$45 is INSANE for skilled work. Ray charges what he's worth because his customers need him, not the other way around. You've been handing out discounts for years and those old clients got used to it, that's on you for setting that bar. Send a short letter, new rates start in 30 days, done. Some will leave, the ones who stay respect you more. Stop feeling weird, you're not asking for a favor, you're charging for a service.

My first freewheel swap took me two hours because I greased the threads like I was packing a wheel bearing, and the thing kept backing off on every ride. My buddy who wrenches at a shop in Portland laughed and said the torque is what holds it, not the grease, and the grease just lets it walk loose. Took me three tries to admit he was right. That old timer saved you a lot of road side walk of shame, trust me.