Topic: Bike mechanic horror stories

[CrankyOldGuy]

Back in late 73 the chain went through the crankcase of my 750K1 and left that nice looking hole.  I took the engine out and took it to my local dealer, where I had purchased her new, and told them I would like it fixed.  Back in the day I removed the engine by myself and actually carried it into the dealership.  The following spring I got a telephone call that it was ready "to go".  When I picked the engine up I asked how much .. they said no cost.  They even gave me what was left of the gasket set.  I put the engine back in, filled it up with oil and hit the start button.  I never saw so much oil spew out of so many openings.  I checked the gasket set and sure enough most of the leftover parts were o-rings.  Back out came the engine and I did my first above the crankcase engine rebuild.  After reading all the info on this site it's a miracle that I got it put back together correctly.  Started the first time .... with no leaks.  It goes to prove that nothing is free 

Harry O.

[Lenny55]

Not a mechanical horror story per se, but right after I bought my bike I brought it into one of the local shops to have the safety check done.  When I went to pick it up, the first thing I noticed was a pretty good sized dent in the gas tank.  I pointed it out to the service manager and he said that there was no way in hell that happened at the shop.  I knew for a fact that it wasn't there when I brought it in, because I had just bought the thing two days earlier and I couldn't believe how pristine the tank was for a 36 year old bike.  I even emailed the PO and he agreed that the tank was perfect when I bought it.

Anyway, I had no way to prove it, so I didn't make a big deal out of it.  That shop has always been great to me, and I didn't see any point in ruining our relationship over a dent.  The bike is a rider, not a museum piece.

Lenny

[bikerbart]

I would have freaked out.just a dent,you are nuts you didnt do anything about it.

[Killer Canary]

Hard to prove anything in such a case though.

[lone*X]

Bike shop where I bought my then new 550K1 gave the first oil change at 500 miles for free.  So about three weeks after taking delivery it was time to change the break in oil out.  I left the bike at the shop before work and had a buddy stop by in his cage for a ride in.  By lunch it was time to go back an pick it up.  Since I still wanted to eat lunch I was in a bit of a hurry and the service manager gave me the keys and I hopped on, started up, buckled my helmet, and rode off.  Turning the corner going out of the dealership the back end slid out on me and I almost lost it but for a size 13 boot catching the pavement and my 6ft 2in frame holding it off the concrete by the handle bars.  There I stood in the middle of the street  right in front of the dealer trying to keep a half laid down 550 from hitting the pavement.  Couldn't let go of the clutch as it was in gear and running and couldn't get to the kill switch.  There I was stuck.  A salesman finally ran out and helped me right the bike at which time the problem was readily apparent.  The service department had left the O ring out of the base of the filter housing and it had spewed oil everywhere and completely coated the rear tire.  Good guys though, they kept the bike that afternoon, replaced the filter and O ring and completely washed and detailed the bike.  When I picked it up after work the service manager and the mechanic who worked on it met me and both apologized and handed me 2 more free oil change coupons.   Never had any more problems from that shop.  Too bad it closed down a year later.

[dave500]

yeah bummer,,it seems the good shops dont make money?glad they fixed it all up and were genuinely sorry,you got lucky with no damage,a service horror story but not bike related,a few years ago i left one of our rubbish skip bin trucks at a dealer for its normal service,,i had a large bin loaded and tarped up on board and strapped down etc all legal,when ever i pickup a truck ill do the normal pre start oil check etc,walk around the truck,look under it,thump the tyres,ive found spanners on the deck before etc,,well this time i jumped up onto the deck and some dickhead #$%*wit had placed about an 8x4 foot sheet of old particle board on top of my fully covered and strapped down bin,,man i was fukin furious!!i was about to travel up the freeway to a dump and unload,that sheet would have gone flying and caused some serious #$%* if i hadnt have seen it there,,i calmly went in and saw the service manager(it was early and no mechanics or the boss there yet)and explained what id found,,he didnt really seem too concerned,he said it wouldnt have been put there by anyone from here,,yeah right i thought,dumb-arse irresponsible #$%*s,,i let my boss know and he was concerned,,from the same place ive also had the locks that hold the tilt cab not locked in at all!poor performance i think?from an authorised international/iveco dealer.

[Lenny55]

I would have freaked out.just a dent,you are nuts you didnt do anything about it.

Freaking out would have been pointless without proof. 

[Gonzowerke]

No horror stories on the Hondas, as I do all my own work and mostly know my sh*t. The S1000RR, not so much. Too much Computer controlled stuff with ABS and Traction Control and such, plus, it still has 2 years on the warranty. I took it to my Local BMW dealer, to have some heavier rate Ohlins fork springs installed in place of the stock Sachs noodles. On the way home, I took the twisty backroads of course. I cook into the first 25mph turn at about 75, and she goes way wide with OUTRAGEOUS understeer. I had to hang off so far to keep it in my lane that I burned a spot of velcro off the knee of my pants(I only wear the pucks on the track)! I slow down and take it easy on the rest of the journey home, and find it running wide in each corner. After a little investigation, I find the tops of my fork stanchions(upside down units) even with the top triple clamp. 17  millimeters above is factory.
And the guy who did it had just got back from NewJersey and the S1000RR school! I asked the Service manager to check with BMWNA to make sure he actually attended and passed instead of spending all his time at the strip clubs.