Ace Motorworks is a Houston full-service motorcycle shop that works on classic and current bikes. The business full engine rebuilds, service, repairs, custom jobs, and insurance quotes on bikes from the ’70s up to new bikes. Ace Motorworks offers oil changes, wheel building, custom paint, fabrication, powder coating, and other services. Customers remark on their attention to detail, fair prices, and service.
Global Motorsports is a Houston business that provides motorcycle repairs, service, and sales and has been serving customers for over 18 years. The business is open from Tuesday to Saturday and provides a variety of motorcycles for sale. Customers appreciate their knowledge, customer service, fair prices, and quality bikes.
Houston Motorcycle Exchange is a business that has been serving customers for over 16 years. The business specializes in KTM, Honda, BMW, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki and provides repairs such as brakes, fork seals, tire mounting, diagnostics, carb work, and oil changes. Houston Motorcycle Exchange provides dirt bike, ATV, and motorcycle parts and accessories including battery chargers, tires, goggles and glasses, saddlebags, tank bags, gear bags, locks, boots, gloves, jackets, and pants, and motorcycle helmets. The business also sells pre-owned motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, and scooters.
JB Cycles is a Houston business that provides repair services for Japanese motorcycles. The business’ services are engine services including repairs, vintage bike restoration, custom CNC machining and fabrication, and fuel injector service. JB Cycles is open to serve customers from Monday to Saturday. Customers remark on their honesty, quality work, reliability, and knowledge.
Jim’s Motorcycle Service Inc. is an Alvin business that specializes in servicing, repairing, and maintaining Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Owner Jim Aubuchon is a Master Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Technician and has more than 14 years’ experience. The business also works on dirt bikes, sports bikes, domestic and import bikes, ATVs, and more. Services include accident assessments, custom modifications, paint jobs, tire service, inspections, winter preparation, replacement parts, registrations, and repairs. Jim’s Motorcycle Service Inc. also provides emergency roadside assistance. Customers appreciate their knowledge, helpfulness, and customer service.
Metalcraft Racing is a Houston business that has been serving customers for over 12 years. Owner Houston Hal has over 25 years’ experience in motorcycle and automobile repair. Services include fabrication, welding, custom work, and repairs. Customers remark on the quality of the work, the skill, and fair prices.
Motorcycles Unlimited is a Houston full-service shop that sells, services, and repairs motorcycles. The shop can service Suzuki, Yamaha, Harley, Triumph, Ducati, Honda, KTM, Aprilia, and Kawasaki OEM parts. Motorcycles Unlimited is experienced with insurance companies and can repair motorcycles after an accident. The service department provides oil changes, performance upgrades, tire changes, accessory installation, electrical problems, carburetor rebuilds, and more. Motorcycles Unlimited is a Penske, Ohlins, and Traxxion Dynamics dealer and is Race Tech certified. The shop also stocks parts, accessories, and gear. Customers appreciate their quick turnaround time, reasonable prices, and knowledge.
MPH Cycles is a Houston Moto Guzzi service center that has been serving customers for over 20 years. The business also provides service on BMW, Hyosung, and other European motorcycles. Services include state inspections, fuel injection tuning, computer wheel balancing, 4 gas exhaust analysis, ultrasonic carb cleaning, and more. MPH Cycles also sells Moto Guzzi and pre-owned European motorcycles. Owner Mike Haven has been servicing and riding Moto Guzzi for over two decades. Customers appreciate their knowledge and work ethic.
The cost to repair a motorcycle varies based on what breaks. The type of motorcycle you own and its overall condition also affect the annual repair costs. However, a general guideline for motorcycle repair and maintenance is $800 to $1,000 per year.
If you’re running mineral-based oil in your motorcycle, plan to have it changed every 2,000 to 3,000 miles. If your motorcycle has synthetic oil in it, it should be changed between 7,000 and 10,000 miles. Additionally, one oil change per year is considered the minimum regardless of oil type.
Motorcycle oil changes are so expensive because mechanics need special tools and skills to perform the task. Additionally, businesses have overhead to cover and generally use branded oil that’s specially blended for the type of bike in question.
To replace motorcycle tires with new tires, it typically costs between $450 and $550. It can, however, cost as much as $1,100 for certain types of tires and motorcycles. If you buy used tires or retreads for your motorcycle, it can be a bit less costly.
While the way a motorcycle is maintained plays a huge role in how long it lasts, 100,000 miles is typically about how long a motorcycle that’s reasonably maintained can last. Additionally, some brands of bikes, such as some BMW models, have a reputation for lasting as long as 150,000 miles.
When a motorcycle sits for years, moisture and rust can collect in the inner workings of the engine. This leaves water in the oil and bits of rust in the engine. All the bits of rust and old oil need to be cleaned out before operating it to avoid further damage.
You typically don’t need to start your motorcycle every day. In fact, running it for short stints can drain your battery and cause damage. During winter months, however, you should start your motorcycle at least once per week and let it run for a minimum of 15 minutes.
During riding season, it’s typically best to ride your motorcycle at least once a week. Aim for a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes each week to keep it running smoothly and to keep your battery charged.
Brief periods of idling won’t typically hurt your motorcycle. However, extended idling sessions can do damage if the engine overheats. Air cooled motorcycles tend to overheat faster than liquid cooled models, so keep an eye on temperature gauges, especially if your ride is air cooled.
While there may be some bikers who ride year-round, it’s generally best to avoid riding a motorcycle when the temperature drops below freezing. This is for safety reasons. It can be harder to ride safely when roads are slick and icy.
You should warm up your motorcycle to make sure the oil has time to lubricate the seals and rings. It doesn’t take long to warm up, though. A couple minutes is long enough for most bikes to sufficiently cycle the oil through the inner workings of the engine.
Leaving your motorcycle in the rain won’t typically hurt it. However, if it is in the rain and elements for an extended period of time, you may notice it showing signs of decay. Being left in the elements can also cause a motorcycle to develop electrical problems.
If you have the necessary tools, supplies, and a way to lift your motorcycle off the ground, you can change a motorcycle tire by yourself. The necessary tools and supplies include lubricant, a set of tire irons, a bead breaker, and rim protectors. You also need an air compressor to fill the new tire.
A motorcycle mechanic is a small engine mechanic. After receiving specialized training to become certified, other job titles can be used. These certified professionals may also be called certified motorcycle mechanics, motorcycle and power equipment technicians, and motorcycle and service mechanics.
To be a motorbike mechanic, you need to have mechanical skills that include using hand tools and power tools. You also need to have diagnostic skills and be comfortable solving mechanical problems and puzzles. Additionally, it’s typically helpful to have customer service skills for talking to motorcycle owners about their bikes.
The typical path to becoming a motorcycle mechanic is to take a training course and pass certification tests. You could also take on an apprenticeship with another mechanic. Additionally, you could learn from working on motorcycles with a friend or relative or through a self-study program.
Most motorcycle training programs take between one and two years to complete. These training programs typically include a lot of hands-on work and some time spent working with a more skilled motorcycle mechanic.
Being a motorcycle mechanic is a good career path for people who enjoy being around motorcycles and who have solid mechanical skills. Working conditions can be dirty, so it’s ideal for those who are comfortable getting oil and road dirt on their hands and clothes.
A mechanic who works on motorcycles can make over $100,000 a year after obtaining an advanced degree and specializing. However, the mean annual wage for motorcycle mechanics is lower. The majority of motorcycle mechanics earn an average of $40,390 per year or $19.42 per hour.
