Looking for reliable mechanic

[old son]

Can anybody recommend a garage/spanner that would check/adjust my tappet clearances for me. I live in Welling/Kent and needs to be fairly local.

[steeeve66]

I've used both AC Bikes and Ride DMC, both in Dartford, and they were ok - there's also Bates in Dartford who have a pretty good rep but I've not used them for anything significant. Can't think of anyone closer to Welling tho - Metropolis in Greenwich? actually Metropolis in central London (Vauxhall) are pretty good at turning stuff around quickly if you commute? They're not cheap tho.

S

[locksmith]

Theres A2 Yamaha in Gravesend, used to be Brands Hatch Yamaha until they moved.

Are Garrozo still in Blackfen? I used to go there with me fizzy:lol

[old son]

Thanks for your replies. I spoke to the guy in Gorozzo (now Sondel) and he said he didn't think it worth checking unless the bike was running rough??? Sounds like 3 hours work to check then another 2 hours to adjust if necessary. He didnt think I would notice any difference. I seem to have one tappet that is ticking for the first 20 seconds or so after first start up. Other than that it seems to be running OK. Now on 55k miles.

[Falcon 269]

Tappets.  Oh, you dear old fashioned soul, you. 

Noisy valve clearances aren't a worry, the cam-valve bucket gap is just a little larger than it should be.  Quiet valves are the ones to think more about.  Tight clearances can lead to burned valve seats. 

That ticking on start up might be the cam chain adjuster.  Just a thought, mate.

[Pat]

I've used both AC Bikes and Ride DMC, both in Dartford, and they were ok - there's also Bates in Dartford who have a pretty good rep but I've not used them for anything significant. Can't think of anyone closer to Welling tho - Metropolis in Greenwich? actually Metropolis in central London (Vauxhall) are pretty good at turning stuff around quickly if you commute? They're not cheap tho.

S

I've heard more people say good things about Pol Pot than I have Metropolis!  :eek

[steeeve66]

[quote author=steeeve66 link=topic=3709.msg30160#msg30160 date=1341307633]
I've used both AC Bikes and Ride DMC, both in Dartford, and they were ok - there's also Bates in Dartford who have a pretty good rep but I've not used them for anything significant. Can't think of anyone closer to Welling tho - Metropolis in Greenwich? actually Metropolis in central London (Vauxhall) are pretty good at turning stuff around quickly if you commute? They're not cheap tho.

S

I've heard more people say good things about Pol Pot than I have Metropolis!  :eek
[/quote]

do they have a bad rep? i used Metropolis (Vauxhall) quite a bit when i lived in central London, also took my Direct Access through them many years ago, and never had a problem.
Others, clearly, have had a different experience.
The only time i've had a really terrible experience with a garage was with Laguna in Kent - dangerously terrible service.