This is a serious question

[PrincessBandit]

Ok, I had to re read the OP a couple of times (slow comprehension this morning) - I was trying to work out whether the shop had caused the problems, or if they were existing ones the OP knew about but weren't fixed.
Assuming it is the former, then you need to speak with the owner of the shop directly and as immediately after the fact as possible. You expect that your bike will come out of a service/wof etc in appropriate condition (unless an existing fault is pointed out for you to have remedied before returning for the wof to be legally issued). It is not always possible to recognize a problem until after you have arrived back home (hopefully it doesn't spit the dummy on the trip home) but you need to be prompt with any complaint.

Did you take your bike there based on their reputation for previous work, word of mouth, of stab finger randomly at a spot on the yellow pages? Maybe it might be best to stick with reputable service providers even if they are more expensive. I would never do my own work on my bike as I have no suitable knowledge or skill level to attempt such work; but I would also never take my bike to someone who I had heard nothing about or that I didn't know had a long term reliable reputation.

[sidecar bob]

Could you possibly please tell us what in your opinion was done to make the bike unwarrantable. You dont need to mention any names.

[jellywrestler]

So, there's not something like a "No Cowboys" of the biker world?

i've seen harley riders wearing cowboy chaps, so they won't know

[Gremlin]

Well, before the days of the Internet, you took it up with the place where you paid for the work to be done... this seems logical. If they fucked up to such an extent that giving it back would be dangerous, and it was agreed by them, you take it elsewhere to be repaired, and perhaps that original shop picks up some of the tab at least.

Then, you find dealers you get on well with, they do a good job etc and you form a fantastic relationship that should last decades.

Nowadays...

You don't talk to the shop, you start a cryptic thread on KB asking for advice (see section before the Internet), communication breaks down with the original shop (partly because they're pissed, partly because you're probably whining), you bike is still not fixed, and you consider buying a car.

No need to answer the questions as some seemed rhetorical and some you answered yourself.

You're welcome

[Maha]

Work on their bikes themselves. Its the only way to make sure you have nobody else to blame.

....and if something goes kaka, you could come on here and out yourself?

The question is, what do kiwi bikers do when they know that questionable work is being done, to help prevent other bikers from having bad work done?

The answer is...the youth on here starts threads on the subject and then end bagging the bike shop concerned....normally Red Baron. The adults on here just sort it out with the bike shop concerned and the two party's normally end up happy....normally not Red Baron.

Thanks. I'm aware that the biker world has gotta be a small one. I don't want to ruin someone's life by slagging them publicly, but I don't want to ruin someone's life by saying nothing...AFAICT the bad work is easily corrected. I don't know jack about mechanics, but I'm learning fast.

Shit happens sometimes, humans make mistakes, if you're not happy with the result you have paid for, take it back and explain your concerns and don't leave until you're happy.





PS: Just kidding about RB, keep ya fucking hair on.

[jellywrestler]

Thanks. I'm aware that the biker world has gotta be a small one. I don't want to ruin someone's life by slagging them publicly, but I don't want to ruin someone's life by saying nothing...AFAICT the bad work is easily corrected. I don't know jack about mechanics, but I'm learning fast.

what do you do for a living?
if you make an error doing your job, what to the customers do to you?
that should be your answer

[Gadget1]

What is the correct thing to do if your bike is serviced and returned in a not good state, and is given a WOF when it could not legally pass, and the fact it couldn't pass was specifically due to errors made by the servicing mechanic?

Really, this is a real question. Motorcycling has certain risks, and you have to be able to rely on your machine, right? So if someone messes up your machine, they're messing with your life, right? If I just say nothing, then what happens to the next guy? But I don't want to go over the top with this. Just, what do you do, really?

If what you're posting is correct, you are covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act:https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles...guarantees-act

[TheDemonLord]

If what you're posting is correct, you are covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act:https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles...guarantees-act

Yup, services need to be provided with reasonable skill and care - however also under the CGA - the company has the first refusal - ie you need to approach them first to allow them to rectify any issue before going elsewhere

[willytheekid]

...if you make an error doing your job, what to the customers do to you?

THANKS YODA!

https://i.imgflip.com/4g3vo.jpg

.....sorry...I keep forgetting this "serious"!!

http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/...seriouscat.jpg

...much better! (yeah...Im bored, nearly home time!)


OP...listen to the wise ones....go see the shop, get it sorted...nuff said

[jellywrestler]

The question is, what do kiwi bikers do when they know that questionable work is being done, to help prevent other bikers from having bad work done?

protest outside parliament and a hunger strike at gallipoli, we fought for our bikes to be right after all.
you'll need to book an air fair as your bike is too dangerous to ride of course.
Make sure the food you are refusing is not Halal food, you don't want an airstike aimed at you when the sandmonkeys get confused about your protest.
I'll keep an eye on the air new zealand forum to see if they spilt your milo mid flight and you're haveing a minor whine about that too.
don't make your placards out of petroleum based paints, it sounds like you can't afford anymore chemical imbalances in your life too add to what's already going on ...

[Katman]

you'll need to book an air fair as your bike is too dangerous to ride of course.

As long as he doesn't fly Garuda.

[Smifffy]

Maybe the OP went to BossLady's brake adjusting WoF shop? Those nefarious bastards.

[Paul in NZ]

Maybe the OP went to BossLady's brake adjusting WoF shop? Those nefarious bastards.

I still have latent anger issues and a fear of adjusting brakes from that...

[Bon]

...Assuming it is the former, then you need to speak with the owner of the shop directly and as immediately after the fact as possible.

... Did you take your bike there based on their reputation for previous work, word of mouth, of stab finger randomly at a spot on the yellow pages? ...

Thanks for the response.

The owner is the one I've been dealing with, though it's not a tiny shop. It's a large shop with multiple lifts and a lot of bikes in for service. I did take the bike there without any reputation check, because, believe it or not, I don't know one single rider! I've been out of riding for a long time, and I decided to restore my bike and get back on it. To my pea-sized knowledge, there was nothing wrong with it mechanically other than replacing old rubber and filling up the fluids. But at at this shop at least one wrong part was put in and will need to be replaced, cables were left hanging and got chewed up by the radiator fan on my first ride, and the rear brake assembly was incorrectly mounted so the rear brake couldn't be operated as spec. The cable was so tight that the rear brake lights were permanently stuck on. Non-functional brake lights are a WOF stopper, yet he gave me the WOF.

I am so glad that almost nothing needed doing on this bike, because I can't imagine the poop I'd be in if I had needed more.

I'm not whinging. I can deal with what's been done. In truth I'm really concerned for others who use his shop.

I'm learning that this is really a buyer beware situation. There isn't a "no cowboys" site to communicate this to other riders, right? Also, some have said don't let him touch the bike again, even to fix the work.

The shop in my town that I used to use closed up their works on motorcycles, and the shop they recommended 50km away refused to work on my bike, solely based upon the age of it. They never saw it or judged for themselves its condition.

I'm cautious with what I say, because my mechanical knowiedge really is pea-sized.

[Gadget1]

Yup, services need to be provided with reasonable skill and care - however also under the CGA - the company has the first refusal - ie you need to approach them first to allow them to rectify any issue before going elsewhere

First refusal? You have the right, under the act, to insist the company rectify the issue or you can choose another method of rectification. The consumer has the power not the company.