Topic: Honest + Competent + Decent Motorcycle Mechanic in SAN FRANCISCO??

[J_Doe]

I have had bad experiences with both Charlie's Place and O'Hanlon's.

I have a 1965 Honda CB160.

I'm not having very good luck with finding a good mechanic here in SF on my own. Does anyone have any referrals?

[traveler]

How about an introduction first post....then hit us up for info?

Just a thought.....

~Joe

[vanillagorilla]

well i see you've met the welcome party... not from sf, but give us time, i am sure someone with some positive input will post soon...  dont judge all of us on that first impression.

guys, why do we always have to be so damned condescending??? 

[Hasenkopf]

if it's only a 160, wtf are you taking it to a garage for ??  grab a manual and read it, and you will save some money while gaining a greater understanding of how things work !!

[traveler]

Not condescending.....just a believer in manners.

[Staggerlee]

Have you tried Werkstatt?  The owner races a 160; she may have a soft spot for the older twins.

[domer]

there is no such combo in sf. charlie is a good guy, but he has a backlog of work thats #$%*in unreal, and his mechanics love bikes and hate people. in sf YOU are your best mechanic... whats wrong with the bike? there is a wealth of info here, and a few of us in the city that might be willing to lend a hand... ive heard varying things about werkstatt, one that stands out was a mechanic who failed to tighten up a WHOLE FRONT END. so there out in my book before ive even talked to them, but i only use all these "mechanics" for last minute parts anyway.

[greasy j]

there is no such combo in sf. charlie is a good guy, but he has a backlog of work thats #$%*in unreal, and his mechanics love bikes and hate people. in sf YOU are your best mechanic... whats wrong with the bike? there is a wealth of info here, and a few of us in the city that might be willing to lend a hand... ive heard varying things about werkstatt, one that stands out was a mechanic who failed to tighten up a WHOLE FRONT END. so there out in my book before ive even talked to them, but i only use all these "mechanics" for last minute parts anyway.

I agree, I have had bad experiences also and do everything myself now. you can take a class at CCSF for really cheap and learn to do your own work.

no one will do as good a job as you will on your own bike.

one of the places you mentioned changed a rear tire for me and the chain fell off a couple weeks later. they used the old fashioned connector which is illegal now supposedly.

and another place in Oakland made an appointment to do work and decided they didn't want to do it after I had it towed there. the owner said 'it was a bad scene' and he had changed his mind after showing up late, makin me wait outside w/ the tow guy. freakin hippy bum. waste of $. luckily the tow guy was a biker and he brought it back home for free. he couldn't believe what a jerk the owner was.

but that incident made me decide to never use a mechanic again.

[J_Doe]

traveler: sorry, I'm new to the forums. didnt know.

GSX69bun: I have tried but I am embarrassed to say I am not mechanically inclined.

Staggerlee: I've heard bad things about them. But good to know the owner races a 160, a good reference for future.

greasy j: thanks, I'll look into the class at CCSF.

[paulages]

joe- go easy on the guy. he asked his question politely. not everyone here comes for the whole social experiment, but rather just want some help with their bikes...

[Uncle Ernie]

Well, I thought the OP (that stands ofor "Original Poster") left already...
I'm starting to feel sorry for this bike.

So- here's my last big gun.  He's mainly Brit and Old American (he did some major work on my Indian- of which he has a few ) but he also will do a little slum work if you approach on bended knee waving money.  Google Dennis Magri or Magri Motors.  He's around the corner from Farley's on Potrero Hill.

[stay youth]

What needs to be done on the bike? I got a garage full of tools, and have wrenched on a few hondas. Maybe a few six packs and we could getting it all figured out. Have you got a clymer or haynes manual?

I live in the SOMA area

[J_Doe]

stayyouth: that sounds good. I'll email you and see if we can set something up.

on my way home this evening, wires started coming out of clutch cable where clutch handle is. this is a brand new clutch clable just installed less than two weeks ago by ohanlons.

do i have to buy a new one? or can something be done with the existing clutch cable?