San Jose Yamaha Sucks and will break your bike thanks

[back2thelab]

I had my FJR serviced in this f*cking dealer before and
I will never go back again. They are not an honest shop I know.
I hate to bash but I got to rant.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SAN JOSE YAMAHA SUCKS !!!!!!!!!!!

...my new best friend.

 

[stan23]

You're suggesting a new chain and sprocket (both consumable items on a motorcycle) would void a warranty or remove them from liability of repair?

Read what is posted here. Specifically read my chain of events that the OP went through.

Given that he replaced the chain and sprockets and already experienced one failure of the countershaft nut falling off, I doubt the dealer/Yamaha would be jumping hoops to help him get his bike fixed since technically -- he modified/uninstalled/reinstalled a non factory part.

I'm not saying that changing your chain/sprockets will remove liability from the manufacturer.

nOOB!

 

[Ray]

If you decide to come back, I would love to hear more details of your buddy's chain/sprocket failure. Maybe its just what this brick wall needs to hear.

From what we can tell via the after-accident forensics - the front sprocket sheared off, which caused the chain to come off and in the process the chain snapped - the chain then spun around the rear sprocket and hub, locking the rear wheel. The bike then slid through a turn - my friend hit and then went over a guard rail and down an embankment several hundred feet. It was believed he was dead upon the initial impact with the guard rail and was most definitely DOA upon contact with the ground.

That's what happened to him, of course you might just lose part of your leg as the chain comes off the bike, or get run over by a trucker who doesn't see you coasting into the right lane.

Frankly, I'm amazed that any moto mechanic would even touch this project, or that it was done this way to begin with (welding the shaft), it's a recipe for disaster. Ask them if they'd let their wife, brother, son or daughter ride this bike - that's always a good litmus test for safety. There is ONE fix to this problem, and that's splitting the case and replacing the shaft, that's what should have been done from day 1.

I don't think welding is the answer. Putting heat on a harden shaft makes it brittle and crack.

I'm a mechanical engineer, at least I was one until I retired. Welding the sprocket to a hardened shaft is not a good idea. Nor is welding the nut because the thread is non-existent. It's already proven to be an inadequate repair.

You can always earn another $1500 - you can't grow another leg or repair a broken spine, or resurrect yourself from the dead. I suspect that you'll continue to ignore the sage advice of those that have gone before you, but I've said my peace, my conscious is clear.

 

[back2thelab]

From what we can tell via the after-accident forensics - the front sprocket sheared off, which caused the chain to come off and in the process the chain snapped - the chain then spun around the rear sprocket and hub, locking the rear wheel. The bike then slid through a turn - my friend hit and then went over a guard rail and down an embankment several hundred feet. It was believed he was dead upon the initial impact with the guard rail and was most definitely DOA upon contact with the ground.

That's what happened to him, of course you might just lose part of your leg as the chain comes off the bike, or get run over by a trucker who doesn't see you coasting into the right lane.

Frankly, I'm amazed that any moto mechanic would even touch this project, or that it was done this way to begin with (welding the shaft), it's a recipe for disaster. Ask them if they'd let their wife, brother, son or daughter ride this bike - that's always a good litmus test for safety. There is ONE fix to this problem, and that's splitting the case and replacing the shaft, that's what should have been done from day 1.






You can always earn another $1500 - you can't grow another leg or repair a broken spine, or resurrect yourself from the dead. I suspect that you'll continue to ignore the sage advice of those that have gone before you, but I've said my peace, my conscious is clear.

I hear ya. Your advice has not been ignored, neither has Russ's nor Nutman's even though I have not responded to every single post.

I appreciate you sharing your buddy's story, as it sounds horrific, and definitely gives me food for thought. Point well taken.

 

[stan23]

back2thelab -

Tell you what. I'll keep an eye out for a motor (I find deals all the time) and i'll even help you with the install.

 

[back2thelab]

Read what is posted here. Specifically read my chain of events that the OP went through.

Given that he replaced the chain and sprockets and already experienced one failure of the countershaft nut falling off, I doubt the dealer/Yamaha would be jumping hoops to help him get his bike fixed since technically -- he modified/uninstalled/reinstalled a non factory part.

