Jim Comstock OK?

I did eventually get my cylinder head a couple months ago (after over a year), but I had to ask for the parts back to prompt things along. Jim seems like such an incredibly nice man, and an absolute wealth of knowledge, so it is hard to get mad at him. That being said, even though the quality of the work was exceptional, I would never be able to use his services again due to the incredibly poor communication and out of this world lead times.

When I had made my post prior asking if anyone had heard from him, my inbox was buried in people who had been waiting for services for years, but afraid to say anything negative.

Never meet your heroes.

I had a feeling he has kind of checked out.

There's just too many of us old guys all trying to get in one last kick at the can.
Jim's business is a lot like our Millwork business was- it's just him and whatever he can make/fix in his shop.
I used to envy a friend who owned a business that sold products made by others. He could double his business and all that was required was ordering two proofer ovens at a time instead of one. Often he would just have them drop shipped so he didn't even need to bother taking delivery of the item.
Anyone who makes parts for or rebuilds old bikes can be a victim of their own success.
There is a maximum amount of work you can do in a year and that is it. If demand doubles, then a big wait is inevitable.
We used to have a year or more wait list most times.
Some didn't like it and wouldn't wait. That was actually a relief.
Im getting tired thinking about it.
This reminds me, I tried to purchase a new RK Leighton seat for my 650 ss.
Unfortunately there aren't any available as the fellow who makes and supplies the seatpans suddenly dropped dead.
Time is rolling along.

Glen

One set of jugs, two heads, two businesses involved. They have been there since.....one longer than the other but then why take my jobs if you cannot do the work due to whatever...over work, covid , whatever?
So it isnt just Jim. Once bits go into the tool room time stands still.
One reason is not enough tool rooms anymore.

I learnt a long time ago that the problem with people in business in the old bike world is thus:

They are first and foremost, enthusiasts. And usually are nice people who wanna help, so they can’t say no.

Secondly, they are engineers / mechanics (either qualified or self taught).

Then there’s a freakin’ huge gap to…

Thirdly, they are business people, who understand business, planning and scheduling, good communications, customer satisfaction, etc.

There are a few notable exceptions of course, but it’s a bloody good ‘rule of thumb’ to go by, in my experience at least.

Never, never say not in a hurry as that can bite you on your rear end.

And I thought I'd been waiting a long time for my Interspan ignition to come back from the maker. It's only eight months, so just call me Mr Impatient!

Matchless said:

And I thought I'd been waiting a long time for my Interspan ignition to come back from the maker. It's only eight months, so just call me Mr Impatient!

Click to expand...

I understand Interspan can be said in the same sentence as Fahron! Good Luck.

I just saw a guy comment that a 7 month lead time for a hand beaten alloy petrol tank from a leading UK supplier was 'far too long', so he would buy from India! Good Luck to him too.

SteveA said:

I understand Interspan can be said in the same sentence as Fahron! Good Luck.

I just saw a guy comment that a 7 month lead time for a hand beaten alloy petrol tank from a leading UK supplier was 'far too long', so he would buy from India! Good Luck to him too.

Click to expand...

That's why you buy unpainted so you can fix their doggy welding lol.

We have an excellent engine builder here in Las Vegas. He is a founding member of our relatively new AMCA chapter.
was a bike racer and a mechanic when Nortons still had dealers .
he is just finishing my engine now .
he likes the old and classic bikes and works on many kinds.
everyone here that has used him , praise his work .
does not have a machine shop but uses two local companies to do the machining , if required . These machine shops are usually about 4 weeks out with the maching jobs.
these norton engines seem pretty simple.

Knucles said:

We have an excellent engine builder here in Las Vegas. He is a founding member of our relatively new AMCA chapter.
was a bike racer and a mechanic when Nortons still had dealers .
he is just finishing my engine now .
he likes the old and classic bikes and works on many kinds.
everyone here that has used him , praise his work .
does not have a machine shop but uses two local companies to do the machining , if required . These machine shops are usually about 4 weeks out with the maching jobs.
these norton engines seem pretty simple.

Click to expand...

Do you mind sharing his/her contact details?

Is Leo Goff/Memphis Motorwerks still around? Their website would indicate they are still in business.

Let me start a new thread on this .
would be a service to many on this site if we had a list of engine shops with good references .
this should include all countries to help all members.
will start new thread later today .

I will not give any details, but Jim has been dealing with some health issues for quite a while and can only work a few hours a day in the shop, on good days. I did get my stuff back from him and the work is great, he just can't do a lot right now.

FYI Comnoz has recently posted over in this thread:

Jim is in a no win zone. Everyone expects him to perform miracles but now he is an older gent and cannot perform
as he did in his prime. Can you? How many thanked him for his stellar tome on engine oil? Give him some slack
and ask for your parts back. Then try and find an equally talented machinist. Good luck. If he is at fault, it is for
attempting to meet the needs of more people than he is capable of. I, for one, am in awe of his contributions to the
Norton marque.

I want to give you all an update on my longish wait on head work. A Trident head and a Fullauto head went out to Seager Engineering and occasional inquiring emails went unanswered. Shortly after I posted my comments earlier in this thread, I received a telephone call from Patrick the owner. We talked for a long time and he was against the wall being in the process of moving shop, losing a employee (health) and having some personal problems all at the same time. He promised me some activity in a week and I was happy to have him do the Trident head and wait on the Fullauto as that needed more work. He telephoned again with another long conversation and few days after that he emailed me an invoice which I immediately paid . Overnight shipping was indeed overnight but they didn't tell me WHICH night and it took a week. Not Pat's fault just how things right now are always "delayed due to covid" which is often BS.
So no issues with his work quality or attitude toward me just the sad fact that he has been looking for more employees but nobody interested or qualified. How many of us would have given our eye teeth to go to work for him if we were young or younger?
Therefore add Seager Engineering to the list of approved tool rooms and me a happy customer.

Seems like a great opportunity for an apprentice mechanic. He could learn from the master while assisting with the workload to start. Long term it would allow for a passing on of knowlege from one of the best Norton minds in the business. As a community we are losing the expertise/services due to much deserved retirements (Old Brits) or worse (Mick Hemmings). Sorry Jim, I have nothing but respect for you and any decisions you make with your business. Just being a little selfish.

I noted this in our chat and he says kids are simply not interested. The days of the traditional tool room are gone. It is all CAD and CNC stuff and largely you need some schooling for that. Modern methods also need fewer employees so the pool of talent is now small. Add in the cost of having an employee. I know of more than one biz that simply let all the workers go and carried on as a one man shop due to the overhead that comes with each warm body. No doubt the amount one is able to pay for each
position factors in too. The work is there but perhaps the profit margin is not.
What sort of jobs do young guys get these days that make tool room work unattractive?