looking for someone local to work on this bike

[bstream97]

so i got this 1990 h2 zx7 and need a little work done on it , adjust valves and carb sync and alternator belt install (yes it does have a belt) bike really just needs belt, but i would like to get valves and carbs done if i can find a good mechanic locally , pinellas --st pete area west coast central  florida , i will supply part and pay cash .  thanks for any help--------i have called at least 10 local shops and no luck on a older bike --and most are v twin repair or are 2 months out on a repair , or didnt know what a zx7 was . thanks again

[rodneya]

Love the bike.

Drives me crazy when peolpe tell me to support my local dealer, but none of my local dealers will work on my bikes as they are over 7 years old.

[bstream97]

I know,  as a last resort i called the local kawasaki dealer and they wouldnt work on it.

[85RZwade]

Maybe it's a recent thing; all the shops I've worked for had "if we can get parts for it, we'll work on it" policies. 1990 doesn't seem old to me!

[rodneya]

Maybe it's a recent thing; all the shops I've worked for had "if we can get parts for it, we'll work on it" policies. 1990 doesn't seem old to me!

Here bikes are usually 5 to 7 years. Same thing with travel trailers. Found that out recently when a guy at work was ranting about buying a used trailer from a dealer and then they refused to do work on it a few months later.

[Striker1423]

It's 10 years here. However, my local dealer gets so desperate for work they'll take just about anything at times.

I saw a 1950's BSA in their shop one time. Every tech stared at it but no one knew how to fix it. lol. Not that I would have known how myself, but it was pretty funny seeing them attempting to help a customer and shamefully giving it back.

[85RZwade]

Which is interesting to me, given the WEALTH of information available on the Internet. I have found what I needed many times, including at my job as a professional fixer-of-things, to repair something unfamiliar. I think it's similar to the mindset of the teenage boys I'm trying to get out of my house, I mean RAISE, who wonder aloud why, what or how, but don't think to look it up with the miracle device in their pocket.

[Striker1423]

Which is interesting to me, given the WEALTH of information available on the Internet. I have found what I needed many times, including at my job as a professional fixer-of-things, to repair something unfamiliar. I think it's similar to the mindset of the teenage boys I'm trying to get out of my house, I mean RAISE, who wonder aloud why, what or how, but don't think to look it up with the miracle device in their pocket.

True, but the techs are flat-rate only. Not getting paid to do research.

[soonerbillz]

Which is interesting to me, given the WEALTH of information available on the Internet. I have found what I needed many times, including at my job as a professional fixer-of-things, to repair something unfamiliar. I think it's similar to the mindset of the teenage boys I'm trying to get out of my house, I mean RAISE, who wonder aloud why, what or how, but don't think to look it up with the miracle device in their pocket.

True, but the techs are flat-rate only. Not getting paid to do research.

[/b]

And the shame of modern techs is basing all on payment instead of the desire to be a continuous student and learning more on their chosen profession even if it means taking their own time to further their knowledge base.
I understand the point of why dealers limit what they work on in shop to current models.  Never understood techs who limit their capabilities to the same.
Sure hope you find a qualified person to do the work you need on the bike.. it's a beautiful one!!

[SoCal250]

Nice bike. I know an independent specialist shop here in SoCal that would work on that (ex-GP & IOMTT mechanic), but unfortunately I can't help with FLA. Hope you can find someone.

[m in sc]

anyone else here been asked to help at local shops to do vintage work?  i know i have.

[bstream97]

well looks like i will be doing belt , not to bad, pull plastic -gas tank-airbox-and carbs ,then remove alternator and install belt ,  probably not going to try and adjust valves and i dont have equipment to sync four carbs, bike runs really good just charging issue after belt break. thanks 

[dgorms]

I have been asked to simply "Identify" an old bike! If you call yourself a Bike Shop you better know how to fix bikes. It's a dying art.

[85RZwade]

I've been asked, Mark. Also "wanna buy my shop?" a couple times.
It seems like there are several members in Florida; I'll ask a couple of people over on RD/RZ site.

[m in sc]

buy a set of vacuum gauges, its easy. truth be told.. you only need 2.  do the left bank, then the right, then sync the pairs together.   

i have a set of these... i hate to say it, they arent bad
https://www.ebay.com/itm/264351738943?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1QDjDhAjJTWiDJvJf5dgmwQ57&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=264351738943&targetid=1262843334929&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1025649&poi=&campaignid=12873833227&mkgroupid=120757694159&rlsatarget=pla-1262843334929&abcId=9300536&merchantid=101678715&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6r7gtLG-8gIVwb2GCh3qyA_3EAQYBSABEgJvhvD_BwE