Tuned Bike????????????

[FLTRI]

IMO, if I can take a bike that runs like crap and make it run perfectly in 1 hr, I should make the same as if it took me 4 hrs.
Why? Because it may take someone who is just starting without any decent base maps to pick from a heck of a lot longer than someone who has been tuning these builds for years.

When I first started it took me an average of 4-8 hrs to do a proper map for a high compression 95" build with non-restrictive pipes.
However, after tuning 100's of these builds I have a bunch of base maps that I can use to get me in the ballpark.

Are these maps the answer for the tune? No, but it gets me going in the right direction.

I have developed a sort of "feel" for the VE tables and what it will take to get to where I need to be. As in how much to change to get the right result. This came after years and 2500+ SERT tunes.

Should I get paid the same as someone who needs 8hrs to make a proper map when it may only take me 2 1/2 hrs? Of course, because the customer is paying for his bike to be tuned properly, not for the time it took to get it that way.

If I were a customer I would be really happy to find out the tuner didn't have to grind away at my starter 150 times in 8hrs to write a proper map.
As always, JMHO, Bob

[ceraaa42]

Originally Posted by FLTRI

IMO, if I can take a bike that runs like crap and make it run perfectly in 1 hr, I should make the same as if it took me 4 hrs.
Why? Because it may take someone who is just starting without any decent base maps to pick from a heck of a lot longer than someone who has been tuning these builds for years.

When I first started it took me an average of 4-8 hrs to do a proper map for a high compression 95" build with non-restrictive pipes.
However, after tuning 100's of these builds I have a bunch of base maps that I can use to get me in the ballpark.

Are these maps the answer for the tune? No, but it gets me going in the right direction.

I have developed a sort of "feel" for the VE tables and what it will take to get to where I need to be. As in how much to change to get the right result. This came after years and 2500+ SERT tunes.

Should I get paid the same as someone who needs 8hrs to make a proper map when it may only take me 2 1/2 hrs? Of course, because the customer is paying for his bike to be tuned properly, not for the time it took to get it that way.

If I were a customer I would be really happy to find out the tuner didn't have to grind away at my starter 150 times in 8hrs to write a proper map.
As always, JMHO, Bob

Earlier I made a comment that may have been taken and written in a way I didn't mean it. I own an auto repair and understand all the costs, maintenance, training and so forth.

What I want as a customer is; for that money I want that sucker right, not just ok, but right. Runs right, starts right and has the max power thats available. I have no problem if it's even $435 and it's done in an hour, great I'm outta there, saves me time, great! I just want it right.

Lets say I have my tune done, doc looks at it and says; wow, I can't tune a fatcat in 25 runs. So, did I pay all this money for a proper tune?

Chris

[R1Geezrglide]

I don't mind paying for experience, long as I get what I'm paying for-not a bunch of excuses. Good tuning is a talent coupled with lots of experience. However, this is not to be confused with those that may have spent many hours in the dyno room, but are still doing the sane thing they did the first time they walked in...Like the difference between 10 years experience and 1 year experience 10 times.

[Bruce Woltz]

"Should I get paid the same as someone who needs 8hrs to make a proper map when it may only take me 2 1/2 hrs? Of course, because the customer is paying for his bike to be tuned properly, not for the time it took to get it that way."

Nothing wrong with a flat rate. Just like building a motor or doing a service... You get better at it have special tooling that allows you to complete the job faster, you should make money for that. Are there different rates for minor tweeks, or say a tune check? Say the guy had to change the muffler cuz the old one fell apart and he couldn't find a new same model.. Nothing else changed. Does the guy get charged for the same 8 hour tune? Assuming it was tuned there the first time...

Bruce

[C-Cat]

our local indy does flat rate of $250 no matter the time. he did my friends 103 with a techno research direct link and i know it was on his dyno more then one day i was up there. he also did the build and broke it in on the dyno. that's what i call more then fair.

[Hillsidecycle.com]

Originally Posted by BVBOB

Hmm, had a pushrod come loose when I was about half done with a tune once if that qualifies, Had a plug wire bad on an 04 RK last weekend that was arcing all over, had to lift tank to replace, the biggest thing seems to be I am constantly working on exhaust sytems, leaks, different mufflers, fitment issues etc. It always seems to be more than just hooking up the leads, sniffers, twisting the throttle and pushing keys.

We have seen the same thing here for years.
We call the client and inform, that we have a problem that needs to be attented to, which is not included in the tune(falls into repair catagory) so we can tune his/her bike.
Bottom line is that nobody should be expected to work for free.
The Emancipation Proclamation ended that.

[baggersport]

Originally Posted by Bruce Woltz

Are there different rates for minor tweeks, or say a tune check?

Yes

Originally Posted by Bruce Woltz

Say the guy had to change the muffler cuz the old one fell apart and he couldn't find a new same model.. Nothing else changed. Does the guy get charged for the same 8 hour tune? Assuming it was tuned there the first time...Bruce

No






.