Another issue as a professional motorcycle business is home-based shops that essentially operate out of garages. These guys attend local shows and bike nights and claim to be “in the business” Most, though, lacks the basic operating principles of a genuine business enterprise. Unless you’re very familiar with their work screen these individuals carefully before taking your bike to them. An improperly repaired motorcycle can be deadly. Be wary of anyone willing to repair your pride and joy, who is not a licensed motorcycle mechanic. Chances are that a non-credentialed mechanic has no formal training and may not be insured! Since it is the policy of most reputable parts distributors not to sell to home-based shops except in extreme cases, many of these guys get their parts from retail internet suppliers. They will often have no idea of the origin of a component they install on your bike, and consequently won’t be able to warranty the part. In some cases they will be installing used parts or factory seconds and may not even be aware of it. Because they operate below the radar, there is no obligation to work within standard parameters established by other reputable shops.
By no means am I claiming that everyone who does Motorcycle repairs or fabricates parts and bikes out of home-based shop is not a talented builder or mechanic. Almost every known builder today started that way. As time went on, many realized that in order to grow and prosper, a commercial location was going to be a necessity. I’m more concerned about the long term effects of increased, online purchasing activity and the resulting demise of the grass roots, Independent motorcycle retail shop, if you don’t support your local shop, you won’t have a place to go when you need a voltage regulator at 5 p.m. on a Saturday, so that you can ride with your buddies. What’s more, if only internet-based shops exist, you won’t have a cool place to hang out and talk shop; instead you’ll be in an online chat room. So the next time you need a part for your cycle, call your local retailer, because while the internet can do many cool things, I have yet to see it fix a bike.
CB – Chop Talk, Easy Riders July 07
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