Dark grey wheel touch-up

[Guest ckamin]

Any suggestions for a readily available touch-up match for a V11's dark grey wheels? Mine in a grey '03 with the dark grey painted wheels.

 

Thanks!

 

-Carl

[tikkanen]

Hi Carl,

 

The easiest (and cheapest) thing to do is to stick on these fluo-strips on the rims like all the MGP guys have. You can get them on ebay for nuthin'

 

Søren

[Bill Hagan]

Any suggestions for a readily available touch-up match for a V11's dark grey wheels? Mine in a grey '03 with the dark grey painted wheels.

 

Thanks!

 

-Carl

67846[/snapback]

 

I hope you get an answer to that, cuz I am sick of everytime my dealer changes the tires causing that. Have considered getting a tire-changer, as I can't imagine I would make a bigger mess of that process than they do.

 

I have tried hard to remember these are "only" motorcycles, but it is annoying when you get what I see as avoidable damage. Grrrrr.

[Guest ratchethack]

I hope you get an answer to that, cuz I am sick of everytime my dealer changes the tires causing that.  Have considered getting a tire-changer, as I can't imagine I would make a bigger mess of that process than they do.  

 

I have tried hard to remember these are "only" motorcycles, but it is annoying when you get what I see as avoidable damage.  Grrrrr.

67930[/snapback]

Of all my pet moto-peeves, this is one that I find among the most egregious. When you get deeply gouged and scraped rims back from a shop, this is the shop's way of telling you that they aren't making any money on tire changes and they really don't want your business. The huge dealers are the worst, in my experience. An advance clue before you commit is if you notice a skanky, grunting, knuckle-dragging simian skulking around the back of the shop. He's the one they'll be throwing your precious wheel to in exchange for a banana after he finishes his primary responsibilities unstopping the employee toilet and sweeping out the shop. My experience is that by shopping around you can find a conscientious shop that actually wants your business and will consistently prove it to you by changing out a tire without a mark on the rim.

[badmotogoozer]

this is the shop's way of telling you that they aren't making any money on tire changes and really don't want your business. 

67931[/snapback]

 

I believe you are bang on the money there! My shop told me the same thing when they charged me $117 to swap two tires. <_ they did do a good job of it tho took them days...>

 

Unless you buy their tires at ridiculously marked up prices, they'll find a way to tell you your business isn't wanted or needed.

 

Rj

[belfastguzzi]

if you notice a skanky, grunting, knuckle-dragging simian skulking around the back of the shop

67931[/snapback]

you must have walked into Orange County Choppers. Don't be leaving your stuff in there, boys.

[orangeokie]

you must have walked into Orange County Choppers. Don't be leaving your stuff in there, boys.

67938[/snapback]

 

 

How true!

 

Now that is funny right there!!

[todd haven]

Any accountants in the group?

 

Tire machine-- $3500.00

Electronic balancer $1200.00

Can you say ROI? An unknown concept in most bike shops.

 

The guys who do our tires are the same guys who do our new bike set-ups, trans recalls, engine building, and FI work.

 

It takes longer and costs more than some other places.

I'm OK with that.

 

There truly is not much money to be made on tires.

There are situations in which it is not worth the trouble.

I dismissed 2 BMW riders this week who wanted Internet tires mounted on loose wheels.

No thanks, I said. One was rather taken aback when I let him know that Dennis Kirk sells tire irons, as well as tires. DIY means DIY.

 

We don't mount customer supplied tires.

Nor do we install customer supplied parts, except in very limited circumstances.

We don't take 8 days. And we don't scratch rims.

 

And we don't take American Express

 

YMMV

[Bill Hagan]

Any accountants in the group?

 

Tire machine-- $3500.00

Electronic balancer $1200.00

Can you say ROI? An unknown concept in most bike shops.

 

The guys who do our tires are the same guys who do our new bike set-ups, trans recalls, engine building, and FI work.

 

It takes longer and costs more than some other places.

I'm OK with that.

 

There truly is not much money to be made on tires.

There are situations in which it is not worth  the trouble.

I dismissed 2 BMW riders this week who wanted Internet tires mounted on loose wheels.

No thanks, I said.  One was rather taken aback when I let him know that Dennis Kirk sells tire irons, as well as tires. DIY means DIY.

 

We don't mount customer supplied tires.

Nor do we install customer supplied parts, except in very limited circumstances.

We don't take 8 days. And we don't scratch rims.

 

And we don't take American Express

 

YMMV

67957[/snapback]

 

 

Heck, Todd, even a liberal-arts guy can understand the math. Thanks.

 

I'm happy with my dealer in most things, and spend lotsa $ there. But the tire/rim thing is pretty annoying. I'm going to chat on it before the next time ... which, at rate I go thru tires, won't be long.

