the hidden cost (or not)

[rictus01]

As some may know I frequently assist others with there bikes, on the understanding they do the work I provide the tools and "oversight" (normally this ends with me having greasy hands mind, but that's besides the point), most people will have a seized bolt here or there need a bit of loctite, dab of grease, blow a fuse or two, all little enough, but cumulatively it all mounts up.

Anyway last Friday I was tidying up after one such visit, and found I had not a single fuse left, so did a little stock take; resulting in ordering some normal and mini blade fuses, superglue stuff (fixsal), Loctite, more copper grease, E clips & R clips and 8 tins of WD40, insulating tape, and some stainless nuts & bolts.

if the past is anything to go by I doubt any (or very little) of this stuff will go near any of my bikes, but you don't half notice when the bill is nearly £100.

Cheers Mark.

[Scoobs]

My bikes on the drive Mark if you want to come and sort it out ;)

[NTECUK]

When somone offers you a "drink" for fixing there bike take it.
Im.sure good old apreseation must be there among the bike community.
I hope

[rictus01]

on the understanding they do the work I provide the tools and "oversight"

My bikes on the drive Mark if you want to come and sort it out ;)

sure mate find a day I'll willingly come down watch (Oh if it's not at my place tea is a minimum requirement), although you'll have to detail what you're doing so I can make sure I bring the right tools.

When somone offers you a "drink" for fixing there bike take it.
Im.sure good old apreseation must be there among the bike community.
I hope

Oh I get presents, I'm not complaining as I enjoy passing on skills, but it's bit of a shock when it comes together like than as one bill.

[craig dow]

hi great to hear some one like you offering to help others out , wish you were near me when i wanted some help advise , im sure if you said to people you would charge them £10-£20 for your help and to cover any bits you might have to give them , im sure nobody would complain about that , look what your local garage charge , why should you be out of pocket ? well done and keep up the good work ,

[Pricey12]

hi great to hear some one like you offering to help others out , wish you were near me when i wanted some help advise , im sure if you said to people you would charge them £10-£20 for your help and to cover any bits you might have to give them , im sure nobody would complain about that , look what your local garage charge , why should you be out of pocket ? well done and keep up the good work ,

+1

I'd love to be able to do my own work on the bike, but have neither the patience or aptitude to follow a Haynes manual without help.

[yorkie_chris]

:-({|=

[timwilky]

You need to also add in the cost of "Specialist" tools.

I know these examples are not bike related. but in the past year I have bought

Car front wheel bearing removal tool ~ £80
Car track rod remove/refit tools ~ £80
Car alternator pully tools ~ £50

etc. I know these are the costs I incur in doing the work myself. and offset/justify their cost against the saving in putting the vehicle into a professional workshop.

I don't think of paddock/abba stands as being hidden costs as they are essential to bike ownership. However, the chain riveting tool definately fits into the hidden cost.

Thye problem being, that once people know you have the goodies, they want to borrow. Easily forget it cost you in the first place.


Now if I could get my -

neighbour to return my sledge hammer.
Son to return, circular saw, 110v transformer
Brother to return my cement mixer

etc.

[NTECUK]

You need to also add in the cost of "Specialist" tools.

I know these examples are not bike related. but in the past year I have bought


Brother to return my cement mixer

etc.
were ya gona park it lol

http://smythstoys.static.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/product_images/100095_M.jpg

[rictus01]

not really interested in charging to be honest, but have asked for the odd tool type bit, for example I got a 12mm 3/8 socket recently, perhaps not a good business move as I'd spent an hour working on his bike, but as my one had been lost by someone else; it was needed.

[ethariel]

And a lesson on the 'Mastery of the Angle Grinder', terrifying but well appreciated all round!

[Dabteacake]

not really interested in charging to be honest, but have asked for the odd tool type bit, for example I got a 12mm 3/8 socket recently, perhaps not a good business move as I'd spent an hour working on his bike, but as my one had been lost by someone else; it was needed.

I had a friend help me out with a V6 engine swap and he came to me over 3 weekends didn't ask for fuel money. I supplied tea and a bacon butty. When we finished I gave him my torque wrench as a thanks!

Plus I find it more satisfying to help someone than take their money to fix their vehicle. Got a crate of pear magners for changing a window mechanism in a BMW coupe lol

[DarrenSV650S]

If you want to help them, good for you. Stop fishing

[rictus01]

I hadn't really thought of it that way, but I suppose each has there own perspective on these things, it's either in your nature or not :smt102, fortunately we have a friendly and helpful network of people willing to help those requiring it around here, I'd guess having one of the only regular weekly meetings helps a great deal as these people come into the SV group as it were.

do I need a point for a post ? Generally I piece meal odd bits & bobs as needed, rarely do I make such an expensive order purely for bits.

if by example it leads to others being generous with their help or time towards new or inexperienced biker, then it's surely a good thing isn't it? I don't beleive everyone is out to line their own pockets.

Cheers Mark.

[Red Herring]

Over the years I've been lucky enough to put together a fairly comprehensive set of tools and also to have somewhere decent to use them. I'm forever doing bits and bobs for friends and have picked up all sorts of useful stuff as a result. I especially like the way decent oil comes in 4 litre containers and most bikes only take 3 and a bit......I only have to do a few of my mates bikes and get mine for free.....
Can't remember the last time I bought brake fluid either!

[aesmith]

Anyway last Friday I was tidying up after one such visit, and found I had not a single fuse left, so did a little stock take; resulting in ordering some normal and mini blade fuses, superglue stuff (fixsal), Loctite, more copper grease, E clips & R clips and 8 tins of WD40, insulating tape, and some stainless nuts & bolts.
I bought a 5L container of WD40 several years ago, and still not used it all. The sprayer is starting to wear out, but it's had a hard life. For example I ran it over with the digger (6.5 tons) and squashed it completely flat - took a lot of boiling water to get it back in shape.

[rictus01]

yeah my tin of copper grease is so old it's actually a tin, been beat about a bit and about 12 years old now I think I got three from the MG owners club which were doing a deal back then.