Have I mentioned that I have not been on my motorcycle for a month? The last time that I enjoyed a ride through the country was at the beginning of August, when Thom and I went to the Georgia mountains and to Auburn, SC for a couple of days. I noticed then that the old CB750 was in need of some maintenance, including a new chain, new sprockets, a new air filter, and new tires — not to mention its 16K service. After getting back from that trip, the bike was in bad shape, so it remained in my driveway for a few weeks while I tried to collect the parts to get it fixed.

After receiving some birthday money, I dropped by Capitol Cycle, Macon, Georgia, to get some prices and advice on the aforementioned parts. I spoke to Bryan at the parts counter. He was helpful, but the prices he gave me were much more than I felt I should be paying, except for sprockets and an air filter. I decided to get the air filter, and offered to pay for it; Bryan, however, said that they should have one in stock anyway, so he ordered it, saying that it’ll be here when I bring the bike in. Cool.

I managed to find the other parts I needed online at Discount Motorcycle Tires and Accessories, and ordered them on Thursday, August 26. They shipped the x-ring chain on Monday, and I got it by Wednesday, even though I only paid for ground shipping. I couldn’t find the sprockets I wanted, so I called Capitol and just ordered them through their parts department, this time giving them my AMEX number. Expecting the tires to arrive within a day, I took the bike and chain into Capitol on Wednesday (9/1), explaining that their parts department should have the sprockets and air filter, and that I would have the tires to them in a day or so. Cool.

After a week (9/2), the tires still had not shipped, so I gave DMTA a call. Jerry, the customer service guy I eventually spoke to after an interminable wait listening to Muzak and announcements that promised that any backorders would be communicated within a day after order placement told me they were waiting for the tires to ship from the factory. Well, the Pirelli Sport Demons were backordered, but Jerry upgraded my shipping to 2nd-day air. I was beginning to get worried, seeing that I was supposed to go on a trip to the mountains that next weekend, leaving September 10. Jerry told me that they should get them this weekend, and even though they were closed on Monday for Labor Day, I should get them by Thursday in time for my trip. Cool.

I called Capitol and informed them of the delay. They assured me that there was no problem and that I should just bring in the tires when they arrive. I _finally_ received the tires Monday, September 13, missing my trip, but just in time for Hurricane Ivan. Since Capitol is closed on Monday (something that all bike shops seem to practice), I dropped the tires off at Capitol on my way into work yesterday (9/14), figuring all they needed to do was put them on. Well, apparently they had done absolutely nothing to a bike they had for two weeks. The mechanic told me it still should be ready that afternoon. Fine.

It wasn’t. Nor was it ready today at the promised time, and they did not have an air filter. “Why not?” I didn’t think it was an unreasonable question. Apparently it was never ordered because I never paid for it. So, I have to purchase all my parts _before_ service? I didn’t have to pay for the spark plugs, oil, or filter. I told them to forget the air filter. Well, the bike won’t be ready for another couple of hours. “Why not?” I informed him that he told me it would be ready “after lunch.” “Yeah,” he parries, “‘after lunch’ is 1 to 6 o’clock.” This jerk continued getting increasingly snippy with me, as if it was my fault the bike wasn’t ready: “Sir, if you had brought the tires in on the same day you dropped it off, it would have been ready _that_ day.” So, they had this motorcycle for _two weeks_ and never even bothered to check if they had an air filter in stock. I’m sure that’s my fault, too. And they cannot have it ready when promised. And it’s my fault. I felt like giving them my best Napoleon Dynamite: “IDIOTS!”

You know, I can handle idiots, but what really irritates me about this whole situation is that Capitol is the most convenient place for me to have my motorcycle serviced. Now, I’ll have to go elsewhere. And, my loyal readers, this incident is indicative of many of the local businesses here in middle Georgia. They think they have an oligopoly, so they can be pricks and I’ll still have to give them business. If you demand more than the status quo, don’t move to middle Georgia. I just want to go riding, far far away. Maybe they’ll call soon; it’s now been two hours and counting. I’m sure to be overcharged, and I’ll still have to buy an air filter. At least I can put that in myself. It’s been a frustrating day, and I’m still waiting…as Ivan begins to trickle in.