Garage have damaged bike forks during tyre change...

[daws0n]

Took my ER5 to my local garage for a tyre change over the weekend - £200 later I've got it back to discover that they snapped off the pinch bolt try to get the front the wheel off (this wasn't mentioned at all when I paid). I get that these things happen (it's an old bike), but whoever did it then proceeded to drill out the bolt very badly and has tried to rethread it using a standard bolt and nut.

https://preview.ibb.co/hOjEkq/20181022-120611.jpg

It looks very poor, the casing is damaged and taking the nut off shows just how bad the angle of attack was.

https://preview.ibb.co/i8uQrV/20181022-162059.jpg

I spotted it this morning and immediately called in on way to work - they confessed to the repair but insisted it's safe and were by and large unapologetic and dismissive. I've been going there for 10 years now and didn't expect this kind of treatment.

A couple of MOT testers have taken a look and said it will pass, but I don't like the idea of using it day in day out over the winter until something is done. All other mechanics have said the damage is too much to repair and requires a new down tube to put right.

Any suggestions guys?

[bacon]

It's stuff like this that makes me want to be self sufficient with everything maintenance wise.

I do everything as it is, but usually leave tyre changes to the "pros", though I am more of a drop in a set of loose wheels and tyres kind of guy.

As for what to do, if it's functional and there is plenty of meat left around the pinch bolt, at least you can still ride the bike. I highly doubt I'd ever go back there though. Who had the front wheel off last and ham fisted the bolt up? I'm suprised the bolt head snapped off before the threads in the aluminium fork leg gave way.

[daws0n]

Yeah I know, I try and do what I can but tyres have never been worth the bother....

I've uploaded some photos so you can see how it looks. If I were to view this bike now as a prospective buyer, it would be a big red flag - it looks horribly botched.

[Bikeless]

If somebody did that to a bike I owned, they would be paying for new fork bottoms and the fitting of said fork bottoms, that is a monumental bodge in my eyes.

[daws0n]

That's only fair in my eyes too, but I get the impression that they don't see it that way....

In terms of legal action, any ideas what can be done? The bike isn't worth much, but I'm happy forking out to fight this on principals alone.

[Ste]

Keep it simple to start with, I'd ask them what they'd suggest for how to fix it as their repair has made it unrepairable. Something about how surprised / disappointed you that this has happened as you've been a going there for ten years now.

(okay, it could be repaired by someone with suitable welding and engineering skills but the only easy answer is to replace the fork leg)

Let them make the first suggestion, if their reply is anything other than "we'll pay for that to be sorted immediately" then you can say that you need to speak with the mechanic at the garage you have all your work done at. That's leaving it open ended, you've neither accepted their suggestion or turned it down, everything is still all amicable and you're being nice to them.

[Riejufixing]

Wot 'e said (even the thread on the bolt they put in is inappropriate).

[waffles]

From the first picture my initial thoughts were ‘meh, its not too bad!’ then I saw the second picture. That is a hideous bodge job and they should have told you as soon as they snapped the pinch bolt.

I would do as Ste said and ask them what they would do to rectify the situation and return the bike to the same state before they went at it with sausage hands. Maybe take some costings for a new/second hand fork with you plus whatever other costings need to be added on for a proper job. But give them a clear deadline to make their decision in and leave all of your contact details, tell them that you look forward to hearing from them by the end of the day (or following day) so that you can get appropriate repairs arranged.

Don’t get fobbed off though. They derped, they can pay to fix it.
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[stinkwheel]

What the actual fuck?!

It's a FUCKING horriffic bodge.

Arsed up drilling aside, it's a stainless socket head capscrew where there should be high tensile steel and it''s a nut and bolt where there should be a part-threaded lag-screw clamp and even the nut has no locking device (spring washer or nylok) so it will rattle undone.

I would be absolutely furious if someone who claimed to be a motorcycle mechanic did that to my bike.

Yes, I would say it needs a new fork slider fitting at their expense OR the hole TIG-ing up and re-drilling and threading. It COULD have been easily fixed properly if they hadn't gone full retard with a wonky pistol drill after they snapped the bolt. Hell, I can't even see how they managed to wander so far off without deliberate intent to make a half-arsed job, A clamp like that is practically its own drill guide. They must have ovalled the shit out of the other side too.

The only thing is, would you even allow them have another go at your bike to fix it? With engineering skills like that, I wouldn't even trust them to WASH my bike.
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[kramdra]

First thing, as soon as possible, charge back the amount. You are not paying for this insult, and your bike is not a mechanics training bike. Find out details of their insurance (usually stuck up on a wall somewhere), claim against them. Do not touch the bodge yet, and do not ride it. The most they would get from me is the cost of the tire.

