[Gordon]

I spoke to my insurance agent and the authorized service center. Service center tells me that they will do the "insurance thingy".

Can anyone tell me whats the procedure of the "insurance thingy"?!
What is my role when I take the bike to the service center?!
What do I have to carry with me?!
etc....

[SS-Traveller]

The "thingy" is the insurance claim, which most workshops process on their own. You have to give them photocopies of your valid insurance papers, RC document, PUC (not always asked for), and your valid DL. They'll ask you to sign a form.

They then process the claim, by submitting the form and documents, plus an estimate of repairs. This can also be submitted to the insurer by your agent. The estimate preparation is where you can intervene to a small extent, such as insisting that the estimate mention the tank to be replaced and not repaired, or vice versa.

Then you wait till the survey by the insurance co. is done (1-2 days - your agent can speed up the process to some extent), and repair work starts after approval by the surveyor. Once it's done, you pay and get the bike back. As easy as that.

Cashless vs. payment by insured: Please clarify with your workshop whether they have a tie-up for "cashless" insurance claim with the insurer. If they do, you'll only need to pay the difference between the approved amount and the actual bill when you take the bike back. If not, you'll need to pay the full amount at the time of delivery, and get a cheque from the insurer within a couple of weeks for the amount the insurer is paying.

[YamahaBoy]

Hey Gordon, Very Sad to see what happened to your Bike Man. I really must say there are some real Nut Cases Riding on our Roads. TC & let us know about the repairs being done on the Bike.

Cheers!!!

[deepclutch]

hope you are fine.tank can be brought back to the approximately original by experts on tinkering.

[v12]

Thanks guys. I am fine, and not hurt physically.

I've given the bike to the authorised service center. They told me that its better to get the tank repaired saying it'll be a much cheaper job. A new tank costs somewhere around Rs 5000 and a repairing job will cost around Rs 300. The full repair job including other details will sum up to around 1k. Moreover, he suggested not to claim insurance for such a low amount.

I'm skeptical about the tank repair job. They said they'll try their best to retain the chrome. Says that a few dots will be seen. I have my doubts about the finishing. Have given it for repairs anyways and will get it back by today evening.

A small list of the parts:

• Fork is okay, just shifted.
• Wheel is a "little" out.
• Wheel bearings are gone.
• Tank is gone for denting work.
• Dipstick is broken.
• Manifold shall be changed.
• A few carburettor clips shall be replaced.
• Any other area that needs care shall be taken care of.

The bike was already serviced. New oil, new plug, plug cap, etc before the accident.

[Gordon]

Got the bike back and I reconfirm my statement:
No mechanic or service center I have been to has ever done an exceptional job. All I manage to get is a sloppy and poor job.

I gave the bike to PR Enterprises, Mahim today. Main intention/job to be done was:

(H) - High Priority | (L) - Low Priority

• (H) Repair tank
• (H) Straighten Fork or correct 'Tee' (the headlight & wheel do not follow one direction)
• (H) Align Wheel (the spokes are actually bent so the wheel wobbles)
• (H) Change wheel bearings
• (L) Change Manifold
• (L) Change Clips
• (L) Change Air Filter
• (L) Tail Light/Indicator Wiring
• (L) Battery Belt
• (L) Replace Dipstick
• (L) other minor work

Well when the bike was delievered to me, this is what was done:

• (H) Tank Repaired - Decent job with some blemishes
• (H) Wheel Bearings changed
• (L) Manifold Changed
• (L) Air Filter Changed
• (L) Clips Changed
• (L) Dipstick Replaced
• (L) Battery Belt installed
• To put the bearings, they had to remove the wheel. When they replaced the speedo cable they must've made some mistake since the speedo needle is not constant, but shakes vigorously!
• My front brake switch is deactivated/spoilt after the job done. When asked they had the cheek to tell me "arre sir achcha hai ki nahi chal raha hai, bahut battery khaata hai" (Sir its good that it isn't working, it drains the battery quickly).

What the heck happened to the fork?! When I asked the mechanic he says the fork is alright and the wheel is okay. I ask the chief there and he says its okay too.

• I put it on stand, rotate the wheel and it wobbles.
• I rode the bike, the wheel and the headlight cowl clearly wasn't aligned.
• I checked the spokes and they were still bent.

Later on he actually tells me that I haven't charged you for the fork work anyways. And I was like

Help required!

Wheel alignment:
Do I have to replace the spokes?! Whom do I take it to for aligning?!

Fork Straightening / 'Tee' Correction:
What must be done to correct the fork/tee?!

The last time I went to PR Enterprises (Mahim), he changed my gaskets and didn't bother to tighten the bolts, resulting to leakage. They also changed the wrong oil seals.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by Gordon

To put the bearings, they had to remove the wheel. When they replaced the speedo cable they must've made some mistake since the speedo needle is not constant, but shakes vigorously!
My front brake switch is deactivated/spoilt after the job done. When asked they had the cheek to tell me "arre sir achcha hai ki nahi chal raha hai, bahut battery khaata hai" (Sir its good that it isn't working, it drains the battery quickly).
What the heck happened to the fork?! When I asked the mechanic he says the fork is alright and the wheel is okay. I ask the chief there and he says its okay too.

• I put it on stand, rotate the wheel and it wobbles.
• I rode the bike, the wheel and the headlight cowl clearly wasn't aligned.
• I checked the spokes and they were still bent.

Later on he actually tells me that I haven't charged you for the fork work anyways. And I was like

Help required!

Wheel alignment:
Do I have to replace the spokes?! Whom do I take it to for aligning?!

