Am I been played by my Dealer?

[victoria277]

Two weeks ago I took my 2004 F650 BMW Dakar for the first time for repairs at my local BMW service dealer after it failed this year's MOT test.

I only had to have the front tyre changed, as well as the chain.
Two weeks later the bike has still not been repaired and I was sent an email letting me know that

"We have tried to remove your front fork but have found that the bolt in the top yoke (fork bridge) is unable to be removed. The onlt repair for this would be to replace the fork bridge. The cost of this, including fitting and a 10% parts and labour discount, will be approx £200."

After going personally to the service center I was told that the reason for this is that the Bike is old, and in general this happes to 20 - 30% of the bikes that come in.

I really dont think that I should pay the for the new part or the labour for something that was apparently damaged during repairs.

I really would like to know the community's thoughts.

[-Matt-]

Sadly its possible its true, as said - old bikes do just sometimes deteriorate.

However - how big is this 'dealer'.

Most half decent dealers in the case of something unexpected costing hundreds of pounds excess to what was expected would phone you directly and at the least leave an answerphone message to explain ASAP.

Two weeks for what i assume was originally a day or twos work before picking up the bike I'd question if they're taking the p-ss personally

I presume the bike remains rideable in its current state - or has the MOT expired entirely now, as most decent dealers if you were dubious would allow you to ride it elsewhere for a third-party opinion if you were unsure about it.

[Pol Anorl]

old bikes? its 2004!!

get someone else to get it off for you then take it in.
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[Az]

If i was u, i'd take the bike somewhere else and don't tell them anything about the alleged top yoke problem and see if they also identify it as a problem, if they do... then take it back to the BMW dealers or look for a cheaper mechanic.

[Az]

If i was u, i'd take the bike somewhere else and don't tell them anything about the alleged top yoke problem and see if they also identify it as a problem, if they do... then take it back to the BMW dealers or look for a cheaper mechanic.

[-Matt-]

If you do decide to take it elsewhere by the way - don't ring them and tell them you're intending to pop down the dealer and do so, or they might give the old 'oh its already taken apart and unrideable now' [staff go to dismantle bike] if its a dodgy place.

Just turn up and ask to see the bike and take it away.

If they try charge you some labour on the spot just ask them whats been done - attempting and failing to remove a bolt doesn't count as labour sadly

As a side note also - is there any reason you've taken it to a dealer particularly, is it under warranty conditions etc or you just thought it'd be best to use a BMW dealer ideally.

As you will probably find a lot of other local bike garages can offer to provide the parts and do the repair [if its nescessary of course] for a lot less.

Dealers sadly tend to operate on customer reliance rather than good service to get business

[Ericck]

Hey,

I am not a mechanic but why do they need to
remove the front fork if you only needed a new
tyre and chain
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[Sid_The_Sloth]

[stinkwheel]

Short of being involved in a crash. I can't think how you'd damage a yoke while attempting to dismantle it in such a way as to render it scrap.

Go collect your bike. Take it to someone whom you have been recommended.

Why have they tried to remove your front fork and what the are they doing messing with the top yoke anyway? I'd be asking them. Justify your actions. Why did you even try to remove the fork?

I've worked on an F650 and it has a totally standard front suspension setup. There is no reason to mess with any of the fittings on the top yoke if the aim is to change the front tyre. You remove the brake calliper, undo and remove the wheel spindle and the wheel comes out. Reassembly is the reverse of the above.
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[-Matt-]

[stinkwheel]

[-Matt-]

Sounding like a case of

''Im sorry but it appears you're brake pads are worn - we've replaced the exhaust, engine and headlight - at the cost of 1000 well-earned pounds, but thankfully the brake pads now work''



If you're new to biking or not, particularly for tasks like this you can save yourself a lot of hassle and money by having a go at it yourself, don't be put off if you think you aren't technically minded.

I have a ZX6R sportbike which on the face of it was an impossible to task to lay a finger on maintenance wise but after a couple of weeks getting a toolkit and service manual together [100-150 quid], and some time on the internet [youtube/forums] i managed to do the majority of the basic/mid service perfectly, and could attempt most of a major service excusing a few things - that alone saving many 100s of pounds paying for the toolkit and pretty much the bikes other running costs for the year...

Things like wheels and chains once you know what you're doing after a couple of hours squatting on youtube will take you an hour or two, perhaps an extra 10-20 quid to get someone to put the new tyre on the wheel once you remove it, but either way its a lot cheaper and much more less hassle than dealing with a lot of the incompetant mechanics and garages out there [not to discredit them all by any means].

A good manual to start with is available here or your bike
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-HAYNES-MANUAL-BMW-F650-CS-2001-05-/260929598488?pt=UK_CarParts_Vehicles_Manuals_Litterature_ET&hash=item3cc09db418

[chris-red]

1 Why are they removing the fork to change the tyre or chain.

2 how can a stuck pinchbolt (what it sounds like they are describing) cost £200 to sort.
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[Pol Anorl]

[BigDan1190]

[victoria277]

[Shinigami]

they're trying to give you a good bum raping, take it elsewhere, there's no reason for them to even be trying to undo that for a tyre and chain as said above, all they need to remove is the wheels

and 2 weeks is taking the piss, can be done in not much over an hour
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[victoria277]

[victoria277]

[The Disapproving Brit]

[Rogerborg]

[UnknownStuntm...]

[Bofh5]

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[stinkwheel]

I personally would be turning up there with a van or trailer and taking it to someone whom I trust.

They are taking you for a ride. Stop them now before it gets any worse.

I'm certain I could buy an entire functioning front end for an F650 off ebay for less than they are charging.

EDIT:As an exercise in demonstrating just how rediculous the cost is for the work you've described (and reading between the lines, your fork seals need some attention, although they should be leaving that up to you if you wanted it done). I've just been on Motorworks Uk who are the official UK BMW parts supplier. Pricing out used parts:
Two complete fork assemblies for £120 each.
Top yoke £60.
Bottom yoke £80.
Front wheel £155.
Brake calliper £90.
Brake disc £70.
Front tyre £74.

So. An ENTIRE replacement front end which would require a tyre fitting and bolting on could be supplied for £769. About an hours work tops in a well equipped workshop.
____________________
“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.

[J.M.]