Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Went for a ride

Got the bike back from local shop, been riding about town for about 2 weeks. Went for a ride yesterday and back brake started to feel like something was wrong. Headed back to home, pulled in drive and rear brake pedal went all the way down with no stopping, front brake worked. Got off to find one of the mounting bolts for caliper fell off, removed the other one by hand, pads destroyed, new rotor scratched, but at least I did not kill myself. I'm really angry.

If the shop had the caliper off ( for whatever reason ) they should make right on this. They could have been up for a major claim if you ha an accident as a result.

Yes, shop replaced rear rotor and worked on master cylinder. Can you replace a rotor without removing the caliper?
Here's a pic (i hope)

I would put that bike on a trailer and haul it right back to them.Or better yet tell them to send a wrecker to pick it up.
They need to make everything right and throw in some free goods as well.
They are lucky your lawyer is not calling them today.
I'm glad you are ok man.

I just noticed the flapping caliper has been chewing up you shock as well.

yup replace the shock too! glad you are ok, could have been much much worse man.

I would either have them come get the bike or get it to them without putting anything back together. At the very least they should replace the rotor, pads, and shock.I would want some other compensation as well but at least the repairs I would demand, especially if they put the new rotor on and then due to their mistake it is damaged!If they try and say the rotor is OK or can be resurfaced you just say that's great you can keep it for one of your own bikes but I want the new one I paid for!

you should trade it in for a harley

Wow... make sure you raise some serious hell.

Do you have to remove the caliper to replace the rotor?

Yep Warren, I think you do. As I recall the last time I had my rear tire replaced, during the removal of the rear wheel(and of course to replace the rotor you'd have to do that), I think I recall watching the guy where I always go to get new tires unbolt the caliper from its mounting bracket and swing the caliper aside.

ut ohhhhhhh

I'll defer to the learned gentleman from the great state of Pennsylvania.

+1

Waren, sorry to hear what your stealerships poor service dept did to your scoot. I am relieved you made it home safe & sound tho, considering all the what if/coulda scenarios.
I'd would be all over that dealer like flies on $hit!!!! Make em tow it back & replace all the damaged components for free & demand reimbursement your origianl service charges (and perhaps the dumba$$ mechanics job as well).

Another example of why it's my preference to maintain my BA myself!

I understand where you're coming from Ian, but I can't imagine any mechanic worth half a crap that would struggle with those stupid axle spacers and the caliper and plate while trying to reinstall it instead of taking out two bolts

NOT Triumph dealer, local, long term, independent shop, known them for years, helped me out before...

I find it easy to do with the caliper in place and feel it a waste of time to pull it but I'm sure a shop would being paid by the hr.

Sounds like a classic lack of communication at the shop.

Whomever released the bike to you should have only done so if whoever worked on it said it was ready. There has to be a system, or procedure, to assure that happens. If it was one and the same person, he deserves to be, and should be, sued.



If there was any question about it, the bike should never have been released.

You COULD take an automatic weapon down to the shop and lay waste to everyone but my bet is they would not end up fixing you primary issue.

You would, however, get to meet a new group of people and have a truly fascinating next year.

I'd go with a phone call and an advisory message (you might SUGGEST the automatic weapon thing. It's your call).

I'd definitely get a new shop, deaths or not.

Please keep us updated on how this unfolds; I am curious to see how they respond to what has happened and I'm glad you made it back home without incident.

We will never know, from the input on this board, you do not routinely remove the caliper, although I would, for ease of rear wheel replacement... so, if I ask, he will respond yes or no, then I will have to determine if he is telling the truth or not, if he says 'yes' then I am just glad I made it home alive and found the problem, if he says 'no', then it is clearly my fault and I would be reluctant to put a wrench on my bike again.

If he replaced the brake pads he removed the caliper.

I replaced the brake pads

before

Then it was the shops fault.

Let's regroup here.
You had the bike in the shop to replace the rear rotor?
They did correct?
We've been back and forth about removing the rear caliper or not and I agree the job could have been done without removing the caliper but I ask the question why?
I've removed the wheels several times for various reasons
and it takes all of two mins to remove the caliper, hang by a bungee cord, stick two paint paddle between the pads and have that sucker out of the way for reassembly. I see no reason why anyone would want to fuss with the caliper and pads while trying to reinstall the ear wheel, which can be a rascal.
I'm gonna bet the shop removed the caliper to install the rotor/wheel assembly but there is no guarantee or proof they did, only their word.
Since you installed the rear pads if I'm following the thread correctly you need to ask yourself, Did I securely tighten those bolts? If you feel confident you did then I would go to the shop and talk with them ask them to their face what they did and why the bolts were not torqued correctly.
As someone else mentioned shat happens and it's probably an honest mistake that could have been deadly.
Go to the shop and talk to them face to face to get to the bottom of it. If they are honest they will make it right, If not find another shop.But don't let this become old news, address the situation as soon as the shop opens.