I know an artist when I meet one

[K8]

Wow. I rode up early this morning , did a little u turn and backed the baby into the gutter right out front of Charlies , right next to another red baby looking absolutely beautiful with its eagle double bubble tinted screen , and charlie is standing there watching me . He comes over and I take my helmet off but he knows who it is and immediatly launches into just where in various body parts I am probably sore . A twist of the throttle " No Good " you'll have sore wrists , and the back brake pedal "No Good " , Height - " No Good " , the clutch cable end " AHA " and named where I had it serviced last. The Clutch " Pfft , No Good "
I'm just like Wide Eyed and beginning to smile . He does that Mechanic Artist thing where they twist the throttle and listen to the music , a sideways glance at me and his other arm indicates the rise where the orchestra is out of tune , one pipe catching its breath . I mean , his arm movement and expression has me right there hearing it for the first time . He flicks the inner ends of the grips and asks me if my heated grips work . " well yeah , but I expected better to be honest " Flick again , " dont worry you soon wont recognise them " . By now I am just going WOW and grinning like silly school girl .
No One , has talked to me like this about my bike and my set up , and we haven't even got onto the tyres yet , or the left side fairing that needs replacing.
Charlie Loves Triumphs and he made me feel that he loves my baby in particular . So , I went in there , skeptical I'll admit having been bitten soooo many times , just to have the obligatory service and then head for the hills , and instead my bike is now safely ensconced in the care of charlie for everything to be done . I am soo RAPT . Oh , I'm getting a new set of Michelins as well .

It was also Great meeting Steve and Niltime. Cant thank you enough Tony. Thanks everyone who gave me the heads up about the artist Charlie.

Downside is - I'm here at home bikeless . I'm about to clean the house to keep my mind off the sounds of bikes blatting past on the Kangaroo ground- Yarra Glen road.
Think I better have a turkey.....

[steventhechef]

Well done K8. Good find. It is nice to discover someone that you can trust with your bike.

I am still looking..

A few say that they work on Triumphs but how many actually "know" Triumphs??? I spoke to one mechanic the other day that told me that he'd never actually worked on a "new triple" but would give it a go..

Not f**king likely boyo... you're not learning on my bike..

Does Charlie charge travel time??

FWIW I did 3 loads of washing and swept the family area yesterday.. LOL

[Niltime]

Great meeting you too, K8!

Yes, Charlie is an artist...we all tell him that he is bullsh*t artist to stop his head getting too big LOL

Your bike is in good hands.

Steve, Charlie does not charge travel time, but he does have interstate customers...who either send their bikes to him via transporter, or get their services done whilst holidaying down here.

Well, time to put the bike away after this mornings ride, and head north on the plane to Brisbane for another weeks work

Cheers
Tony

[steventhechef]

Tony, you have to support your habit somehow!!

[Tankman]

K8
you are right about Charlie, a couple of years ago I took my T595 Daytona to him. He came out when I pulled up and strait away started telling me my bike was running like a bucket of crap. Next he takes it inside and starts pulling stuff off her and throwing it in the bin saying as he did "this no good, or this gotto go, it is f----d. I walked away wondering if I would get my bike back in one piece. The next day I went back and after taking off into town I wondered if it was really the same bike. He works magic with all types of bikes but loves Trumpy's best and is the best in the buisness. Please say hi from me next time you see him, and tell him I'm still waiting for him to come for a ride down here in little old Tassie.

Cya The Tankman

[Niltime]

Hello Tankman - so that was your 595 that I saw there?

I see Charlie most weeks, and will surely pass on your regards to him.

As for getting him on a ride, I am trying to drag him down to Tassie for a ride - fingers crossed, we might get him there one day!

Cheers,

[K8]

Hey Tankman
I did give charlie your best 'cause I remember you asked me too. Weather must be nice over there now hey ! Hope you are having some excellent rides .

[K8]

Originally Posted by steventhechef

FWIW I did 3 loads of washing and swept the family area yesterday.. LOL

Could you come down for a while and do mine please . I cooked and ate and drank instead and listened to 70's Australian rock . The smell of bread baking to the sound of the Dingoes and Spectrum . Sweet.

[MVP44]

Great post - I think we often get so much negative service reports that we forget there are "Charlies" out there who to them their work is an art or craft and it really is a beautiful thing to watch them work. I find myself with great admiration for these artisans who often aren't given credit.

Someone please help us find a "Charlie" on the East coast - I have met many good mechanics, but people like Charlie are few.

[Whisperinsmith]

I'll second "Great post". Nice story and nice bunch down under. Ride safe.