I'm not saying that changing your chain/sprockets will remove liability from the manufacturer.

nOOB!

What happened to the shoeshine comment that I saw when I read this post on my blackberry?

Take it easy you two.

Just talked to someone with Yamaha and it sounds like this: I made a mistake riding the bike at all after the sprocket came off the first time, which I can sorta understand, but sometimes if something is fixable in 5 min its much easier than getting a motorcycle tow. He thinks the threads were stripped just from the couple hundred feet that the bike coasted while pulling over, but believes me that there was no visible damage at that time. Basically the shaft was functional and appeared to be in perfect condition before the shop touched it, and was toast afterwards. Whatever.

Had I tried to solve this with Yamaha corporate or with small claims within a reasonable amount of time, it would have been easy based on the fact that all the damage that occurred, be it my fault or theirs was all result of a faulty lock washer and or nut that failed, hence the TSB. Yamaha is aware that these parts have a tendency or at least the capability to fail.

that being said these dudes at SJ still tore up my shaft and never wanted to own up to it. From that point on it was me that blew it by letting it go.

 

[back2thelab]

back2thelab -

Tell you what. I'll keep an eye out for a motor (I find deals all the time) and i'll even help you with the install.

Stan, that's rad! I'm kinda strapped right now but still keep me posted on anything you see. I'd be much more stoked on dropping in a motor with a few miles than putting it in the hands of any shop for massive work like that. I've done a motor swap on a TLS before, so I know its doable with some friends. I'm guessing that everything from the 03 r6 onto the current R6s will drop in but not totally sure.

 

[bountyhunter]

Well folks its that time again. Time to remind everyone that San Jose Yamaha basically totaled my bike the one time they had it in their shop. They stripped my countershaft with an air hammer while doing a free TSB lock washer replacement. Then had the balls to quote me 1500 to split the case and replace it. Fuck You San Jose Yamaha. I'm posting today because yesterday my front sprocket came off again while riding, although this time the nut had been spot welded to the shaft, so I was a bit surprised.
Anyway today I'll be going back to these fuckwads to spend another 10 dollars with them on another lock washer and nut for the third time, and trying to think of another way of holding it on since there are virtually no threads. Fuck you SJ Yamaha. Fuck you hard. Go out of business, die, etc.

The previous welds that were on there were mig, so I guess this time I need to try some tig welds, since it all came apart yesterday under heavy riding. Another suggestion was some kind of ring with a set screw, although this prob wont be as good. I dunno. Any suggestions? Besides ghost-riding it through SJ Yamaha's front window which is what I'd like to do? Perhaps any mobile tig welders here that could help? Heres what it looks like now, pretty much the same as it did when they mangled it 2-3 yrs ago.

That's why God invented small claims court. Sue the bastards and make them take responsibility.

 

[VTRZA]

What happened to the shoeshine comment that I saw when I read this post on my blackberry?

[youtube]2oP1NMB_I0s[/youtube]

 

[Whisky_Richard]

Read what is posted here. Specifically read my chain of events that the OP went through.

Given that he replaced the chain and sprockets and already experienced one failure of the countershaft nut falling off, I doubt the dealer/Yamaha would be jumping hoops to help him get his bike fixed since technically -- he modified/uninstalled/reinstalled a non factory part.

I'm not saying that changing your chain/sprockets will remove liability from the manufacturer.

nOOB!

I've read the whole thread... but if working on a 'non factory part' (ie aftermarket sprocket and/or chain) voids their liability, they shouldn't have touched it in the first place, which still puts the OP in the right.

Beyond that, the aftermarket part isn't what caused a failure. The factory parts (nut, washer, shaft design, etc) caused the failure.

 

[back2thelab]

Now go home and get your FUCKIN shinebox!

 

[stan23]

I've read the whole thread... but if working on a 'non factory part' (ie aftermarket sprocket and/or chain) voids their liability, they shouldn't have touched it in the first place, which still puts the OP in the right.

Beyond that, the aftermarket part isn't what caused a failure. The factory parts (nut, washer, shaft design, etc) caused the failure.

