QuestionHi, My name is Steve, I am a 100 % disabled Veteran (IRAQ) and I have a motorcycle that has had a problem and I was hoping you could tell me why this happened?
The thing is that I took it to the dealer to get a front fork seal set and have them do a once over to make sure it was safe. Well, they charged me for the installation of the fork ($185.00 dollars) seal and then $300 dollars for a carborator cleaning and tuning. I had to wait for 5 months to get the 550 dollars (I had expected to pay the 185 dollars) so it sat at the dealers from june to october 06. I went to pick it up and they had a very hard time starting it but got it started and I drove it home, the next day and from then on it would not start. I took it back with the traliar and after they got into it they want another 500 because the outter gas tank rusted and the rust got in the carbs so they had to do another carb cleaning now they say that in addition to the 500 dollars I owe them they want another 500 dollars because the valves bent and there is no compression. and the heads need to be rebuilt. I am floored, because it is going to be a total of 1500.00 dollars I will have put into it. I dont ride it but for about 15 minutes at a time and It is a 1995 virago 1100 cc twin cylinder. I dont know what to think? am I being hustled? should I take it some where else? I have it at the largest dealer in the midwest US. Why or how did the valves get bent is it the dealers fault or my fault?
Thanks for any advise or information you can give me. I will add that the bike only had 2500 miles on it and it sat for 2 years in my garage because I couldnt ride it as I am in a wheel chair most of the time. I do like to ride and want to see about getting well enough to ride more.
Thanks.
Steve
AnswerFirst I want to say, thank you for serving the country. It is people like you that keep us free and protect out libertys.
Now to your bike. A motorcycle sitting for a long time will have a problem with getting dirt and rust in the tank. So your cab probably need claening. $500.00 seems to be alot to me to clean a carb, but I dont know what labor charges are all over the country. Once you picked up your bike it should hve run right. So i think they would not charge you again for the same service.
As to the bent valve, Without looking at the bike it would be hard for me to tell you how it bent, but it happened under their care so they should fix it for free.
If it were me I would take it someplace else.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike
