Is this a fair shop price?

[JustSaying]

So...

Apparently I failed the inspection on my "new" 2006 R6 (7000 miles) because my front tire is too worn and because I have fork seal leakage (It was barely noticeable initially but I do see it now after 200-300 miles).

I found the stock front tire (Dunlap Sportmax Q2) online for $109. They seem to get good reviews so I'm opting into getting it. It'll also match nicely with my rear tire. The rear tire still has a good amount of thread left, the mechanic doing the inspection agreed.

I was quoted $350 at both of my two local shops. This is the cost for the full job of ordering + mounting the new tire + redoing the fork seal. Is that a fair price to pay?

Considering I'll pay $109 for the tire if I order it myself, will it be cheaper if I bring the tire to them? That would leaves the fork seal and mounting part. Can they really charge me $241 just to mount the tire and for the fork seal job?

I'm quite inexperienced, as you can tell. I would greatly appreciate any help.
I WANT to get the work done because I love this bike and want it to ride well. I just want to save as much money as possible at the moment.


Also, how much would it cost to replace the clutch on a '06 R6?


Thanks!

[kevin_stevens]

The cheapest practical approach, if you have facilities to support the front of the bike, is to remove the front wheel and fork legs yourself, and take them in to the shop. This should save you at least an hour's worth of labor charges over dropping the whole bike off. Often a shop will price match a tire price from the internet, and it's better to offer them the opportunity if they're doing the work.

You should have seals changed in both forks, as well as the fork oil change that would normally accompany this service. Both forks need fresh fluid after this long, and if one seal has failed it is likely that the other side will, too.

One of the more common reasons for a blown fork seal is slamming of the front wheel down from wheelies, so if it were my bike I'd also check the steering head bearings for excessive play.

Clutch plates will cost $100-150 for a new set.

All of these things can be done with minimal tools and experience, and are in fact good beginner projects (assuming the clutch problems aren't more involved than just a plate change). I wouldn't go inside the forks, it's not especially difficult but it requires some specialty tools.

KeS

[JustSaying]

Originally Posted by kevin_stevens

The cheapest practical approach, if you have facilities to support the front of the bike, is to remove the front wheel and fork legs yourself, and take them in to the shop. This should save you at least an hour's worth of labor charges over dropping the whole bike off. Often a shop will price match a tire price from the internet, and it's better to offer them the opportunity if they're doing the work.

You should have seals changed in both forks, as well as the fork oil change that would normally accompany this service. Both forks need fresh fluid after this long, and if one seal has failed it is likely that the other side will, too.

One of the more common reasons for a blown fork seal is slamming of the front wheel down from wheelies, so if it were my bike I'd also check the steering head bearings for excessive play.

KeS

Thanks for your post. I also assumed the previous owner was wheeling it. He claimed he didn't and said the bike was always well taken care of it. Doesn't matter now, I guess.

IF I'm unable to take the forks/tire off, does it make sense to order the tire and bring it to them with the bike to do the service or should I just bring the bike and let them do everything? I don't have a stand for the front and never did this kind of work so I'm a little hesitant to mess with the steering of the bike.

[Jim Moore]

Originally Posted by JustSaying

IF I'm unable to take the forks/tire off, does it make sense to order the tire and bring it to them with the bike to do the service or should I just bring the bike and let them do everything? I don't have a stand for the front and never did this kind of work so I'm a little hesitant to mess with the steering of the bike.

Check with them before you do that. A lot of shops will not mount a tire from an outside source.

It's probably best to eat the cost this time. After that, buy some tools, read, study, and learn how to do your own maintenance. You will always make money in the long run that way.

[JustSaying]

Originally Posted by Jim Moore

Check with them before you do that. A lot of shops will not mount a tire from an outside source.

It's probably best to eat the cost this time. After that, buy some tools, read, study, and learn how to do your own maintenance. You will always make money in the long run that way.

Those are my plans. This one issue caught me off guard though.

