05/18/09

The REAL story behind the man, the shop, the myth

by motomuffin

Tom is by far and wide one the best mechanics money can get you. This man knows your Beemer, Triumph, Beesa, hawg - and any other oddball thing you got to roll his way - inside and out. If he weren't familiar with your scoot (and I bet you'd be hard pressed to find something he hasn't already worked on) I'll put fifty down he'd be able to take it apart and re-build it blindfolded inside a day. In short, he's one of those rare prodigies you read about and love to hate - for being so smart (sometimes it's eerie).

However, Tom has, of late become known for being a bit . . . "difficult" to work with. Now, here's the reason the guy has gotten such a bad rap: he won't take any BS. Pure and simple, this guy is really, REALLY no nonsense. He's so good at what he does, in fact that he's got a waiting list, which means that if he doesn't like you, your bike, your attitude, the job put before him, etc., etc. he will make it plainly known and will either turn your job down or make it known that he's not pleased or enthused w. your project. Them's the breaks, folks! It's a supply and demand world out there - this guy is the best, therefore the supply of *HIM* is limited, the demand by *YOU* is great and it all equals *HIS* ability to call the shots as he sees fit. Don't get me wrong, I find his customer service exemplary (and I've been a retail store owner for over 18 years!) and his care to be excellent.

Is this "pick and choose ethic" a bad way of doing business? By my standards, no - it's a realistic one. If you want some sugar coated CRizAP or some kind of "validation" that you're a cool, tough dude, don't lie about another man's competence. go seek therapy or join a martial arts gym or something. Tom is straight forward, incredibly kind and helpful to those who don't have overinflated egos, or ridiculous complexes or some kind of bratty sense of entitlement. He has helped me with four bikes now and though I haven't always liked what he's had to say, I like the place it's coming from - one of honesty, integrity, knowledge, and DIVINE capability.

Thank you, Tom. All the best to you.

• Pros: the best motorcycle mechanic money can buy
• Cons: shelve your ego, need for hand holding, sense of entitlement

04/18/09

BMW GURU SAVES LIFE

by BMWR100T

I heard that he's meticulous and somewhat old-schooled.

My R100T broke down and the first time I called him, I thought we got disconnected, to only find on the second call, the guy hung up on me the first time. I failed one simple question and he hung up on me? But after suffering some humiliation at my expense the guy was fair and talked me out of the situation.

So a big thanks to Tom!

• Pros: competent, eager to show me the right way, and articulate
• Cons: Doesn't like being distracted

04/14/09

Please dont make this mistake

by BJJNYC

Tom the Mechanic is a person to avoid !

Please do not expend you money there.

He doesn't have a clue about electrical and the most he can do is to change your oil but even that i will not trust him.

Many other places to go in the city like Tri-Borough Motorcycle in Greenpoint #1.

Think twice before you make a mistake.

Tom is a rude pretentious mechanic .

AVOID !

• Pros: Brooklyn
• Cons: Everything else

04/08/09

Highly recommended

by RobR

Awesome wrench. Tom not only knows bikes he will take the time to walk you through what he did and why. Also, he's not going to eff you on the bill. He charged me for like half the time he spent on my bike, a 75 Yamaha. As for these guys here bitching about his personality, I don't see a problem here at all.

11/11/08

the cheapest might cost you alot

by Beemerman

I spend $1800 at Motorcycle Works ( I have the invoice to proved) and he did not fix my bike, Tom is crazy disrespectful rude person.

I when back next day to complain about his work and he when nuts yelling at me.

He is not the only one who knows about Airheads. If you need a good and friendly mechanic please contact me for a referral. Do not support this lunatic its not worth it.

I brought my bike for another mechanic to finally fix the problem and I end up by paying double for the job

DO NOT USE THIS GUY ! Rude Amateur Mechanic

• Pros: location
• Cons: to many to be listed

10/11/08

The best, no-nonsense bike mehcanic in Brooklyn. Period.

by kdcnewyork

To all serious riders:

First, if you are in search of a phenomenal mechanic you can completely trust with your classic or modern 2-wheeled machine(not to mention your pocketbook), Tom of Motorcycle Works in Brooklyn is the only game in town. Period.

Second, (and perhaps a warning), be deadly serious about your ride, and Tom will be deadly serious about fixing it. If you?re a poser looking to have your lower intestine powdered on the marble floors at BMW of Manhattan while your bank account gets cornholed, this place is not for you. Kids expecting large-breasted receptionists, candy machines and overpriced tchotchkes, stay the hell away or Tom might kick you and your bullsh*t out. Truly. you have no idea.

The shop is located on a quiet street in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. If you happen to get there early and the door is closed, you might drive right past it. And by the way, the neighborhood and the exterior is the only thing quaint about this place.

Park your bike on the sidewalk(One of the shop rules) and if you?ve already booked an appointment, walk inside. There are many killer machines from every decade (mostly BMW), in various stages of restoration and repair. Having just purchased a ?98 R1100GS, I immediately took comfort in my surroundings, and I knew that I brought my baby to the right place.

Walk past the powder coated frames, shop manuals, vintage posters and deep-sea fishing gear, and you are greeted with a well-lit shop space with 2 hydraulic lifts and an oil-disposal unit neatly tucked in the corner. And while the walls may be a bit cluttered, the shop area, including the floors, are extremely clean.

