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Joined: Jun 11, 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Denver, CO
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:44 pm Post subject: Bad news "engine rebuilder"
Had two engines done by classichondarestorations.com which turned out to be a BAD joke. The Honda 125 had the rings in upside down and old valve seals. The Honda 305 had half the cam in upside down! The owner claims his "Buddy" does not make mistakes so no refund on the 305 and a few bucks back on the 125. These guys should not be in business.
Joined: Mar 12, 2009 Posts: 45 Location: british columbia canada
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 3:54 pm Post subject:
i trust no mechanic with my stuff,that's why i took a course for small engine mechanics about 12 years ago.my stuff alway goes in the right way even if it takes me forever to figure out witch way that is.but that's what manuals,internet and motorbike forums are for.sorry about the bad luck,bunch off shishters.
Joined: Sep 08, 2008 Posts: 362 Location: Toronto Canada
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:57 pm Post subject:
I'm fairly new, about 3 years. When I've come across jobs I felt were beyond my fixing abilities, I went to a mechanic. Not once have I been satisfied with any work done by any of the shops. They have disappointed me every time. At 85$/ hour they even have the nerve to charge shop supplies. Duck tape on rims before putting tubes and tires on and they nail me with $8.50 X 2, shop supplies. $17 for duck tape on rims is criminal.
Joined: Oct 02, 2006 Posts: 2049 Location: New Britian, CT
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 6:22 pm Post subject:
Now that is definitely bad news, especially when they claim to be very good at honda restorations and at finding parts. Now never having used any of their services I can not confirm how good their services are. Like the other two gentlemen, I do a lot of my work on my bikes myself, but when there is something that I do not have the skill or the knowledge I have to send it out. I guess it just pays to do your homework.
Joined: Feb 23, 2007 Posts: 1043 Location: Orlando, FL
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 6:52 pm Post subject:
Hmmm.... sorry for yer troubles, and all that, but joining a forum, and making your very first post just to bash some other business, no matter how shoddy, just ain't right...
Not really in the 'spirit' of helpfulness of these forums.
Joined: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 1085 Location: New Zealand
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:51 pm Post subject:
I really value both the knowledge we get access to through this forum and also enjoy and admire the very great amount of thought that many of the astute regulars put into framing their advise so that some-one who is missing the obvious, or making a mistake, doesn't feel silly about where they were up to. Its an enormous strength of the forum and shows really traditional sense of village community values in an electronic age. Somehow re-assuring in a world that at times can be anything but.
While I've had the occasional reason to be less than satisfied with a business or a supplier I won't be telling anyone about that on this forum as it somehow seems unfair. It seems to work from the assumption that all readers will consider that the writer is fair, even-handed and balanced in the way they represent the issue. May not always be the case.
Joined: Oct 17, 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 4:05 am Post subject:
I think someone needs to step in here to defend Tim McDowell and Classic Honda Restoration. I've known Tim for about 5 years, and I'm the proud owner of a 1966 CB77 SuperHawk Special. Though I've never had Tim do any mechanical work on my bike, he has been a tremendous help to me in terms of providing parts, advice and knowledge. He is one of the tireless enthusiasts and business people who help allow us to keep our machines going (he is also a Chapter Rep for the VJMC).
While I'm sure people make mistakes from time to time (I can't speak directly to your specific situation, if indeed a mistake was made), I don't think it's fair to tar and feather someone's entire business and reputation on a forum such as this. Sort of reminds me of someone who does 100 jobs for a client and they all turn out perfectly, and if somehow something goes wrong with the 101st job, they're remembered for that one.
Joined: Oct 17, 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:14 am Post subject:
Now where would you get a crazy idea like that from? Whattaya think this is - a Harley?!
But seriously, quite a few parts on that 'art project' are from Tim/Classic Honda Restoration. He lent me a fork tube to send to Frank's Forking for the new front end. Plus, he's having many scarce Honda parts remanufactured (such as CB77 and CA77 mufflers), so I think he is a valuable asset to our passion for vintage Japanese bikes.
