Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ is here to help explain what we do and what we don't do, as well as providing some answers to common questions. We're glad to answer any questions you might have and look forward to the opportunity to help, so feel free to contact us.
Portions of this FAQ could be considered as frank, cheeky and satiric by some. So, If your sensibilities are easily offended - we strongly suggest you "click-out" now. Otherwise, if you'd like us to work on your ride and you're serious about your machine, performance, quality and safety - you should probably read up - so you know what to expect and what is expected.
General:
So exactly what do you do?
Okaaay... But what the #@*! does that mean?
What kind of bikes do you work on?
What kind of bike don't you work on?
Alright, but what specific bikes don't you work on?
What brands and models of engines do you specialize in?
Cool, what engines don't you work on?
Do you sell parts and accessories?
Service & Safety:
How much will it cost for (insert: custom fabrication project)?
When will my bike, engine or fabrication project be done?
Can I pay a rush fee to have it done sooner?
I know it should be done right, but "can't you just"...?
Okay I understand now, but "couldn't you just"...?
Doood!... You're waaay uptight about this safety thing, aren't you?
Pre-Delivery Preparation:
Anything I need to do before bringing over my ride?
Okay, but what the #@*! do I get out of it?
Now that's pretty cool!... Do you do this for everyone?
So preparing my ride will save me time, money and from?...
Okay, I get the point, but what really happens if I bring in a dirty ride?
Contact & Appointment:
The FAQ is entertaining, but I still have questions, can I email you?
Okay, I'm ready and my bike is prepped, how do I schedule an appointment?
I tried to call, but got a "no service" tone...is the number on your site correct?
Seems like you're sometimes hard to reach by phone, why is that?
When I was at your shop, you didn't take any calls, what's that about?
So I left a message, but you never called me back?
Payment:
What form of payment to you prefer?
Do you accept personal checks?
Do you accept PayPal?
Do you require deposits or pre-payments?
So exactly what do you do?
We provide high performance engine building & custom fabrication services for motorcycles and
vehicles powered by motorcycle based engines. Specializing in providing solutions for special
projects ranging from concept development, design and consulting to all stages of fabrication
and construction of a finished product and installation.
Okaaay... But what the #@*! does that mean?
If it's motorcycle based and burns gas....we'll make it go faster, stronger and do it longer.
As well as swank your ride (that's blinged-out, for you youngsters).
What kind of bikes do you work on?
The majority of our work is focused on sport, off-road, dual-sport, supermoto and standard
motorcycles used for racing and recreation.
What kind of bikes don't you work on?
As a general rule and barring crash damage, basically... If it looks like
you don't care about it - I don't want to work on it. Absolutely, no -
dirty, nasty, greasy, debris covered, clapped out or generally unloved vehicles.
Alright, but what specific bikes don't you work on?
Harley, Harely clone, Buell, metric cruisers, touring bikes and other machines
that fall into that genre - simply don't fit into what we do - so we don't
work on them.
What brands and models of engines do you specialize in?
While brand/model specific specialists may become good at what they do... Unfortunately, that kind of
specialization, on many levels, puts self-imposed limitations on a true race engine development program.
We've seen, evaluated and enhanced many types of engine designs and technologies for varying
applications. It's the diversity of knowledge and experience that allows for a the level of
open-mindedness and flexibility to achieve the best results for any application. This is partly,
what brings our development work to an entirely different level. In effect, we do actually
specialize - in performance that is.
Cool, what engines don't you work on?
We try not to limit what we do in terms of engine work, but have to draw the line
somewhere. As a general rule we only work on motorcycle engines, motorcycle-based
engines and small engine's for specialty applications. Again - Harley, Harely clone,
Buell, metric cruisers, touring bikes and other machines that fall into that genre -
simply don't fit into what we do - so we don't work on them.
Do you sell parts and accessories?
There are plenty of local shops and online retailers that can help you with that - what we
offer is service. If during the course of working on your vehicle, OEM or aftermarket parts
are needed - we will either source the necessary parts for you and/or assist you in the
acquisition process.
How much will it cost for (insert: custom fabrication project)?
There in no set pricing for fabrication work, cost is based on the time/materials
it take to do the job. Although we can give an approximation of labor and materials
costs, the vast majority of such work is generally custom tailored to a specific
application and often unique. Thus, without seeing the extent and complexity of
a given project it's difficult to quote prices as accurately as most would like.
If you are considering a fabrication project, please contact us to set an appointment
for an initial consult and we'll be glad to go over it with you in greater detail.
When will my bike, engine or fabrication project be done?
If you're given an estimated time of completion, it will likely be done on that date or earlier,
unless there are lead time issues with vendors or subcontractors which are beyond our control.
In which case, we will notify you as we become aware of any potential delays. Otherwise, as
soon as current scheduling allows and only when we're satisfied that the job meets our
standards of performance, quality and safety...not a minute sooner.
Can I pay a rush fee to have it done sooner?
You could, if you'd like to and we'll be glad to have some extra payola...but don't expect it to
be done any sooner. We prioritize jobs by the date received and current scheduling.
In other words, it's first come, first serve around here.
I know it should be done right, but "can't you just"...?
Sorry, we don't stock any form of "Can't you just" for any make, model or application
whatsoever. This includes any and all versions preceded, containing or followed by "It's
only a", "But why" or the original "Doood" as well as the increasingly popular "I won't hold
you responsible, really" and "I won't tell anyone about it, I promise".
Okay I understand now, but "couldn't you just"...?
