Beware of the "mechanic"!!!!!

[oldtoys72]

I will take a few picks when I get home tonight, I think it has a aftermarket swingarm on it, that or it just has identical factory effex stickers on it!

[AutoXer]

a lifan motor will bolt in that 200x and give you electric start if that motor is "shot" and i agree that if it needs a timing chain it probably needs a top end at a minimum. The clutch, kicker and who knows what else as well so $400 to your door for a brand new motor is pretty reasonable. If it truly has been bored and all I can't see why it wouldn't have a good chain in it as they are only about $20
As for the mechanic not liking our beloved 3 wheelers? shame on him and if he works on machines he should have known that a mid 80's 200x is a three wheeler and told you on the phone not to bother bringing it over

[Pafrig]

i think you should ask him how much it costs to change the timing chain on a lawnboy lawnmower.

[mrtwidster1]

Thanks ATCTIM!

[oldtoys72]

sorry it took so long guys but here are the pics of the bike as promised! If you need better ones to identify the bike let me know!

[oldtoys72]

BTW, the totally thrashed trike in the background i picked up today for free and it runs after I hotwired the ignition cause there is no longer a key! Its an 85 250SX

[atctim]

Look - I wasn't trying to start any crap - but what mechanic in their right mind would tear apart and engine seeing that it needs other things done - but the owner only want the timing chain changed? If he throws it together for $50 and it runs for 2 hours and blows up - where does that put you? I am just looking at it form the other side. Yes - it sounds like he was a jerk to you - but I have been on the other side - this is all I want done. So you do it then it blows up and who are you mad at then???? The shotty mechanic - that told you it needed other stuff but you wanted just a timing chain.

To Kirby saying my "B" didn't make any sense - re read it and think about it. Lets look at it like this - you are a contractor and someone only wants a roof on their house. The roofer says - it needs re-sheeted too because the ply wood is rotten. So he goes and just replaces the shingles like the home owner requested - first heavy rain storm the roof gives in. Then what? Make more sense?

If a machine is torn apart for something as simple as a timing chain but needs other things while in there - why not do it? These are not new machines - fix what needs fixed especially if you are gonna tear into it. $500 - $700 is reasonable of it needs major components and lots of work.

I dunno - maybe it just needs a timing chain and nothing wlse - I for one would be inspecting all parts while it is opened up!

[oldtoys72]

Im not sure what it is you dont understand here atctim ! I told him that all i wanted him to do was replace the *MODERATOR EDIT (watch it)* timing chain, He was trying to tell me that it for sure was completly blown without the trike even comming out the back of the truck! If your a mechanic that's cool your sticking up for one of your own but i have had good experiences with other mechanics, this one just really sucked! Its not that I wouldnt pay for the to be fixed if it truly needed it but how the hell would he know that without even touching the trike? Get real here man, come down off that high horse for a few minutes!

[Dirtcrasher]

It's a stock 85 200X - even the swinger, just stock....... Home made grab bar but looks to be well made!

Notorious for bad cam chains/guides and valve jobs. Lots of them have never been touched.

Oh, and you need a new rear caliper too

[atctim]

ok - have it your way - as I said - maybe that is all that it needs - but I sure wouldn't bank on it.

No - I am not a mechanic - and no I am not on a high horse - but if the timing chain is worn out don't you think other internal moving parts may be worn out too? I am not taking sides - I am just a realist!

[oldtoys72]

thats the only piece of the rear brake system thats even on the thing, why you would remove the rear brake baffels me but some idiot decided it was a good idea

[Louis Mielke]

Stopping this train wreck for a minute, first I can assure you that ATCTim is not on a high horse, and has never been on a high horse. He's one of the more prominent members on this board.


Second of if I'm understanding correctly what "he doesn't understand" is the response you gave this "mechanic", he also doesn't understand why you're upset that the guy didn't want to work on your bike. Okay, so you explained that he harshed on trikes. That's fine.

But you've come on this board complaining hardcore because the guy didn't want to "just replace your timing chain". You want us to have some sympathy for you and the fact that this mechanic refused you service and treated you badly. At the same time though, you're telling us you treated him badly, and requested that only part of the job be done.

Now I know, I know, you can reply by going on about how "I only asked for a specific thing done". That's the other problem. You've discredited yourself right there because if I was to walk into a shop and tell a mechanic to replace my brake lines and then be angry when he told me he wouldn't do the work without doing other work to make the braking system safe I would end up a laughing stock.

Ignoring the mechanical issues for a minute, the real problem here is that your blasting this guy as a hack and con artist when you yourself didn't act very well in your role as a customer. Don't blast someone when you yourself didn't fulfill the basic role of a customer.

I don't know any shop that will only do exactly what you tell them you want done. Honestly I'd be afraid of a shop that would do that.

[oldtoys72]

Listen man, I am fully aware of the fact that there is a possibillity of there being other internal problems, but that is neither here nor there with what the bottom line is. I wanted one thing replaced. I did not want a whole engine rebuild on this trike, I told him that if it needed other things then that bridge could be crossed when and if we came to it! It was obvious from the get go he was in it to take me and when he found out that wasnt gonna happen is when he got an attitude problem. I'm done going ver this with you man, Im not tryin to start no feud here or nothing! Ive said my piece of what i needed to say and I have heard your thoughts on the deal so lets call it good and leave it at that huh?

[Louis Mielke]

Sounds great. This thread can sink to the bottom of the forum with the fishes. Thanks for tuning in.