Being a former gearhead, I understood and respected Tom?s no-nonsense attitude and manner. Folks don?t get this good without loving what they do. He is extremely fuck*ng serious about keeping your ride running well, and most important, running safe. If this guy ever retires, might as well sell your bike.

• Pros: Want to keep your BMW running? This is the only game in town.
• Cons: It's cash only, but who cares?

09/24/08

Great Service

by DB750

I have nothing,but great things to say about Tom and Motorcycle Works Limited. Straight forward real talk. He tuned my bike up fast and accurate, it was like a completely different bike, performance wise. He tells you like it is no BS, and in this day and age it's refreshing.

09/06/08

A Horror. Avoid like the Plague

by Tbzz

This guy is not "moody," he is abusive and childish. Every comment out of his mouth is self-serving, ever reminding you of how knowledgable, dedicated, pure, uncompromising he is. And the other guys are all crack-pots and crooks. And you? Well, you are an ignorant fool who can never appreciate his greatness. His shop isn't "tight", it's a disgustsing mess, with half junked motorcycle carcasses mouldering in every corner. I was nervous that my bike was going to crash into something as he wedged it in next to some rusted out hulk. Parts, tools, coffee cups, boxes of trash make up the rest of the landscape. Previous comments warn away those who are too "sensitive." That is nonsense. His behavior wasn't just erratic, it was abusive and unprofessional. I went to him a few times and the work was done, but always with unpleasant comments and nastiness. The final break came when he told me (on a Saturday) to stop by on a Monday morning. When I arrived, he started yelling at me that I should have called before I came. When I asked him why he was treating me so rudely, he screamed at me to get out and never to come back. Let's face it. If there were more BMW mechanics around, nobody would deal with this clown for a minute. So, in order to save a decent amount of money, we are all willing to accept a small amount of unpleasantness. Writing checks for hundreds of dollars to BMW of Manhattan is also unpleasant, and MW prices are reasonable. But, there is a limit and I reached it rather quickly. For those of you who are willing to take your chances wirth this nut, here's a tip. Don't deal with him in the morning. The difference in his attitude between morning and afternoon is like Jeckyl and Hyde. Beware.

• Pros: a good mechanic as far as I could tell
• Cons: unacceptable behavior. Abusive and mean.

07/19/08

Motorcycle Works Ltd. Love him or leave him, Tom knows what he's doing.

by ghstfc70

Let me first say that I was forewarned before heading to Motorcycle Works to service my 1970 Triumph Bonneville. "He's moody, can be hard to get service, etc." Tom can definitely be abrasive if your ego needs stroked. He tells you exactly how it is, how much it will take to fix, and whether or not he feels the bike is worthy of his service. I can see what people mean by his moodiness, but I thought it was kind of endearing. It took about 2 weeks for him to take it in, and then an additional 2 weeks to complete. I thinks that's reasonable considering he's in high demand, does exceptional work, and I was basically a walk in (do call ahead-he doesn't like you to just show up). When I went to pick the bike up, he went over every little detail with me, really educating me on why I was having problems and what to look for in the future. He even went above and beyond by using parts off his 70 triumph to get mine up and running. The bike performs better than it ever has, and I also have a better understanding of the mechanics of the whole thing. Don't take his demeanor personal, he's very passionate about what he does. If you're looking for excellent mechanical know-how and reasonable prices, look no further. If you want someone to tell you how wonderful you are, go elsewhere.

• Pros: Quality work, A true character, Passionate craftsmanship
• Cons: Bit of a backlog

07/04/08

Motorcycle Works Limited, a reconsideration

by biber

About a year ago I wrote a review ("Soup N*zi") about how impossible and difficult Tom was. Well, he admits (and loves) being the "Soup N*zi", but took issue with my characterization of him as a 'fraud'.

Here is my reconsideration, after a chat with him today:

He is a bit Jekyll/Hyde: doesn't like being disturbed during his weekday work hours (call first. i repeat, call first.), but is approachable and helpful during his Saturday 'open to the public' Dr Jekyll phase. Even a bit chatty.

That may not be clear to the uninitiated (me) but once he explained his logic it seemed reasonable. He is not a 'normal business' (think Shopsins); he works alone and if you disturb him off hours he is surly and dismissive. When I had the chance to ask him (on a Saturday) why he blew me off a year ago it turned out to be nothing personal, just couldn't do the job i asked about as a single man shop; it takes two people. The Mr. Hyde part of him just doesn't bother to explain that critical fact (on a weekday).

What was most surprising was that Tom not only read and remembered my review, but actually researched my repair history to see what went wrong. Then brought it up while inspecting my bike. I braced for a failed inspection or inflated fee, but he was fair and thorough in a way I wish every mechanic was. I appreciate that kind of honor, and his acknowledgment that my review wasn't so bad except for the fraud part.

Tom is not a fraud. And he may have an odd business style, but that is his prerogative. A little warning might help, but that is just nit picking on my part.

So just decide which Tom you want to meet: Jekyll or Hyde.

And remember, the Soup N*zi had the best soup.

• Pros: local, if you live nearby
• Cons: you must obey the rules