shop damaged my GS

senior micro · October 05, 2003, 08:44:01 AM

I took my '01GS (never down, never damaged, always loved) in to a local dealership shop the other day for the 12,000 mile service and brake fluid/disk change. I have used this (dealership) shop before with good results (front shock replacement). I got a call the next morning from one of their reps informing me that my bike had been dumped when the stand they had put it on broke during the night ("This has never happened before."). Broken right mirror and brake lever which they would replace at their cost and vague mention of "cosmetic damage". My heart sunk, but what could I do? I did ask for a written report of the accident particulars. A couple of questions for you savvy folks:
Are they possibly B.S.ing me about the stand breaking? What is the likelihood of that happening? I don't want to use a shop that won't own up to their errors.
Could there be hidden damage they might have missed which would affect the operation of the bike? What should I look for before I sign the papers?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

rjsjr · October 05, 2003, 09:17:39 AM

Much more likely it fell off the stand due to being improperly secured and not also tied down than the stand actually broke. I'd go down there asap, take pictures of the damage unrepaired and evaluate what has problems. Hard to tell what could have happened, if the stand was up the bike probably fell 3' so its possible the damage could be very extensive. Pretty much anything might have been nailed if the bike rolled enough to hit upside down. If you post pics we might be able to suggest things to look for. Don't sign *any* waivers or releases until you have this sorted out.

Turkina · October 05, 2003, 09:25:14 AM

Get the shop to put in writing that the bike is in proper working condition after they do their repairs. Don't let them get away with leaving the cosmetic damage. That's their responsibility too.

One day I left my car at the shop to get it fixed, and they had a policy of washing the car after working on it. Well, I picked it up at night and the day after in the light, it looked like someone worked over one side of the car with a brillo pad

Bastards wouldn't take responsibility for it either :x

pantablo · October 05, 2003, 09:28:03 AM

"cosmetic damage" is their responsibility too (and on their dime). That means probably the engine side cover, bar end, possibly turn signals, possibly rear bodywork, possibly exhaust muffler if it fell onto right (sounds like it went left though).

I've dropped my bike a couple of times and these are the items that were damaged (except the bodywork) on mine.

Take photos. Dont sign anything. Make sure the scrapes are not indicative of the bike moving while it went down...scratches should be more vertical. If they're horizontal then the buffoons crashed it at low/moderate speed when testing it. Thats why you have to see it-to make sure there might not be additional damage.

pantablo · October 05, 2003, 09:29:12 AM

check the footpeg and bracket too to make sure they're not bent (the frame actually gives instead of the peg bracket but can be bent back) or scratched.

john · October 05, 2003, 10:22:57 AM

If you have comp insurance on your bike call your agent and have them send an insurance adjuster to calculate the damage, They will take care of it and subrogate with the shops insurance company. Much less BS for you and thats why you get comp and collision on your bike.

Your own adjuster will make sure you get all the $ needed to repair the bike properly. If there is still damage and you let the shop fix it you're shaZam! out of luck.

My 2 cents

TheGoodGuy · October 05, 2003, 10:50:24 AM

which shop was this.. goodtimes motorsports on auburn? (carmicheal)

Make sure your tank didnt get dented..and yeah take pics..and if you got full coverage have your insurance company send an adjuster..

If the dealer broke it, they should fix it.. mine did.. when they dumped the bike on a test run trying to prove there wasnt a problem on the bike. They had to fix about 2K worth of sutff (can / forks etc etc) alll over again because they dropped it.

The dealer should fix the bike.

sprint_9 · October 05, 2003, 03:23:16 PM

The dealer should completely fix the bike no questions asked, even if it was a part failure on the stand, thats a bunch of

.

The Buddha · October 05, 2003, 04:43:27 PM

Probably the one off florin ... Good times were much better IMHO...
Cool.
Srinath.

yamahonkawazuki · October 05, 2003, 07:08:26 PM

usually those shop stands have rather massive steel position locks, to stand wont/cant collapse, i am thinkin

, they should fix all at absolutely no cost to you

Blueknyt · October 05, 2003, 09:26:21 PM

its posible the stand failed, but i would be there was operator error involved too.

Cal Price · October 06, 2003, 05:20:32 AM

They should fix 100%, talk to them nicely, if you get nowhere talk to your insurer, they may lean on the dealer or his insurer if all else fails sue the bugger, but tell them in the nicest possible way first.

Moose · October 06, 2003, 05:45:06 AM

Alright being a MC enthusiast, I watch American Chopper on Discovery channel all the time and one time two of the Choppers fell of the stands because they did not have them secured right. So it can happen at any shop, but the shop is responsible for all repairs. If they want you to pay for them that is a crock of

. So I would fight it if they don't repair it correctly and cover it themselves.

JamesG · October 06, 2003, 06:01:01 AM

Only call your insurance co. if you get resistance from the shop. You don't want to have a claim on your record if you can help it, it makes your rates go up.

The shop should and is liable for all damages. Do not let them talk you in to accepting "this little scratch here".

snapper · October 06, 2003, 08:46:45 AM

I bet it was operator error- regardless they should fix it.
My Dad is a mechanic and he was working for a highend used car place (Lincolns, caddis, mercs, jags etc). One Saturday he got a call that someone had tried to put a car up on the lift. Well they did it all wrong and that car was dangling precariously off the lift. I think they got it down ok- but the point being people do stupid things sometimes. Even people who don't generally do stupid things. Some take full responsibitly for it; some--most don't.

Good luck!

john · October 06, 2003, 09:03:58 AM

Quote from: JamesGOnly call your insurance co. if you get resistance from the shop. You don't want to have a claim on your record if you can help it, it makes your rates go up.

The shop should and is liable for all damages. Do not let them talk you in to accepting "this little scratch here".

A non driver involved damage claim with responsible party? No it won't. I have asked about this before and they absolutly will not raise his rates. He is paying for that blanket of protection and they will give him every break seeing the responsible party is known.

Turkina · October 06, 2003, 09:47:36 AM

Quote from: snapperI bet it was operator error- regardless they should fix it.
My Dad is a mechanic and he was working for a highend used car place (Lincolns, caddis, mercs, jags etc). One Saturday he got a call that someone had tried to put a car up on the lift. Well they did it all wrong and that car was dangling precariously off the lift. I think they got it down ok- but the point being people do stupid things sometimes. Even people who don't generally do stupid things. Some take full responsibitly for it; some--most don't.

Good luck!

Years ago, my sister let the high school's auto shop work on her Mustang. They were going to do a transmission swap on it. While the car was up in the air overnight, the lift lost hydraulic pressure and someone forgot to lock the lift. Next day, the auto shop teacher touched the lift, lift collapsed, and the car (which was only supported by the transmission jack) fell off the lift and had all 4 wheels in the air :lol: it was pretty amusing walking past the garage and seeing that!

snapper · October 06, 2003, 10:02:18 AM

LOL- Bet your sister wasn't happy!

senior micro · October 07, 2003, 05:52:28 AM

Thanks to all of you for your great advice. I haven't been dealing with motorcycle shops for too long, and my experience with the three I have used has not been very satisfactory. If anyone knows of a really reliable shop in the Sacramento, CA area, I would be grateful to hear of it.
Bill S. , Citrus Heights, CA

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shop damaged my GS