Broken promises ... how many times are enough?

[S21FOLGORE]

And where do I take my bike for service?


Okay, so here's the story.

I am the kind of guy who'd work on his own vehicles most of the time, but every once in a while, my working schedule gets on the way, or I just get lazy, so take my bike or car to the shop.
This was one of these cases. I wanted to install Valentine one and small HID lights on my S4R. I could have started this project by myself, but while chatting at Ha#t@r MS in San Rafael (I live close by), I was told that one of their service guy did V-1 (stealth) install on S4RS, so I decided to let him do it.
It was supposed to be one day job. (the actual working time for him would be 4-5 hours, 6 at the most, including fabricating the bracket and going back and forth between the machine shop and Ha#t@r.)

I brought everything needed (including the bike, of course) June 17th (Friday), was told the bike would be ready by 24th (next Friday).
Went to pick up the bike 24th, and it wasn't done. Oh, okay. They are busy, and things can go wrong. I'd wait for one more week. (and was promised that it would be ready next Friday, July 1st. )
Went in July 1st. It wasn't done. In fact, they hadn't even touched it. Nothing. Well ...,  I wanted to ride the bike July 4th weekend, so I picked up the bike for the weekend. Was told that they'd come to my house and pick up the bike, and it'd be done by the weekend (which would be July 8th, Friday).
I got a phone call Thursday, telling me that the machine shop they use (for fabrication brackets) was closed for a whole week, so nothing could be done.
I went in the shop, and made sure that they'd pick up the bike Wednesday 13th and the bike would be ready by 15th Friday.
Nobody came to pick up the bike. Didn't even get a phone call. I called Thursday, and asked politely what had happened to my schedule. They said this service guy (who was supposed to do the custom job) would pick up the bike Friday 15th. morning.
15th. Friday. Nobody showed up. No phone call. I had to get my car smog checked, so after that (at around 12:00) went to Ha#t@r, asked very politely if I could pick up everything I left for this project. (V-1, concealed display, Vizalert, etc). It took nearly 40 minutes to locate my stuff. After making sure that they didn't loose anything, I left politely.
Now, most probably I won't be going back to them (not for servicing anyway), I'd have to find the shop that I can trust (not just about service guys wrenching ability, but someone who won't treat me like this) ... too bad Ha#t@r is so close from where I live. (But then again, I drive all the way from San Rafael to Hayward when my NA6 miata needs  major work even though Marin Mazda & Subaru is 5 min. away from me. Their service dpt. pissed me off once, and that was it.)
Incidentally, while I was waiting for smog check, I ran into Michael, the owner of Mojotown , and talked for a while. He said there isn't really any choice in Marin (to choose the shop for Ducati servicing). Said he'd do it, and Ha#t@r, and Desmoto in SF ... ( he knows Scott personally, so ...)

As for the project (V-1 mounting and HID light (get rid of original headlight) ), I'm still drawing and thinking, where and how to mount, etc. It's going to take a while. ( should have done it this way in first place, not asking someone to do the job for me.)

[DarkStaR]

...Now, most probably I won't be going back to them (not for servicing anyway), I'd have to find the shop that I can trust (not just about service guys wrenching ability, but someone who won't treat me like this) ... too bad Ha#t@r is so close from where I live. (But then again, I drive all the way from San Rafael to Hayward when my NA6 miata needs  major work even though Marin Mazda & Subaru is 5 min. away from me. Their service dpt. pissed me off once, and that was it.)...

PR Motorsports for the Miata?

If you drive that far for that, try http://www.nicholsmfg.com/ in Milpitas for the duc.    

I'm sure others may chime in for shops in the city or ACE, but I have no FHE with them.  I always just go to Nichols, although I live closer to the city.

However, I have been having good luck so far for dealer necessary stuff at http://www.hondapeninsula.com/

[desmoquattro]

I'd go to Desmotosport over Nichols any day, even though Nichols does fantastic work. Scott is so dedicated to Ducatista and he's done right by me so many times that it's the only place I'll consider going. That said, you'll want to check with them to see if this type of project work is something that's up their alley. Most shops around here probably prefer the run of the mill mechanical/tuning stuff to modding. Then again, Desmotosport does give a home to Double Dog Moto in the back of its shop

[DarkStaR]

Yeah I'm not sure if the whole stealth install is within Nichols forte either, but they do have a the whole aerospace machine shop for custom brackets.

[S21FOLGORE]

Yes, PR motorsports for Miata. And there's a reason I drive that far ...

Anyhow, thanks for input. I am not thinking to farm out this V-1 install project to a motorcycle shop (I'll take my time and do it myself.) I was thinking more of a regular stuff, such as 6,000-mile service. I will visit both shops.

As for the project, I took some photos (still thinking how & where to mount things) .

To mount Valentine One, there are only two places that I can think of (that is not so obvious.)
Under the lower triple

(never mind about the detector is facing backward.)
Or right side of the frame



Where do I mount display ... ?
here?

 maybe here ...


And lights ?
Like this ?

Or I can go funky one eyed look ...


I think I should start a new thread (about the project) in Accessories & Mods section ...

[mostrobelle]

Looks like some cool mods...

I, too, would start with Desmoto.  If you need custom stuff made, then go to Norman Racing in Berkeley.  I'm pretty sure that's who Desmoto uses for that stuff anyway.  Nichols is a fine shop, but I just don't go there due to proximity issues.  Hattar seems to be OK for the general service stuff, and they do right by their regular customers, but I'm starting to hear more and more of these kinds of stories.  Bummer. 

[DarkStaR]

I don't see how you'll be able to install it properly with out partially blocking the "antennas"

•When properly mounted, the front antenna will look forward through the glass. It must have an unobstructed view. Don’t put it behind the parked windshield wipers, or directly behind an in-glass antenna. Don’t position it so that it "looks" into the rearview mirror.

•The rear antenna will look rearward, between passengers and out the rear glass. It, too, must have an unobstructed view.

•Detector performance is enhanced by a high mounting position. Two reasons. For radar, a longer sight line to the horizon always helps. For laser, moving away from the hood and its sun reflections helps a lot.

[enzo]

Yep, Desmoto for the regular stuff. They seem to respect folks who like to work on their own bikes, too.  They will treat you well, especially if you treat them well.