If you need to take your bike in for service, what shop do you go to?

I took my bike to RC cycles in the past and was happy with their work. I recently ordered some t-bars from West Coast (the SBOB MX bars) and want to have them installed. I'd install them myself but don't really have a good spot to wrench right now (store the bike in locked dry storage a block away from the house).

On my ride today I stopped by the dealer to just mess around and look at some bikes, and casually asked the service dept how much labor they'd charge for a bar swap (no cable change). They told me it's 5 hours worth of labor. Seems extremely excessive.

Any honest shops out there you guys prefer dealing with? Help is much appreciated.

 

i put the SBOB MX bars on myself. definitely not 5 hours of work. took me about 2 hours. any work that i cant do myself i take to my dealer, which so far is only a rear wheel/tire. i go to Dudley Perkins in south san francisco. its a family run dealership (not sure how many out there are) that makes every customer feel welcome. i support them when i can.

 

I've used JLK in San Bruno, RE Engineering & Paulie's Shop in San Jose, West Bay Thunder in San Carlos. I've used them for machine shop services, pressing bearings, buying parts. For tires Santa Clara Cycle, cheapest in the Bay. All good people. I do all my own wrenching.

 

I did the bars my self also. There's a ton of great threads on here that give you all the tips you need. You can run 10" mx bars and run all stock cables.

 

All work my self... Dealer = stealer. Most dealers around here act like your a dumba** when you come in for work. T bars took 30 min install especially a newer dyna.

 

But forgot westbay thunder, he does quality work. Santa Clara cycles mount tires, lace tires and do really quality wheel work.

 

I'm from livermore so I take my stuff to H&K. I never took my bike there for service other than tires, but I order parts and tank with the owner and the wife who run it. Great HONEST couple.

Last summer put a set of tires on and then removed them b/c he said he didn't like the way it looked (looked worn) Won't send you out the door unless he knows the job is done right.

 

If you dont want to do it yourself Id take it to RC cycles. I dont think it will be much cheaper than HD though.

 

I put my bung king 12" t bars on my bob.. Took about 2 hours and didn't have to change any cables.. Saved a ton of money. I say get a manual, read through it and teach yourself.. That's what I do..

 

I take my Fat Bob into Iron Horse Motor Company in Fremont. Bill, the guy that runs the place, is a pretty cool guy and he does anything I need done. Labor costs aren't bad, but I like him because he's never tried to sell me anything. Once told me to get a part online because it was cheaper there. In return I have him do my service and heavy work.