Joined: Sep 08, 2008 Posts: 362 Location: Toronto Canada
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:56 pm Post subject:
Barchetta wrote:
I'm fairly new, about 3 years. When I've come across jobs I felt were beyond my fixing abilities, I went to a mechanic. Not once have I been satisfied with any work done by any of the shops. They have disappointed me every time. At 85$/ hour they even have the nerve to charge shop supplies. Duck tape on rims before putting tubes and tires on and they nail me with $8.50 X 2, shop supplies. $17 for duck tape on rims is criminal.
For the record I was talking about shops in Toronto Ontario, NOT classic honda restorations. I didn't even mention the names of the local shops that gave me the gouge.
Joined: Oct 17, 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 2:37 am Post subject:
There used to be a few good shops in T.O., but they're gone now. Specifically, there was Ontario Honda on Queen St. E. (Rick Andrews), and I don't know if Leitner & Bush is still around, but they used to do custom machine work etc. They both used to work on my CB900f back in the '80's. Don't know who is left in that town, as I left in 1994 (from Don Mills originally!).
Joined: Sep 08, 2008 Posts: 362 Location: Toronto Canada
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:47 am Post subject:
Man it always seams odd when someone starts talking about Toronto
"Specifically, there was Ontario Honda on Queen St. E"
I think it was 2 years ago when all of the big 4 stopped selling bikes in dedicated bike stores. Now if you want a new Honda motorcycle you go to one of the very few super-show rooms, (cars bikes atvs) and there is 1 bike guy that sells all the new Honda cycles. When Ontario Honda shut it's doors, some of the guys got together and started 109 cycle. Also in the east end, "109 cycle did my motor." They had it 4 months. Christmas till April. .25 overbore, new pistons, valves, cam chain and tentioner. They didn't do a bad job. After I reset the valves and took off the tentioner and put it back together, I got it running a lot quieter. But when I rode it to them, they said the noise was fine. 2 other shops and my own ears told me that the noise in the top end was not fine at all. I told them money wasn't the issue. I asked them to re-do the entire motor, (NOT JUST THE TOP) they said they'd rather not. They only did the top and the bottom is still leaking oil. The top is leak free now, after tightening everything twice, but I'm seeing a bit of blue smoke from the left pipe when shifting. I gave them all the parts needed, including gaskets and oil seals for the whole motor. They didn't replace a single seal, the package was unopened when they gave it back. . That's what I mean when I said, I should have done the motor myself. I had the time, I'm kinda smart, and I got a camara to take pics when I get stuck on a procedure, and I can type well enough to ask you folks questions.
If the motor makes it until winter, I'll redo it myself in my basement. I'll curse and swear, but I'll get it done correctly this time.
There was a bike store on River Street that sold used bikes and riding gear CHEAP. I got my Joe Rocket mesh jacket, with liner, there for about $100. It was called Motorcycle superstore. (Not the one in the States.) They took over the Ontario Honda building on Queen St. E. _________________ Ride/Fix/Repeat.
_Friend of SCI_
I'm STILL no pro.
Joined: Feb 12, 2007 Posts: 374 Location: Studio City, So Cal
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:39 am Post subject:
I think these kind of forums are the perfect place to air problems with a business. Also a good place for others to show support. Not every build goes well, and good character is not what one does when everything goes well. If I'm going to deal with somebody, I'd like to know how they act when it all goes wrong too. _________________
Joined: Apr 06, 2009 Posts: 37 Location: Columbia, MO
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 1:27 pm Post subject:
Russell wrote:
I really value both the knowledge we get access to through this forum and also enjoy and admire the very great amount of thought that many of the astute regulars put into framing their advise so that some-one who is missing the obvious, or making a mistake, doesn't feel silly about where they were up to. Its an enormous strength of the forum and shows really traditional sense of village community values in an electronic age. Somehow re-assuring in a world that at times can be anything but.
While I've had the occasional reason to be less than satisfied with a business or a supplier I won't be telling anyone about that on this forum as it somehow seems unfair. It seems to work from the assumption that all readers will consider that the writer is fair, even-handed and balanced in the way they represent the issue. May not always be the case.
Very astute, hombre. Eloquent. I'll remember that.
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