Tig is a skilled process when working on unknown grades of aluminium. No way I would trust a repair without heat treatment on such a thin and critical bit of metal. Also much more expensive than a replacement.

MOT testers should not be passing that. The nut has very little contact, could easily deform the little area under it and loosen off. It will fail soon, and always look shite. Would look at home on smilers k100..

Replacement fork assembly is the cheapest solution unless you care to rebuild with a new slider yourself. Any used assembly will likely need a rebuild soon enough.

[A100man]

I'm pissed off/upset for you..

While you're fighting the ham-fisted twats that did this for some recompense it might be worth contacting this ebay seller..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BREAKING-Kawasaki-ER5-R-Reg/253572289718

Good luck.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[G]

Yep, agree with all the above - shocking/terrible etc.

Though, I'd still be tempted to get the money then fix the bodge a bit better myself as it's an ER5, or get a second hand fork maybe (possibly a complete one and see if you can sell this one for parts.)

[redeem ouzzer]

Yeah there’s nothing good about that repair, and the fact they didn’t mention it when you collected the bike shows they know it’s a disgrace as well. Shame as it’s an easy-ish fix done properly. Not now though, it really wants another fork leg swopping on.
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Be a REAL MAN!

[daws0n]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'll be calling there again tomorrow to see if anything can be agreed, if that doesn't work then I'll make some calls. If it costs me a few quid so be it, not fair for tradesman to be acting this way without consequence.

Good shout on the bike breaking adverts - I'll see if they can supply the right part at a decent price. Found a cheap set in Austrailia but postage doubles the cost. Will keep you posted as things develop, cheers guys.

[Sister Sledge]

Late coming in but I'd also question what else have they damaged - they've obviously turned that bolt the wrong way when undoing. I'm wondering if they've damaged or stretched other bolts.

(Don't repair that - too critical a component and location - swap with used/new parts instead)

[MarJay]

I'm not a legal expert but if this were me I'd probably do the following:

I'd buy a second hand fork leg off of ebay, take it to them, give them the bill and the fork leg and expect it to be fitted by the next day and to be reimbursed for the fork leg. If this doesn't happen, I'd then tell them to expect a letter before action, and then shortly afterwards to be hearing from your solicitor. Tell them you've had it inspected by another mechanic and in his opinion it is an awful bodge.

Tell them you also expect new fork oil to be fitted in both legs due to the dismantling of one and the uncertainty of having the correct matching quantity and grade in both legs, and you expect them to supply the oil because you do not expect to be out of pocket due to their bodge.

Dunno if that's the correct way forward per-se but that's what I'd probably do.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[grr666]

£200 for a front tyre change. Give over! They saw thee coming chap, for about a decade. What front tyre
for an ER5 is over £100? Plus I wish I could get someone to pay me over £100 for taking a front motorcycle wheel off and on.
I'd do 20 a day and still be home by lunchtime.

Fitting - I paid £60 to have a pair fitted to my scoot (full size 17" wheels) and they had to remove exhaust to get the rear wheel
off. I had never used the place before and that was the price. He didn't even mind that I had bought the tyres from openeo.

Once this debacle is over, find a new garage. Name and shame this one too so they don't pull someone elses pants
down for 10 years until they finally fuck up and can't hide what they've done although they still kept quiet
about their little modification until you mentioned it. All these deafening alarm bells should tell you never
to go back again once your bikes been put right.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[daws0n]

Price was £200 for a pair of quality tyres (Continentals), not just the front.

The garage has always been reasonably priced and decent up until now, although this is the first (and last) time I'm having to deal with damage caused "on the job".

[grr666]

[recman]

Damn, that's a piss take job!
How the feck were they able to keep a straight face when they gave you that back?

[UnknownStuntm...]

[Polarbear]

Did they think you wouldn't notice?

Go the polite route first but if necessary but they need to sort that out properly for you.

Shafts an MOT examiner, ask him if it would pass because I don't think it would where I go.
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[Tdibs]

Yeahhhh I would refuse to pay for that unless they replaced it with a secondhand fork lower, oil and seals included.
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Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[weasley]

I think that 'passing an MoT' is not an appropriate measure for this. If they scuffed every panel and ripped the seat, it would still pass an MoT but I wouldn't be happy.

That fork is not designed to be like that. It also looks like there's no nylock or threadlock on it. It might well get by, and pass an MoT, but it isn't meant to be like that and it wasn't like that when you dropped it off. Even if it is sound, they didn't contact you about the problem and proposed solution, nor did they point it out on collection - this confirms to me that they knew it was not a great thing to do.

At a minimum you should be getting a new (used) fork lower fitted at their expense. You could push for compensation, inconvenience, additional travel costs, loss of earnings (if true) or whatever but pragmatically they ought to be able to source and fit an appropriate leg pretty cheaply (to them) and if you're happy with the result then all's well that ends well.
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