In the defense of the dealer, customers are always trying to scam them.

bring them bikes with broken parts, etc.. and claim it was the dealer that did it.

I'm not saying that's the case here, but it is real hard to try and convince the dealer they broke something unless it was completely untouched.

Let's put it this way: A friend brings you their bike and asks if you can remove their countershaft nut.

You remove the nut, but now it's is completely stripped.

Then your friend tells you--after the fact, the nut had come off before and it was dangling there while he coasted to a stop, which may or may not have damaged the shaft.

No let's be honest. Would you pay for the repair?

While my comparison is not apples to apples, it still holds merit, because the scenario is the same.

 

[Whisky_Richard]

In the defense of the dealer, customers are always trying to scam them.

bring them bikes with broken parts, etc.. and claim it was the dealer that did it.

I'm not saying that's the case here, but it is real hard to try and convince the dealer they broke something unless it was completely untouched.

Let's put it this way: A friend brings you their bike and asks if you can remove their countershaft nut.

You remove the nut, but now it's is completely stripped.

Then your friend tells you--after the fact, the nut had come off before and it was dangling there while he coasted to a stop, which may or may not have damaged the shaft.

No let's be honest. Would you pay for the repair?

While my comparison is not apples to apples, it still holds merit, because the scenario is the same.

I'm not trying to guess at who's wrong or right.

I'm just curious why you think having an aftermarket sprocket/chain on there is meaningful. That sort of thing is not at all uncommon. That's all.

 

[stan23]

I'm not trying to guess at who's wrong or right.

I'm just curious why you think having an aftermarket sprocket/chain on there is meaningful. That sort of thing is not at all uncommon. That's all.

Maybe I did not explain my position correctly. Of course aftermarket chain and sprockets are not uncommon - none of my bikes have stock chains/sprockets.

It boils to installation and prior failure. Who knows if the prior failure was due to the bad nut/washer design, or improper torque on the countershaft nut?

 

[back2thelab]

Maybe I did not explain my position correctly. Of course aftermarket chain and sprockets are not uncommon - none of my bikes have stock chains/sprockets.

It boils to installation and prior failure. Who knows if the prior failure was due to the bad nut/washer design, or improper torque on the countershaft nut?

If I may chime in here my whole defense is based on the fact that there was a TSB on these parts, which is why I'm inclined to believe it was due to failure rather than incorrect installation. Especially a very straightforward installation like that. With a service manual, torque wrench, and a brand new [faulty] lock washer, there may be monkeys who could do it perfectly, that is replace gearing.

 

[stan23]

If I may chime in here my whole defense is based on the fact that there was a TSB on these parts, which is why I'm inclined to believe it was due to failure rather than incorrect installation. Especially a very straightforward installation like that. With a service manual, torque wrench, and a brand new [faulty] lock washer, there may be monkeys who could do it perfectly, that is replace gearing.

What you have (unfortunately) is the perfect trifecta of failure

1. TSB on lockout waster and nut
2. Aftermarket installation of chain/sprockets
3. Dealer

I'd think if the lockout washer and nut failed on the stock chain/sprockets, the dealer and Yamaha would have ZERO problems replacing the countershaft, or any other work involved.

But since it was touched already by a third party, that faulty washer and nut and all liability goes right down the drain. :|

 

[Mortifer]

speaking of monkeys working on bikes, see you both tomorrow.

 

[VTRZA]

But since it was touched already by a third party, that faulty washer and nut and all liability goes right down the drain. :|

not necessarily, it does make a resolution that much more complicated though

 

[stan23]

not necessarily, it does make a resolution that much more complicated though

Right, and the complication is where the OP stands right now..

Heck, It may just be worth while to split the cases and drop a new countershaft on there.

With a few knowledgeable heads, i'm sure it can be done relatively pain free.

 

[VTRZA]

Right, and the complication is where the OP stands right now..

yep, at this point some mediation or some other form of litigation would be needed to determine fault. Having a faulty lockwasher that comes loose is a big liability though.

OP, sorry bro but you shoulda nipped it in the bud when it happened. Hope you find your welder