ZX12 knocked over at dealer - update

[JPaddo]

As many know, my ZX12R was knocked over by a staff member at BikeBiz Granville when I was on my way to pick it up after a dyno tune, last Thursday.

Ironically, the only reason I even had it in there is because Motorcycle Weaponry in Northern Beaches did such a FUBAR job on pretty much everything.

Anyway, this particular bike, until last Thursday, to the best of my knowledge, had never been dropped... I bought it bone stock earlier in 2011, with 3000km on the clock, for a premium price, and proceeded to spend a lot of coin getting the bike just the way I wanted it. For 11 years this was the only bike I ever wanted so it meant a lot to me to finally get one in such fine condition.

A couple of months back I had it in at Motocycle weaponry for the exhaust fitment and dyno tune.

This was the outcome from Motorcycle Weaponry:
- Didn't put oil cooler hose back in bracket, burned through on weekend ride as it was sitting up against the headers, coolant everywhere. (Extremely lucky I noticed it early enough)
- Cracked a ram air cover tab almost clean off due to negligence with fairing removal
- Wired it incorrectly, which snapped the cold start cable
- Tuned the bike to the wrong AFR - it was pig rich
- Told me the exhaust had a flat spot below 2k, which I later discovered was loss of spark in 1-2 cylinders due to wiring / ignition coils. Basically because they were rough as guts with the ignition coils when they tuned it

What else can I say? Don't use these guys. Tell your mates how shit they are. Spread the word.

All of the above has since been rectified of course, but it did sideline the bike for a couple of weeks.

Which brings me to BikeBiz Granville. I'd added some timing in, an ignition mod, etc, and I could tell the bike was running rich... so I took it in for another dyno.

All good, dyno chart looks great, tuned to correct AFR, they really seem to know what they are doing, they even proactively sorted the ignition coil problem. 2 thumbs up. I got the phone call to come pick the bike up, and was just walking out the door when I got the second phone call to inform me that "someone has knocked your bike over in the carpark". FARK!

Turns out the damage was severe. It was pushed over by a forklift carrying a pallet of cardboard.
- Upper cowling cracked severely
- Upper cowling bracket damaged
- Left cowling damage
- indicators, footpeg, lever
- stator cover cracked
- crash knob (and yeah the crash knob saved it from being a lot worse)

Initial consultation was something to the effect of:
Them: "Don't worry we'll repair it"
Me: "Repair? wtf. It wasn't resprayed or welded when I brought it in, and it didn't have a single scratch on it".

Anyway after a phone call to my insurance company I basically put the proposition to them that they have 2 choices, either replace with all new parts at cost, or replace with all new parts at retail, via my insurance.

Which brings us to now... I gotta tell ya, barring the fact that they actually knocked it over in the first place, which was dumb, and barring the initial conversation where they mentioned they'd repair it as opposed to replace... they've been good.

Looks like I'll have it back on the road by mid January sometime, with all new OEM parts. Most of the parts were available locally, but some had to be sourced from Japan, so I've got to wait.

Assuming they don't try to do a dodgy on me (and I've developed a pretty good eye for it by now) with second-hand or resprayed bits I'm cautiously optimistic that this will turn out all right, and I won't have to sh1tlist em... which would be good because I'll be wanting to get the 10 dyno'd soon, and I also need a local dealer to buy new bikes from.


PS I have no idea if they will try to charge me for the dyno. I'm expecting it waived all things considered. We'll see.

[Jonno]

Hmmm, hopefully it works out right for a change

and No they havnt contacted me about 2nd hand spares

[JPaddo]

At least I bought the 10... took months to get the missus susceptible to the idea, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Haven't got a penny to my name.. and.. I'm in the missus' little black book for future compensation, but still... glad I was able to snag one. And the mods have already started on that bike too (I can't help myself)

I've bought 3 bikes this year. It's been 4 years since the missus got a new car. She's stewing on it 24/7. God knows what she'll come up with.

[dickfaber]

fark, i thought i was the unluckiest man in the world, but you take the cake!

hope it all sorts itself out of for you

[Wilso12r]

Paddo, that's just fucked!!!!!!!!!

After all the dramas you had with the previous mob, the last thing you needed was this lot to drop your baby....

I'd be so pissed if it was my bike. My attitude would be as blunt as yours. Replace everything with new parts you pack of c..ts. Thanks for fucking me over. Merry fucking christmas!!!!!!

[Dafuzz31]

Nothing worse then waiting for parts to be shipped.

[sillywilly]

Thats bullshit hope they fix it asap

[ajverma]

that is downright upsetting mate, I really do feel for you... if I may suggest, a place where I like the work ethic is The Bikesmith, maybe take it there for your next service and you might like the way they treat you and your bike.

[JPaddo]

I only had it in for dyno tune. I use Glenn @ AllFixed otherwise.

I've been trying to convince him to buy a dyno...

Speaking of which she's back to good as new minus the left panel which had some cosmetic damage. I could pick the ol' girl up if I wanted and then bring it back for the panel but tbh I don't want to see her like that... having to look at my pride and joy day in day out with a scratched up fairing would do my head in big time and just make me see red. So I'm still waiting on it to come in from Japan. I don't expect it'll be more than a few days now.

[ajverma]

that's good to hear! congrats!

[valkau]

I use Ron at Flywheels, Alexandria for very personal service. They have a dyno which I will try shortly after I get Jonno's link pipe for the Akra.

[JPaddo]

Well got her back, good as new touch wood. No discount for the service which is a bit rude I thought considering they took my bike from me for a good month, but at least the staff member involved seemed sincerely apologetic / helpful.

[robracer]

Yay, for you..... not for the Farktards that did it in the first place

[MAXUMIS]

my mate that come to the ride day knows the fella that own's the shop as he works on his big block camaro,i have met him and he is a very genuine person he even offered to help me when i got done for noise on my bike.He was going to lend me a standed system if needed.I would find it hard to beleve he wouldn't follow up with his words !

[JPaddo]

I'd forgotten just how clean / mint it was. Glenn jokes that he has to wear cotton gloves when I bring it in.

Sure is good to have the ol' girl back.... And yep she pulls a hell of a lot harder and very cleanly at all rpm (I had her in for another dyno with timing advance.)

Taking her up the coast first thing in the morning for a few days with the missus.