Gone and then Back Again

[kavb]

Well a phone call from the police at 01:30 (took them three goes to rouse me) this morning to say that my lock-up had been broken into; went to have a look and yep all three bikes stolen, tools also gone (never was very good with them anyway).

One bike was found and I pushed back home at 02:00. The other two were reported to the police this evening.

Got breakdown recovery to pick up the other two bikes and am thankful the RT was still in one piece (its the one that I would miss the most). Damage could have been worse. Screen is gone, top part of the fairing broken away, right hand mirror broken off, dash console rattling around. Ignition barrel gone leaving the wires. They've also gone to town on the leather panniers (which I rather liked) slashing them with a knife.

I'll see what the insurance company come up with but I'm going to get the RT back up and running some how; the others are probably scrap. Like to keep the originality of the bike though I do have a replacement fairing (bless those cafe racers) if need be - much darker blue though.

If anybody has any ideas be glad to hear them. Might have to get the panniers reproduced. Sienbrock do some but look smaller than what I have.

I've had better days.

Billy

 

[airhead_eire]

That is truly sickening. As you say, the RT can be put right but still, it's a rotten thing to happen.
What were the other two bikes, Airheads too ?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

A good saddler could repair those leather panniers

Sorry to here of your pain

 

[solidstate100]

Well that sucks.

At least you got them back, and the RT looks like it will go again without to much trouble.

I hope the insurers step up to the plate without to much wriggling (or indeed any wriggling) and you get it sorted. Best of luck.

 

[Mongolian Explorer]

worth checking french websites for "SACOCHES GENDARMERIE" or look for french companies dealing in ex police/gendarmerie bikes

 

[gebrauchtwagen83]

It really is infuriating, the problem is you'll have to make some radical changes at the lock up because they will return now with the knowledge of what's kept in there. I'd have thought that someone has seen you going there. I suppose it could have been pot luck but I'd be surprised

 

[kavb]

The other two bikes were scooters. A Honda Helix which has been my commute into London for the last 8 years. The other a Daelim B-Bone which I bought as the Helix was getting a little tired (a London commute is tough on bikes). The Helix will be a right off, unless you get a donor bike no chance of parts. The Daelim is only a year old but would need a new wiring loom I expect, and plastic shroud parts. Probably not economic to repair professionally could do it myself possibly.

Yes what to do about the lock up. I've had it 5 years and first break in, next door was done as well, no idea why those chose those two. Can't stop them breaking in I don't think, can only put ground anchors in the floor maybe and bolt the bikes down. Then the hooligans would probably trash everything, perhaps moving house in the easiest option.

Be surprised if a saddler could repair the panniers, maybe copy them, not only have they slashed the top but gone through the sides as well?

Yes never thought to look on ebay France will take a look.

Thanks

Billy

 

[dr nosh]

That's sickening.

Probably a zero chance of them getting caught

Have you got power in your lock up - Alarm system of some sort with deafening sounders wired in?

Good luck finding the parts you need.

 

[kavb]

No power, and the lock-up is in a residential area I wouldn't want the alarm going off by accident if I can't hear it (its about a mile from my house).

Going to see if I can get one in a different area I think, else they'll just be back again.

No chance of catching them, I listened to the lady police office valiantly trying to get the crime scene investigators (or whatever they are called) to finger print bikes and lock-up but they were disinterested. Youfs on the estate whilst I was waiting for recovery just show casual indifference to anything, no doubt those hanging around were some of the offenders, but who knows.

 

[Mongolian Explorer]

Might be worth an email

www.garagepetitexad.com

They buy job lots of police and gendarmerie bikes and do them up to sell them on, they have always been very obliging.

 

[Jon T]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I have the top half of an RT fairing that is yours if you want it. Only issues are that its red, and in The Midlands. It has a couple of small areas of damage if I recall; let me know if you're interested & I'll mail you some pictures.

 

[kavb]

Thank you for the offer of the fairing . I do have a spare fairing, wrong shade of blue unfortunately, but first rate condition. It was in the garage but they left it. I think I am going to see if I can find someone who can repair the fairing as I am keen to keep the originality of the bike. Panniers too; after the recommendation to find a saddler I had a look on the web and seems promising. Though quite large panels will need replacing so imagine it isn't going to come cheap.

Phone call to Motorworks for a new windshield and ignition on the cards I think.

Regards

Billy

 

[Jon T]

Ok Billy, bear it in mind if your repairer needs a donor panel to cut pieces out of, this one would be ideal for that.