Should I take this back...?

[smegbrains]

I'm sure I must be a brilliant customer as usually I'm far too English to haggle or complain, but this time I'm sorely tempted to actually say something as I'm really unhappy.

I took the bike ('99 CBR600F) into a local garage for a service, a new tyre fitting, and also asked while it was in there if they could have a go at fitting my pillion footpegs for me. The previous owner had taken them off to fit the non-standard can. I wanted to keep the can on as I love the sound it makes, but I'd also like the ability to take a passenger.

I'd had a quick go at trying to get them on myself but couldn't quite make it fit (I assume as the can is in a different position) so it wasn't going on for me.

There are three securing points, and while I could get the top two load-bearing ones in place, the third one at the bottom (where the OEM can attached to hang from I guess) was in the way. I thought I'd get someone with a bit more mechanical ability than me to have a go while they had the bike, assuming I might have been a bit of an idiot and missed something obvious. When I dropped the bike off I asked for them to try and fit these for me, and if not let me know so I could see how much getting some aftermarket or fabricated ones would be.

When I got the bike back they pointed out a couple of things I needed doing (small hole in collector box and cam chain tensioner) so we had a chat about that. I noticed the pegs were fitted and was pleased they'd managed to do it but we didn't discuss them. Paid up my money and rode off.

Went to pick my friend up the following day as he'd volunteered to be my first pillion, and he had a closer look at the pegs. I noticed that the bottom attachment point had been cut off, and the peg was pressed forcefully against the exhaust, bending it out of position and marking the can quite deeply under the sharp edge left from cutting. I was a bit narked about the peg being cut as I hadn't expected anything drastic like this without a phonecall asking me if it was OK first, at which I'd have said no because I want the original kit kept in good order - I've got the original can and carb jets etc so I can put the bike back to standard if I need to for selling it.

I've included a couple of pictures below which should hopefully illustrate it, you can see how it's forcing the can out of position on one of them, and the close up one should show the damage. Do you think I have something to reasonably complain about here, and what would be a reasonable outcome from a complaint? I don't expect the moon on a stick, a million pounds compo and a ride on his wife or anything, but I'm quite a bit put out as if I take the peg off now, there will be deep scratches on my can, and if I leave it I can see it wearing a hole into the can over time.

Thanks for your opinions

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12188210/zorst.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12188210/zorst1.jpg
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Current Bike: Honda CBR 600F
Ex Bikes: Suzuki GX 125

[MarJay]

Hang on, you asked them to fit pillion pegs when the exhaust is incompatible with pillion peg usage, and you're upset when it doesn't quite fit properly? If I were you, I'd remove the peg, grind a bit off of the back of the peg hanger, remove the exhaust, move the exhaust clamp to the inside of the mounting and try to tighten it all up shifted over a bit.

I wouldn't have asked a garage to do this, Its like asking someone for the impossible...

Its not great work, and they shouldn't have taken it on IMO, or they should have shimmed out the peg so it gave extra room for the exhaust. Even so, what you asked them to do is dubious...
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[smegbrains]

[fozzym]

Depends how you asked the question of "could you please fit this pillion peg hanger"?

Obviously they took it that you would be happy to have the hanger cut to make it work. To me it looks like a bodge job and not what you expect from a pro but then some garages are better than others.

I'd be pissed off if I felt I hadn't given authority to go cutting and bending bits.

Seems the garage took the easy route rather than using a bit of skill and making some shims and finding some longer bolts ect .

I'd have a word and see what you can work out but I'd not hold my breath seen as I'm assuming you already paid and walked out saying "thanks mate" ?

[Pete.]

They did what you asked, perhaps they should have phoned and mentioned that they needed to cut the hanger but if you didn't tell them that you needed to keep the exhaust mount intact I think your complaint will fall on deaf ears.

I agree with the issue about it digging into the can. I would have filed a flat on that sharp angle of the hanger to stop it digging it - as it is, where it is touching it's going to make for a very uncomfortable ride for any pillion because it will be transferring vibration from the can directly into the footpeg. Only way I can see out of that is to either move the can inboard as Marjay says or move the hanger outwards by packing the mount with spacers or heating & bending it.
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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

[Ayrton]

You should have made it clear that if any modification was needed that you didnt want it done.

[smegbrains]

Thanks guys - I did think I'd made it clear I didn't want any cutting doing though, and if it was me I'd have definitely phoned up before doing something like that - I fix computers for a living and always get explicit permission before doing something irreversible to a customers machine.

