A very serious warning about San Mateo Suzuki.

Nemo Brinker

Nemo Brinker

Tonight we ride
Unirr, Elskipador is the independent mechanic that everyone Actually Wants Working on Their Bikes. He is top fucking notch and honest as hell (I say that as a much lower-level mechanic who has worked in a couple of decent shops).
 
Marcoose

Marcoose

50-50
elskipador said:
it was while i was installing the individual header pipes that i noticed the problems with the front wheel.
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The scary thing is that guys like me that have hands and knowledge not even myself trust, choose and pay for real mechanics like you, Jim, Dave, etc to do small and big jobs, because, case in point, it's not that hard to make a mistake. And then you go to a dealer, which has no reason to be of lower level, but stuff like this happens. That's scary.
 
clutchslip

clutchslip

Not as fast as I look.
Ironic that I just posted about buying from a dealer, instead of private party because of maintenance. Doh! :laughing

It reminds of when I bought four new tires for my VW bug, and the right-front almost completely came off while racing a Porsche on Mulholland. Only one bolt was barely holding the wheel on as I slid to a stop in the dirt.

I sure am glad that people like you and barf are around to help keep other people safe. :thumbup
 
hayabusafiend

hayabusafiend

boxing twins
Cincinnatus said:
I'd take the bike and the owner back to the dealership and get a full refund. :mad
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And bring a handwritten letter and pics with you for Suzuki North America should they refuse a refund. Dealers can be liable for gross negligence resulting in injury.

More importantly, the tech should be FIRED immediately. A whole lot of riders do NOT know what is mechanically correct and TRUST the dealer tech to get it correct.

Actually, send the letter and pics to Suzuki NA regardless of refund. Corporate needs to know that dealership nearly killed a rider.
 
Honey Badger

Honey Badger

...iz a girl
That's absolutely terrifying...that level of incompetence is worse than being a little lazy or not being familiar with a bike - that is "I'm trying to kill you" levels of sabotage IMO.

Then again, I had a "mechanic" leave the entire lower triple not even finger tight on my old race bike. After a stop to stop tank slapper (leaving me with no front brakes till I pumped them back up) that I managed to ride out pulled out of the race and into the pits to eventually find the bolts ready to fall out after starting to go through the front end bolt by bolt to see what was going on.

That was the last time anyone touched one of my bikes without me hovering over them and often going behind them double checking everything, even for super minor stuff. Even Shawn gets the hover treatment but he's about the only person I will trust to do things I can't specifically check once he's done :D

I'm far from a great mechanic, but I want to know what's going on with my bike!
 
unirr

unirr

Eating popcorn
Nemo Brinker said:
Unirr, Elskipador is the independent mechanic that everyone Actually Wants Working on Their Bikes. He is top fucking notch and honest as hell (I say that as a much lower-level mechanic who has worked in a couple of decent shops).
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I hear you man. I could imagine if the mechanic themselves are actually making the huge gobs of money charged for the work that they'd put a lot more heart into it. Every time I see the shop guys at bigger establishments they seem like they are so mistreated, underpaid, and under appreciated for all the $$$ they bring in. I can't help but see them naturally not giving a f*** to some extent. I've taken my car to a mechanic and it's most always a master mechanic who quit a dealer and started his own business. The work is 10x better and I feel warm inside knowing the person doing the work is profiting the most from it.
 
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elskipador

elskipador

elskipador@gmail.com
sckego said:
Don't most wheels have little arrows cast into one of the spokes to indicate direction of rotation? Pretty sure all of mine have had that, though I've never owned a GSXR...
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yes, they do, but its small & the not paying attention thing was the "take-away" point :teeth
 
Hawaiirider

Hawaiirider

Well-known member
Nemo Brinker said:
That wasn't a mechanical job so much as an assassination attempt. Good lookin' out, Elskipador.
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I picked up a new Duc Monster S4 (years ago) at a Honolulu dealership to deliver to a friend on Maui when the Ferry was running - OF COURSE it was pouring buckets when I arrived and they have the bike parked under a canopy and as I'm waiting for it to let up a little I proceed to inspect the bike very carefully - too carefully it seems for one of their tech's liking "Hey, we prep bikes ALL DAY, man - we know what we are doing !"

" Who is riding this bike out of here for the customer - you or me ?"
"ah, you are..."

Always inspect your bike. Trust nobody.
 
unirr

unirr

Eating popcorn
moto-rama said:
Hey....don't be blaming drugs for everything....for all you know, it was a LACK of drugs that was the real problem.
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ob1ventura

ob1ventura

Well-known member
You very well may have saved the rider's life Shawn.:thumbup

fwiw, that is why since Reg Pridmore's guy Scott, only Shawn will touch my bikes.

Reminds me, the Kawi needs a valve check / adjustment. 110,000 mi on her now. When ever you have time.
 
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Colorado Mike

Colorado Mike

I wrote that ------>
Being a 20 year automotive tech, mistakes do happen when you work on dozens of vehicles day in and day out, year in and year out. But this is ridiculous. Must be some new kid who talked his way into employment, but can't back it up.
 
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