Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Flying spanner "your help needed"

[madmav]

Ducati Flying Spanner!

OK - I’ve got my thinking head on again - and I need the help of you guys and girls on the DSC!

For those of you who don’t know me, I have been in the motorcycle trade for some 20 odd years and around Bikes for most of my life! Mainly Japs! Ten years ago I set up BikeRite, an independent motorcycle repair centre specialising in servicing and maintenance of Japanese sports and performance bikes and the supply and fitting of “trick bits”, i.e. undertrays, under seat exhaust’s, etc. In fact, if you wanted your bike personalising I was the man in the Midlands at one time for this type of work, long before the likes of RHENCULLEN and others ever came on the scene! (not a knock - just a statement of fact).

Anyhow, the business expanded way beyond belief and at one point in time we had over 300 very happy customers on board!

Well, it wasn’t long before the manufacturers did their home work and started to catch on and fit rear sets, undertrays etc, etc, all as standard. People soon realised that they could buy a 2002 R1 and it came with all the latest gizmos at an all in price. So we were slowly losing our customer base to the likes of the big four – Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha!!

Because of the warranty situation, we started to notice we were being locked out of the service work as well for the first two years of the bikes life! And any one who understands business knows that you have to keep putting on new business just to stand still! This was proving difficult. Yes, I have still got my hard core customers who, as it happens, have become “personal friends” as well.
But we had to look at diversifying the nature of our business, so we looked at and eventually decided we would go down the Biking holiday route which, coupled with our geographical knowledge and our outstanding commitment to the motorcycle fraternity, BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!!

Sadly, we are not big enough to compete with the ‘big boys’ and with rising insurance liabilities etc we have had to stand back and look again at where we need to be !!

Ok, I hear you, and you must be thinking why does he not accept defeat - ”NOT A CHANCE!!!!!” I’ve seen too many people being ripped off over the years by the greedy boys, who extract the urine (take the ****) out of people who enjoy the sport of riding bikes! To this end, I shall carry on thinking of new ideas that can benefit me and you!!

My passion for bikes is still the same as it was all those years ago, and having owned allsorts of bikes, from blades to busa’s and everything in between, I know a bit about what I’m on about.

So here is the latest idea and I would really like your comments ….

The idea is to provide the DSC members with a mobile service engineer.
In essence, this would be to complement the likes of Cornerspeed , JHP, ProTwins or whoever you guys and galls already use.

Think of it as like having your Doctor come out to diagnose a problem or give you an injection, but if you need an operation he is going to admit you to hospital!

I.e. You have bought some trick bits from a supplier but you are not sure how to fit them, or you have a mechanical problem with your bike and you need it diagnosing before you run into expensive repairs when it was only a slight problem that could have been rectified there and then! But equally, if it is serious, we can then take the bike to whoever you use I.e. Nelly (Cornerspeed), JHP Ducati Coventry etc. And, for a nominal fee, this removes the problem of you arranging transport, time off from work and all the inconveniences you all know so well!

Get the picture?

On top of that, we could expand the service to DSC track days by getting small groups to chip in together and have your own flying spanner man there on the day!

Ok, so there will be a cost involved, as no business can survive without generating revenue.
So would we do it as a membership/subscription club with a reduced labour rate for members?

And so as to cover the wide area in ENGLAND, should we do a mileage charge rather than a “call out fee”?

Also, imagine the benefits of out of hour’s service which includes someone at the end of the phone for advice and unbiased information.

The possibilities are endless!

Ok, I could go on and on, but I’m going to make this happen and would really like your input on what things would benefit you as a biker.

The logistics of this will be immense, but I have ideas that will help every one. For example, if someone books a job in London for say Thursday, on Wednesday night I will post on the board that I will be in the London area on Thursday. That way, if you have a problem, we might be able to sort it that day! Ok, it might mean I have got to kip at your house that night! lol

Anyway, I’m gonna sit back and wait for your ideas!

May be I could become the 1st Ducati Emergency Service!

Regards Mav

PS Those that have already dealt with me, I would like them to reassure you of my commitment and honesty by telling you in their own words (good or bad) on here!!!!
PPS I also do Jap Bikes!!

Is there a need for a FLYING spanner (Mobile Service Engineer)?
If the service was available, would you use it?

[pguenet]

Sounds like a good idea, this is somehow midway between RAC and standard servicing and reproducing somehow what is done for tyres and alarm fitting.

I can see how some busy people like me would use this service. I have been trying to fit a set of forks for about 4 months but have not found time yet.

However I have to admit that personally I would change my habits and not really use the service unless probably when stuck at trackside. Minor maintenance I now do myself, and major maintenance I go to see Nelly. Not only because Nelly does a great job, but also because he is a great guy, I get to work with him, learn few things, see the other folks up North, etc. Servicing the bike at Nelly is more than just servicing the bike, it's also an enjoyable day that I would not miss.

