Elliott's, Crickalde.

[Vard66]

http://www.elliottmc.co.uk/

Just got off the phone with the chap there, same guy I spoked to last time.

Sounds like a perfectly reasonable chap, even talked me out of pouring money into a service, (how many garages do that?).
He tells me that his policy is to take the bike apart, charging no more than one hour's labour to do so, and then when he's clarified what's wrong, he'll ring up, and if I decide I don't want any more done as it's too costly or for whatever reason, he'll charge me no more than that one hour's labour costs. I don't know if that's a common thing, but it does sure seem a damned decent approach.

Bike is booked in on Weds morning, to be worked on on Thursday when she's cold.

I'll post up more when I've had more contact and have more to say.

[Vard66]

Update.

So far, so good. Been on the phone for a few good long talks with Allistair, and he seems like a sound chap.
The good news so far -
It is the cam chain, and not the blade.
The tensioners, apparently look like they're pretty new, and are perfectly serviceable, so I don't need a new set.
While he goes down to the cams, he's going to do a full service, and in the process of changing the cam chain anyway, save me £150 on labour costs.

The bad news - he couldn't get it booked in for a few hours of workshop time till Tuesday, so now that the Vitesse's key fob has gone poof, I'm immobile till Weds, which is the next soonest day I can collect it.

I'll post more up when I get her back!

[zimm]

http://www.elliottmc.co.uk/ ??

havent had them work on a bike, but used to buy parts from there back when main dealers didnt want to know about imports. And got advice on setup over the phone .. sounds like they havent changed much.

[Vard66]

That's the one. Edited OP for spelling, and added a web addy.

[Vard66]

Right. Was on the phone with Alistair earlier, he had just finished working on the bike by about two minutes when I called.

The bike is finished, and ready to collect Saturday morning - the soonest I next can now.

The verdict -
All was pretty much as it should be except the valve shims, half of those could do with replacing, so he has.

He also said that the ZXR 400 engines can be noisy at the best of times, but he's actually surprised at how quiet and smooth mine sounds, and that's compared to the hundreds of others he's worked on.
I rather like the sound of that, I'm looking forward to collecting her Saturday morning no end. She'll be like a different machine...

[CarneyUK]

Glad to hear you have the bike back on the road, and glad it was what Nick said about the cam chain.

Suppose you haven't posted yet coz you'll still be out riding her

Enjoy!!

[Vard66]

She is in fact, very smooth. I've done circa 300 miles today, and loved every moment.
There's a bit of an odd noise and a set of extended clunks when I change gear, but I think that's more to do with me being a novice and not shifting properly, so I'm not too worried.

She's a different machine, but the smoothness of the engine seems to really highlight the dampened power. Only complaint. In 300 miles.

When I picked her up, Alistair was actually getting visibly aggitated with excitement to show me how quiet it now was. I was rather amusing, he seemed like a child showing off a new toy.

Wodge of cash handed over, bike back and a smile forcible etched on my face. Might have to buy some earplugs thought, even if I only use them till I get a new helmet, as the one Rich leant me is noisy as a chronic snorer through a megaphone. It's an open face though, so I expect this anyway.

Belting.
I've just realised I left the service sheets in Rich's car today though. Bugger.