*Why do we charge for help? Everyday we receive numerous calls & emails asking for
vintage bike information aka "Help." Answering these questions accurately & with research
is time consuming. We feel it's unfair to our paying customers to have their work interrupted
or delayed due to these calls & emails. We are a business, not a hobbyist, so our paying
Customers needs always come first. Our Help Service allows us the means to compensate
for the extra labor required to complete shop jobs so Randy can provide the help & thorough
expertise the public is seeking. This professional person agrees with our policy:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2011/03/28/no-you-cant-pick-my-brain-it-costs-too-much/
To Schedule a Help Session:
1. Email us at info@rcycle.com & follow steps 2 - 10
2. Provide in the email:
- Your full name
- Mailing address
- Email address
- Daytime phone #
- Subject line = "Help Request"
USA phone numbers only - no Skype phone numbers - no overseas phone numbers. If you
are overseas, we will only use email - same rates apply.
3. Year, make & model of your motorcycle
4. Vehicle identification number (VIN)
5. Detailed description of the issue, problem, or questions - be specific. Photos welcome.
6. What is your level of motorcycle mechanical ability - Beginner or Intermediate?
7. Confirm that you agree, "I understand there will be no refund for unused Help time and
if I am a no-show for the call, I will not receive a refund."
8. What time between 11AM to 6PM Eastern Time Tuesday thru Friday do you want be
contacted? Would you prefer to call us? (If you are overseas, we only use email)
9. Are you willing to answer an optional 6-question survey after the Help session? Yes or No
10. How will you be paying - MasterCard, Visa, or PayPal?
DO NOT SEND PAYMENT UNTIL YOU RECEIVE A RESPONSE
11. Once we verify via email, provide payment via credit card or PayPal
11a. if paying by PayPal, send payment to info@rcycle.com
11b. if paying by credit card (no debit cards), call or email us with a current,
valid credit card number, expiration date, 3-digit CCV code & zip code
associated with this card.
What if RCSR & Randy can't help me?
You will be notified at the time we receive your email
Rates for Phone or Email time
- 15 minutes = $30 US
- 30 minutes = $60 US
- 60 minutes = $120 US
- No refund for unused time / Payment due BEFORE call begins
What happens
- After you provide the above information & when the payment is
confirmed, you will receive an email confirming your request for 15 or 30
minutes of Help time, the time of the call and the phone number to call.
- You must reply to the email agreement.
- Randy will call you at the appointed time. The clock will start the
moment the phone is answered either by a person or voice mail.
Terms & Conditions
By purchasing Randy's time, you understand, agree to, and accept the
following:
a. You are paying for Randy's time to responding to your question in a
detailed & thorough manner.
b. Our advice will only be as good as your description of the problem. Photos
are welcome.
c. We offer no guarantee Randy's advice will fix your problem. Randy not
being able to fix an issue does not entitle you to a refund of the fee, which
covers time spent answering your question. That said, we always endeavor
to make our technical solutions as comprehensive and accurate as possible to
ensure value for money and the best chance of problem resolution.
d. Disclaimer - When remotely diagnosing difficult technical problems there is
always some scope for misinterpretation or error based on us not physically
being able to assess the problem for ourselves. Hence our advice is based on
your own description of the problem and is provided in good faith and to the
best of our ability.
e. Injury or death - You understand and agree that Randy's Cycle Service &
Restoration will not be held responsible for injury or death resulting in your
acting on the advice given nor any damage to your equipment resulting either
directly or indirectly from acting on advice given.
f. You are over 18 years of age.
Privacy
Your privacy is something we take very seriously. We never supply personal
details including e-mail addresses to any third party companies. Your mailing
address & e-mail address is solely used to contact you for this transaction &
to verify credit card or PayPal information.
What makes Randy an "expert"? He has over 25 years of automotive repair
and technology experience, is an ASE certified Master Automobile Technician
with 10 certifications, and licensed Virginia Motor Vehicle Safety Inspector.
