When you’re the proud owner of a classic motorbike, you want a mechanic who you trust implicitly. Tough to find but worth their weight in gold, a good motorcycle mechanic in London will complete top-quality work, be genuine, never take advantage and work alongside you in the true spirit of love for all things motorbike. Whether you’re new to motorcycles or an old hand, it’s not easy to find that great mechanic.
When you have a post new millennium motorbike, it’s much easier to take it to a branded shop, even more so if it’s still in warranty. For those of you with a rare or vintage bike, such garages will not likely have the right knowledge and expertise to help you.
What makes a good mechanic?
It goes beyond experience. You won’t very often find anyone advertising over 10 years’ experience with your specific make or model. They probably won’t have a certificate on the wall from your bike’s manufacturer, awarded for formal certification in your make and model. So, if it’s not always experience, what can you look for?
Being open and honest is a pretty good place to start. A respectable mechanic should have taken loads of photos of their projects, saved the old spare parts and have loads of evidence of previous work they’ve completed. They should be willing to answer every single question you throw at them. If you notice them dodging questions, being vague or unable to provide an estimate, then alarm bells should be ringing.
If a mechanic truly knows what they’re doing, there will be no need for dodging questions, hiding their work or being dismissive of any concerns you raise. You should be able to get a feel for whether you are just another job to get over and done with or whether there’s genuine interest and the beginnings of a long-term working partnership.
A mechanic who wants to complete a job to the very best of their ability will also be asking you lots of questions in return. If they are interested, they will want to know as much as possible about the bike and its history. Particularly with a vintage bike, there’s a lot of back story which could be influencing any current problems that are occurring and a good mechanic will recognise that fact.
Attention to detail is another important element to look out for. When you walk into the motorbike garage, how are the motorbikes laid out? Are there bikes collecting dust and abandoned or are they ordered and taken care of? If it looks like the place is full of half-finished projects, do you really want your bike to become the next in line?
It also says something about a mechanic’s attention to detail. A mechanical failure on a motorbike can be fatal – your mechanic literally has your life in his hands. If you don’t trust that they have your best interests at heart, then you should get on your bike and go elsewhere. A good mechanic will not be a barrier between you and your bike but should stand alongside you as you approach the problem together.