Guess I'm going to have to take it back there slightly cap in hand and negotiate something with them, and learn the lesson to be much more explicit next time when asking for work to be done.

Hopefully they'll file it flat and do the mount thing as suggested, it sounds like it should do the job. I'm not too fussed about it being all perfect as long as it's reasonable.
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Current Bike: Honda CBR 600F
Ex Bikes: Suzuki GX 125

[janner_10]

[DrDonnyBrago]

The can has a high level link pipe which is why it sits in the wrong place for your pegs. The exhaust on my CBR attaches to the bottom of the footpeg.


You might be able to rotate the whole lot around where it joins on to your down pipes, then bolt the exhaust strap onto the other side of the exhaust hanger to clear up some space. Main thing would be to check it doesn't foul the rear wheel/swingarm.


Simpler would be to take it back to the garage and ask them to shim it a bit, or cut some more off of the peg.

[smegbrains]

[el_oso]

they did what you asked. I still wouldn't be happy though. Don't think any of the garages I go to would have done something like that.
The normal way these things are done is that you take whatever you want doing to them. They give it a quick look over make sure what you want doing isn't stupid/illegal and then explain how they would go about doing it. You then agree, they take the bike and do the work. You pay them for doing the work.
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Duke 390
Previous: '05 XR125L | '96 XJ600S Diversion |'05 Suzuki GSXR1000 | '05 Honda CBR125-R | '97 YZF 600R Thundercat | '11 Honda CBR250
Car: Jeep Wrangler 4.0L

[smegbrains]

Yeah, I'm agreeing with the consensus here that they've done what I've asked and I can't really complain about the peg being cut. Glad I got the advice before wading in all guns blazing, and I know now to make it absolutely crystal clear in advance.

I'm going to explain that I'm just unhappy with how it's causing damage to the exhaust and that I think it could have been fitted a little better, offer the grinding it flat suggestion and start negotiating from them doing the remedial work for free, and at worst hopefully it'll just be half the usual labour rate as the outcome.

Does this sound reasonable?
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Current Bike: Honda CBR 600F
Ex Bikes: Suzuki GX 125

[swiftb]

gash as fuk. Would not be happy. Surely common sense dictates that if the outcome of fitting the pegs is going to have it digging into the exhaust and damaging it you ring the customer and tell them - we can do it but its going to look shite and cause damage to your can. Which gives you the opportunity to turn round and say no. Bunch of monkeys.

[Barnaby]

That's a BAD job for a number of reasons.

Is this a trusted & respected garage?

I fear not, no spanner monkey worth his salt would ever have done such a bodge.

You pays your money, you takes your chances. You got exactly what you paid for, shame it wasn't what you expected.
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"I don't hate the Welsh, I pity them. Even the Scots & the Irish look down on them." Anon.

[Ayrton]

[robbyb]

I agree they did what you asked for but I would take it back and complain about exhaust damage
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Yamaha FZ8

[smegbrains]

Yes, I'm going to just complain about the exhaust damage.

The garage was actually highly recommended by a few people and has a good reputation which is why I was happy to leave them with the bike.

I will take it to them on Monday and see what they say.
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Current Bike: Honda CBR 600F
Ex Bikes: Suzuki GX 125

[pendulum]

That bodge looks like something I'd do - (I'm a bit 'Frank Spencer' when it comes to working on motorbikes; a mechanically clueless moron). But even I can see that bodge is not acceptable and requires further bodging. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, they might not have realised it is/will cause damage to the can, but once this is pointed out to them they ought to fix it by grinding some more off or rotating stuff until there's a bit of clearance.
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1998 CG125 (Sold) CB500 [+ Clio 172]
Usually_Wrong: I tend to fail more than pass. [Speaking about Theory Practice]
Usually_Wrong: im on unemployment at the moment

[stinkwheel]

It wouldn't exactly have taken all day to have grabbed a file and filed a flat at 45 degrees to where they ground off the mounting lug so it clears the can.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Alex_B]

Yea well.

As you say the exhaust can is going to be so FUBAR'd in a lil while. You are gonna have a nasty blow to put it mildly.

They shoulda asked, customers ask for shit and naively (maybe) expect the garage to do things a bit better than they could themselves or they wouldn't be fecking paying.
If I want a bodge job,I can do that myself

It's a bodge, take it back and give em some grief, can't hurt none!!
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My Lane Position is always AWESOME!!