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My brakes fell off—Mechanic Error

2wheelr

2wheelr

New member
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Location
San Francisco
Moto(s)
1985 Nighthawk S 700 (CB700SC)
Sorry for the lengthy post but wanted to get in the details…

So I brought my bike in to have the fork seals replaced and got it back less than a week ago. I’ve ridden it around the city a bit and heard some light rattling low on the forks. I noticed the reflectors clamped to the sliders were loose and expected to get on that soon (temporaily taped them to hold them still).

So today I’m riding around and I hear heavy clunking starting up and which gets worse when I squeeze the brake lever. I pull over immediately and inspect the calipers—THE RIGHT SIDE (rider’s right) CALIPERS ARE HANGING ON BY ONE BOLT! I spent an hour walking my immediately previous route looking for the missing bolt but to no avail. (Actually I found several bolts, none of which seem right—either the marking on the head was different than the matching left side bolt or was clearly too short. They could’ve put the wrong bolt back perhaps?)

I can’t imagine this is anything but mechanic error. I have done nothing to the front end of this bike since I got it back.

Fortunately, I wasn’t going above 25 and on local streets, this would’ve been really bad on the highway.

A few other notes that I didn’t deem significant enough before but I feel are now given this situation as perhaps defining their attitude about servicing my bike—
1) The shop re-used the dust-seals even though they had obvious cracks. I questioned them about this and they said they didn’t come in the kit they used and “they don’t do much anyway” To me this was a BS answer since why would Honda put them on if they didn’t do anything? Obviously they serve a purpose. Cheap kits, in my opinion—and not OEM.
2) As I said before, the reflector clamps were loose—they wouldn’t tighten them while they were down there?

That said, they did note a broken turn signal lamp (my bad) and checked and changed the clutch fluid which they said was dark. (I am currently giving them the benefit of the doubt on that one.)

Advice on handling this one is welcome.

EDIT: I should add that while they did warn me of the signal on the phone, I had to remind them to replace the bulb when I picked it up.
 
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if you don't complain then how will they know about their shotty service? Complaining on here will not help them.
 
DongeR said:
if you don't complain then how will they know about their shotty service? Complaining on here will not help them.
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Complaining to them is a no-brainer, just asking if others have been in a similar situation and have advice to share.
 
So what is the name of the shop?
As far as the dust seals go, they don't have anything to do with the leaking fork seals and is not part of the seals when you order them. They should have told you about it and let you make the call on it.
That being said, sounds like they made a mistake, but we all are human. You have every right to be upset, cause it could have been ugly.
 
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And that's why I work on my bike myself. Did they fix it for free? Oh and the oil...beware of the quality of oil. If you are trying to make money on moto repairs sometimes you skimp on the oil quality to save some coin. My friend just had his bike worked on and they put in cheap oil that was also the wrong viscosity.
 
Dust seals aren't really a requirement. It would have been nice if they asked if you wanted those replaced too (and ordered them), but they are right that they don't do much.

The bolt is a bummer...and a bad sign. Go talk to the shop manager.
 
- Work was done full price, paid in full.
- I understand about the dust seals. As I said as an isolated item I gave them the benefit of the doubt, but in the current context there is relevance regarding attitude.
 
Leaving brake calipers loose is a major f-up. I'd be howling to the service manager or facility manager. They are supposed to TORQUE those bolts down, & if they missed the caliper bolts they probably missed a lot more (reflectors, etc.)

I'd worry more about the forks/axles being torqued down properly. Beg, borrow, or BUY a torque wrench & check it yourself. Don't need an axle coming loose at 80mph on the freeway right?

I'd be happy to check it for you if your nearby, & have the settings (got a service manual?) Now you know why I do all my major work excepting major warranty/recall repairs. I got tired of service departments screwing up my bikes, or lying to me about what was done...:mad :thumbdown
 
Hooli said:
Always double-check your bike before you leave the shop. ;)
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Bring a torque wrench I guess. So you are saying you went back to the same shop to fix the problem and you paid them for it? If that's true I am beyond confused.
 
Well,

The shop should replace the bolt and perform any repair work necessary for free. If they were smart, they'd offer to refund your money for the repairs or offer another 'shit. We fucked up. Please keep quiet about this' prize.
 
Go stand on their F'ING heads! You could have severely injured by THEIR MAJOR screw up!

For what it's worth, that happened to a buddy's VFR (after new tires I believe). He also avoided a crash by noticing the loose caliper.
 
Fonzie said:
Bring a torque wrench I guess. So you are saying you went back to the same shop to fix the problem and you paid them for it? If that's true I am beyond confused.
Click to expand...

Regarding paying, I was referring to your original question--no f'ing way am I paying for the fix. Yes, I guess it comes down to bringing a torque wrench. I do my own oil changes so I know what's going in.
 
EastBayDave said:
I'd be happy to check it for you if your nearby, & have the settings (got a service manual?) Now you know why I do all my major work excepting major warranty/recall repairs. I got tired of service departments screwing up my bikes, or lying to me about what was done...:mad :thumbdown
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for the offer, but I am in SF, I have a torque wrench and the shop manual so I can check this. I try to fix what I can but without a garage, knowledge and all the necessary tools I am limited in what I can do. I wish I could do more.

I will take the advice on checking the bike post-shop work very seriously now.

The resolution is in progress.
 
The dust seals do serve a purpose. I've torn apart hundreds of forks and ive seen some with no dust seals, but most do have them. They do keep alot of crap off the seals.
If you replace with OEM parts then the dust covers do not come as a set. This is something the parts guy shoulod have asked you from the begining. Then again he should have went out side to check the seals himself and your brake pads . Yes the brake pads, just to make sure their not soaked in fork fluid. A saftey measure

People pleeeeaasssee talk with experience and not theory



As for your bolt, Yes it was a mistake the shop did and hopefully they can replace and recheck everything for you for free.
 
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A new upper caliper bolt is obvious--and I will get it inspected elsewhere. Any other likely damage since the caliper was clunking around for several blocks? Pads? Rotor? Brake pistons? It was hanging on the lower caliper bolt so get that replaced too?
 
I'd check all threads and the brake pads. Make sure the pistons move normally. Inspect your rotors for scarring. Make sure there is no damage to the brake lines -- in fact, now may be a good time to replace the lines if they are more than 4 years old.
 
2wheelr - I think you owe it to all of us to mention the name of the shop in question, because there is NO WAY I would go there. I think I have a right to know what shop to avoid, for my own personal safety.

In my opinion, you are more than generous for not trying to sue them. They could have killed you. Yes, literally.

If this were me I would demand my money back in full and I would go through the entire thing myself and redo it. You have to wonder what else this guy forgot.
 
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