[kevin_stevens]

Originally Posted by JustSaying

Those are my plans. This one issue caught me off guard though.

The clutch caught you off guard as well. And if you didn't notice the front tire was worn, it's likely that there are a number of other issues that are still waiting to "catch you off guard".

Why don't you give the shop an extra $20 to go through the bike and make recommendations (head bearings, coolant, brake pads, brake fluid, chain/sprockets, battery, air filter). Then you can start to plan to catch the bike up on repairs and deferred maintenance.

You had to go out and buy a race replica bike. They are relatively maintenance intensive as vehicles go. Yours is used, and has at least two symptoms (clutch and fork seals) of having been abused. Expect to be spending some money on it.

KeS

[JustSaying]

Originally Posted by kevin_stevens

The clutch caught you off guard as well. And if you didn't notice the front tire was worn, it's likely that there are a number of other issues that are still waiting to "catch you off guard".

Why don't you give the shop an extra $20 to go through the bike and make recommendations (head bearings, coolant, brake pads, brake fluid, chain/sprockets, battery, air filter). Then you can start to plan to catch the bike up on repairs and deferred maintenance.

You had to go out and buy a race replica bike. They are relatively maintenance intensive as vehicles go. Yours is used, and has at least two symptoms (clutch and fork seals) of having been abused. Expect to be spending some money on it.

KeS

Good tip. I'll speak to the guy about it. The bike runs 100% minus the clutch.

[rgbeard]

Originally Posted by JustSaying

Good tip. I'll speak to the guy about it. The bike runs 100% minus the clutch.

It should run 100% (in one spot) without a functioning clutch.

Not to rub a sore spot, but as you've been caught off guard so easily I would second the notion that a professional make that determination of running 100% or not. I would bet I could find three maintenance items on it myself, today, given the opportunity.

[kevin_stevens]

Yeah, just ride it out here and we'll check it over for you.

KeS

[JustSaying]

Originally Posted by kevin_stevens

Yeah, just ride it out here and we'll check it over for you.

KeS

Move to NY

[JustSaying]

Originally Posted by rgbeard

It should run 100% (in one spot) without a functioning clutch.

Not to rub a sore spot, but as you've been caught off guard so easily I would second the notion that a professional make that determination of running 100% or not. I would bet I could find three maintenance items on it myself, today, given the opportunity.

I already admitted to my inexperience with motorcycle maintenance and troubleshooting. I will ask the mechanic to do an overall inspection of the motorcycle and I'll go from there. I rode at least 4 well maintained bikes before and this one rides as well as any of them. That's the only reason why I said it rides 100%.

[rgbeard]

Originally Posted by JustSaying

Move to NY

I believe you'd find Mexico's west coast a somewhat eye-opening experience. Consider Kevin's offer first.

[snlsmith]

Originally Posted by JustSaying

Move to NY

Too bad you didn't post this up a couple weeks ago. I spent a week up in Manhatten for work with nothing to do at night. I would have been glad to run out and look it over for you.

In the quote from the shop, how much of that price was the tire?

[I-Jo]

Originally Posted by JustSaying

Move to NY

Please. Everything in the.city is a mess. No one wants to MOVE to ny lmao.


That being said. To be 100% honest and fair.... The lot holes in the city are extensive and really no joke. If the previous owner really rode in the city a lot he probably didn't HAVE to be doing a lot of wheelies to blow the seals- maybe only a handful of really bad ones coupled with the pot holes... Esp if the rider is inept at avoiding them. The roads up there are insane.


But yeah I would have the shop go over it.

None of the shops here have an issue taking out side tires... Only one or two will price match though.

[Süsser Tod]

Tire, fork seals and clutch, that's a Saturday and a 6 pack job for an experienced DIY guy...


Now, how on earth is the front tire worn with only 7000 miles? That bike sounds like it was rebuilt and pieced together. You must have it checked on a good, reputable, shop.