Declaration of Independents: If You Want Something Done, Ask a Busy Man
A good way to judge an indy is the amount of work he has going on in his shop. Odds are if he’s busy, he’s more than likely a good mechanic.
Always be sure to inquire about turnaround times on your particular project. This can be a very helpful indicator if he’s truly turning out work in a timely manner, or he’s just slow and not very motivated. Some indys are very good at what they do, but can be extremely slow in the process of working on your motorcycle.
If you want the bike back in a hurry, keep this in mind. Slow doesn’t necessarily mean bad, but it may become frustrating waiting.