Ken...it is indeed a shame we missed your jammed hazzard light switch, and that the stop light bulb wasn't working. I'm not trying to say the bulb popped on your ride home...but it could've. Both of those issues Steve offered to correct if you'd taken up his offer of bringing the bike back in. The brake lever..."Adjust as required". So if they don't need adjustment...they don't get adjusted. The chain...the chain was checked, lubed and adjusted. They require more than 15-20mm slack. The tightest point during swingarm movement is when the swingarm is parallel to the ground. This is how we adjust them. If a chain is too tight...it will do serious damage to the transmission brgs etc. Cluncking when put into gear? Quite normal...some bikes make more noise that others. The tyres? I personally saw your tyres...and they were totally stuffed! The rear was flat as in the centre, and the front had worn the shoulders off it badly. This causes bikes to handle badly...to the point they become dangerous. Yes...by the letter of the law they're still warrantable...but that does not mean they're not worn out or shouldn't be replaced. It is YOUR safety we're looking out for when we say the should be replaced! I doubt very much the man at VTNZ rides bikes if his opinion differs. As far as the bill is concerned, sorry you got a shock. Phil (our service writer) is very good at his job and explaining things to people, and he's adamant you would've been told $395.00 for labour, plus whatever materials are needed. I can only assume it's only the $395.00 bit you've remembered. If anyone can do the service on your bike including doing valve clearances...with materials for $395.00...they're welcome. I've been in the motorcycle industry for over 20 years and worked in five shops in that time, and I'm also a qualified mechanic by trade. I can say with hand on heart that the work coming out of Wellington Motorcycles workshop is of a higer quality than any of the other shops I've been involved with. Yes mistakes can be made...but we did at least offer to put it right. Hope you have better luck in the future. Pete
There is no way we could've done the same service on a 1250 for that price. You'll find the 1250 didn't have the valve clearances checked.
Originally Posted by Mountie Down state hwy one around the 4 hour mark. Yep, that's about right. About 1.5hrs to Turangi and then another 2.5hrs to Levin
God writing! There is a lot of feeling's in those words! I update my list every day, but that is only work related and not "life" related! I think i will start with that today.
Down state hwy one around the 4 hour mark.
gave ya a free plug man - I hope things take off for you classic ideas - the world needs more rods. http://farrst.blogspot.com/2010/02/bogan-autos.html Take it easy Stew
12 k service, valve clearances on my 1250 was and addition I choose. Std check is 24 km, small GSF models are done at 12 k.
How timely this is for me - my Bandit is booked in for an 11,000km check next week. I've been happy with the service so far (apart from the exorbitant hourly rates charged) - poor old Phil, he's going to get plenty of shit thrown at him in the coming days.
Only point I would add is that you should have someone sit on the bike & then check chain adjustment. Some bikes have the pivot in an unfavorable position so you need to check it doesn't over tighten like this. Last time I saw this was on a g/fs bike that had been serviced, (erm well I'll let you guess where), but no drama, just haven't been near shops for service in last 20 yrs.
ok, so I am a noob and all but if a mechanic stuffs up your car service you end up coming to a rolling halt on the motorway, no biggie. If someone stuffs up your bike service you end up coming to a skidding halt on the tarmac, hopefully not under another vehicle. If you can you should do your own work (not always possible with new bike warranties) and if you can't you need to check everything (e.g. torque values, tyre pressures, the works). Some shops will get the apprentice to do the work and charge you an arm and a leg anyways.
Go and see gary gill or steve dundon.They are the owners.they would not be in business if they were not reactive.I think you owe them the opportunity to explain/put right. Then make it public.
The change of coolant would indicate your bike was a jap multi, I would expect the correct chain tension to be 20-30 mm not 15-20 mm which would prematurely wear your chain and sprockets out. Posts I have seen on here - most shops will happy explain or fix any problem if given the chance. Tyre's that are list as "worn out" may still be warrantable under our LTSA regs. You would be shocked by the handling improvement when you change tyres over 3/4 worn. Most shops use a generic text which is modified to suit individual services, has the none mechanic computer imputter forgotten to remove the none applicable text. 12000 km services with valve clearance inspection on my 1250 Bandit cost similar in Auckland - the figure your say as quote sounds like labour figure.
I have no complaints about WMC - but the opposite, so far they have provided good service. Price of a service can be a bit of a shock but I note the spark plugs were replaced - so what else did they have to do to keep it running sweet?
That is bad news indeed! Definitely write a letter to LTSA. Us Kiwi's don't complain about poor service enough, and when it comes to bike safety we don't need any other excuses or statistics for ACC to sting us with. Is a shame, as they portray themselves as the best.
Ive had no probs with WMC apart from their exortiornate rates. But the chain issue is definately something to be addressed, last week I followed a bloke on a BMW and his loose chain lock up the bike totally with a 30m skid mark to boot. He was VERY lucky not to lose it over the bank ( we were comming down from the Paekock lookout). Igave him a hand to free the rooted chain, and gave him a tow with a rope we found on a tree- down to the shops
Gee mate that is APPALLING. My bike will need a service soon and am gutted to see that place doing such a poor job when I had every intention of going there. Will have to find another Suzuki dealer!
If you still haven't left yet don't worry. I thought I was packed pretty light but still took stuff I never used (heated jacket liner, thermal underwear and guidebook were most significant useless items) and didn't need anything I hadn't got with me. Take sunglasses and/or tinted visor if you have them. Don't forget sunscreen and insect repellent (I didn't use the latter but would still strongly recommend although you could buy it there - Note that DEET may not be most effective repellent for sand fleas which are the nasty biters)
enjoy mate.........great roads down there..........
Originally Posted by Spearfish Brilliant project, Its going to be interesting seeing it come together. How far can you go? Wont be steam powered this time round ....... but am really lovin the low tech brass,copper,wood,leather totally antique vibe of this project