Randy was formally trained on and serviced Saab, BMW, Volvo, and Mercedes
vehicles. Since his early teenage years and throughout his automotive career, he has repaired and restored motorcycles as a hobby. His love of motorcycles became his livelihood in 2001, when he opened Randy's Cycle Service. Randy's extensive knowledge not only comes from hands-on experience & formal training, but his prodigious reading & absorption of motorcycle & mechanical manuals, magazines & Internet forums. He has a near photographic memory that allows for an immense retention of information. Plus, he taught automotive technology for several semesters at a local college which honed his ability to explain complex mechanical issues clearly & succinctly. Randy is currently (January 2012) taking a class in advanced welding. Next semester (Sept 2012) - advanced electrical theory.
Customer Testimonials
Aaron in Colorado, January 2016
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Need Help?" service? I did an online search and viewed the XLCR on youtube.
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Need Help?" session? The help was excellent
3. Do you feel our "Need Help?" service is a valuable money & time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast? The service was fantastic, without your help there would be no service at all for vintage motorcycle repair and/or restoration.
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe. Yes, very much so
5. Would you recommend our "Need Help?" service to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information? Absolutely
6. Do you have any suggestions for improvement to our "Need Help?" service or webpage? No, not at this time
John from Arizona, February 2015
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Need Help?" service? I learned about your "Need Help" service via your website.
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Need Help?" session? The quality and usefulness I would rate as EXCELLENT. Before my help session, I was quite unsure of how to proceed to address and correct my oil leak issue. After Randy's detailed explanations and guidance, I am feeling confident that I can make the needed repairs for my bike.
3. Do you feel our "Need Help?" service is a valuable money & time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast? Especially for the vintage motorcycle owner like myself, your "Need Help" service is extremely valuable because it provides one-on-one guidance and advice with an expert who actually works on and restores these old bikes that the dealerships no longer service. This service is well worth the (very reasonable) cost and I would recommend it to anyone who owns and wants to maintain a vintage motorcycle.
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe. The customer service offered by RCSR is EXCELLENT!
5. Would you recommend our "Need Help?" service to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information? DEFINITELY!
6. Do you have any suggestions for improvement to our "Need Help?" service or webpage? You already make the "Need Help" process so user friendly that I will answer "No".
Tim from Washington, September 2014
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Need Help?" service? Google
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Need Help?" session? Talking to Randy was like talking to the cool uncle I never had - one who owned a motorcycle shop and loved them as much as I do!
3. Do you feel our "Need Help?" service is a valuable money & time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast? Hell yes
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe. yes
5. Would you recommend our "Need Help?" service to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information? yes
6. Do you have any suggestions for improvement to our "Need Help?" service or webpage? nope
John from Maryland, August 2014
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Need Help?" service? Web search on British bike repair - or using a similar search term
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Need Help?" session? Excellent
3. Do you feel our "Need Help?" service is a valuable money & time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast? Yes
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe. Randy and Ursulina's service was the epitome of courtesy and professionalism.
5. Would you recommend our "Need Help?" service to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information? Yes.
6. Do you have any suggestions for improvement to our "Need Help?" service or webpage? No. Thanks again for your very helpful suggestions over the phone.
Mitch from Florida, June 2014
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Need Help?" service? I heard about this excellent service in the VJMC magazine.
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Need Help?" session? If you are restoring a motorcycle and are in need of technical help, Randy is the man to call. He is patient, thorough, and full of great info.
3. Do you feel our "Need Help?" service is a valuable money & time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast? This service was worth every penny, it is exactly what I was looking for. Randy explained how to resolve my issue and he even made a video for me to watch which made the process even better.
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe. Not one complaint. A first class organization!!! I will be calling again when I have another issue!!!
5. Would you recommend our "Need Help?" service to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information? YES!
6. Do you have any suggestions for improvement to our "Need Help?" service or webpage? The only thing that might be something to look into is Skype or FaceTime. That way you could get real time visual help.
Dirk from New York, June 2014
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Need Help?" service? ..... You Tube
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Need Help?" session? ... A+
3. Do you feel our "Need Help?" service is a valuable money & time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast? ....A+
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe. Yes...A+
5. Would you recommend our "Need Help?" service to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information? Yes.....A+
6. Do you have any suggestions for improvement to our "Need Help?" service or webpage? ... NO
Bruce from North Carolina, May 2014
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Need Help?" service? (Your Website)
(extremely helpful)
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Need Help?" session? (extremely helpful)
3. Do you feel our "Need Help?" service is a valuable money & time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast? (Yes)
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe. (absolutely)
5. Would you recommend our "Need Help?" service to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information? (yes)
6. Do you have any suggestions for improvement to our "Need Help?" service or webpage? (if there were images or diagrams that could be shared during the explanation process, it would help in being able to follow the description of the suggested solves)
Kevin from Pennsylvania, December 2013
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Help" service? Google
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Help" session? Great. Everything I needed.
