I am having both tires replaced and figured while they had the tires off I would get a new chain. Not only are they charging me $70 per tire, they want another $90 for labor to replace the chain. This isnt a Ducati shop- my belts were showing so I didnt want to ride it an hour to the closest Duc dealer.
Would I be out of line asking for a discount on that since most of the labor for replacing the chain would be removing the tire?
$70 per tire - and your buying the tires from them? even I think that's harsh/high and I'm jaded by the high labor rates around me.
I don't think it'd be out of line to talk to them about that. Getting the rear wheel off would be made easier/faster by loosening the chain adjusters and just pulling off the front sprocket. Drive out the axle and off the wheel comes. It more of a hassle with the chain on since you're trying to work around it.
And as you point out both jobs share a number of labor steps which should save time and money.
Ouch!! You need to find a new shop.
yeah, I know its bad. I'm only using them for this work since they were so close to the house. Going to ride to the Ducati shop for any other service. Just didnt want to chance it with that tire being so worn down.
Quote from: Stu Pedasso on August 11, 2008, 06:59:46 AM
I am having both tires replaced and figured while they had the tires off I would get a new chain. Not only are they charging me $70 per tire, they want another $90 for labor to replace the chain. This isnt a Ducati shop- my belts were showing so I didnt want to ride it an hour to the closest Duc dealer.
Would I be out of line asking for a discount on that since most of the labor for replacing the chain would be removing the tire?
$90 for LABOR? Just on the chain?
$90 an hour may be "standard" if your fixing your engine or something major but hardly worth paying for getting your chain on there. At that rate, would they charge you $20 JUST to change your oil filter (not counting cost of parts, just the labor).
For $90, I would buy my own chain breaker/press set to do my own chain replacements. Throw in another $20 for a chain tensioning tool from a place like promotion (one side is to adjust chain tension and the other side of the tool can adjust the preload on your rear shock) and you are set to do your own chains.
Call me frugal for doing all my work (So far and also I have no dealership around here) but instead of paying the $$$$ for labor, I use the money to buy capitol, as in, The right tools necessary to do the job my self. It pays for it self in the long run, (and in your case, It pays its self of the next chain you do) and you gain valuable knowledge and know-how in doing your own repairs.
Is there a reason why you cant do your chain your self?
Quote from: OwnyTony on August 11, 2008, 10:52:09 AM
Is there a reason why you cant do your chain your self?
I am worried I will mess up the bike (or cause myself to be messed up by a chain breaking or something). I tend to have bad luck doing repairs myself and the parts end up costing double. Plus, I am a bit chicken doing my own work- its intimidating I guess. My daughter's playhouse claimed 20 minute assembly- it took me 2 hours (if that tells you anything about my mechanical aptitude).
The parts guy was pretty cool when I talked to him, but the service guy seemed like I was bothering him. I'll probably go in and chat with the service manager about cutting me a deal.
stuff like tires, chains, oil change, etc.,,, are usually charged piecework (or they were when i worked in a bike shop 15 years ago) FYI, that means that the shop has a set price for these jobs. if this is the case with the shop you mention, they are just quoting the listed job price as if it was a stand alone.
that being said, the prices quoted sound high, stand alone job or not
I charge $40 per tire R&R, when the wheels are on the bike.
$90 for a chain and sprocket R&R.
Those are stand-alone prices.
I'd knock $20 off for a combined job.
But that's *my* shop in SoCal, not his in Minnesota(?), so YMMV.
i think that price sounds about right here, at least for labor. from what i know based on what my tech buddy tells me is that they charge in 30min increments. and hourly rates are usually $80+/hr depending on what shop youre at.
[popcorn]
Dude:
For refrence; Just got a very nice DID X Ring black and gold chain put on the bike at a Ducati Dealership, Richmond Motorsport (looks awsome!)... for 45 buck installation and 121 for the very nice chain. I did arm wrestle with the parts chick to soften her up for the for the prices; but she was nice and accomidating (and hot) Thx J! ;) I guess it doesn't get any better that that!
Good luck cheers DD [moto]
do you have cycle gear near you? they charge 20$ a wheel if you buy the tire from them. I'd suggest you buy a do the chain yourself if someone wants to charge you 90$ to break a chain and put in a new master link :o
Quote from: spaugh on August 11, 2008, 10:02:14 PM
do you have cycle gear near you? they charge 20$ a wheel if you buy the tire from them. I'd suggest you buy a do the chain yourself if someone wants to charge you 90$ to break a chain and put in a new master link :o
That is where I bought my chain breaker. I think I paid $99 tax included. Cycle gear does a monthly sale or some sort where any one item is 10% off or some sort of coupon that takes 10% off.
The chain replacement is not that hard. Even when you quote that your daughter's play set should have taken you 20 min but took longer, you WILL get better and better at you own repairs and this will boost your self esteem/confidence in your own repairs.
Maybe you can get together with some riding buddies and ask them for some help. I personally would go to a friends house to help with something like an oil change or chain replacement. Maybe not for some major engine repairs but the small stuff, I can help.
The only "hard" part of changing the chain is breaking it and fluting the pins on the master link. As long as you have the tools, setting the chain tension is not that bad either.