Gen 1 VMAX mechanics/service

[RRClassic]

Is anyone aware of a shop in Nashville that will work on a gen 1 (85). The Yamaha dealerships just chuckle when I ask.

Cheers!

 

[Fire-medic]

You need to contact Captain Kyle [email protected]. Nashville to his home east of you is ~3 hours, but get it fixed from someone who knows these bikes inside and out. He's south of Knoxville a bit. Thank me when you get it back. Make a list of everything you need addressed, and email him. You will be investing in the enjoyment of your bike, nothing's as-frustrating as spending $$$ and not having it work properly. These bikes are a joy when they work properly. Kyle will ensure that it's done correctly.

 

[RRClassic]

Ahh, that is great!! Much appreciated and I agree whole heartedly. I had an 85 in 85 and just bought this one with less than 1,000 miles on it so I want to get it up to snuff.

Thanks again!

 

[Fire-medic]

Post up the pics when you get it back, and maybe a video underway.

 

[RRClassic]

Post up the pics when you get it back, and maybe a video underway.

I will indeed, Thank you!

 

[[email protected]]

+1 to working with Captain Kyle.
One of the GURU's of the vmax.
You will be in good hands!

 

[CaptainKyle]

Thanks very much for the good words !

 

[marsmax85]

Kyle will sort you out for sure .. What is your last 4 numbers on the vin? production number ?

 

[ouchez]

Is anyone aware of a shop in Nashville that will work on a gen 1 (85). The Yamaha dealerships just chuckle when I ask.

Cheers!

Sad that a Yama dealer would act like that since that Gen 1 motor was also sold in the Venture and thy had to service both. One big reason, among others, for the reason I never bought a Gen 2 was this opinion that most dealers are staffed with "carny's" and I had little faith they would ever be able to service the machine with any skillz level.

 

[desert_max]

Luckily, with a little intestinal fortitude and a willingness to get greasy if necessary, "most" maintenance and mechanical issues on the Gen1 can be sorted by a reasonably skilled shade tree part-timer.

Disclaimer: It's easy to get in over your head, though. A wise sage once said, "A man's gotta know his limitations."

 

[norcalAF]

In this same vein, does anyone have a recommendation for a Vmax mechanic in the SF Bay area?

 

[Fire-medic]

In this same vein, does anyone have a recommendation for a Vmax mechanic in the SF Bay area?

Geez you'd think with all the gearheads around there, someone who works on carbureted motorcycles would be available. What about going to Zeitgeist, 199 Valencia St. in San Francisco and asking around there? That's a heavily motorcycle-centric place, I hear. And you can drain your sorrows as you commiserate over the condition of your bike. "Cold beers, colder women." It's actually "warm beers, cold women," but I don't want to discourage you.

 

[norcalAF]

Geez you'd think with all the gearheads around there, someone who works on carbureted motorcycles would be available. What about going to Zeitgeist, 199 Valencia St. in San Francisco and asking around there? That's a heavily motorcycle-centric place, I hear. And you can drain your sorrows as you commiserate over the condition of your bike. "Cold beers, colder women." It's actually "warm beers, cold women," but I don't want to discourage you.

While I appreciate the recommendation, SF is about an hour from me on a good day, I'm looking for someone in the east bay area.

 

[Woody]

Think outside the box.
Talk to mechanics.no matter where they work.I knew a guy.who worked at the local kawasaki stealership. He knew the gen1. Inside out.
A lot of guys will do work on the side. Ask fellow rider's also.

 

[Fire-medic]

Think outside the box.
Talk to mechanics, no matter where they work. I knew a guy who worked at the local Kawasaki stealership. He knew the Gen. 1, inside-out. A lot of guys will do work on the side. Ask fellow rider's also.

After all, one of the oldest continuously-operating dealerships in the world is in San Francisco, Dudley Perkins. I'm sure there are people there who 'know people.' Even if it's not a H-D.

 

[user 16790]

if you want 'specialist' work done is a hours travel really so far ?, I rode my bike for over a hour to drop it off at EXACTREP (UK) last year to get a job done that other newer generation mechanics (plug in diagnostics) couldn't do, I'm glad I did and I'd do it again for peace of mind

 

[Steve B.]

Luckily, with a little intestinal fortitude and a willingness to get greasy if necessary, "most" maintenance and mechanical issues on the Gen1 can be sorted by a reasonably skilled shade tree part-timer.

Disclaimer: It's easy to get in over your head, though. A wise sage once said, "A man's gotta know his limitations."

Might that wise sage be 'Dirty Harry'?

 

[RRClassic]

Kyle will sort you out for sure .. What is your last 4 numbers on the vin? production number ?

I was not able to get that or think of getting that # but when I dropped it off at Kyle's he determined it was a middle of the pack in terms of when it was built in 85 but Kyle said since it is an original purple it is more rare. It appears as though the 992 original miles is legit so this thing is a rare beast. It needs cleaning etc but I think it will be one of the nicest all original Vmax's out there. Whoever stored it was not nice to it but again, it is just cosmetics that can be cleaned up.

 

[RRClassic]

Think outside the box.
Talk to mechanics.no matter where they work.I knew a guy.who worked at the local kawasaki stealership. He knew the gen1. Inside out.
A lot of guys will do work on the side. Ask fellow rider's also.

I spoke to several of the mechanics at two local shops, a couple of them had never seen a gen 1 and most had not seen many of the gen 2's either....crazy. I definitely have faith in Kyle after meeting him and seeing his shop, very nice guy and you can tell he is passionate about Vmax's. That, for me, goes a long way since he cares vs a local shop mechanic just doing it for some extra cash. Can't wait to get it up and running and cleaned up. Attached is a photo of how it looked when I received it.

 

[CaptainKyle]

I am happy to have the pleasure of working on such a Gem of a bike ! Hopefully next week I can get started on it . I already had some mechanic work and paint work inline first but am going to try and work on it in between the paint work