Damn shame, I really liked the people

Being out in the Los Angeles area for the summer I was left to leave tire mounting to a local shop. I found Long Beach Motorsports online and upon one visit found that they not only had the best prices on tires I have seen to this date, but also had the nicest staff I have ever experienced. They may not be a honda dealer but I figured tires are somewhat universal. Confidently I had them mount a set of Pilot Road 2's on the VFR on saturday. Unfortunately it didn't end so well. I hadn't made it down the street when I noticed the front brake sounding and feeling like a blender full of rocks. I brought it back and they determined that the outer pad on the left side had gotten wedged funny in the bracket and straightening it out rectified the problem. They fixed it as quickly as possible, apologized for the inconvenience(which I understood, being an auto tech) and I was happily on my way. After I had been home for a couple hours and the bike cooled completed I decided it would be good to verify tire pressure. The pressure being 6 pounds low on the rear didn't bother me near as much as the magnitude of scratches I was greeted with when I stooped to access the valve stems. So the question is, do I contact them about it?

 

While I'd be a bit upset about the scratches, I also understand. After changing too many tires to count, and being as careful as possible, accidents do happen. I've scratched my fair share and can honestly say that sometimes it was a dumb mistake and sometimes it was the tire machine that was at fault. If you do decide to take issue with it, hopefully they will own up and make it right.

 

It might be worth a phone call just to let them know about it, and see if they are willing to do anything about it. Dealing with physical damage after the fact is always kind of difficult. Having been on both sides of the table (as you have), it's amazing what sort of nonsense people try to pull to get something for nothing. But you are the customer, and they did damage your paint.

 

This is America.....Sue the bastards LOL!!!

Rollin

 

how did you not notice that when you picked up the bike?

 

They pack the bikes in their service area so tight theres only enough space to squeeze yourself onto your bike and carefully back out and be on your way. If I ever have someone else mount a set of tires for me I'll surely check before I leave...

 

eeeeeeek


the least you can do is go back and mention it. have pics of the wheels prior to the visit? might help your case

 

I'd let them know or take it to them and show them. If they don't do anything than this just gives you a reason to have them powder coated next time you need tires.

 

As you can probably see, my wheels aren't in super nice shape, and I really don't feel like trying to hassle them. They need redone anyways. I've actually had very good results from duplicolor(i think) wheel paint, used it on several vehicles. About how much does it cost to get a set of these powdercoated?

 

I paid $60 to get mine powdercoated but that was with me stripping and bead blasting them to bare metal.
I'd pay more for someone else to strip them 'cause it was a major p.i.t.a.

 

A few new flaws on the wheel paint is easy to overlook, but incorrectly mounting a brake caliper is a serious, intolerable screw-up and endangered your safety and that of other road users. They should seriously think of sacking the careless tech who did the wheel mounting.

A good shop will test-ride finished bikes to confirm that their work was done correctly and catch any problems, so they screwed up twice !! Or 4 times on one job if you add the scratches and the low tire pressure !!!!!!!

Maximum de-merits for that shop !

 

Being an auto tech professionally and a moto tech on the side for many years now, that is totally unacceptable. If someone brought that back to me I'd be begging forgivness for such a severe fuck up. Regardless of what shape your wheels were to begin with or how clean they were or were not that does not excuse the added and obvious damage they did. I too have added a few NICKS to my wheels changing tires cause I was being a cowboy and not taking the proper measures to protect the wheels. A couple layers of painters tape where you KNOW your machine and tire bars are gonna touch the wheels is all that's needed to prevent this sort of damage.

Completely aside from the physical damage, had your tires been low enough and you took her out for a good long test ride you very well may have overcooked your tires from the low pressure. ESPECIALLY right now when it's hot out.

I would try to approach them as calmly and even headed as possible because that's how you would get the best reaction and most help from me, but I must agree with Squirrel. Hell must be raised and they need to compensate you somehow for these severe boo boo's IMO. Hopefully they will treat you just as well as they did before this incident and you can trust in them again. Good luck!!

 

Haven't had any luck with any shop who had "motorsport"/s in their title. Including but not limited to:
1) Delamo Motorsports
2) LA Motorsports (changed name to cyclesports) same douchebags though...
3) OTD Motorsports (except the "OTD" purchase price of my '06, $8,400 in Dec. 06)
4) Long Beach Motorsports

 

I have also changed hundreds of motorcycle tires. If I notice any scratched or nicks in the wheels before removing from the bike I bring it to the customers attention. If by some chance we scratch a wheel (have NEVER nicked one) we show the customer and then bring the dremel tool into play to polich it out. You can bet your ass they will not replace the wheel, Our repir order that the customer signs before work is done states that we will not be responsible for any damage to wheels as thay are soft aluminum and can sometimes be slightly damaged by the tire machine, etc. If only slight scratches polish them out yourself and go on with your life. If you raise hell with the shop you will pnly be called an ahole behind your back. I am lucky as I can change my own tires, Put two new ones onmy 1983 VF750F this past week with no scratches.

 

Thats why I didn't go back, all of the scratches shown in the pics are down to the metal. I couldn't change them myself cause I'm 2600 miles from home. I've only changed one set of motorcycle tires but have done hundreds of car tires and know that deep scratches like that are caused by operator error and carelessness. If my bike and wheels were in exceptional condition I would certainly complain, but Its not worth my time, and I hate to be "the asshole that complains alot" although the brakes were seriously screwed. It took at least 500 miles for the front brake to return to normal after having the pad wedged funny for ten miles or so.

 

You are correct, the brake thing was serious and should have never happened.

 

How can anyone concentrate on this issue with jeVFR's avatar completely jacking the thread?

 

Ya know boobs are always a good addition to any subject...