Looking for a Triumph mechanic in my area

[metodd]

Hi all - wasn't sure the best place to post this, so I'll put it here.

I have a 1972 Triumph Daytona, just acquired - needs a bit of work. I took it to a local motorcycle shop and they checked it out, but can't really work on it as they say they're not too familiar with these bikes. Basically, it needs a new head gasket, base gasket, rings and carbs rebuilt. Stuff I don't feel comfortable doing myself. I'm in the Walla Walla, Washington area - so not real close to any big cities. There is a Triumph dealer in Spokane, which is about 2 hours from me, so that's an option.

I thought I'd ask and see if, by chance, anyone has any resources in my neck of the woods, knows anyone who could help, etc. Thanks in advance!

 

[Rocky]

Finding an experienced, competent and reliable person to work on your vintage bike may be very hard for you. They are still around, but the numbers are getting smaller all the time. Finding one close to you is the hard part. The fact that you are not near any large centers doesn't improve your chances either.
If you were in or near a large center I would suggest checking with all the bike dealers for leads; yellow pages; bike nights; anywhere bikes gather; bike clubs.
Your Daytona is a Triumph, but the mechanics and technicians at Triumph dealers only work on modern bikes. I doubt that you will find any help there. This is why most of us who own old bikes have to learn to be our own mechanic.
That said, there is a remote chance that one of the dealer mechanics may be into old bikes and can help you out, but I think that chance is slim. It certainly won't hurt to ask and somebody may be able to point you in the right direction.
What you want done isn't very hard to do, but if you don't feel comfortable tearing the engine apart you don't have many options.

Let's hope others will read this thread and offer more hope and help than I am.

 

[CarlS]

I think Rocky is spot on. You will have to search for someone and it may will be someone who works out of his home. If you re willing to ship your bike it will open up more options.

 

[metodd]

I'll poke around locally...my neighbor is a mechanic and I've seen a few motorcycles in his shop.. I'm planning to learn to work on this myself and am fairly mechanically inclined but don't know that I want to tackle this project without more experience! Might get in over my head...but then I'd learn some great stuff too...

 

[CarlS]

Keep us posted on your progress.