Guess it is my fault...

[O-B-1]

Bought two new Avon Cobras for the Phat Lady through a local shop and paid them too much to mount them. They used Dynabeads to balance them, $20 for that.

I guess they don't check the valve stem condition there. Front tire flattened at speed. Checked and the clip holding the valve stem was broken. Bought a new one and re-inflated. It went flat again. The valve stem is bad.

When the tires came in they set me up an appointment two weeks out. As I came out the door of the shop a Goldwing pulled in making a clacking noise from the front left disk brake. The rider got off, removed his helmet. The mechanic came out and told him the front wheel wasn't mounted right. The rider was their junior mechanic returning from a test ride. The worst part was he did the same damn thing with my bike two weeks later, all I could think was "dejavu", does this kid never learn anything?

My 11:00 AM appointment became a check "back at one, go have some coffee". The mechanic that was supposed to be working my bike was "at lunch" with his girl sitting on his lap in the back of the shop. My bike was still sitting out front, still waiting. Came back at 3:00PM and it was STILL setting out front. Finally got it out of there after the same alignment mistake and had to disassemble and reassemble the front end, at 5:30... a half hour after closing time.

I bet the Dynabeads being suggested was due to his inability to balance a tire/rim...

I am not happy at all... Never again.

The place is Full Throttle Motorcycle Accessories in Kennewick, WA.

I guess I will jack her up, get a c-clamp and two boards and some Meyers valve stems and do things myself.

[sandy]

You should have made sure they installed screw in stems before you left it with them. I was on a ride with a friend and we stopped in Indy for his tires. We specifically told them to NOT change the screw in stems. Two days later I noticed he had the old stock stems with new plastic supports. Not only did he get screwed, he paid extra to get it.

[Hoser]

It's a damn poor shop that mounts tires without putting new valve stems on the wheels.  It's almost impossible to find a decent tech, that's why I do most of it myself.  Hoser 

[cookiedough]

It's a damn poor shop that mounts tires without putting new valve stems on the wheels.  It's almost impossible to find a decent tech, that's why I do most of it myself.  Hoser 

totally agree,  new tires = new valve stems period.

My somewhat local mom/pop store 1 owner mechanic and younger assistant is all did my tires and was in and out of there in 2 hours tops total including lube splines,  change/bleed clutch and brake fluid, and take off tank and install new air filter for me no charge for labor on fluids or air filter just shop fluid pricing and labor on tires I brought in myself. 

He said new tires need new valve stems and not the cheapo's with real chrome screw in end caps. 

Will go back again although not sure if they have the know how to install new progressive front springs on a Valk although am sure they have worked on front suspension springs on a few goldwings, but of course, mainly a harley shop like most are.  No decent  honda dealers in my area I trust without them charging and arm and a leg and having to sell body parts to pay their pricing.

[salty1]

Thanks for sharing O-B-1, that's one shop I will avoid if I'm in need of one in the Tri Cities area. Your story is all to typical and reinforces the need for DIY.    I only know of one shop in Spokane I would trust and it's not the Honda dealers either.

[olddog1946]

Next time you need a tire changed bring it up  here to Moses Lake.  I have a tire changer, balancer or beads and would be happy to help a feller out. I believe you still have my number, if not it's, in my signature.

[NITRO]

It's a damn poor shop that mounts tires without putting new valve stems on the wheels.  It's almost impossible to find a decent tech, that's why I do most of it myself.  Hoser 

totally agree,  new tires = new valve stems period.

My somewhat local mom/pop store 1 owner mechanic and younger assistant is all did my tires and was in and out of there in 2 hours tops total including lube splines,  change/bleed clutch and brake fluid, and take off tank and install new air filter for me no charge for labor on fluids or air filter just shop fluid pricing and labor on tires I brought in myself. 

He said new tires need new valve stems and not the cheapo's with real chrome screw in end caps. 

Will go back again although not sure if they have the know how to install new progressive front springs on a Valk although am sure they have worked on front suspension springs on a few goldwings, but of course, mainly a harley shop like most are.  No decent  honda dealers in my area I trust without them charging and arm and a leg and having to sell body parts to pay their pricing.

Don't pay any shop to work on your cycle. It's not difficult work and if you have someone near you (like me!), they can walk you through it the first time.

[O-B-1]

Next time you need a tire changed bring it up  here to Moses Lake.  I have a tire changer, balancer or beads and would be happy to help a feller out. I believe you still have my number, if not it's, in my signature.
[/quote
Yes Sir! Thank you. We must ride again, once the ole girl is fixed. I ordered the valve stems, Meyers type with the nut on the outside. I bought a couple 8" c-clamps to get access to the orifice. I also found a couple exhaust cap nuts seized to the studs. Ordered new ones, studs & cap nuts.

I have a cylinder that seems flat at idle to midrange. I am thinking one of the carburetors has a plugged idle or slow jet or both or I need the carbs synched. So will need to get vacuum gages or make a manometer to check/adjust synch. I did that for my Shadow I had.