No, Jon -- I've learned that the folks that had my crankshaft (it took only 16 months - after they promised delivery in 6 - 8 weeks), and the ones that set up the nitrous system -- were not "professionals" in the true sense of the word. They did work and charged for it --and I trusted that they knew what they were doing when I entered into my time with each of them. I've come to feel that the professionals are the ones that not only do work for a fee -- but do the work based on interpreting what the customer wants and applying their skills to deliver a product (a race bike, for instance) that will meet the goals. Those goals might be a speed, a certain specified horsepower, a delivery time, even a concept -- but whatever might be the goal - a professional is wise enough to tell the customer if it can't be done. The first few places where Nancy and I had work done for us were part-way to being professional - but weren't truly deserving of that moniker. They could do some of the work and rightly expect the pay for it -- but they didn't understand the concept, just like you say. I now have crew and builders that ARE land speed racers - they do understand the sport.
I mentioned Scott Horner because I feel (caveat: I have never used his services) he would be able to do work that's at least close to, if not spot on, a level that deserves to be called "professional".
Enough for now -- it's bedtime in Skandia, Michigan.