3. Do you feel our "Help" service is a valuable money & time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast? More than valuable
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe. Yes very much
5. Would you recommend our "Help" service to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information? Yes
6. Do you have any suggestions for improvement to our "Help" service or webpage? Maybe a video of Randy working with someone.
Brian from Florida, October 2013
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Help" service? Searched online for motorcycle restoration- Google
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Help" session?
Very Helpful, Randy had researched my bike and was ready with a list of items for me to check.
3. Do you feel our "Help" service is a valuable money & time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast?
Very, I spent hundreds of dollars trying out parts I thought were bad, only to find out it was the light switch. He explained the schematic to me and how that line energized the stator coil, and if it was open I would not get the extra current to the battery when the lights were on. I opened up the switch and discovered it had a cold solder joint. The wire literally fell off of its connection. It had got so hot from the bad connection that the switch had melted a little. But I was able to clean it up, solder the wire back on and it works perfectly now. Randy help me solve in 15 minutes what I had already spent hours trying to figure out.
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe. They were both great, did all they could to help, and were quick to respond.
5. Would you recommend our "Help" service to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information? I definitely would. It's not easy to find someone that knows so much about different bikes and has seen the problems they can run into.
6. Do you have any suggestions for improvement to our "Help" service or webpage? No, your system was very straight forward and the help was prompt.
Clint from Iowa, July 2013
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Help" service? YouTube video
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Help" session? Excellent
3. Do you feel our "Help" service is a valuable money & time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast? Yes
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe. Yes
5. Would you recommend our "Need Help?" service to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information? Yes
6. Do you have any suggestions for improvement to our "Need Help" service or webpage? No
Stan from California, May 2013
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Help" service? I was researching the restoration I was going to start and found Randy on both YouTube and on the web. I am thankful I did. Randy is a wealth of knowledge.
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Help" session?
The information Randy gave me was great. He gave me the names of some resources and his very valuable opinions and methods on the way to do certain aspects of a restoration. Just what I was looking for.
3. Do you feel our "Help" service is a valuable money & time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast?
I do think that the service was well worth it. I am sure it will save me some time and money.
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe. Randy and Ursulina were very professional and respectful of both my time and schedule.
5. Would you recommend our "Help" service to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information? I certainly would recommend Randy's Help Service to anyone before they start a restoration. Trust me, you will want to hear what Randy has to say about any concerns you may have about your own restoration.
6. Do you have any suggestions for improvement to our "Help" service or webpage? My only suggestions would be to maybe book a little more time or as a customer of the service, take really goods notes on the answers to your questions and the information Randy gives you during your call. Randy gives great thorough answers to your questions and you won't want to miss a word of it. Randy is a real encyclopedia of restoration knowledge.
Salvatore, January 2013
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Help" service? surfing on YouTube, looking for info on restoring my vintage Honda
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Help" session? I got all information I needed, there could be some more minor questions in the future whan I will really start the restoration
3. Do you feel our "Help" service is a valuable money & time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast?
Very valuable, Time & Cost effective too
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe. Both Randy & Ursulina have been very kind with me and fast !
5. Would you recommend our "Help" service to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information? yes, for sure
6. Do you have any suggestions for improvement to our "Help" service or webpage? I'm sure I will need your support in the future, I hope (and suggest...) you are planning to improve the help desk to answer even to a single question, at least for "proven" reliable customers of yours. Normally time is not a big problem for us private restorers, we do not need immediate answer.
Ken in Oregon, February 2012
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Help" service? I heard about your service on your web site. I was lead to your web site by first looking at your "youtube" videos. Randy's blog about his own motorcycle is very interesting and instructive.
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Help" session?
Randy called me promptly when he promised. My phone call with Randy was one of the most instructive and fun phone calls I have had in a long time. I would recommend Randy's "Help" session to anyone who wants to restore a vehicle.
