Central Customs

What to ask a garage in Edinburgh, United Kingdom

• Do you work on my make and year? A workshop that mostly sees late-model Japanese bikes may not want a 1978 twin, and it is better to hear that on the phone than at the counter.
• Will you fit tyres I bring in, and what does that cost? Many workshops will, some will not, and the ones that do usually charge more per tyre than for rubber they sold you.
• What is the diagnostic fee, and does it come off the repair if I go ahead? Ask before the bike is on the lift.
• Appointment or walk-in, and what is the turnaround right now? In season a good workshop can be two or three weeks out.
• Can you collect a bike that will not run, or do I need to arrange recovery? Some workshops have a van or trailer; most do not.
• Do you carry out MOTs on site, or will the bike go to a test centre? Booking the MOT and any repairs together saves a trip.

Rain is the maintenance story here. Tread depth and chain lube matter more than almost anywhere else, brake pads go faster in the wet, and salt on gritted winter roads eats fasteners and exhausts, so rinse the bike after a salty ride. Workshops get busy the first dry week of spring, so book ahead of it.

Worth the ride from Edinburgh, United Kingdom

• North Berwick Law

  Coastal View

  Park at the foot of the hill to finish an East Lothian coast ride, with coastal views.

• St Mary's Loch, A708

  Viewpoint

  Stop at the loch while riding the A708 between Moffat and Selkirk, a road with a long reputation among riders.

• The Bikers Cove

  Coffee

  Bacon rolls, bridge views and regular bike nights in a South Queensferry cafe decked out in biking memorabilia.

All 6 places worth the ride near Edinburgh, United Kingdom →

Riding here?

Make Central Customs a stop on your next ride. Find a route that passes by, schedule a group ride with it as the stop, or see how 2 Wheels in Common works for riders.