Someones out to kill me!

[justsomeguy]

So what you're saying is someone's out to kill you.......

But you don't want to tell us who it is cos he's the only one in the shop and you're scared of hurting his feelings?

That's the kind of job I'd expect out of a pre-school kid with no knowledge of bikes/push bikes or the life experience to have gained some common sense.

Which bike shop is this? I'd like to tell all my friends never to go there.

Wanna know which shops I tell my friends to go to?

In random order of preference:
Botany Honda
Mt Eden Motorcycles
Cycletreads
Corsa Motorcycles
Holeshot Motorcycles
Auckland Motorcycle and Power Sports (AMPS)


If you can't make it to the above, then in this order:
Red Baron
Colemans
MotoHaus
Now that's what I tell my friends, it's up to you to do what you want.

[KLOWN]

If you are so worried about traction and safety then the first thing you should do is get rid of those Shinko tyres and get something half decent put on instead!

bollocks, the shinkos are good.

[Hawkeye]

Get a Scottoiler fitted. Keeps the chain in tip top condition and extends it's life.

[Shadows]

bollocks, the shinkos are good.

Yes, I agree they are "good". Especially if you are considering value for money or longevity. But just being "good" isn't good enough if all hell breaks loose and you suddenly find you need "better" or "excellent".

Tyres are your best insurance, they shouldn't be skimped on.

[unhingedlizard]

Get a Scottoiler fitted. Keeps the chain in tip top condition and extends it's life.

Yep, scottoilers are the bomb. Until it starts to pour copuois amounts of lube on your back tyre. Had that happen to me. took me ages to figure the small gold nut on the top of the resivour was loose....

Failing that I've been using a paddock stand and first gear for years, works a treat.

[Squeak the Rat]

Failing that I've been using a paddock stand and first gear for years, works a treat.

That really needs a disclaimer or some expanding, as it's very likely new riders are reading this thinking what a good idea.

If you do use this method only do so to apply the oil. Do not, I repeat NOT, wipe off the chain with a rag while the wheel is spinning or you may not be able to give people the fingers for much longer..... (see mcjims earlier post in this thread)

[Pancakes]

So what you're saying is someone's out to kill you.......

But you don't want to tell us who it is cos he's the only one in the shop and you're scared of hurting his feelings?

Nah, not cos it's one guy and all that, he seems to be a bit of a dumbass if he thinks he's anything like a mechanic. I just know that a bad name will impact the owner and their family most then the other staff who have no control over this guys actions. As pissed as I am I can fathom the depths of my actions and want to talk to the owner before doing anything I can't undo. You don't need me to tell you who it is and always check the bike after it's been tutu'ed with and ask questions if something looks funny. You'd hope to get a good explanation of why things are like they are or maybe a "sorry, can I take care of that before you leave". If someone is hacked off that you question them, let them know that your not trying to be a dick, just that not asking for politeness sake won't get you your arms back if something is wrong. Ask nicely and be genuine and I'm sure you won't be miss-understood.

Yeah it's been a few days but I want to stop by the shop in person and talk to the owner and not when I'm all shitty about it.

Thanks to QK KID & QKCHIC (sp?) for the ATNR. Awesome! What a great time. Good on you two.

[Mumbles]

Some of it looks like its come off the chain on the ride home which would have to be expected
Your comment about the owner and his family impact, If I was the owner and you got that service I’d want to know so I could : retrain the dumb arse or send him packing . (the dumb arse did after all offer to lube it for you… so from some far corner of my brain he was customer focused)

Chain care....
I was told by a mate when I first started to ride to look after the things that with a little attention will last longer and save me money and keep me alive.
Any little maintenance I can do will help.
I have now got into the habit of cleaning and lubing my chain every 4 tanks or (2months if I haven’t done much riding)
Lesson below.
Takes approx 10 – 20 min depending on how dirty you chain is,
You will need
Car Jack/ block/s or bike stand for rear wheel
Mineral turpentine (wont effect “O” ring chains) and a jar of some sort to help apply the turps.
Old tooth brush don’t try the wife’s one she WILL notice the taste (unless you don’t put it back)
Little plastic buckets (sit under the chain to catch drips)
A few rags to clean up some of you mess
Chain Lube
Spanner or what ever you need to adjust you chain.

Raise rear wheel so spins freely by hand (I use a car jack on the rear swing arm where it meets the bottom of the shock)
Using tooth brush apply m/turps onto the chain cleaning and moving chain for one full rotation of the chain you will notice the chain will start to free up.
Repeat until your happy you got all/most of the dirt off.
Wipe off excess turps watching those fingers and allow time for the chain to dry (5min)
Find a place on the chain you can direct spray and not hit the tire or break parts. (I spray onto the top of the chain next to the swing arm as its easer to wipe off the swing arm than the tire. Then spin your tire and spray chain with lube. Stop and have a look for any dry spots, treat any that you find. Now clean up your mess using one of the rags with a little turps to remove any lube that got onto anything else that it shouldn’t have.
Now’s the perfect time to adjust your chain! note: I only seem to have to adjust my chain a little every once and a while and not every time I clean it.
Park ya bike up for the night helps lube to get a chance to stick onto your chain. If you over spray your chain with lube you will get some flick off it.
Hope this helps ya for next time
Also been told a few tips that you might like to add
One was posted here about heating your lube in water before you apply, another one was to take your bike for a quick blat after cleaning to get your chain warm and remove any excess turps which will also help with lube adhesion (only problem is having to return from your ride and raise the rear wheel to make application easer)

[Pancakes]

Yeah, loosely agree with what you say. I commute so the cleaning and whatnot is more frequent than what you seem to do but the rule is a little bit often and regular cleaning helps stop dirty crud piling up.

I have to reiterate tho. It did not fling off the sprocket!! The direct spray got the rim, swingarm, tyre (sidewall, most of whats on the tread crept there by centrifugal force) brake rotor and caliper on the other side. I normally lube after riding too so the stuff sets up and also so the metal is protected from water, air and other crap by a layer of clean lube. The stuff he used seems to stick pretty well from the start. The first time I had this result from a lube at the same shop I thought it had benn test ridden too soon after the chain was done but I WATCHED THIS GUY SPRAY THERE DIRECTLY!

You say he was customer focussed for offering, yeah maybe. First off. If I don't have time to do something right I would say I don't have time I'm sorry. My point of the whole thing is that he did this right infront of me and seems to think this is how to apply lube.

Anyhow. I'm gonna talk to the shop owner this week and am going to want some assurance this guy gets "the word", after all , this isn't the first time and the first time I was really polite about it, didn't demand anything exept that the owner was made aware of what happened.

Time will tell eh.

[Pancakes]

I have now got into the habit of cleaning and lubing my chain every 4 tanks or (2months if I haven’t done much riding)

You should probably lube it a small amount even if you aren't riding as the volitiles (sp?) in the lube will have begun to dry out even in the garage.