AA dropped my bike - pics finally uploaded.

[Wonko The Sane]

Bike broke down (again) this morning, looks like it's the reg/rec (friday evening was fan sender switch which got fixed yesterday)

happen to have a spare one so just needed towing home
Got the tow arranged (first patrol came in my lunch break)

figured I'd fit it tonight and hope it starts in the morning.

Short story (and low details as yet to speak to them)

chap had me steadying the back end while he got ready to winch it up onto the dolly, I understood that once it was on it didn't need holding (held by front wheel clamp) as that was the case on friday night (once it was on I was asked to stand clear on friday)

See it start to fall, go to try and stop it but don't succeed and have to step back

Chap's comments imply he thought I was holding it at the time of it falling.

fuel tank hit the wheel arch and wheel arch upright putting a sizeable dent in the tank exactly where my knee usually goes so not comfortable riding it - it's dark and pissing it down so not had a proper look.

Taken tomorrow morning off (well, put the request in and e-mailed manager) to deal with as complaints line only open 9-5

anyone had dealings with the AA or damage?
what's likely to happen?


tanks with dents and rust are on ebay for £80 mine was in quite good condition (it's also a non-standard colour)

new are just shy of £700
____________________
Looking to pass your CBT / Bike tests in Bury Lancashire? try www.focusridertraining.co.uk Would recommend.
They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251

[Azoth]

The AA or whoever they were using should have taken some photos of the bike from all angles before the drop occurred. They should do that before touching the bike. You need to take photos of the damage, if you haven't already. Unfortunately, they didn't communicate their instructions clearly to you when handling the bike, and as a result, the bike fell and was damaged. It was their responsibility as they were handling the bike at the time, and were charged with taking control over the whole process of transporting the bike, which includes winching it onto the pickup. There's nothing in their terms and conditions that says you're expected to competently load or help to load the bike onto the platform.
____________________
Safety in numbers

[duhawkz]

The "AA" or Adam Aarons
____________________
"The guy is a worthless cunt and I honestly believe I would be a slightly happier person if he died." - Chris-Red

[Wonko The Sane]

[Polarbear]

I would have thought the AA and any other service must have damage insurance. Pictures and statement to them and if no response, get a solicitor involved.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[trevoriv]

Yep they'll be insured for the damage. I've insured a few large motorcycle recovery risks over the years. Their insurers probably wouldn't be happy if they knew their policyholders customers were helping manhandle bikes into the vans even though we all do it. Potential for a large PL claim if the bike had fallen on you. You get claims on these risks for plenty of damaged bikes and EL claims for employees hurting backs,ankles etc when getting bikes in and out of the vans.

I'd be putting a claim in for the damage directly with the AA.
____________________
Past: '96 Thundercat, '02 ZX636R (A1P), '58 KTM 690 SM LC4 Current: '06 ZX636R (C6F)
Mudskipper wrote: Someone just has to sig that...

[goto10]

[Wonko The Sane]

I will be phoning first thing in the morning (9am)

I'm just a bit worried about getting it sorted as I've been unable to find a used tank on ebay that I'd be happy to fit (dents, rust etc) and a new one is just shy of £700 and it will need painting to match the bike as the bike is not a standard colour (but I do have a tin of paint spare from the spray shop that painted it last time)

it's also really annoying as I've had the chain and sprockets replaced in october along with the front callipers re-building in October and the temp sender unit only this morning
____________________
Looking to pass your CBT / Bike tests in Bury Lancashire? try www.focusridertraining.co.uk Would recommend.
They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251

[pompousporcup...]

ive not known a breakdown company to actually ask the driver/rider to "help". In my exp they ask you to step back whilst they get on with it. At least thats what happened the last time i broke down on the bike. the bloke didnt want me near it for reasons above id imagine

Same when we needed the car recovering.

[Mawsley]

I'd be claiming for a new tank and respray - their fault, they pay.

[Wonko The Sane]

[Azoth]

Did they take the photos before dropping your bike?
Was your tank unscratched before the drop?

If the answer to both is 'yes', then go and get the tank resprayed professionally. Then send them the bill.

The complaint you're making to them is a separate matter from the damages. Your complaint is simply telling them you're unhappy about their customer service, and angry about what happened. Tell them what happened, but don't waste time waiting for them to agree to compensate you or to pay for botch jobs or Ebay specials. Get it done.
____________________
Safety in numbers

[Wonko The Sane]

[Azoth]

I see. Your bike still works for now, so there's no rush. Maybe wait for them to respond, acknowledging what happened. I guess they do have photos of the intact bike with undented tank before the drop.

Give them your account of events. Get something in writing from them admitting your account of events. Then get the dent taken out of the tank and the tank resprayed professionally before sending them the bill - don't worry about sourcing parts - and don't give it a second thought. The fact a replacement tank is hard to find is their problem. Get them to admit your account of events first, before proceeding. You'll be on solid ground.
____________________
Safety in numbers

[trevoriv]

I dont suppose you got the reg number of the van?
____________________
Past: '96 Thundercat, '02 ZX636R (A1P), '58 KTM 690 SM LC4 Current: '06 ZX636R (C6F)
Mudskipper wrote: Someone just has to sig that...

[bugeye_bob]

Take pics and get 2 or 3 quotes, then find a air line and pop the dent back out . . . warm the area before to help stop the paint cracking(if it hasnt already),
As it pretty fresh you will find it pops out pretty easy,
also You Tube is full of videos were they heat and then Ice a dent and it pops out, but I havent used this method myself.

[Wonko The Sane]

[Rogerborg]

No need to be so reticent, get stuck into them.

Hindsight being 20-20, I assume you'll now do what I did the last and only time I had a bike recovered: stand well back and film it being loaded and unloaded by the van monkey.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Wonko The Sane]

[Wonko The Sane]

So, it'll be between 5-7 working days for the AA to admit liability having investigated and spoken to the patrol member who undertook the recovery.

in the meantime I can be getting quotes for repair but am without transport, although I can claim for expenses if liability is accepted.
____________________
Looking to pass your CBT / Bike tests in Bury Lancashire? try www.focusridertraining.co.uk Would recommend.
They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251

[Rogerborg]

How gracious of them to tell you their schedule.

Ultimately, your claim is against the individual who damaged your bike. Whether anyone chooses to indemnify him is his problem, not yours.

You could invoice him now, along with your increasing expenses. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can get things moving if he or his insurers argue the toss.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Shinigami]

shouldn't have asked you to help load it, the three times i've had someone out they've loaded it themselves and asked me to stand back while they did so.

They also took photos before loading (apart from 1 incident which they didn't for my knackered 125 which went into a van)
____________________
Current: Honda City Fly CLR125 2003 Honda CB600F Hornet 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

[Jayy]

The AA's bike system is crazy. Guy turned up at my house when the exhaust popped off and I had to get it recovered to Ducati... took him 25 minutes just to get the thing ready to put my bike on.

He was so scared of dropping it he made me put it on the trailer. I almost dropped it myself getting the front wheel over and in to the slot.

Took him another 10mins odd to secure it and get it winched up properly.

Now imagine doing all that on a sketchy road where someone broke down in an awkward spot?

[DrSnoosnoo]

[Wonko The Sane]

Just heard back from Cornwall Kawasaki

Fuel tanks for the ZZR600E are no longer available from Kawasaki

Looks like it's game over for Purdey then.

awaits paddy's offer in 3...2...1...
____________________
Looking to pass your CBT / Bike tests in Bury Lancashire? try www.focusridertraining.co.uk Would recommend.
They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251