Recommended mechanics

[Joesox]

Please post your recommendations for motor vehicle mechanics here. It will be very useful if you can;

1 In the post title, write city/area, the type of mechanic (car/bike) and his/her or the shop's name. (See my posts below for examples.)

2 Give detailed directions, an address and maybe a phone number if possible

3 State why you think this mechanic is good. Give specific examples if possible.

[Joesox]

Best I met in Taiwan in 16 years is Sam Kuo, in the beitun area. Phone is 04 2322 0666. His English is good enough to get the job done and he's about the most honest wrench I've met anywhere in the world.
<-- no commercial interest in this business. Opinion formed over 10 years friendship.

[Joesox]

Eric Lin is an certified and experienced mechanic. His certification training lasted five years. He is a Yamaha specialist, but can and will fix anything you bring to him. He speaks good English. He's also a great guy. A biking enthusiast himself, he rides trials bikes for fun.

One of the good things about Eric is that he is honest. He'll tell you exactly what needs to be done to your bike, and what is not a problem or at least can go another few months. You can trust that he will not do unnecessary work in order to bump up the price, and if he sees something that he thinks needs to be fixed, he'll phone you to OK it before going ahead with the work.

Another good thing is his professionalism and thoroughness. In an area where it seems that the 'chabuduo' ('more or less' or 'it will do') mentality dominates, his patience and attention to quality work is exceptional.

His shop is in Taizhong city, on Jinhuabeilu (Jinhua North Road), close to the junction with Beitvn Lu (Beitun Road). After turning off Beitvn onto Jinhua going west, continue until you see a BMW motorcycle shop on your right, probably with an old BMW motorcycle parked in front. Eric's shop is about one block after that, also on the right. It has a big Yamaha sign.

[Bu Lai En]

For the scooter I completely trust Mr Zhang. He's the guy Bikefarm's Jeremy used to work with before he got his own place. I'll try and get the address next time I go there, but here's some directions in the mean time. Heading South down Roosevelt, go past the roundabout intersection with Jilong Rd. Pass one road on your right, and the next intersection is on the left, with Xinglong Rd. Do a U-turn here, and head back up Roosevelt. The shop is then on your right, at the bottom of the stairs of a pedestrian over-bridge.

Brian

[fee]

For the scooter I completely trust Mr Zhang. He's the guy Bikefarm's Jeremy used to work with before he got his own place. I'll try and get the address next time I go there, but here's some directions in the mean time. Heading South down Roosevelt, go past the roundabout intersection with Jilong Rd. Pass one road on your right, and the next intersection is on the left, with Xinglong Rd. Do a U-turn here, and head back up Roosevelt. The shop is then on your right, at the bottom of the stairs of a pedestrian over-bridge.

I can also second this recommendation (I think we're talking about the same place).

The address I have is Roosevelt Road, Section 5, Number 27.

But, Bri, I have always called this mechanic Mr. Chen. That's also what it says on the business card he gave me (Chen Rui Cheng). Gee, I hope I haven't been calling him by the wrong last name all these years.

Also, not to quibble about the directions, but do you really have to make a u-turn? At the first intersection you come to (traffic light) you can just pull over like you are making a left-hand turn and then drive over to the tire shop when the light turns green. From there, you can walk your bike on the sidewalk to Lao Chen's.

Anyway, another hearty recommendation for this mechanic and this bike shop. You will probably need some Chinese ability here, though, which is perhaps why some people prefer the Bike Farm.

[Bu Lai En]

But, Bri, I have always called this mechanic Mr. Chen.

You're probably right I just call him 'laoban'.

Also, not to quibble about the directions, but do you really have to make a u-turn? At the first intersection you come to (traffic light) you can just pull over like you are making a left-hand turn and then drive over to the tire shop when the light turns green. From there, you can walk your bike on the sidewalk to Lao Chen's.

Right again. That's what I always do. I just thought describing it the other way would be easier to follow.

Brian

[fee]

You're probably right I just call him 'laoban'.

Actually, that's what I do most of the time, too.

Right again. That's what I always do. I just thought describing it the other way would be easier to follow.

I hear what you're saying. And if you're coming from Xindian or Jingmei up Roosevelt Road into Gongguan then the shop will be easily accessed on your right.

Thanks for the clarifications.

[Mordeth]

In Zhongli I'd recommend the guys at the shop Autobike.

The shop is on the outskirts of Zhongli just off of the #1 road that leads from Zhongli to Tao-Yuan. It's just down the street from a very large intersection with a BMW dealership on one corner.

They aren't afraid of a little work and they are amazingly honest. They also have a few metal workers there so if a part isn't available....they'll create something that'll work well enough. They are also very good at doing hi-performance mods to scooters and 2-stroke bikes.

Their number is 03-433-3232. The owner speaks some English, but not a lot.

[trapjaw]

Good mechanic in Kaohsiung: Go down ChengGong road, just past Minsheng, but not as far as Wufu. After the ChengGong/Minsheng insterection, about 2 or three blocks down, you'll check a gas station on your left, and opposite the gas station, on your right, a small motorcycle shop. It has a Yamaha sign with a picture of a dirt bike on it. One of the mechanics speaks English there, and they are very honest, and always tell you excatly what needs to be done, and what options you have to fix it. If they find any other problems with your bike they will always call and ask you if you want to have it fixed or not; no hidden costs or unnecessary extra work or anything like that. They've worked on my RZR and FZR a lot, and I haven't had problems with anything they've fixed. My roommate also bought a rebuilt scooter from them which hasn't had any problems either. If you're in Kaohsiung and need a good, honest mechanic, check them out.

[llary]

Found an incredibly honest and competent mechanic who I must gush about.

I found them completely by accident when my car refused to start after a shopping trip. They spent two hours sorting out the problem and also flushed my brake line then charged me NT$1,000 for the whole lot. I was desperate and they could easily have charged NT$10,000 or more but didn't. I was absolutely shocked when I heard 'NT$1,000'. Taiwanese mechanics please take note - these guys treated me well the first time and have secured the business of my friends and I for life. I since had a whole new set of Dunlop offroad tyres fitted for NT$14,000 (bear in mind this is a 4x4 Isuzu import and these things are big and not commonly available). My back window and two side panels are now being repaired by them, again for a very reasonable price.

They're based in the 2nd floor of the Carrefour car park off Gong Yi road (follow the signs to Carrefour near Wen-xin / Zhong-gang and ask for the lun tai dian inside). Not sure if they speak English but I wouldn't count on it.