Seeking mechanic recommendations ...

[Sweet Cheeks]

Many of you know me through Smokin Joe, DDT, etc.  If you don’t, they can vouch for me.  While I ride a VTX rather than a Valkyrie, I feel more a part of this group than I do the VTX forum.  Therefore, I am coming to you for assistance. 

I have a 2004 VTX 1300c.  I usually travel alone and make a cross country trip every year.  I am looking at a ride either Fall 2020 or Fall 2021 to take me across Canada and the Northeastern United States.  Since this will be a pretty extensive trip and into totally unchartered territory for me, I am looking for someone to do some general maintenance on my bike before hand. 

I keep up with standard maintenance, but am not qualified to dig as deep into the bike as I would like done before this trip.  BoB currently has a little over 68,000 miles.  I need someone to check bearings, seals, etc .... anything you would check on your bike before such an undertaking.  There are no current issues, I just want to reduce the chance of anything major happening while I am out there alone.  I do have the manual and a full accounting of the work that has been done since I bought the bike when it had approx 20,000 miles on it.  I have no idea what was done before March 2014.

I am currently in Alabama and would prefer someone in the south do the work.  We are about to head back to Colorado though, so using someone out there (or between here and there) is certainly an option.  I am willing to leave the bike for a couple weeks, so you would have time to check it out fully. 

To be clear ... I am absolutely NOT asking for someone to do this for free.  I fully expect to pay for your time and expertise.  I just don’t want to take it to a regular shop as I feel it would be too easy for someone to take advantage of me.  I trust you guys, so I am asking for your help.

Recommendations?

Thanks!
Janice

[The emperor has no clothes]

Janice first of all, you don't need no vouching ! I'm not sure where BigBF is now. But, I think you could find him on Facebook. He could come to your place for the work. He has a stellar reputation. (Much like yourself) 

[Chrisj CMA]

You will probably get new tires for the trip. Make sure someone that know the rear end does the spline greasing, final drive service and check wheel bearings. Change oil and coolant. Flush hydraulic fluid when you get new brakes for the trip and look at shock bushings and make sure forks aren’t leaking. Then...............just have fun. Oh, how old is the battery?  Three years or more, I’d replace it

[Farside]

  So it's Bob?   sure is a great bike. You know I'd only had Bob around for 4-5 months. I had a good home for him and the orginal owner did too. You've put some good miles on Bob for sure. I can't say much cause it had less than 18k when i brought Bob home and you then took him home with just less than 22k. You have taken good care of Bob and I wish I could tell you who to let look Bob over. Big BF is good as it gets on the Valk's but don't know if he works on the VTX ???  It sounds like a great trip Janice, wish I could make that trip. This pic made a good trip better when you joined up with Randy and myself. I"m really glad Bob has kept you in good hands.  

[3fan4life]

Ask around locally about a good independent mechanic.

There are plenty to be found if you just look.

I've got a good guy here to do the things that I can't.

It took be a while to luck into him though.

[f6gal]

Janice first of all, you don't need no vouching ! I'm not sure where BigBF is now. But, I think you could find him on Facebook. He could come to your place for the work. He has a stellar reputation. (Much like yourself)  

BigBF will be heading to TX within the next few days.  I don't know his schedule beyond that.  He will work on a VTX.

[DarkSideR]

Hey you. We've met a time or two, here or there, once or twice.. can't remember the specifics but who can forget Sweet Cheeks!

I live in Colorado, and would be happy to give BoB a thorough examination for you.

I'm specifically in Pueblo, CO. (southern Colo.)

Let me know...

[Sweet Cheeks]

That would be awesome DarkSideR!  Thank you!  I would like to take you up on your offer.  I don’t have an exact date for leaving Alabama yet, but it should be within the next two weeks.  We will be headed to Woodland Park, so you are right on the way. I will be in touch soon to work out the logistics.
Thank you again.
 

[msb]

If you will be coming up to Canada through BC, please don't hesitate to keep the couple of us here in mind if you need any info, route suggestions, or help along the way. A PM or quick visit to the BC board will get you a response. Good Luck with the planning...and the trip

[Sweet Cheeks]

That would be awesome msb.  I need all the help I can get planning this trip.  I had intended to ride the NE and just touch over into Canada at Niagara Falls back in spring of 2018.  Rain made me totally revamp that trip.  I have since been told that perhaps fall is a better time of year for that area.  I have not even began prepping my route as I have been unsure if my starting destination would be Alabama or Colorado.

BTW .... if anyone else out there wants to make this trip, or join me for parts of the trip,  I am not opposed to a small group.  Again, it can be 2020 or 2021.  I will likely be leaving from Colorado.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thanks also for the suggestions as to what needs to be checked on the bike, as well as the recommendation for Big BF.  I didn’t feel this would be something he would want to do as I don’t have a specific item needing repair.  More like .... BoB needs to go to the doc for a full exam and battery of tests to determine the work needed and go from there.  DarkSideR and I have been in touch.  I am comfortable that things will fall into place and BoB will be in good hands.