Originally Posted By: Vikas
I pay $25-$30 for oil change to my mechanic. Can a traveling mechanic make living doing that? If you were to start this business, how much would you charge? Weekend motorcycle repairing is little different because you are not making your living on it.
That's just the kicker right there.
I don't do "just" oil changes.
Technically, I don't even charge labor for the oil change.
For the bikes I service, I pretty much have a standard flat rate for each type of service I do. One bike, the price I have as standard for a valve adjustment and carb synch is ~$200. I ask the client that if he has any oil and filter that he wants done at the same time, I will be more than happy to throw those in at the same time.
Most of my costs are straight labor work, and usually the client picks up the parts he needs ahead of time. If I have to pick up parts, like brake pads, I usually charge the cost from the place I buy them, and an additional charge, usually $5 or $10, depending on the source.
And you're right, its just a bit of side work for me.
I have a great reputation on quite a few motorcycle forums, and mostly just work through word of mouth, and good posts from happy forum members is enough to drum up more work.
I even do a bit of mail order carb cleaning work.
Most of that business is in the spring, after people let their bikes sit all winter, and things get plugged up. Send me the carbs, plus $60, and you get them back right quick. That includes shipping.
Its never been my main focus.
It just helps out the communities I participate in, and helps out with gas money every so often.
But, when I feel like drumming up business, I usually have a day were I hold a "1 day teaching event" at my house. I'll pick a topic, like valve adjustment, carb synch, tire changing, and tell the forum a couple weeks in advance that I'm having an open house day, where people can watch and learn. I usually throw in a discounted price if someone wants to be the person having their bike used as the display bike for the demonstrations. I usually get great feedback from those days.
It all depends on what someone's willing to do to make new connections, and earn some extra money. I have thought about picking up a panel van, and running a motorcycle repair business out of that. Then my mortgage comes do, and the thought vanishes away.
BC.