Scotts Valley Motorcycle Service Center

My ’95 DynaGlide sprung a leak while railing to San Francisco last Thursday night. I called Scotts Valley Motorcycle Service Center the next day just to leave a message and see when I might get the bike in. But sure enough, James and Ted were there working despite it being a holiday (Independence Day).
I dropped the bike off, got regular updates from James on likely causes, and then received the bike fixed for a nominal fee just one week after dropping it off — today! It runs like a top and is dry below. Thanks Scotts Valley Motorcycle Service Center!

WOW – I was blown away today, and not good. FELT ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE! The lady, who was apparently one of the owners, was helping me look at a $ 9000.00 motorcycle, and then the guy owner? (the other half) came in and said, «Everything OK in here?» with an attitude… and he looked at her as he said it! She told him I was looking at bikes and he said, «saw him (me) on a bike and there is a limit to what we offer.» He must have thought she was going to be molested by me or something! Number one rule on how NOT TO TREAT customers… make em feel like they are not wanted… So I apologized for any problem I may have caused looking at bikes… and left, while he sold a Christmas tree to someone else…

I have had James service three of my five motorcycles over the decade or so I have known him, although I usually do my own work. I have been riding for 40 years and have worked on bikes myself all my life. James does great work and knows all the tricks to keeping costs for service down. For instance, he disconnected the rod from the piston and left the piston in the cylinder while repairing one of my EVO Harleys about 7 years ago. That way the piston and rings could be retained and the cylinder did not need honing, he explained. That bike still runs leak free and strong and has not yet been disassembled again. Last year I ordered parts through James’ shop to rebuild my Buell myself. He had the cylinder honed for me as well. Everything was at a reasonable cost. Even though I was doing my own work, he gave me some great advice on how to prevent leaks and even gave me a free part or two when I needed them. Today I am taking in my 60+ year old Harley model WL for service. James is currently the only mechanic I trust with my bikes, which also means with my life, as any experienced rider knows.

great service and inexpensive! bike runs sweet james! thank you for puttin in the extra effort and explainin all my options for what i was lookin for. It really came out the way i wanted. very pleased with the price and work done on my bike. had to take it out here after work and tear up some asphalt in this dam cold winter weather. ran so good, forgot about the cold

Scotts Valley Motorcycle Center saved my butt when I was on a 3-​day ride this past weekend! My motorcycle died in Scotts Valley and I was stuck. I found them online and called to see if they could help. The woman on the phone was super kind and understanding! So, I walked over with my battery and they charged it for me overnight.
The next day when I returned, everyone I encountered was friendly and helpful. After I left, reinstalled the battery, and road the moto back to the shop, they didn’t just send me on my way. They checked the charging system for me to make sure it was charging and I would be safe on the road for my long ride home.
I am hoping to move to the Scotts Valley area and when I do, I have found my motorcycle shop!
I highly recommend Scotts Valley Motorcycle Center … and they are only a mile off the Granite Creek Rd exit (Exit 5) of Highway 17.

My handbrake light stopped working on my Honda Rebel — took it to SVMC and they found the wire behind the headlight had corroded — under $ 40 and I was on the road again, safely! Hats off to the James gang.

Dunno what problem «Chris» had — I am guessing he ‘lost’ what ever written quote he was given. I have brought my 2009 Harley FXD down there a couple of times and have gotten great service at very reasonable rates. I ride pretty good distances and would not trust anyone to work on my bike if I thought they would not do it right. My wife’s Honda Rebel is down there now, having a wiring issue looked over. They found the problem, fixed it and we’ll go get it tomorrow. The «MMI tweeker» comment by Chris is ludicrous and shows a considerable lack of maturity.

I’d say think twice before you go here. They may be the only game in town, but I’m not impressed with their repair skills.
For what its worth, here’s my story:
I’ve had to bring my bike back there twice trying to fix the same problem.
On the first repair, my problem was it was running but had a fuel leak. They talked me into a new tire and a bunch of other maintenance things in addition to fixing the leak. Okay, fine, probably good advice. But then when I came to pick it up, I drove the bike home (6 miles), and it died on the road twice. I was unable to get it started and keep it going to get it back to the shop. It was totally unsafe to ride. They insisted they had seen no issues and test rode it sufficiently.
I had it towed back a second time. This time they talked me into a new battery as well as looking at the engine trouble. Funny how it needed a new battery all of a sudden but didn’t need it last week. The battery in there was only a year old. Okay, I guess new battery then. I picked up the bike, I got it home okay (about 6 miles), and parked it in the garage. I started it a couple days later to finally take it for a ride and it had all the same problems, backfiring, dying and was unridable. I called but again they assured me they had ridden the bike multiple times without any problems. I find that very difficult to believe. By the way about two weeks have gone by. So they had it about a week each time.
I considered bringing it back a third time, so I explained the issues. The mechanic insisted that the bike was having different problems now. Even though, I hadn’t ridden it AT ALL except back from the repair shop. Okay, fine, I guess I bring it back and they charge me more money for this «new» problem.
I actually was going to do it. I mentioned to them on the phone that I spoken with another mechanic about the problem as well, and he suggested a few things to look at which I could list out for reference. The Scotts Valley Motorcycle Center mechanic was quite offended that I solicited another opinion. He said he wasn’t interested in what anybody else had to say. Especially another mechanic.
I asked if they had a bike trailer so I could at least not have another tow truck come. They told me that if they bought a trailer they wouldn’t be able to pay the rent. At this point, he was starting to become irritated with me.
To be clear, I’m not saying that they can’t fix a motorcycle. I also know anybody can have a bad day and just say the wrong thing. I have to admit, after all this, I was still willing to work with these guys, but to take your frustration out on a customer and refuse to even listen to any outside suggestions was just too much for me.
They got a pile of my money and I still can’t go for a ride. You can make your own decision, maybe you will have better luck than I did. For me, I’m finding someplace else.