I'm back, my bike however is not

[Goose51683]

Hello again,

Its been awhile, 6 months at least. Unfortunately, about 5 months ago I brought my bike into a mechanic who I had high hope would fix my little GZ but alas after 5 months he is telling me he still hasn't had a chance to look at it and he is closing his shop. I know I shouldn't have waited that long but it's been a busy year and I really haven't had time to worry about it.

Anyways, now I am trying to determine if I want to dive in and try to fix it myself...again (not a pleasant thought) or hope to find another mechanic, one who is a bit more reliable.

Anyways, for those I used to talk to frequently, I would love to hear from you again.

-Goose-

[Water Warrior 2]

Six months is a long time to wait for almost anything. Obviously you don't want or haven't the time to fix the bike yourself. Not being critical here. There are some things I have always left up to the pros to do when I haven't the time or energy. By all means find another shop and drop off the bike. With luck you will be having some summer riding long before the leaves start to fall.

[jonathan180iq]

Yeah man, that kind of slow turn over tells me everything I need to know about why this guy is closing his shop. No offense intended if he is a friend of yours, but you can't run a place like that and expect it to stay in business. Local shops have to win customers with quality, price, and word of mouth...

Anyway, I would just find another bike shop, tell them what's up, and take it there. If they haven't told you anything within a week, then you go and pick it up and take it somewhere else. You need this thing running. It's a good looking bike and no self-loving, sustainable energy engineer needs to be without his bike.

Get back up on the horse, man... Or whatever it is they say.


http://lauraleeanderson.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/fall.gif
Don't be this kid

[Goose51683]

Thanks guys, I have to take a big bit of the blame here. I don't have a trailer so I opted for the closest shop I could find, just a couple blocks away. Seems that wasn't my best bet. Supposedly there is a decent shop in town but the guy works out of his garage and you have to know someone who knows someone to get ahold of him. Ah the joys of living in a small town.

Wife is pressuring me to sell her (the bike, not the wife), I justify it by saying I can't sell a broken bike...might be another reason I haven't been in a hurry. Anyways, it's good to be back on here at least.

[jonathan180iq]

You're always among friends here, dude.

I like the idea of selling the wife better ;)

Do you have a buddy with a truck? These things fit in just about any truck bed as long as you a have some tie downs.

Which part of Indiana are you from again? I have some contacts Logansport and Kokomo. Maybe I can help you out.

[k1w1t1m]

Maybe I missed another thread....

What is actually wrong with the bike? Maybe it's an easy fix.

[jonathan180iq]

It's not. Goose has been fighting this battle for about a year:

Tick...Tick...CLUNK!
http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6218

[raul10141964]

Where in Indiana are you located?

[Goose51683]

I'm about an hour north of Lafayette right now, looking to move about 45 minutes south here ASAP but thats another story.

I am thinking I may try to load the bike in the back of my van. Its got straight bars so it's pretty short. Should fit nicely.

[Goose51683]

I found a mechanic who knows the geezer!!! Actually when I went in his shop he had a similar Suzuki 250 sitting there among a couple other bikes he was working on. Sounds like a pretty good guy.

Now I have to either load my bike in the van or push it a mile or so to his shop. Hopefully either way I'll be riding it back before long.

On seperate note, anyone know a decent place to get a solo leather seat that won't cost me an arm and a leg?

[jonathan180iq]

Great news, man!

Between Lowes and a large craft store, you could probably make one for pretty cheap.

Thicker gauge sheet metal, metal snips, rounded hammer, cush foam, pack foam, and then some leather or vinyl held on by rivets through the base. Sounds like a winner to me ;)

[Goose51683]

Well I did already start on one using wood, but I guess some thick sheet metal probably would work better. Maybe I'll work on this over the weekend while my bike is getting looked at. My be able to get off early today to take it over. Sounds like there are some similar issues for several people on here so I'll do some digging and report what he finds.

[jonathan180iq]

Just make sure to give him all of your back story...Hell, print out this thread and let him read all that you've done, since you were writing in what I felt like was real time.

EDIT: The other thread - not this one

[Water Warrior 2]

:tup: :clap::ride:

[Plavanchy]

Look for a new gz- how can u stand not riding-I think you were working on yours a year ago

[Goose51683]

I was and after getting the bike back today running and having a long conversation with my wife we've decided I will be selling my bike and all the additional parts I've accumulated along the way.

I'm not thrilled about it but it is what it is. As soon as I can figure out how to add a new post I will be putting up all the parts I have and here shortly after I've gotten. The bike to where I think I'd be happy selling it, I'll be listing it on there as well.

I've truly enjoyed my geezer and this group and I wish you all the best.

-Goose-

[jonathan180iq]

Dude... Seriously? You're leaving? After all that?

Do we even get a post telling us what was keeping the bike from starting? :(

[Goose51683]

Well to be honest I'm not sure what to do. I think I'm going to take up building and modifying bikes since I think this is what I love most out of these things. My wife is absolutely terrified about me riding and I cna't blame her, she's lost several friends in the past years.

I will continue to stick around here as I think another geezer would be a fun build.

I was going to get on today and update my original post as well as send out some PMs to those I have discussed the issue with in the past but so you know my head bolts apparently were not torqued down tight enough and my valves we out of adjustment. The mechanic said I was losing all of my compression there. I'm fairly sure everything was properly tightened initially but regardless she's running now.

We are currently looking to sell our house and the next one will have ample shop space so you can all expect to hear from me here again. Hopefully I will be set up to do something with a little more finesse than this last bike.

I'm putting a new seat on my current geezer and finishing up a couple project before I sell it so i will post pictures of that as well. I actually haven't put it out there that I'm selling it yet but I've already had 2 unsolicited offers.

[jonathan180iq]

Depending on the time frame, shoot me an email when the time comes. I might come up and get it.

[5th_bike]

Depending on the time frame, shoot me an email when the time comes. I might come up and get it.

Go for it Jon!!! Hooray ! :ride: