The "old days" were populated by many real mechanics who could really fix things. Focusing on two wheels, the Harley mechanic was literally famous in his community for realistic solutions at a reasonable price. His experience usually spanned decades and he never touched a torque wrench even if he knew what it was! He did things by feel and sound. He was generally admired and respected. His experience was with a brand that changed very little over the years so he could store knowledge today that would be valid for years. The Brits were probably more stable than Harley in that when they found something that worked, they froze the design and WOULD NOT change regardless of competition. BSA and Triumph mechanics became similar to Harley guys in experience and effectiveness. Harley, as a manufacturer, very reluctantly changed to the hand clutch/foot brake of the Brits but only after much griping and complaining. Things were harmonious and predictable for a few years, mechanics doing their thing well at a fair price just as before. Then along came Honda! That event set the two-wheel world on its other end with pleasant marketing and innovative designs. Along came dealers with a glint in their eye for profit and prospered at the new wave of record sales. The number of old-style mechanics who branched to the newer, technologically superior was very small. Younger men with an interest swarmed to the new opportunities with enthusiasm and many became the new go-to guys who became the highly-competent race team preparers and even some service managers of the bigger shops. Honda changed constantly in comparison to Harley and the Brits and spawned competition like Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki. Innovation abounded in oil seals that sealed and we're not made from animal skins, CDI that made the two-stroke actually reliable, wiring the insulation did not crumble off the conductor, overhead cams, balance shafts to reduce vibration, solid-state electronic just about everything, lights that could be seen and show the way. America and Britain had to notice but we're slow to act. Meanwhile, motivated mechanics were finding it difficult to keep up considering how puzzling the "language barrier" was in what tech information was available. Honda was first in clearing that up as well. Things were changing outside the realm of manufacturer, dealer and customer. Things that effected everyone in all walks of life. The inflation of the currency hit hard in '64 when the last of the silver coinage was removed leaving nothing to stabilize the economy. 16% inflation ate up everyone's savings and prices skyrocketed to keep up. Slowly changing gas prices gave way to daily fluctuations and made the market for signs that could be changed with a computer rather than having to climb a pole. Motorcycle dealers started taking guys off the street to put their machines together causing all sorts of warranty problems. The wage for a really competent mechanic became too much for dealers so they seemed to hire anyone with a red toolbox. Then the schools cropped up to get grant money, VA money and other scholarship funds plus linking to finance companies to make student loans. Schools like MMI. Graduates are unaware that they are at the starting point of their career and what they learned in school was generally behind the industry. Dealers are still reluctant to spend any money for test equipment unless forced by either the manufacturer or irate customers who have rallied the importer.
There are good shops out there but few and far between. Customer testimony is the only reliable way to find them. Dealers are very secretive and uncooperative in putting their customers in contact with prospects almost like hiding something. The independent shops are probably the best bet.
