Topic: Am I a total noob or did these guys try to really screw me?

[narcoticrex]

Allright, lets just say as far as motorcycles, I was born yesterday.  Fortunately, thanks to this forum, I have been reborn hard!  But Im still a noob.  Here is my story, you guys make the judgement calls.

I need a new tire.  I go to Honda Suzuki of Lynchburg, the local Honda dealer.  Its the end of the day, but they fit me in to get a new tire (the cheapest possible one heh).  So as I am waiting ouside, one of the young glamour boy mechanics comes out and says "You will need a new chain soon. Hes tightening it as far as it can go, and its still loose." I make a mental note to check it, forget about it. 

I ride it for 2 days.  I stop back in to the dealership, and see a guy i was making conversation with about old bikes when i was waiting to get me tire on previously.  He waves me down and says "Look at your rear wheel, thats way cockeyed!  Your chain is gonna snap, lets fix that!"  We put the bike on the center stand and he helps me wrench on it right there.  Man, I wish I could buy him a beer right now.  The one adjusting screw was like at least 3/8" further out than the other, my tire was angled so bad I dont know how I was riding it.  Im a moron for not noticing and fixing this myself right away, i was just under the assumption that they would do the job right...the only reason they wouldnt do it right is if it is intentional?....

So we are working on it right in the parking lot, the mechanic who was working on my bike comes out, stands around for a moment, and when he thinks i am not noticing, peeks at my odometer, like to see how many miles I rode since being there last. 

i really disliked the vibe of the store when i first started going there, then that started to change, then this happened.  It really pisses me off.  Again, its my stupidity for not checking, but it realy feels like they intentionally tried to #$%* me over, and I have no recourse. 

[firecracker]

F*ck 'em.  When all else fails, trust your gut.

Those times when you don't trust your gut?  Usually live to regret it.  Life's too short for regrets.  Find a local "bike night", start talking to others.  Pretty soon you'll be teaching newbies.

[kghost]

Thats shady at best.

Criminal at worst.

Everyone who rides a motorcycle and has a shop do work needs to have trust and confidence in the work performed.

If you don't have it...find another shop or do it yourself.

[333]

Tell the owner of the shop.  If the mech still has a job, badmouth the shop to everyone you know that rides.  Business owners need to know that shady practices don't play in this, or any other time.

[DammitDan]

I would contact the manager and/or owner of the dealership.  Let them know how unhappy you are, and especially emphasize the fact that you might have been hurt killed due to the blatant negligence of his staff.  It would be interesting to see how they respond to that.

This goes beyond someone trying to screw you out of some money...  Their actions were dangerous (they have as much responsibility for safety as any brake shop does).  They should at least should be reported to the local better business bureau and at worst to the police.

[Johnie]

It is pretty hard to screw up the rear wheel alignment with the indicator notches there.  Even a novice can read the owners manual and do it.  That is why that adjustment is in the manual.  Pretty simple.  So either that mechanic was trying to screw you or really had no idea what he was doing.  May be a little to late to do anything about it.  The best time would have been when he was watching you fix it.  In fact, I would have requested he watch how to do it correctly and then ask for my money back since he messed it up in the first place.  Could have been a bad outcome for you. 
By all means, use this board to help you out.  Doing it yourself will not only give you piece of mind that it was done right, but you will meet a bunch of great guys with a ton of knowledge they are willing to share. 

[tramp]

tell the manager what happened
whoever put that wheel back on wasn't thinking
learn to do it yourself,saves a lot of heartache
did mine with just the manual to help,saves money too

[6pkrunner]

Either total incompetence or intentional malpractice. Both nominate said "mechanic" to the unemployment line, or to the court system if your next of kin were aware of the situation.

[cb650]

Good thig he was a pro!!!!  Maybe he went to skool fer it!!!!! 

[754]

What!!,

You guys dont do "hands off check" after a chain adjustment??









How do you open a beer..err a drink?? .. or are you riding double??

[Rocking-M]

Hey Narco, you ain't to far from me. Anytime you want to meet up for a motorcycle mechaniques  crash course (ok not the best phrase)
give me a holler.