Anyway back to your idea. Why specialising this for Dukes? I would actually think that Duke owners would be your worst target. Between the owner that doesn't know anything and only trust the Dealer network and the knowledgeable owner that does his bit and only trusts his preferred specialist, there isn't a lot of room.
I think that you would have more work with jap bikes IMO.

Cheers
p

[madmav]

Thanks for your comments P!

DUKES because i own one !

plus i'm in the DSC!


and i already do japs!


and iv'e got a passion for bikes

and i'm always looking for work as i'm self employed


but thanks for your HO !


regards mav

[Rattler]

Bit of a tough one this Mav - I'm not sure exactly where this would fit.

If I understand you correctly it will effectively be a service for installing tricky parts on the bike and providing a first line of fault resolution?

The potential problems with this are that I'm not sure that individuals here would pay a subscription for a service that potentially individuals here on the DSC already supply. ie, if someone's having a problem with battery charging, then a post on here would quickly provide a number of potential resolutions to the problem, all set at the level that the owner would be able to check.

If the diagnosis is very bad, then we are all too used to taking the bike back to a favourite dealer or if the fault is not so bad or is an installation of a trick part, there are enough members on here who will happily help out a local DSC member.

There is also a great deal of loyalty amoungst Ducati owners to their favourite dealers and a degree of trust is established between Ducati owner and this dealer. I'm not saying that a degree of loyalty couldn't be created by you, but it takes a lot of time.

Added to this the fact that most of the members here run their Ducatis as their second fom of transport (not true in all cases I know, but I believe the majority own either a car or another bike) then the need to quickly resolve a problem is reduced.

Perhaps you could run a supply and fit service for slipper clutches or race brake m/cyl, or smaller front sprockets or the like - these are tricky to install for the average bike owner and the usual dealer charge makes it expensive to go to a dealer.

I wish you luck fella, but I think that individuals may need to try before they buy in order to understand the value of the service, or perhaps pay a fee that a percentage of which is refundable should they not use the service?

Just my opinions, perhaps focussing on bikes that are used more for everyday use may be more fruitful?

Just my opinon Mav, good luck.

Tim

[Edited on 11-10-2004 by Rattler]

[NBs996]

Mav, from my standpoint I reckon it'd be good to have that sort of service available if needed, but I'd use it so rarely that a subscription service wouldn't appeal.

I do think Lord Timothy's suggestion of a home/work visit supply and fit service could be really good, but maybe only for those close enough for a mileage charge not to be too high.

Since I'm so far from you I would most likely not take up the service, BUT if you happen to be in the area, and I happen to need a job doing.... so you might consider setting up a mailing list to let customers (or potential ones) know when and where you'll be planning to visit.

good luck with it all.
n

[webbyc]

Hi Mav

Trust you are well and good to see you back.

Anyway as has been said already where would it fit? As Tim says we either go to the dealer or do it ourselves. If there's a problem all we have to do is ask and there will always be someone to help. Where I struggle is fitting trick performance bits as I have no idea, nor the tools, to fit smaller sprockets, power comanders, cpus etc etc., and that is possibly the area. For those people with bikes under warranty, there would be concerns about infringing the warranty itself.

Shame you're not doing the trips as I was consideringputting one together to take in Spa and the Ring - any ideas?

Best of luck mate.

[ScottyB]

Mav,

Most of the guys have covered what i was going to say anyway but i have a slant of the business i think you should consider.

Vehicle security, mobile ground anchor man along with what you are already planning.

Most folk haggle and get a new alarm and immobiliser when they buy there new Duke, however that is not enough now a days as most of us realise, how about if you tipped up and sorted out the rest for them, the "At home" security.....ground anchor, chain etc.............microdotting.........additional bike alarm and garage alarms etc etc...The list is endless.

I am not sure if with your ties you could "Aquire" a list of who has bought new bikes of late and target them as your potential clients.

Most of the alarm manufacturers offer free training on how to fit there alarms so that you have the paper to prove you can fit that specific make, but i am sure you could fit an alarm with your eyes closed...........you have probably disabled enough of them

The service would need to be the full monty, proper digging up of garage floors and re-cementing etc so that the client knows it is the dogs........Sold secure might even list you free of charge as there local/regional fitter?????

Hope that gives you something else to consider along side what you are already intending.

Good thing is when you are in sorting out there security you can turn on your sales man charm and sell them then fit all the trick bits under the sun!!

Regards

ScottyB

[madmav]

Good points lads ! thats what i'm looking for Tim i know what your on about "building up trust" it;s never been a problem i've worked for myself since i left school (long time ago)

and if i were not to be trusted i would not have come this far sole traders will always struggle in business as i'm a techy,accountant, salesman , book keeper,etc etc you know the score!

please guys don't think i'm trying to set up a new business on here ! i'm just trying to supply another angle ! some people will love the idea, some wont! what i need you guys and girls to do is stop worring about the loyalty thing!

i'm not trying to offer an alternative to nelly !JHP ETC ETC

They have their work cut out !

i.m looking further a lot further


mav


[Edited on 12-10-2004 by madmav]

[Mark]

If you're Down deep south, let me know in the near future mate