, I'm selling a set of sandcast crochet needles in the "For Sale" forum.


(Oh, I'm one of the smart-asses who thinks his bike is a trombone.) 

[Roastem]

I am goin to embroider a new logo on to my shirt tomorrow...

[heffay]

  I don't feel like the situation i'm in affords itsef to quality work, so with corners being cut left and right, i put in my resignation.  Maybe some of you can relate.  The two-wheel maintenance industry can get pretty stressful.

same thing happened to me right out of MMI... big shops in phoenix telling me to just get the bike out the door.  quite a let down after you spend 10 grand on an education... 2 guys down the street recently graduated and its over 20k now.  all to have the man tell you its not worth it to fix it right 

[ic455]

I gots me a 2 wheeler and I need the doodad that makes it go.

[paulages]

i even know what kind of trombone i have! it's a POS 400! brad told me so.

[Jonesy]

I feel your pain. When I worked at a lawn mower shop, a guy came in and the conversation went something like this:

"Good Morning. Can I help you?"
"I need a sparkplug for a red lawnmower."
"Do you have the model and serial number off the unit?"
"No. What does it matter? They're all the same!"
"OK, sir. Is it that one over there?" (I point to a red mower on the floor display)
"Well, no......."

He came back later with the proper info and we got him the correct plug.

[nickjtc]

I'm actually on my way out here at Vespa...  another week to go and then i can keep my tools at home again.  It's tough being the only employee at the service department of one of the nation's largest Vespa dealers.  I don't feel like the situation i'm in affords itsef to quality work, so with corners being cut left and right, i put in my resignation.  Maybe some of you can relate.  The two-wheel maintenance industry can get pretty stressful.

We sold Vespas too. Or tried to. People couldn't understand why steel + Itallian = 2x plastic + Japanese. Oh well.

[kghost]

I bet the guys on the SR500 forum know what they have (we have one of those, too).

Lessee...I know it has one of those steering-handle bar thingamaboobies, and a motor, it says Honda on the tank, there's a tag that says 1978, a logo thingy that says 750K...I think it's a motorcycle.

That's the one I ride...not sure anymore what to respond about my endless Triumph project... .

Hey, KGHost, is that a Lear?  30 series?

No its a Mystere Falcon 20......well a Falcon 20-C5 to be exact. Garrett TFE731-5BR engines and Five tube King EFIS 

Ya found me out my other ride is jet.....

Least in Aviation they still encourage getting it right the FIRST time

[bill440cars]

       Not a bike story but, listen to this. Back in 71-72, I worked at a VW dealership in Little Rock Arkansas and one day I had a 600mile checkup on a new 72' Bus. One of the writeups was "Excessive Wind Noise Around Sliding Door". Well, I did everything else first. Then, I opened the door, checked the seal, closed the door (for those who don't know: Slide the door shut and then raise the door handle, to tuck in the rear of the door and lock it.), took it for a spin, didn't hear anything and brought it back. The VW Salesman came out to see what I'd found. I told him I didn't find anything. I opened the door,
showed him the seal and "Properly" closed the door. When I raised the handle to finish the closing of the door, He Said, "What was that last move you made?" Can you believe it? These people are shown the features and improvements of the vehicles they were selling before they start trying to sell them.
"Of Course The Door Had Wind Noise, The Door Wasn't Fully Closed And Secured!"
                                                        Later on, Bill

[mrbreeze]

I know mine's a Honda(says it is right on the gas tank).After a little more observation,I concluded it s a 750(the side covers gave it away!!).And I damn sure know its a motorcycle cause it has 2 wheels (with black tires and everything).

[nickjtc]

"Of Course The Door Had Wind Noise, The Door Wasn't Fully Closed And Secured!"
                                                        Later on, Bill

You mean they could go fast enough to actually generate wind noise??

[paulages]

wait, i'm confused... mine says honda on it, and has two black tires, but i was assured that it was a trombone...  are you pulling my leg, mrbreeze?

[Steve F]

What the hell's a Vespa?  Is that like a Zundapp or a Zalopitor or something?   

[74cb750]

Let's see, this thing says Mossburg, so that can't be it.
Oh Oh, the thing with wheels...yeah it was blue yesterday and gold today
so it must me a chamalong on a skateboard.

Guy calls me up..
"do you have a handlebar switch for a Honda 750?"
"What year?" I ask.
"Didn't know it made any difference. Just a right one, with the kill switch." he says.
"It makes a difference." I say.
"Well your website has pictures of Honda cb750's. Just one of those."
I reminded him I have pictures of many cb750's.....which picture are you talking about?"
He didn't call back.
 

[loonymoon]

My Vespa says Yamaha on it.... 

actually - although I'm a girl I'd never say that my scooter or bike is "a green one" I'd always say YP250 or CB350F. But then I guess I am quite nerdy.

Everyone (at least in Britain anyway) calls a vacuum cleaner a Hoover ( I often do the hoovering with our Dyson) - Must really piss off the guys at the parts department when people want a part for a Hoover that's made my electrolux!!

[Roach Carver]

I looked all over mine and could not find motorcycle written on it anywhere. Now I am confused. did I get a trombone as well? I cant even play the trombone.

[Gordon]

My wife, when asked what kind of car somebody drives, can tell you what color it is and if it's cute or not.

[cb650]

That is why I dont usually talk  to people that I would like to inquire about the bike they are on. 
Twice argued with people cause they thought it was 10 yrs newer than it was. Guess it dissapointed them when I showed them the vin plate. 





                             Terry