Reputable shop in NW WA

Started by hcr400ex, Oct 29 2009 08:46 PM
16 replies to this topic

  • hcr400ex

Posted 29 October 2009 - 08:46 PM

#1


Well my bike is in desperate need of a new top end, but I will be going out to sea for most of the next two months, so I was looking for a good motorcycle shop in the area. I don't mind driving an hour or so away, especially if it is a well known place. I'd also consider dropping the bike off at someone's house, if he is a well known member here. I know there is not a hard project, I've done it on other bikes, I just do not have the time, or place to work on the bike.

The bike is an 06 crf450r, that I bought leftover in late 07 and have yet to do anything besides basic maintenance. It still runs good, but it does not like to start cold, and I can definitely tell it does not have the compression it used to.

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  • Doctor D

Posted 29 October 2009 - 08:59 PM

#2

How far northwest? Are you on the Peninsula?

  • TinyTdog

Posted 29 October 2009 - 09:02 PM

#3

You'll want to talk to Ken. He's the man. He did some work on my KTM for me. He is just outside of Bellingham.

https://www.advmachi...com/default.asp

He does a lot of stuff for big twins, but he works on smaller bikes too. Nice guy and he does top quality work.:ride:

-Tim

  • hcr400ex

Posted 29 October 2009 - 09:05 PM

#4

I'm located in Bremerton, WA which is on the peninsula, but I would be willing to drive a fair amount to get the bike done right. I'm also not a fan of big dealership's, I've just never had any luck with them. I prefer talking to the mechanic not the sales person..

  • Doctor D

Posted 29 October 2009 - 09:31 PM

#5

hcr400ex said:

I'm located in Bremerton, WA which is on the peninsula, but I would be willing to drive a fair amount to get the bike done right. I'm also not a fan of big dealership's, I've just never had any luck with them. I prefer talking to the mechanic not the sales person..

I'm guessing you've tried Brothers Honda already then? I heard good things about them and the handful of times I've been in there the staff has been very helpful and seemed genuinely concerned with my satisfaction. Maybe the catch is they bend you over for shop fees? I'm sure they would give you an estimate for the work if you gave them a call.

I just moved up to Bellingham for school. Sounds like that guy up here would be a good option but it definitely would be quite the drive.

  • radsdad

Posted 29 October 2009 - 11:12 PM

#6

Shane Barton at Barton Built in Tumwater is very good with CRFs. Former Mechanic for mx pro Jason Thomas. Fair prices.

  • Powderhound

Posted 30 October 2009 - 04:15 AM

#7

Sounds like the valve clearance is tight. That's where I would look first.

  • hcr400ex

Posted 30 October 2009 - 05:42 AM

#8

Doctor D said:

I'm guessing you've tried Brothers Honda already then? I heard good things about them and the handful of times I've been in there the staff has been very helpful and seemed genuinely concerned with my satisfaction. Maybe the catch is they bend you over for shop fees? I'm sure they would give you an estimate for the work if you gave them a call.

I just moved up to Bellingham for school. Sounds like that guy up here would be a good option but it definitely would be quite the drive.

I went to brothers to get a price on the parts a couple weeks back, because I had originally wanted to just do it myself until I found out we're going underway for most of the rest of the year. They wanted almost $400, for a wiseco high comp, and gasket kit. I can get the same thing off rockytmountainatv for under $200. I didn't even want to ask about service prices.

Powderhound said:

Sounds like the valve clearance is tight. That's where I would look first.

I'm sure the cold start has something to do with the valves, but it is also time for a top end. My buddy has an hour meter on his ktm and we have put close to 150 hours on just this summer, so I would say I have well over 400 hours on the bike.

  • Doctor D

Posted 30 October 2009 - 08:23 AM

#9

hcr400ex said:

I went to brothers to get a price on the parts a couple weeks back, because I had originally wanted to just do it myself until I found out we're going underway for most of the rest of the year. They wanted almost $400, for a wiseco high comp, and gasket kit. I can get the same thing off rockytmountainatv for under $200. I didn't even want to ask about service prices.

True, when it comes to parts I honestly try to support the local dealers when I can (Brother's gave me a killer deal on some mx51's), but they can rarely come close to the internet/mag prices. Service prices seem to be around the same ballpark everywhere I've been, but they definitely are not always equal in quality.

  • Wonderspoon

Posted 30 October 2009 - 11:08 AM

#10

No dealer in Bremerton gets my business. Times may have changed, but I've never had luck with either the Brother's or Cliff's. There's a mechanic just across from wildcat trailhead that rebuilt an old XR for me as a kid. Seemed like a reasonable guy.

  • roadrunner81

Posted 31 October 2009 - 09:40 AM

#11

Take it to S&S motorsports in Puyallup on River Rd. #253-922-7620. Kenny does really good, honest work. He sometimes cannot answer the phone so leave a detailed message.

From what I understand S&S's built Honda 450 quad is second in points in the best of the desert series heading into the BAJA 1000.

  • shrubitup

Posted 31 October 2009 - 09:56 AM

#12

Contact Bill Gregory in Gorst. He has a CRF450R and loves Honda's. Very good guy and was in the Navy recently at Bangor as a machinist. Great prices/work. He does welding too.

425-268-7450

or

laptop21@hotmail.com

He's literally right down the street from you. :banana:

  • hcr400ex

Posted 01 November 2009 - 10:41 AM

#13

I sent out a couple e-mails, just to get an idea on prices, but I will be going underway tomorrow so it will have to wait till the end of the month when I get back. I looked for a couple days online, and did not find any of the places you guys recommended, so I greatly appreciate all the help.

  • Little Jeff

Posted 01 November 2009 - 02:11 PM

#14

shrubitup said:

Contact Bill Gregory in Gorst. He has a CRF450R and loves Honda's. Very good guy and was in the Navy recently at Bangor as a machinist. Great prices/work. He does welding too.

425-268-7450

or

laptop21@hotmail.com

He's literally right down the street from you. :banana:

I thought Bill left and left the business to his friend that worked with him? At least that's what he said last Feb when he did some work for me, but I could be wrong.
Little Jeff

  • shrubitup

Posted 01 November 2009 - 03:20 PM

#15

Little Jeff said:

I thought Bill left and left the business to his friend that worked with him? At least that's what he said last Feb when he did some work for me, but I could be wrong.
Little Jeff
He's still around. I saw him a few weeks ago. In a moment of stupidity I over tightened my oil drain bolt on my KLR. He done fixed 'er up for me with a larger bolt but he had to tap the case too. :blush:

  • Wonderspoon

Posted 01 November 2009 - 03:33 PM

#16

Here's Wildcat Cycle repair I mentioned.
(360) 830-5547 10204 Yates Ln Nw, Bremerton, WA 98312

I haven't had any work done from there in literally 15+ years. My best friend had some work done on his bike and had a VERY good experience. I'm assuming the owner/mechanic Robin is still as good a guy as ever. My experience was that he took his time and did the job right. I like that.

  • roadrunner81

Posted 02 November 2009 - 07:42 AM

#17

s-smotorsports. com

here's a link to their site.



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