Technical How much to charge ..

LOL I charge more if they help.

Last year I had a guy come by that wanted me to put spark plug wires on his Harley. he had the wires and wanted it done now. I had another bike in the shop that was getting a tune up and the carb reworked, and I was trying to get it done. I told him that when I got to it that it would be a minimum of 25 dollars and he should just do it himself, even told him how to pull the old wires off and put the new wires on while I was working. I didn't feel good about charging him the cash to unplug two wires and plug two wires on but I didn't know him. He insisted that it needed to be done right away and I ended up running him off.

The next day I was busy tuning my bike and this young kid shows up with a pan head. he had points and plugs and wanted a tune up. I told him give me a minute and finished up with my tune up. Then I said leave your bike here, take my bike up to the burger king and get two cheese burgers and cokes and fries. While I cleaned up and put tools away. he didn't ask any questions just jumped on the shovel and flew.

He got back and I shoved a milk crate at him. He sat down and we ate. Then I proceeded to show him how to install and set his points, then time it using a cigarette cellophane and the timing marks. By then his bike was cooled off and I showed him how to adjust his valves. He fired it off we trimmed his carb made a minor adjustment to his timing and he took it around the block. he said it ran great then without asking he picked up my tools and began wiping them off and handing them to me. I put them away and said hold on I'll be right out and I closed the door and stepped out. he was a polite kid without being a kiss ***, two things I hate is rude and a kiss ***.

He asked what he owed me . I told him that he paid for the burgers and asked him what he was doing the rest of the day. He told me that he had no plans so we went for a ride which was my plan when I started tuning my bike.

Here's the deal sometimes even if you are making a living at your side job you have to help someone out. My Ol' Man did it, he made a good living with his wrenches. Sometimes the price needs to fit the cir***stance.

 

I'm a bodyman have been n the trade all my life work mostly commissioned shops. I got locked up n prison while I was there I learned I had skills I didn't no I had.I could shape metal with a hammer and dolly and anything I could find to help shape. I made a rear body panel for a 79 nova I made it in two pieces where the gas hole is. The water tray and all all I had to do was run a grinder over my hammer marks da it and prime it fit pervect.I want to get into some kind a work like this but don't no where r how to go about it I've look on line for restoration shops not very many. I'm in valdosta ga if anyone has any advice

 

Dang Mark been a long time since that buddie deal you pulled at my shop......tried to get a pan to flat-black and a four throat manifold for his union with the lady - just think he was pissed about something.....when I was doing wrenchen in the 70's - 80' and 90's it was always hard to price - as parts for old stuff wasn't always in stock or in a yard somewhere ebay was not here yet - better to get pricing down a little before or at least throw an estimate to the customer...no use in working for free even if you love it !