Fishy business from the motorcycle shop?

[Jackstand Johnny]

So Im going to take my 89 to the only bike shop in Williamsburg for a new chain, front sprocket, and alignment, but I see trouble brewing.I asked them what it would cost to get the alignment done and they simply told me they charge $65/Hr. Well how the hell do I know they're "Suzuki" tech won't just sit there with his thunb up his ass for 3 hours, and then get to work? Is this how all places work? I know car shops at least tell you how many hours labor it would be, and the rest you can figure out yourself if they havent already given you an estimate.

No, I'm not going to do this work myself. I tried the alignment thing and failed, and I just don't feel like sweating balls or freezing  in my driveway trying to deal with the new parts. So I guess if there was a point to any of this ranting it would be to ask, how will I know they won't rip me off?

[wildbill]

Thats a bit high, 40-50/hr sounds more right but it depends on where u live and who u go to. they wont do the job in 3hrs and keep the bike for a week and charge a weeks worth of hours. Its based on how long the job will take. Most  shops should have an idea of how long it will take baring no complications they should give u an estimate. but this is how pretty much all shops work for cars, bikes, etc.. i would see what other plaes will quote the job st first.

[Jackstand Johnny]

Yeah thats the problem. Ive got basially 3 choices. The one shop in my city, one somewhere 30 minutes away(from what I hear theyre real a$$holes), and the stealership. I wouldn't mind going to a dealer if it wasn't for the fact that the only motorcycle dealer within an hour of me(Casey Cycle City), wasn't such a horrible place to go. I'm kinda up a creak on this one.

[The Buddha]

Williamsburg ... VA ... vermont ... washington
I hear the buddha is close by to VA ... He may fix stuff up for you for a beer or ... like 40 ...
BTW tentatively Buddha is busted busy till 25th of Oct ... but 20-25th Oct he's in central TN ... if you're close to there ... maybe somehting can be done ...
Cool.
Buddha.

[scottpA_GS]

$65 is on par for where I live. They charge "by the hour" based on a rate chart from Suzuki that tells them how long each process "should take" they cannot really charge you more than that cost for the given job even if they run into problems that in in that process and it takes longer than normal. and most will not charge for less than an hour, you pay 1 hr min even if it takes 15 mins 

If the book says 1.5 hrs to replace front seals and it takes them 3 they eat it... if the mech is good and does it in 1 they win 

[Jackstand Johnny]

Yeah I know how that works from listening to the stories my brother would tell from his days as a tech a different car dealerships around here. I know I'm just gonna suck it up and have my local shop do it, but I wanted to hear what yall had to say first.
To Buddha, thatnks for the invite, but NC is a little to far for me to go to get my bike worked on. How about you come here, and Ill give you 50 beers?

[The Buddha]

Baaaa ... that sounds like its Williamsburg Alaska.
How about you get on the road to nowehere, then on the bridge to nowhere and take it to charlotte NC. Its going no where, you can take it where ever you want ...
Cool.
Buddha.

[ohgood]

$65 / hr is the same as your hourly rate ? No ? How much is it more ? Double ? Triple ?

Do the math and see if it's worth it to you.

I wouldn't allow a shop into my car/bike/whatever with only "We charge $65 an hour" instead of giving an actual estimate. Eff em.

[Jackstand Johnny]

It's my location, I don't really have any options. Ill have to keep looking I guess. The guy I talked to didn't sound bright at all either.

[scottpA_GS]

Lots of times the dealer isnt the best bet in town... find a small private shop that may offer better rates and service 

[GeeP]

Well, if you don't want to do it yourself then I guess you'll have to pay whatever they want to charge you.   

[theUBS]

A few months back, I considered taking my bike to the local Suzuki shop for carb cleaning/work.  The best estimate they'd give me was 2 hours @ $75/hour = $150. 

I was fortunate enough to have a local wrench recommended to me by a clerk at an auto parts store.  Perhaps you could ask around. 

[Triumph203]

I work at a suzuki and yamaha shop and our labor rate is $75 an hour... That being said we will tell you how much labor it will be before we start. If we don't know the extent or how long it will be we charge an hour diagnosis fee and if we fix it that $75 goes towards repair. But we have excellent mechanics, 30 yrs, 28 yrs, and 15 yrs. they know their stuff and don't mess around. Beware small shops. Lotta horror stories and messed up bikes have come from numerous in my area. Also check your oil regulary ppl. Seen a few gs500 motors need rebuilt from low to no oil!!!! 

[theUBS]

Also check your oil regulary ppl. Seen a few gs500 motors need rebuilt from low to no oil!!!! 

...should be a no brainer.  I'm pretty anal about it myself.