3. Do you feel our "Help" service is a valuable money & time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast?
Randy's help session is a great value. There are so many web sites that give conflicting information. Randy is a pro with a proven track record and I am grateful that he is willing to share the information. Talking with Randy has literally saved me hundreds of dollars.
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe. Randy is a true gentleman...................Period!
5. Would you recommend our "Help" service to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information?
I would recommend Randy's help service to anyone. My fear is that when the word gets out he might be too busy for me.
6. Do you have any suggestions for improvement to our "Help" service or webpage?
My only regret is that Randy does not have a West Coast shop. Want to move to Oregon Randy?
Chris from New York, February 2011
1. How did you discover or hear about our "Help"service? Internet search
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the information you were provided during your "Help" session?
I had higher expectations for the paint layout geometry as the information was somewhat vague. In the end I understand that the production paint geometry varied and it's far more than I had prior to the call. The paint color codes were the most useful piece of info I obtained during the call. The actual color of the stripe is still in question. I've seen white and black. I assumed it was white with black pin stripes at the beginning of the call but I've since seen both combos and Randy didn't make it clear. I take partial responsibility for not asking explicit questions.
3. Do you feel our "Help" service is a valuable money & timesaving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast?
The information is valuable and worth what I paid especially since Randy spent an extra 10 minutes beyond what I paid. It won't likely save me any time in the end because I will likely spend the time measuring up a local bike I found to re assure the geometry on a real piece.
4. Were you were treated respectfully & your time valued by Randy & Ursulina at Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration? If not, please describe.
Both Randy and Ursulina were great to work with. Ursulina ran the clerical end perfectly. Accommodating and on precise. Randy was easy to talk with and gave great insight into his process. Randy answered my previously outlined questions but was somewhat long winded leaving little time to ask additional questions. I felt rushed to cover the alot of info in 15 minutes.
5. Would you recommend our "Help" service to a fellowvintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice & information? Yes, I would recommend the service. It's clear he has a vast knowledge base.
6. Doyou have any suggestions for improvement to our "Help" service or webpage? Streamline the set up process. Ursulina probably spent 15-20 minutes on me alone. Randy should consider more precise and direct answers spending less time on chatting
From Larry in Texas, September 2011 (repeat caller)
I am completely satisfied with the tech-help advice and pointers that I received.
From Bill in Montana, June 2011
My Kawasaki dealer tried to find the carbureator part and couldn't. Then he tried to make do with a Yamaha part for each carb, but they fell out. I've tried doing a Google search for the part number, tried Bike Bandit, eBay turned up nothing. Nothing else my dealer has tried is working, and it's looking like my alternative is to throw away the bike! As a last resort, I decided to contact some of the places listed for parts in the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club magazine which is how I found you. (We located the part for the customer & shipped next day.) Thanks for your email, as I was planning to write you to tell you that I got the parts on TUESDAY! Incredibly good service! And THANK YOU! I just got a call from my Kawasaki dealer/repair shop, and while I haven't been able to get the bike myself yet, they say that those "magic plugs" have done the trick! So, I just wanted to let you know the good news for me, and to thank you and Randy again for your help. And while I'm at it, I especially want to commend you again on your fast and conscientious service. You guys really "saved my bacon", as the expression goes. I was going to face a very difficult time ever using the bike again without those parts.
From Terris in Maine, April 2011
I found your web site and thought if I could talk to someone that worked on older cycles that they would know where to find the information I needed should they have not come across the issue before.
You folks definitely put my mind at ease. Randy not only found out the answer to my question but explained what I need to look out for when installing the proper parts. And why they may of failed in the first place.I was treated with respect and courteousness. Thanks a million for not treating me as if I was stupid. That really made my day too.I called two dealers in my area and even after one of them called Yamaha itself, neither could answer my questions.From Larry in Texas, February 2011
1. How did you discover or hear about our Technical Help service?
While visiting your website, I noticed that telephone consultation was an offered service.
2. How would you describe the quality & usefulness of the advice & information you were provided regarding your vintage motorcycle?
I am certain that Randy's tips and suggestions for implementing the restoration of my particular bike, along with his recommendations of suppliers for various parts and material will prove invaluable. There is nothing like having a list of resources that are time proven by someone like Randy through his many restoration projects.
