My 1150 dilemma

[Adam]

Indulge me a mo:

May 2009 I have an accident on my 83K mile beloved 1150 GS (53 plate). First prang in 25 years! Bike is fixed by insurance which cost them £2600, get the bike back mid july, ride it for 1 week - approx 500 miles and bang the shaft snaps.

Bike is recovered to a dealer for 'expert assessment' "Shaft damage is nothing to do with my accident" says Coopers at Tunbridge Wells. I can't argue as I am mechanially inept. Estimated repair from Coopers - £2100 - I said no.

The bike goes to the man who serviced the bike since 24K, he's had the bike nearly 2 weeks. He says new shaft, new gearbox, may as well have a new clutch as you've never had a new clutch anyway - £1600 OR I'll give you £500 for the bike and I'll take it off your hands and repair myself and use it as a service loaner.

Money is tighter than a gnats chuff right now but I can just about afford £1600 repair OR do I try to negotiate a much better price with said service man and throw in some extras? eg: spare matching 22L tank (never had fuel in it) original screen, original exhaust etc etc. Then I run away to a dealer and get some HP for a nearly new one?

Please help - I can't sleep!

 

[sparkplug]

..er.. I'd suggest having a word with Steptoe who may well be able to do it a bit cheaper for you - it doesn't sound like a bad price to me given how much work is involved and the cost of those parts...

It's an expensive business, but you've pretty much got a new bike after all that work. I've just done something similar myself and was lucky enough to get a second hand gearbox at a good price. I've still got the old one with a view to getting it refurbished and either selling it or keeping it as a spare.

Personally I'd be spending the money on your existing bike rather than buying a 'nearly new' one as you will know that all the important bits will have been fixed. You could always sell off your tank and other extras to help pay the bill

 

[Fanum]

Call Steptoe- he might well have a salvaged bike somewhere that the parts could come from, or second hand from Sherlocks or Motorworks (linked above on this page) which would bring the price down a lot.

Neil's not right on your doorstep but for the sake of borrowing a trailer for a morning, I'm sure he'd still be cheaper than what you've been quoted so far.

 

[davegs]

1150

It is always agood plan to renew the clutch if the gear box is being changed
lot of work to do this at a later date see Mr S. he's the man to sort it.
dave GS

 

[Adam]

Thanks for your opinions. As I have been told already; I have never had a serious problem so far and Brian Giles (who services the bike) tells me that having major surgery on the bike will give it a new lease of life. So I'll go for the repair with him. I just cant wait to get it back! Cheers

 

[STUBBS]

hp for a new one or bank loan to get yours fixed

do you want the hassle of a new / secondhand bike

 

[Adam]

I am keener to keep the bike and pay for the repair. I am not in the mood to go and get another bike as mine has been so reliable. After the accident repairs and this repair it will be nearly new anyway!

 

[Steptoe]

Used shaft £175 - Used gearbox output shaft, £75 = £250 plus labour.

Add £200 for a new clutch kit .

 

[sockpuppet]

Bugger me...that is good value from Steptoe.

As a foot note Motoroworks have a 1150gsa they are breaking so should have 2nd hand parts avail if needed.

 

[Adam]

Oh nuts! gave him the approval to go ahead and he'll have it ready on Thursday. I can't renage. , I am sure he'll do a fine job - All brand new parts though. Maybe next time Steptoe, Putney is 15mins from my office.

 

[Steptoe]

Thats ok your bike is in good hands , i wouldn't have been able to do anything next week anyway.

 

[DavidHale]

plus labour.

Ah, the great catch-all "open yer wallet and help yerself phrase" Does it include a test ride or is that billed separately?

 

[Steptoe]

Does it include a test ride or is that billed separately?

Loan bikes are now charged per wheel revolution

 

[Adam]

It aint a dilemma anymore, got the bike back. New shaft, new gearbox, new clutch, it feels like it did at 20K miles. Awesome!!

and £200 less than I budgeted! Now going on a 8 day business trip..........in my car

 

[STUBBS]

It aint a dilemma anymore, got the bike back. New shaft, new gearbox, new clutch, it feels like it did at 20K miles. Awesome!!

and £200 less than I budgeted! Now going on a 8 day business trip..........in my car

just think of the fun youll have when you get back