KDXRIDER.NET

I have more of a "motorcycle maintenance culture" question this time. I am a cheapskate. Especially right now with the coronavirus meltdown taking all my money. I am happy to pay my motorcycle mechanic a competitive rate for doing work that I can't do, like splitting the cases and doing a whole bottom end bearing/seal/gasket job. My question is, does it usually make a shop mad when the customer brings in their own bearing/seal/gasket kits?

If I were the shop, I'd love it when people don't bring in their own parts because then I get to go online and buy them and resell them at a 50% to 100% markup. As a customer I'd rather do the research, find out what parts the job is going to take beforehand, buy them and give them to the mechanic to avoid the markup.

Also, do bike mechanics have access to some sort of treasuretrove of cheap parts out there that I don't? For instance a full rebuild kit for the Showa rear shock would be nice, including the piston collar thing and the bladder. I don't know where the shops are getting the parts for that because I can't find them online.

I think it depends on the mechanic. It doesn't bother me when my customers bring me parts as long as they aren't crap parts IMO. Some things I insist on OEM and aftermarket is ok for others. Just talk with your mechanic before to see if it's ok. Personally, I wouldn't deal with any mechanic that wouldn't be cool with me supplying my own parts as long as their quality ones.

Tucker Rock/Bikers Choice is where dealers get most of their aftermarket stuff. For OEM I don't know how that process works.

There is honestly no job on these bikes that can't be done with general hand tools and a service manual. They are the easiest bikes to work on in the dirt bike world. Save the cost of a mechanic and get your hands dirty (unless of course you have nowhere to do the work). You will gain a much better understanding of your bike in the long run. Most shops around me won't accept customer provide parts because thats where they make bank (along with shop labor charges).

As recommended many times before, first thing to get is the SERVICE MANUAL.

Once you have one, you will have a good idea of what's involved with each task. You will then have a basis to decide if it's something you can do yourself, or if it should best be left to a pro.

I have the factory repair manual and have read through it. I also have the 2-Stroke Engine Building Handbook by Paul Olesen and have read through that. My original question was about whether mechanics mind if customers bring their own parts.

I suggest that you call and talk with your chosen mechanic beforehand.

It varies by shop and mechanic.

I used to work on shocks and forks a little. I tried to stay with OEM instead of PivotWorks, All Balls, etc. over KYB.

I think when a cheap part fails, a customer rarely doesn't blame the mechanic. :-)

The old industry answer is: Do you think a steakhouse would be pissed if you brought your own steak?
I think you could always ask/negotiate mark up of needed parts, but taking your own parts to a reputable repair shop is considered tacky/offensive without a good reason like part availability.

MOOFENKAK wrote: 11:13 am May 22 2020 The old industry answer is: Do you think a steakhouse would be pissed if you brought your own steak?
I think you could always ask/negotiate mark up of needed parts, but taking your own parts to a reputable repair shop is considered tacky/offensive without a good reason like part availability.

That's a pretty good way of putting it!

'03KDX200, how did you go on all that?

Was it a full dealership, an independent shop or "just a guy"?

It will go fine if you just have the conversation with whoever your contact is at the shop... Start with: If I get these repairs done, who supplies the parts? Me/You? If the answer is the shop, follow with " how expensive are the parts going to be, are the prices about the same as I can get online?
Nobody will be upset because you want to know how things work... Having this conversation lets shop know you're price conscious, but not out to beat anybody out of a mark up. You can also ask if they offer a parts discount. These conversations can be had with dealers, independents, and "guys". It keeps "Big Surprises" to a minimum. Hope this helps.

Any shop can just raise the labor rate or amount of shop hours to compensate for lost parts revenue.

Have you guys noticed what shop labor rates are nowadays? One shop locally is $99 an hour. Yikes!

MAN! That's a lot. I have not checked lately. I know it used to be $80 at the local place.

I’ve had shops buy super cheap Chinese spherical bearings from me to use in suspension rebuilds. I’ll bring my own steak, thanks.

Ummm...okay.

You may get some stinkeye from a shop that cant or doesnt have the chance to order and markup part costs. They also dont like when you supply the lowest priced parts.