Unwittingly playing Final Destination.

[Recluso]

We've all heard it. Mechanics are out to scam you. They'll take advantage of your ignorance. You're a girl, they'll rip you off even more! Then we see the scary pictures and hear the scary stories about people we know who fell victim to their stereotypical rogue trader and we sit back and think "thank God that won't happen to me".

So lets flash back to a couple of weeks ago. I decided that I was going to get rid of the sponge-a-rific stock suspension that really has been one of the only things people seem to grumble about. So I went and asked a few people and I decided I wanted a Wilbers shock only for a shorty like me, I was going to have one of their even fancier pre-lowered shocks. So I go to Mr. Wilbers and ask for one of his fancy shocks for short people. And he goes, "sure! Go and measure it for me!" - So away I go and measure it, telling Mr. Wilbers that it's only 11 inches from top to bottom, something that makes him frown in confusion because that's the same size as a stock shock.

"Not to worry!" I say, "I'll call up the garage that did it and find out how it was done!" And one quick phonecall later I spoke with this garage's self-proclaimed 'suspension guru' who told me that they had put a modified collar into the top of the shock. So my 'lowered' bike, it seems, done at fairly substantial cost had infact only been modified in such a way so as to make the back end sag down. Sure enough, off with the tank and a glimpse later, I could see a chunky looking collar in the top that was significantly thicker than the original collar still in my bits box.

But not to worry! I thought, I have a fancy new shock coming that will clearly be far more superior!

So lets fast forward to yesterday. It was a lovely afternoon and time to fit my shiny new Wilbers shock, pre-lowered and weight adjusted for my short (and slightly rotund) self.

So brace yourself kids and kidlets, for what it was that was revealed to be the 'modification' that was done. By a garage. And so-called 'expert' mechanics.

Step 1: The first realisation that the collar had fallen out of the top of the spring without the need for spring compressors and that it was looking a little, well... mangled.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Inkersall/Bike%20Stuff/Bike%20Shock/IMG-20160603-WA0038_zpsutdhywps.jpeg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Inkersall/Bike%20Stuff/Bike%20Shock/IMG-20160603-WA0040_zpsbb9weue0.jpeg

Yep, that's a crack. A crack that goes almost all the way to the top.

But wait, there's more.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Inkersall/Bike%20Stuff/Bike%20Shock/IMG-20160603-WA0042_zpsine3dnfp.jpeg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Inkersall/Bike%20Stuff/Bike%20Shock/IMG-20160603-WA0044_zpswtfoknfo.jpeg

Where the *insert expletive of choice* is the rest?!?

So, we put the old shock back together, because Fretgrinder noticed something... well, just plain odd.

10pts to whoever notices the first bit that's more than a little wrong in this picture...

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Inkersall/Bike%20Stuff/Bike%20Shock/IMG-20160603-WA0060_zpscmpf0ajr.jpeg

Because my original collar sure as hell seems to fit nicely and snugly right about... here...

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Inkersall/Bike%20Stuff/Bike%20Shock/IMG-20160603-WA0067_zps1wklqwqs.jpeg

But how strange, it's certainly not going to fit nice and conveniently on this little bump stop when the completely relaxed spring is in the way!

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Inkersall/Bike%20Stuff/Bike%20Shock/IMG-20160603-WA0069_zpsfzwyoi4c.jpeg

So there we have it, boys and girls, a tale of horrendous modification that still has me tempted to take the garage responsible to court, if it wasn't for the fact that the garage is conveniently no longer trading under its old name and has revamped itself with a different family member. Even though this so-called self-proclaimed 'suspension guru' confirmed that yep, this is how they lower their bikes. With crack pot collar mods that pop out and on the wrong bump, could have caused some serious damage.

Bearing in mind I've had this bike 4 years from new. And done about 24k.

But in case you're wondering, the much improved shock that will no doubt save the day, looks awesome.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Inkersall/Bike%20Stuff/Bike%20Shock/IMG-20160603-WA0071_zps1blt1lwd.jpeg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/Inkersall/Bike%20Stuff/Bike%20Shock/IMG-20160601-WA0012_zpskijt5axt.jpeg
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'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

[Beehive Bedlam]

More fool you for taking it to a 'pro'.

[Rogerborg]

^^^
Abusive, yes, but also rather the point of the thread.

[duhawkz]

[Beehive Bedlam]

[weasley]

[Snowdonia Rider]

It's hard to trust garages, I had a disgusting bodge from a garage once.
____________________
I want your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.
Suzuki GP125 Suzuki GSX600F Suzuki SV650S KTM EXC250F SkyTeam Bongo 125
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SnowdoniaRider

[Pete.]

That is truly shocking work, if you pardon the pun. You should at least name and shame the place that did it, so that others can be warned to keep away.

The marks on the top of the collar suggest that it's been rubbing on the top shock mount. Might want to check that area for damage or at least missing paint.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Commuter_Tim]