Possible damage while at mechanic.

**MaximPrime** · 10-09-2010, 05:27 PM

So today i had a service done to my bike and new tyres put on after picking up the bike and taking it home.. i have a look at the tyres to see how much wax has come off on the ride.

At this point i notice some damage to the front tyre hugger. at the bottom of one side there is a scuff mark along the whole bottom and some slight cracking through the plastic. I gave my bike a good wash 2 days ago and can guarantee the damage was not there then. i have not used the bike since then and it sits in my garage under a cover.

So i went straight back to the shop, told them i noticed some damage on it i have not seen before (i thought maybe when cracking the bolts to take the rim off it could have been done) the guy there had a look at it rubbed the scuff mark with some saliva (at which point half of it rubbed away.) they came back saying their senior mechanic done the work and had assured them it was not done at the time.

Now im not calling anyone a liar but i look after my bike very well.. i clean it after every ride and can pretty much name every little scratch on the bike and how it got there (there is not many). The fact that i half the scuff mark could be rubbed off leads me to believe it was done very recent.

So what do you think i should do at this point? not really happy with the outcome.

**lee** · 10-09-2010, 05:35 PM

it's also entirely possible that it was something flicked up from the road.

you could try push the point and see where it ends up, but from a historical point of view mechanics like that are very reluctant to admit it was their fault and usually just tell you to gtfo, leaving you without a leg to stand on.

sorry brah.

**Sentry** · 10-09-2010, 05:43 PM

As much as it pains me to say it, there's nothing that can prove that it happened in their shop. I've got my own story (as do many) of a similar situation but the long short of it, is the store owners will never accept liability and you're always going to come off second best. Try it out regardless and all the power to you, but it's always a "senior tech" that works on your bike when it comes back damaged.

**MaximPrime** · 10-09-2010, 05:47 PM

Yeah it was pretty much as i expected.. i cant prove they did it.. sucks

seeing they are a dealer for my bike.. maybe i should talk to them about a new hugger at cost price?

**shortSteve** · 10-09-2010, 06:59 PM

my 2 cents... i have damaged a non-genuine front mudguard after taking a wheel off by accidently turning the fork bottom slightly, cracks along bolt recess just like yours...a standard one had more 'flex' in it, less brittle. I was trying to get the wheel out without removing calipers. Have also nearly done same thing when just using a front fork stand (not a headstock item). Looks obvious whats caused it to me, but impossible to prove. If you have a good relationship with the dealer, i'm sure they will help you out in any way they can.
Good luck with it

**TheMenace** · 10-09-2010, 07:10 PM

I need new rear tyres for the z750.... so which mechanics shouldn't i take the bike to.

**lee** · 10-09-2010, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by killacook

I need new rear tyres for the z750.... so which mechanics shouldn't i take the bike to.

he said it was a suzuki dealer, so you'd have no real reason to go to one of those for tyres anyway. tyres for bikes are pretty reasonable dudes if you're on the hunt for a tyre shop.

**agrid** · 10-09-2010, 07:26 PM

Bike Doctor have never namaged any of my bikes.

**Brendon** · 10-09-2010, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by agird

Bike Doctor have never namaged any of my bikes.

+1000
top blokes who know their shit, no just how to read a service manual

**Roady** · 10-09-2010, 08:00 PM

i nearly always bump my head on that big sign in workshops which reads...

ALL CARE TAKEN,BUT NO RESPONSIBILITY...

i mean where would that phrase have come from originally.....the government..

**agrid** · 10-09-2010, 08:01 PM

"namaged" ... maybe I should have another beer!

**B J** · 10-09-2010, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Roady

i nearly always bump my head on that big sign in workshops which reads...

ALL CARE TAKEN,BUT NO RESPONSIBILITY...

i mean where would that phrase have come from originally.....the government..

I think you will find it came from the medical profession.

**Roady** · 10-09-2010, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by Im Over It

I think you will find it came from the medical profession.

could be valid...seeing as thier logo is a snake doing a pole dance...

**Arwon** · 11-09-2010, 06:33 AM

it comes from the same language that gives you manwich.

BOT.
i know its hard when you first start out in bikes to find good mechanics that you feel confident with all the time. Most of the ones mentioned are good. I don't know about Bike Doctor because the times i have been to him, which was only twice, once to fix it and then again to fix it right, its fair to say i wasn't impressed, but that was a fair while ago, but them memory lives on.

**g0zer** · 11-09-2010, 07:15 AM

Bikes don't stay new forever is the way I see it

If you own something that is nice its underdtandable you want to keep it that way.

Try motorcycle masters who look after a lot of peoples dukes. In my experience dealer workshops are in general more get them in and out than a specialist mech workshop.

**HK31A** · 11-09-2010, 08:14 AM

dealers have access to the latest service bulletins and service issues plus deal with warranty claims from the manufacturer

thats why they pay alot of money for their franchise hence the hourly rate is so high

also mechanics have to justify their times on the job

and just remember if it wasnt for these guys whos going to learn how to fix modern motorcycles

so just go easy on them - everyone has a bad experience with lots of people its not just the dealers

**Lochwood** · 11-09-2010, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Brendon

+1000
top blokes who know their shit, no just how to read a service manual

Bike Doctor has always been excellent for me, can't recommend them highly enough.

Originally Posted by g0zer

Try motorcycle masters who look after a lot of peoples dukes. In my experience dealer workshops are in general more get them in and out than a specialist mech workshop.

Another excellent choice. Morrie is a top bloke who genuinly loves bikes, and treats each one that comes into his workshop like it's his own.

**MaximPrime** · 11-09-2010, 10:33 AM

Yeah I think I'll be looking else where for further services, just thought would be best to take my bike to dealer.

Really sucks looking at the crack. As much as it pains me I'm not going to follow it up with shop any further, I guess no more business will hurt them more than anything else I could do even if they don't know it. but I found some carbon front fenders for good price might be a good excuse to add some bling. Think it look good on a black gixxer?

Is it common to have all scratched paint on the edge of the rims? I'm guessing from tyre levers but think they could be more careful than that!

**Knuckleknife** · 11-09-2010, 10:50 AM

this also happened to my rear hugger after fitting a set of tyres (pissed off). i know it was not me as i clean and polish my bike every time i take it to mechanic, but like you i did not notice until i got home.
best bet is to inspect your bike at mechanics when you hand keys over and again when thay hand them back. otherwise if thay dont admit fault you ant got a leg to stand on.(i learnt the hard way to).

**MaximPrime** · 11-09-2010, 10:57 AM

I had not even been left the shop for 20 min when I came back to confront them. They tried to tell me it looks like a disc lock done it. I told them I didn't even own a disc lock!

The fact they defended it so hard. Said their senior mechanic done the work, said he cracked the bolt from the other side with an Allen key, and didn't do anything on that side. Just frustrating!

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