CRASHED! Went straight into the back of a reversing car!!

[tobywalsh]

Okay - background. So i'm 18 and love motorbikes. Turned 16 - did my CBT. Since then I have owned the same moped - a piaggio zip 50 2 stroke. I did the full moped test only last week!

I seem to be having a few problems with the bike. This morning I crashed straight into the car infront - my fault completely - I simply didn't give myself enough stopping distance. Anyhow the biggest of problems are my indicators. The front two are not working. Whenever I switch left or right - the light on the handlebar area (forgot the name!) flashes incredibly quickly and the back ones seem to be flashing at the same rate - too quickly. The front ones simply do not come on. I have gone to a garage and they are saying that I have a complete electrical failure and need new wiring, battery and bulbs. They want £140. Something tells me this can't be right as surely, a crash to the front - can't affect the wiring inside and the battery - a big rigid box at the back?! What do you think the actual problem is?

Secondly - the bike's handlebar allignment is no longer straight. It is about 5 - 10 degrees off. It doesn't stop my driving ability one bit - but the guy at the garage said I need new handlebars because if I don't get them - the speedo cable will become worn very quickly.

For a slight problem that is about 5 degrees off - is it really that bad?

I have not the faintest idea about fixing a software issue on a computer let alone a moped!

Should I just pay the £200 to the mechanic or could this problem be fixed cheaper - perhaps all I need is a new battery and I could continue to ride the handlebars be slightly off - not affecting the speedo cable as they aren't at the moment?

Btw - I have my first MOT coming up soon - December...

Many thanks for looking and I hope you can help!

Toby
____________________
Toby Walsh

[serlant]

sounds completely like the front indicators are not connected anymore(possibly a connector block for both?) as with a bulb relay it flashes based on load, and with the front 2 not connected all others will flash faster. I would stated checking the wiring coming from the indicators.
____________________
04 CBR1000RR, 1995 Husqvarna TE410, 1998 VTR1000(Sold), 1990 XJ600(sold), 1996 KH125(dead and sold)

[at106]

The indicator problem sounds like either the front bulbs have blown, or the wiring to them is damaged. Check the bulbs first as that's easiest.

As for the handlebars being bent, are you sure it's the handlebars and not the forks?

[Mikey CB500]

if the steering is even 1 deggree out you can foget it passing its MOT in its current state

[edb]

Sorry to hear about the crash! Good to hear you didn't get any damage yourself though.

I'm no expert on bikes but I either read in the Haynes manual for mine, or on here, that the indicators will flash rapidly if one isn't working.
Just yesterday I had the same issue, left rear indicator blew when I skidded, if I indicated left both the front indicator and the indicator lamp on the controls would flash rapidly, could still hear the "tick tick" of indication. Replaced the bulb in the rear and they work just fine good as new again.

So in conclusion, I'd call a massive b*****s on complete wiring failure. Spend £2 on a pair of bulbs from Halfords and see if that fixes the problem before you go back there. If it does you save yourself £138, if not you've only spent £2.

As for the handlebars I'd just look for a new one that's not bent. Personally I don't care how low the degree is if it can affect my balance and safety I want it fixed :P

[tobywalsh]

Hey guys;
Thanks for the quick replies! I've been searching the manual for my scooter and the indicator problem does look as if it could be two things...
1) The bulbs have blown
2) The wiring has somehow come undone or simply snapped.

I'm going to pop to a local garage now and buy a pair - replace them - it looks straight forward enough - and then report back...

As for the handlebar or fork problem - you guys are right. I'm not going to take the risk - I'll have an MOT centre just have a quick look at it and tell me what the problem is... then hopefully get it fixed!

Thanks an awful lot for the replies!

Toby
____________________
Toby Walsh

[Pete.]

You're the first person I ever heard of to do their full moped test!

Ok - twisted forks - put the front wheel between your legs and twist them back, might have to loosen the screws first. Not likely your bars are bent from a rear-ender unless you went over hard.

Indicators - first job check the bulbs. Take one working one and fit it where another is not working. If it doesn't flash you have a wiring fault, most likely a popped connector on the front indis.

[at106]

[Pete.]

[Marmalade]

Avoid that garage. Tell us who it is so you can help stop other being ripped off by these lowlife.

Does your bike start on the button?
If so then your battery is fine. the battery probably has a 4ah rating and a 9ah for cranking. even if your bike uses just 10% of this available power for cranking it is still using 5x more power than the indicators would need to flash properly.


I would imagine both bulbs are blown. Even if you got them from halfrauds they'd only be £2 each (come here and they're 20p each)

As both are not working it could possibly be the earth wire connection has failed but ten mins and a bit of wire would see it sorted

Chances are your bars are not bent. Stand in front the bike, wheel between your legs and give the bars a firm twist to straighten the steering, you could also use some suitable railings. Not too much though, don't want to twist the wheel.

If you fancied pm'ing me your number i'll have a look if i get up to London in the next few days and it won't cost you a penny. Rather than let some scumbag workshop rip you off.
____________________
Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky