Part 1 here = http://ironycm.weebly.com/blog/bike-workshop
Rode to a couple of places and when back from the temple on 8 Oct, the front shock acted up. It was harsh with no damping.
10 Oct =
Went to the second workshop to get it checked out. One mechanic said it was fine and another guy came to support his findings.
I asked for fork oil to be replaced but they didn't want to do it initially. I asked if the mechanic is confident to ride pillion with me to the mountain and he changed his mind about the fork. He told me that he will need 3 days for fork oil to be delivered. He called a person who said was a Yamaha technician and after speaking with that guy on the phone, the mechanic asked me to come back the next morning.
Went to the private workshop (opened by the guy previously from 2nd dealership) and got my brakes rear brake pads replaced as it was squeaking. The old pads still have a long way to go and I asked him to keep it for other bike. He said he don't have the tool for the fork. Understandable because his business started not too long ago.
11 Oct =
Went to the 2nd Yamaha dealership and they replaced the oil in the fork. (no need to wait 3 days, don't know why) but I am worried. I went for a coffee while they work at it. Took some pictures at the coffee shop with Peaberry coffee. The fork was better but not ideal. I asked him to put more oil. He refused and insisted it was good enough for my 5000km trip I was thinking of doing. I said I will pay for the additional work and oil, as usual and in addition to that, I will buy him a meal with drinks and desserts and a packet of cigarettes. He refused. The 2 other staffs were there and he went hiding behind for a while. I was amiable the whole time and his action tells me that something wasn't right with the fork and he couldn't fix it.
13 Oct =
Went to a 3rd Yamaha and asked if they have fork oil. They have. Told them to replace it and they say OK (I had lost confidence in that 2nd dealership now). I added a few more items to be done and ask them to give me a quote. Engine oil, belt oil, coolant, spark plug etc. I told them I will go to the Food Fair next door while they service the bike. They asked me to wait a while and they were on the computer looking at their part numbers etc. Took pictures of a housefly there to keep myself occupied while waiting. After around 30minutes, they tell me it is done. Only the easiest stuff – engine oil and belt oil was replaced. (no confidence in this one as well)
14 Oct = Went to the lake not too far away.
15 Oct =
Went for classes and to put a cigarette lighter socket into the bike. Bought 1 inclusive of installation at 250baht. I was brought across the road to another shop to fix. I asked for a switch to be installed in addition to the fuse and they wire it to the ignition. After a few hours, the bill was 500baht. I walked over to the other shop, that guy came over with me and gave me the change for 250baht.
16 Oct =
Testing the socket with the USB charger, the speedometer reading went to max while the bike is stationary. Since the installers mainly do car audio, I c an understand it is not their expertise. Went to the private place and asked him to fix that, he say no multimeter, I offered 100baht and told him that the socket is already installed, all he have to do is to run a wire from the battery to the socket, cut those wires to the ignition and add a switch. Asked for the carburettor to be washed. He agreed and asked me to come back at 2pm. Told him the rear brake which he replaced the pads were not working properly. He insisted it was working fine.
Came back at 2pm, checks were done for the brake and wiring done for the socket. Carburettor was washed, spark plug replaced and he said the rear brakes no problem. Paid for the switch and wires with the other stuffs. I asked for a battery replacement to encourage him to install the LEDs.
17 Oct =
Went up the mountain for coffee (>20times). I had a big rear slide just after the temple but recovered without problem (rear brake sticky). Further down, I braked behind a car and dropped the bike at very low speed (front shocks not working). Thank goodness damages are mere cosmetics for the bike. Some scratches for myself but the impact cause something inside to tear making lifting the left arm painful. Rode back down and had dinner.
18 Oct =
Went back to the second dealership and showed them the injuries. A different mechanic was there. He rocked the bike on the forks and said the fork was OK too. I asked him to test riding. While he was at the bike, I asked him to hold the bike, I took a picture. I asked him to sit and took another picture. The shocks compressed to almost nothing with just his weight on. He didn't need to test riding after that.
Fork oil was produced and replaced. He used a big jug to measure the amount. The minimum level was 100ml while the requirement was 54 to 66ml range for Yamaha scooters. He told me he put 100ml in each fork. Gasp!
With my left arm injured, I can barely ride much less test. I went to the private mechanic and asked him to remove additional oil and check the whole fork. Battery was to be replaced to encourage him to help me install the LEDs which I bought. Was quoted 600+Baht. Appointment was made for 20th Monday. I showed him the LEDs which I bought.
19 - 21 = Stayed home most of the time to recuperate. Mainly rode the bike for meals and a little shopping
20 Oct = Went to the private mechanic and he just sold the battery. He bought some LEDs too but of a lower quality and higher price. We tested and he saw the difference. Appointment made for Thursday. I told him to do everything at one single time so he don't have to keep stripping the bike many times.
22 Oct = Found the shocks was harsh again.
23 Oct =
Before going for my appointment with the private mechanic, I thought I will give the 2nd dealership another chance. After speaking with the mechanic, he went inside. A lady came out and met the mechanic behind, I rode off, the mechanic shouted to ask where I was going and I replied I will be back in 10 minutes.
Went to the private mechanic and asked him to test and fix the issue because I was expecting a whole bunch of excuses. Ate breakfast and went back to the 2nd dealership.
All sorts of excuses were given at the 2nd dealership for a new fork which was purchased from them about 3 months ago. Given up on them, I requested to take pictures of the service manual which I found the other day on the rack amongst many others. Took pictures of 2 relevant pages.
Went back to the private mechanic with the pictures. Asked him to test the brakes again because it had now become very sticky. I asked for hourly rate for fixing the bike, he proposed 100baht per hour which I agreed without bargaining (standard rate is 50baht at dealers). He said he will need 3 hours.
I brought him to a motorcycle parts shop to purchase the parts required and showed him where to buy the better quality LED bulbs at a cheaper price. He told me he bought the battery at a far higher price than advertised at that parts shop.
While at the shop, I wanted to send him the pictures of the service manual to request for the parts. Asked for his Line ID but he say he don't have and gave me his facebook account instead. Parts were purchased, brake cable no stock, went to 3 more places, 2 of which I had been before. All no stock.
We exchanged bikes and I went for lunch. I dropped by after lunch to check on him at 2.30pm. Bike wasn't touched at all. Seeing that and keeping in mind that he said he needed 3 hours, I asked if I can collect at 6pm (3.5hrs later). He agreed
After replacing the brake springs, he says brake cable not needed anymore. He used a 5ml syringe to measure fork oil. Upon removing the battery, it was a Yuasa circa 2014 Jan. Decided against replacing it with similar and since we are on hourly rate now, it is fair.
Browsing his facebook account on the computer with auto translate (phone no translation), I saw true human nature again. Humans are all the same. Haha
I referred to the many pictures I took to put everything in chronological order and help with the recollection. Black and white cannot beat colour jpegs with EXIF. Hah~!
Part 1 here = http://ironycm.weebly.com/blog/bike-workshop
Rode to a couple of places and when back from the temple on 8 Oct, the front shock acted up. It was harsh with no damping.
10 Oct =
Went to the second workshop to get it checked out. One mechanic said it was fine and another guy came to support his findings.
I asked for fork oil to be replaced but they didn't want to do it initially. I asked if the mechanic is confident to ride pillion with me to the mountain and he changed his mind about the fork. He told me that he will need 3 days for fork oil to be delivered. He called a person who said was a Yamaha technician and after speaking with that guy on the phone, the mechanic asked me to come back the next morning.
Went to the private workshop (opened by the guy previously from 2nd dealership) and got my brakes rear brake pads replaced as it was squeaking. The old pads still have a long way to go and I asked him to keep it for other bike. He said he don't have the tool for the fork. Understandable because his business started not too long ago.
11 Oct =
Went to the 2nd Yamaha dealership and they replaced the oil in the fork. (no need to wait 3 days, don't know why) but I am worried. I went for a coffee while they work at it. Took some pictures at the coffee shop with Peaberry coffee. The fork was better but not ideal. I asked him to put more oil. He refused and insisted it was good enough for my 5000km trip I was thinking of doing. I said I will pay for the additional work and oil, as usual and in addition to that, I will buy him a meal with drinks and desserts and a packet of cigarettes. He refused. The 2 other staffs were there and he went hiding behind for a while. I was amiable the whole time and his action tells me that something wasn't right with the fork and he couldn't fix it.
13 Oct =
Went to a 3rd Yamaha and asked if they have fork oil. They have. Told them to replace it and they say OK (I had lost confidence in that 2nd dealership now). I added a few more items to be done and ask them to give me a quote. Engine oil, belt oil, coolant, spark plug etc. I told them I will go to the Food Fair next door while they service the bike. They asked me to wait a while and they were on the computer looking at their part numbers etc. Took pictures of a housefly there to keep myself occupied while waiting. After around 30minutes, they tell me it is done. Only the easiest stuff – engine oil and belt oil was replaced. (no confidence in this one as well)
14 Oct = Went to the lake not too far away.
15 Oct =
Went for classes and to put a cigarette lighter socket into the bike. Bought 1 inclusive of installation at 250baht. I was brought across the road to another shop to fix. I asked for a switch to be installed in addition to the fuse and they wire it to the ignition. After a few hours, the bill was 500baht. I walked over to the other shop, that guy came over with me and gave me the change for 250baht.
16 Oct =
Testing the socket with the USB charger, the speedometer reading went to max while the bike is stationary. Since the installers mainly do car audio, I c an understand it is not their expertise. Went to the private place and asked him to fix that, he say no multimeter, I offered 100baht and told him that the socket is already installed, all he have to do is to run a wire from the battery to the socket, cut those wires to the ignition and add a switch. Asked for the carburettor to be washed. He agreed and asked me to come back at 2pm. Told him the rear brake which he replaced the pads were not working properly. He insisted it was working fine.
Came back at 2pm, checks were done for the brake and wiring done for the socket. Carburettor was washed, spark plug replaced and he said the rear brakes no problem. Paid for the switch and wires with the other stuffs. I asked for a battery replacement to encourage him to install the LEDs.
17 Oct =
Went up the mountain for coffee (>20times). I had a big rear slide just after the temple but recovered without problem (rear brake sticky). Further down, I braked behind a car and dropped the bike at very low speed (front shocks not working). Thank goodness damages are mere cosmetics for the bike. Some scratches for myself but the impact cause something inside to tear making lifting the left arm painful. Rode back down and had dinner.
18 Oct =
Went back to the second dealership and showed them the injuries. A different mechanic was there. He rocked the bike on the forks and said the fork was OK too. I asked him to test riding. While he was at the bike, I asked him to hold the bike, I took a picture. I asked him to sit and took another picture. The shocks compressed to almost nothing with just his weight on. He didn't need to test riding after that.
Fork oil was produced and replaced. He used a big jug to measure the amount. The minimum level was 100ml while the requirement was 54 to 66ml range for Yamaha scooters. He told me he put 100ml in each fork. Gasp!
With my left arm injured, I can barely ride much less test. I went to the private mechanic and asked him to remove additional oil and check the whole fork. Battery was to be replaced to encourage him to help me install the LEDs which I bought. Was quoted 600+Baht. Appointment was made for 20th Monday. I showed him the LEDs which I bought.
19 - 21 = Stayed home most of the time to recuperate. Mainly rode the bike for meals and a little shopping
20 Oct = Went to the private mechanic and he just sold the battery. He bought some LEDs too but of a lower quality and higher price. We tested and he saw the difference. Appointment made for Thursday. I told him to do everything at one single time so he don't have to keep stripping the bike many times.
22 Oct = Found the shocks was harsh again.
23 Oct =
Before going for my appointment with the private mechanic, I thought I will give the 2nd dealership another chance. After speaking with the mechanic, he went inside. A lady came out and met the mechanic behind, I rode off, the mechanic shouted to ask where I was going and I replied I will be back in 10 minutes.
Went to the private mechanic and asked him to test and fix the issue because I was expecting a whole bunch of excuses. Ate breakfast and went back to the 2nd dealership.
All sorts of excuses were given at the 2nd dealership for a new fork which was purchased from them about 3 months ago. Given up on them, I requested to take pictures of the service manual which I found the other day on the rack amongst many others. Took pictures of 2 relevant pages.
Went back to the private mechanic with the pictures. Asked him to test the brakes again because it had now become very sticky. I asked for hourly rate for fixing the bike, he proposed 100baht per hour which I agreed without bargaining (standard rate is 50baht at dealers). He said he will need 3 hours.
I brought him to a motorcycle parts shop to purchase the parts required and showed him where to buy the better quality LED bulbs at a cheaper price. He told me he bought the battery at a far higher price than advertised at that parts shop.
While at the shop, I wanted to send him the pictures of the service manual to request for the parts. Asked for his Line ID but he say he don't have and gave me his facebook account instead. Parts were purchased, brake cable no stock, went to 3 more places, 2 of which I had been before. All no stock.
We exchanged bikes and I went for lunch. I dropped by after lunch to check on him at 2.30pm. Bike wasn't touched at all. Seeing that and keeping in mind that he said he needed 3 hours, I asked if I can collect at 6pm (3.5hrs later). He agreed
After replacing the brake springs, he says brake cable not needed anymore. He used a 5ml syringe to measure fork oil. Upon removing the battery, it was a Yuasa circa 2014 Jan. Decided against replacing it with similar and since we are on hourly rate now, it is fair.
Browsing his facebook account on the computer with auto translate (phone no translation), I saw true human nature again. Humans are all the same. Haha
I referred to the many pictures I took to put everything in chronological order and help with the recollection. Black and white cannot beat colour jpegs with EXIF. Hah~!
Part 1 here = http://ironycm.weebly.com/blog/bike-workshop