Reputable bike servicing in Scotland

[derillius24]

Hi all,

I'm looking to get my bike (2014 STR) serviced before heading away on a European jaunt in a couple of month's time and I'd greatly appreciate any recommendations of where to get this done.

I have a tendency to over think everything and complicate life unnecessarily but I don't want some half-cocked weasel on day release making a half-arsed effort of servicing my pride and joy (shining a torch on some bits) before hitting me with an exorbitant bill.

I'm based in Dundee but could travel within reason to someone worth paying .

Cheers
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CG125, CBF250, DRZ400-SM, Z750, Street Triple R, Tuono V4R

[stinkwheel]

I don't trust anyone to do anything more than suck the old oil out and put in new stuff then tick all the boxes on the service sheet if I took a bike in and asked for it to be "serviced". The bigger the shop, the less I'd trust them.

Couple of one man bands down here I'd let work on my bike (more because I know whos arse to kick if it hasn't been done) but I'd be very specific about exactly what I wanted them to do. I'd leave instructions that if they notice anything else which they think might need attention (such as brake pads near the wear limit etc), they are to call for authorisation to do them.

So I'd trust nobody to "service" a bike and expect to have everything done that needed doing. I'd trust a few to do all the jobs on a servicing sheet if they were specifically asked to do those jobs and it was stressed that I wanted them all done.

For interest, here's what they are supposed to do.

Thiong is, in Scotland, you've got a choice of two if you want all the Triumphy bits and warrantystamping doing. Wee Tools in Edinburgh or Shylocks in Aberdeen.

Through the nose is how you'll be paying for either.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Ariel Badger]

Nobody works on any of my vehicles unless I am standing next to them including MOT.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Rogerborg]

Sorry to say it, but I agree.

The only way I'd "trust" any bike mechanic in the vicinity would be by standing and watching them, in which case I might as well be doing it myself rather than paying them.

The last one I "trusted" to get that peace-of-mind service stamp didn't even change the air filter despite agreeing on a specific list of items. Untouched Tippex marks on the fasteners told the real story.

"Oh, right, did the Boy no dae that, I definitely telt him tae..."

If you want a job done right, you really do have to do it yourself.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[MarJay]

Shirlaw's Triumph in Aberdeen were good to me when I was on a tour years ago. They fitted me in for recall work when the recall issue went bad on my bike. The TT600 used to have issues with cracking fuel connectors. I broke my fuel connectors completely trying to investigate a leak, and was recovered there. A few hours later it was fixed and I was on my way.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[derillius24]

Hi All,

Thank you for your responses, they're very helpful and I appreciate the time taken. Food for thought. Doesn't taste great, though...

Everything said confirms what I've been worrying about. I'm getting more cynical with age, gone are the days when the nearest garage would do. I'm sure that's a good thing on one hand, but sad on the other in that so few people are willing to do a genuine, thorough job in exchange for damn well hard-earned money. It's sickening.

I really enjoy working on my bike and I'm getting more confident with time (BCF and YouTube are phenomenal resources) but my mechanical knowledge has, errm, holes in it and there are still jobs that frighten me a bit.

My bike has 5.5k miles on it (1.8k when I took ownership approximately six months ago). The maintenance schedule (thanks, Stinkwheel) shows rather a few jobs at the 6k interval that I'd probably struggle with.

Shylocks are known to me (I'm Fae Aberdeen, ken?) but their reputation is somewhat open to debate, depending on who you talk to. They love syphoning wallets, too, as pointed out.

Everything on red and hope I get lucky, then?!
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CG125, CBF250, DRZ400-SM, Z750, Street Triple R, Tuono V4R

[Rogerborg]

6,000 miles? That's oil, filter, plus shine-a-torch. Unless you're desperate to have a full dealer service history, I'd DIY that and enjoy your trip.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike