Hey guys, sorry it's been so long since my last update. I've had some challenges with my build and I've been really busy and haven't had time to work on it much.
So, let me begin with my experience with George Fanelli: Overall, I'd give George a grade of 'C' on his services.
He charged me $1,000 to mod my frame ($200 discount), including engine mount bolts, one modified radiator, and an aluminum plate for the air box. He did the job within a month and my engine fit like a glove. He was very responsive to my questions concerning the frame and assembly, e.g., how to route the radiator hoses. I know, you're asking, 'Why the 'C', then?
I have two reasons for the 'C' grade:
1) The way he cut, stretched, and re-welded the two front frame down tubes was inconsistent. One was almost perfect and looks real nice. The other one is crooked (according to George, that was intentional) and it looks bad (to me). I'm a perfectionist! His explanation for the crooked down tube is that when he cuts them they 'spring' into a natural position, which sometimes is not straight. He then cuts and raises the junction with the main frame and inserts a 4" piece of tubing reconnecting the two halves of the down tubes. In my case, the tubes on one side are visibly out of line. George assured me that his technique prevents undue lateral stress and makes the frame stronger and prevents cracks. Maybe that's true, but I don't like the way it looks! In all fairness to George though, other than that one point, I'm very pleased with the frame and the way the engine and everything else fit.
2) He convinced me to buy a custom pipe from Dynoport he designed and for which he has an exclusive contract. The MPS pipe cost me $400 and it's a beautiful, ceramic coated pipe. When I took it out of the box, I loved it. Then I tried to mount it on the bike. It didn't come close to fitting. I called Rich at Dynoport and he was very curt (rude) with me about the pipe. He refused to hear any of my explanation as to the problems with fitment. He made it clear that George designed the pipe and if there was a problem I needed to take it up with George, not him. I took it from his attitude that this is not the first time he's received one of these calls about the 'George' pipe. I blame them both for being unprofessional and not working together to fix the design and take care of their customers. Shame on them both. I now have the bike and pipe at a local fabricator's being modified, which will cost me even more $. Also, after I talked to Rich, I texted pictures and an explanation of the problem to George and he has yet to respond to me. That was five weeks ago!
I will post some pictures of the frame and pipe and you can decide for yourselves, what you think of the quality. In George's defense, he did a pretty good job till we got to the pipe issue. And, I have a buddy I race with who is a Yamaha dealer and former two time ISDE team member, who bought a George-built YZ 300 hybrid and he loves his bike. At the end of the day, that's what really matters...