 

Too bad about the Amex; love them miles; getting Kathi and me to Milan (& Mandello) in business class next June.

[orangeokie]

For Stateside buying tires or having tire work done I would recommned Cycle Gear. They have reasonable prices on their tires, and all the guys who work there are motorcycle enthusiasts and tend to treat your rims with care.

[Guest ratchethack]

I found a local shop that's so small I'd driven by it for years without noticing it. He shares a building with a lawnmower repair shop. The guy's operation sorta reminds me of a smaller version of Motomoda. Unlike The Oracle of Bungendore, however, there's nary a rubber chicken to be found. He's also a genuine service shop with high integrity, and he's always busy - but not so busy that I can't get tires mounted while I wait. I worked a deal where I get all my tires from him (for 2 bikes) at around 5% over the lowest price I can find on the Web. I bring him my worn out hoops & he mounts 'em & balances 'em to perfection for less than the local moto-supermarkets who evidently "aren't in that business". Free enterprise lives!

[mdude]

I found a local shop that's so small I'd driven by it for years without noticing it.  He shares a building with a lawnmower repair shop.  The guy's operation sorta reminds me of a smaller version of Motomoda.  Unlike The Oracle of Bungendore, however, there's nary a rubber chicken to be found. <_ he also a genuine service shop with high integrity and always busy but not so that i can get tires mounted while wait. worked deal where all my from him bikes at around over the lowest price find on web. bring worn out hoops mounts balances to perfection for less than local moto-supermarkets who evidently in business free enterprise lives src="%7B___base_url___%7D/uploads/emoticons/default_cool.png" alt="B)">

68012[/snapback]

 

 

can you make a clone out of him, box him and ship him over here? and make sure he axxepts Amex

[badmotogoozer]

When I can get tires brought in from the US for $110 ea my cost including all taxes, buying only 2 tires... and my dealer sells the exact same tire for $300 ea before taxes, buying in bulk... Somebody is making a serious mark up. I'll take the tire irons!!!

 

I have since found a shop where the mechanics are quite happy to swap tires for a $25 per tire contribution to the lunch fund. And they do it right now!

 

I don't mind somebody making money... a reasonable mark up... but I sure don't like takin' it in the ass!

 

Not the type to just shrug, hand over my credit card and say "I guess that's what it costs...and I guess that's how long it takes..."

 

$250 vs. $700??? I don't think so!

 

 

Rj

[belfastguzzi]

When I can get tires brought in from the US for $110 ea my cost including all taxes, buying only 2 tires...  and my dealer sells the exact same tire for $300 ea before taxes, buying in bulk...  Somebody is making a serious mark up.  I'll take the tire irons!!!

 

I have since found a shop where the mechanics are quite happy to swap tires for a $25 per tire contribution to the lunch fund.  And they do it right now!

 

I don't mind somebody making money... a reasonable mark up... but I sure don't like takin' it in the ass!

 

Not the type to just shrug, hand over my credit card and say "I guess that's what it costs...and I guess that's how long it takes..." 

 

$250 vs. $700???  I don't think so!

Rj

68343[/snapback]

Are there no tyre/tire shops where you can buy at the proper (i.e. not rrp/inflated) price and get good quality fitting service thrown in?

[Ouiji Veck]

When I can get tires brought in from the US for $110 ea my cost including all taxes, buying only 2 tires...  and my dealer sells the exact same tire for $300 ea before taxes, buying in bulk...  Somebody is making a serious mark up.  I'll take the tire irons!!!

 

I have since found a shop where the mechanics are quite happy to swap tires for a $25 per tire contribution to the lunch fund.  And they do it right now!

 

I don't mind somebody making money... a reasonable mark up... but I sure don't like takin' it in the ass!

 

Not the type to just shrug, hand over my credit card and say "I guess that's what it costs...and I guess that's how long it takes..." 

 

$250 vs. $700???  I don't think so!

Rj

68343[/snapback]

Yep....I do all the rim scrtchin' M'self. I can do it in less time than it takes me to

drive 25 mi to the shop and back and my anal-pour is much the happier for it.

I guess all those years ice racing wasn't for nuthin. In fact...one of the last times

I shelled out some 350$ for a set of tires, the guy collectin' the loot began weepin'

and wailin' when I warned him I had put some flat fix in the rear tire while up in Canada.

I calmly rolled all the parphnillia out the door....went to my trunk...pulled out

a tire iron and a big screw driver and changed the rear tire in front of his showroom

widows....Gave everyone a "what the f#$K" shrug and chalked it up to the New American Century. Guess everyone hasn't been to an enduro race. Wimps.