3. Do you feel Randy was professional & courteous?
Absolutely! Randy keenly articulates answers to questions put to him in a clear, concise, manner. There’s no doubt left in your mind as to what was meant; if you need clarification, you can ask in real time, further cementing you understanding.
4. Do you feel our Tech Help Line is a valuable, time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast?
I believe that anyone who is preparing an outlay of time and money for a quality restoration should invest in solid research, not just by Internet, but by talking to someone like Randy who has such a depth of knowledge in this area.
5. Would you recommend our Tech Help Line to a fellow vintage bike owner that was in need of professional advice?
Without hesitation.
From Bob in Las Vegas, December 2010
1. Do you feel you received quality, correct advice that will help you fix your vintage motorcycle? Yes
2. Do you feel Randy was professional & courteous? Very professional!
3. Do you feel our Tech Help Line is a valuable, time saving resource for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast?
Yes it was very valuable .
4. Would you recommend our Tech Help Line to a fellow vintage bike owner? Yes I would.
Some of the questions we are asked:
- "How do I install an oil filter in an oil-in-frame Triumph?"
- "What bike do I have?"
- "What is the engine I have in my bike?"
- "Did a 1972 Honda XL125 come with a luggage rack? Where can I find the rack?"
- "I want to buy a 1946 Harley. What should I look for & how much should I spend?"
- "The lights on my bike are flickering. How do I fix this?"
- "What is the paint code for my bike?"
- "Should I buy this bike I found on Ebay?"
- "How much should I sell my bike for?"
- "What kind & how much oil am I suppose to use in my bike?"
- Need Help with a question about vintage bikes?
- Need to talk to a mechanic about a problem, repair, or to get a second opinion?
- Need help with your own restoration project?
- Not interested in spending hours researching or lots of $$ trying to figure it out?
For a small fee, we offer Randy Creel's 25+ years of expert mechanical experience & vintage bike knowledge personally tailored to your needs.
"Need Help?" via Phone Call
Website created and managed by RCSR. Comments? Send to info@rcycle.com
This page was last updated on: October 21, 2020
Website, photographs & video content are the property of Randy's Cycle Service & Restoration & may not be used for any reason without prior, written permission.
Professional Mechanical & Restoration Advice Starting at $30 US
A: Searching for Parts?
(we don't sell parts)
1. Go to the website or pick up a copy of Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader. They list many parts dealers & classified ads
2. Contact Larry's Service Center at (215) 536-6958 in Richlandtown, Pennsylvania. They are a bike shop with a salvage yard - mostly early Japanese & ATV parts
B: Bike Value (we don't value bikes)
Wondering what your Bike is worth or what you should sell it for?
Go to NADA for motorcycles:
http://www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles
... OR ...
Go to Kelly Blue Book:
http://www.kbb.com/, then scroll down to middle of page & click on "We've Got Motorcycle Blue Book Values"
C: Where to Buy or Sell a Vintage Bike (we don't sell bikes)
Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/
Craiglist: http://www.craigslist.org/
Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader
http://www.walnecks.com/
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club
http://www.vjmc.org/
Place a classified ad for free if you're a member
Ohio Valley BSA Owner's Club
http://bsa-club-ov.hailwood.com/
Baxter's Cycles in Iowa (British)
http://www.baxtercycle.com/
We only locate & provide parts for bikes we service or restore.
If you need help locating parts, purchase a Help Session for assistance.
3. For British bike parts:
* Coventry Spares
http://www.thevincentparts.com/
* British Cycle Supply
http://www.britcycle.com/
* Waldridge: http://www.walridge.com/
* Klempf's:
http://www.klempfsbritishparts.com/
4. Search "Google" for a forum for your particular make or model. Forums often allow free ads or provide free info.
5. Contact your local dealership. Don't assume your part is not longer available until you've checked. Call with a part number & you'll get better help.
Revitalize the Spirit & Beauty of your Classic Bike
Located in beautiful Central Virginia since 2001
8175 Black Walnut Run Road, Rhoadesville, VA 22542 USA
Service by Appointment ~ Closed Sun, Mon & Thur
The Mid-Atlantic Region Premier Restorer of
Vintage Motorcycles from the 50s, 60s & 70s