Any and all future inquires regarding "Can't you just" (of any iteration)
should be directed elsewhere. We're simply not equipped to handle that type of service.
Perhaps, if you find someone who is perfectly comfortable and willing to risk your safety, the safety of everyone around you and their reputation... Then we're
fairly certain they will provide you with exactly what you're looking for (compromised, unsafe crap work), for a small fee.
Doood!... You're waaay uptight about this safety thing, aren't you?
Some Perspective: Motorcycling is a high risk sport. A motorcycle that
is not in proper working order, will unnecessarily increase that risk exponentially and
can have lethal consequences. Nearly every component on a motorcycle and it's operations
affects your safety and the safety of everyone you share the road, trail or track with.
By not acknowledging this and/or not being concerned by these facts - well, not only will
it be possible for you injure, maim or kill yourself through complacency and negligence
- you may end up taking someone else with you in the process.
Anything I need to do before bringing over my ride?
Yes... If it looks like you don't care about it - I don't want to work on it.
All vehicles and/or parts should be thoroughly cleaned prior to delivery for any service.
Meaning the engine (and engine parts), chassis and running gear (wheels, brakes, suspension)
should be reasonably free of dirt, mud, grease, oil, brake dust, road grime, etc.
Also, remove any bodywork panels that are not essential to the service you are coming in for.
Okay, but what the #@*! do I get out of it?
Delivering a clean, well prepped vehicle (and/or parts) that is ready for service is
to your advantage in a few ways. Before any work is started, we perform a thorough
inspection (free of charge). Minor adjustment or corrective actions will also be
performed free of charge in most cases.The purpose of this inspection is to provide
you with an overall evaluation of its general operating condition and to identify
problem areas that may affect performance, reliability and most important...your
safety. Another benefit is, during this inspection, conditions that add complexity
and/or cost to the job will likely be revealed. This helps to reduce "surprises",
so you know what to expect, can make informed decisions and/or adjust your plans
accordingly. So the better the preparation, means less time we spend on that aspect
and the more money you save.
Now that's pretty cool!... Do you do this for everyone?
Yes, we do this inspection for every customer before every service. All we ask,
is the delivery of a clean and well prepped machine. Delivering a dirty machine and/or parts hides potential problems, hinders the process
and can delay the work you came in for.
Note: Delivering dirty machine also can have the undesired effect
of making your technician rather grumpy because he is neither your mother,
nor your maid. Treating him as such can be likened to "feeding the bears" and
may result in unpredictable behavior!:)
So preparing my ride will save me time, money
and from being eaten or mauled by a grumpy wrench-spinning bear???
Exactly:)
Okay, I get the point, but what really happens if I bring in a dirty ride?
You'll be given the option of either cleaning it yourself or paying us to clean it
at our standard labor rate 80.00 per hour plus the cost of cleaning supplies. In any case,
all machines/or parts need to be reasonably clean before any work begins.
The FAQ is entertaining, but I still have questions, can I email you?
Of course you can, we'll be glad to address any questions you may have. Please be sure to
provide your phone number, the best time to reach you and we'll go from there. While email is
great for initial contact and sending data, we prefer person to person communication. We
realize phone communication during the work day may be difficult or impractical for some folks,
so we can also contact you in the evenings or on
weekends.
Okay, I'm ready and my bike is prepped , how do I schedule an appointment?
Simply email or call and we'll go from there. Be sure to provide your phone number and the best time to reach you.
Also, let us know what days and times work for you, so we can make an appointment that best fits
your schedule.
I tried to call, but got a "no service" tone...is the number on your site correct?
Yes, the number is correct. The tone you hear is from an anti-telemarketing device. If you wait for
the tone to finish, you'll get the normal recorded greeting and be able to leave a message.
Seems like you're sometimes hard to reach by phone, why is that?
Your call is important to us - please leave a message and your call will be
returned as soon as possible. If you are unable to reach us directly or we
don't get back to you immediately it's not because we don't want to talk to
you. In fact, we love chatting about bikes and such. Once we get going, you
may never get us to shut-up about it:)
However, please understand the work we do is often very specialized, requiring a
high degree of focus and attention in order to provide the levels of
performance, quality and safety that we do. Unscheduled interruptions to
the work-flow has the potential to compromise that. We take our work and
your safety VERY seriously. So sometimes,
not answering every call immediately - is in everyone's best interest.
When I was at your shop, you didn't take any calls, what's that about?
Simply, it's about courtesy and respect. I try not take calls when a customer is present,
unless it's necessary. I make every effort to give my complete and undivided attention to
every customer who has an appointment with me. Considering they took the time out of their
day to meet with me, it's only fair that their time goes as uninterrupted as possible.
So I left a message, but you never called me back?
I never thought I'd have to clarify this, but it seems to be an issue. If you don't
leave a number, mutter your speech and/or speed through like it's a race against
time...Well then, it's kind of hard to get back to you, isn't it? Please speak
clearly while leaving your contact information.
What form of payment do you prefer?
Cash is king.
Do you accept personal checks?
Personal checks accepted, but no out of area checks or third-party checks. Amounts over $500.00 subject to 5-day hold.
Returned checks subject to any and all bank fees.
Do you accept PayPal?
PayPal payments accepted only with prior approval.
Do you require any deposits or pre-payments?
50% Deposit - on all jobs estimated at $500.00 in labor or more.
Payment in Full - on all engine teardown/inspection services.
Payment in Full - on all sub-contracted services.
Payment in Full - on all materials/supplies estimated at $200.00 or more.