Fork Straightening / 'Tee' Correction:
What must be done to correct the fork/tee?!

.

I would think a quick visit to an independent tuner /repairer will rid you of all these problems:
- wheel balancing - change bent spokes, never straighten
- fork alignment - hope your bike's not pulling to one side, and that it's just the HL which is out of alignment - easy to fix.
- speedo shake - you probably need a new wheel gear unit and/or cable.

I wouldn't be able to recommend someone there (obviously, I am not familiar with the city ) but I'm sure other members can.

[Gordon]

- wheel balancing - change bent spokes, never straighten

Settle for stainless steel or stock spokes?!

- speedo shake - you probably need a new wheel gear unit and/or cable.

After the accident and before giving the bike to PR, it was proper.

- fork alignment - hope your bike's not pulling to one side, and that it's just the HL which is out of alignment - easy to fix.

The car came at right angles and hit the front tyre. Mechanics tell me its similar to what happens to the fork on a cycle when you hit the tyre at right angles. The handle and tyre is not aligned.

[bblost]

Originally Posted by Gordon

Wheel alignment:
Do I have to replace the spokes?! Whom do I take it to for aligning?!

Fork Straightening / 'Tee' Correction:
What must be done to correct the fork/tee?!

Wheel Alignment jobs are generally done by a specialist who calls this job as Rim Truing.

If a spoke is bent, I suggest you replace the same.
If the rim is bent then they can generally hammer it back into shape.
The entire job shall take not more than 2 hours at most.
As the wheel is removed, the tire+tube are removed.
Then the wheel spun on this tool. I have this tool is called.

But it allows the guy to check if the wheel is balanced or not.

I had never bothered to get my wheel rims aligned. After some 5+ years it was plain stupid not having done it.
During the ride to Rider Mania, I flew off a the road and landed in a pot hole.
Bone jarring jump.
The road actually had two levels of height.
Anyways, if your spokes are tight they prevent any kind of denting on the rim.
Cost for both wheels worked out at 300 for me.
The denting was quite severe. I actually had a flat 3 inch surface. :(

While getting this done, have the bearings also inspected.

I know a good guy for this job in Hyderabad. But that is not gonna help you.


For the fork job, I guess kcstheg can give a better input as he had this done.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by Gordon

Settle for stainless steel or stock spokes?!

Stock spokes will do fine, inless you had stainless steel spokes earlier or want to change over completely to SS spokes.

After the accident and before giving the bike to PR, it was proper.

You gave your own answer - damage probably occurred when refitting the wheel assembly.

When they replaced the speedo cable they must've made some mistake since the speedo needle is not constant, but shakes vigorously!

The car came at right angles and hit the front tyre. Mechanics tell me its similar to what happens to the fork on a cycle when you hit the tyre at right angles. The handle and tyre is not aligned.

Not as simple as in a bicycle, but yes, something similar. Easy to fix unless the whole frame-fork alignment has gone for a toss and the bike is actually pulling to one side when riding handsfree. Even then it's repairable perfectly.

Originally Posted by bblost

Wheel Alignment jobs are generally done by a specialist who calls this job as Rim Truing.

If a spoke is bent, I suggest you replace the same.
If the rim is bent then they can generally hammer it back into shape.
The entire job shall take not more than 2 hours at most.
PERFECT ADVICE.

I flew off a the road and landed in a pot hole.
Bone jarring jump.
OUCH!
Cost for both wheels worked out at 300 for me.
The denting was quite severe. I actually had a flat 3 inch surface. :(
THERE's YOUR ESTIMATE TOO, Gordon.
I know a good guy for this job in Hyderabad. SO DO I IN DEL AND CCU... But that is not gonna help you.

@ Gordon: Can we have a pic of the tank repair job please?

[kcstheg]

Spokes and Rim :

• Please do replace the bent spokes.
• RIMs are generally strong, so unless there is a sharp dent, the tension from the spokes, after they are done would keep it circular and solid.
• RIM/Spoke job, though is not extremely complicated ( it just requires that there should be right amount of tension in all the spokes, so they keep the rim well and round), but should be done by an experienced person. Your mechanic should be able to point you to someone, else, local puncture repair dudes by the road-side may also be able to direct you.

Fork:

This could be very simple to very complicated. I skid and fell once, trying to save myself from an autorickshaw taking a sudden u-turn towards me on a divided road. The fork pipe bent very slightly, and it took me a lot of pain and time to figure that out and get it fixed. Things to do on this:

• The fork pipe needs to be checked and straightened if required. The straightening is not done by hand, but in a machine. Speak to your mechanic and he should be able to guide you to the right place
• The tee needs to be checked. If its not right (not very likely considering your accident was not really major, but you never know! ) , i'd suggest a replacement for safety reasons.
• Also check the handle bar once, once more if done already. Even a slight mis-alignment is potentially dangerous, please replace, its not too expensive anyways.

Happy repairing and good luck!

Do keep us posted with the results.

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by bblost

Wheel Alignment jobs are generally done by a specialist who calls this job as Rim Truing.

If a spoke is bent, I suggest you replace the same.
If the rim is bent then they can generally hammer it back into shape.
The entire job shall take not more than 2 hours at most.
As the wheel is removed, the tire+tube are removed.
Then the wheel spun on this tool. I have this tool is called.

But it allows the guy to check if the wheel is balanced or not.

I had never bothered to get my wheel rims aligned. After some 5+ years it was plain stupid not having done it.
During the ride to Rider Mania, I flew off a the road and landed in a pot hole.
Bone jarring jump.
The road actually had two levels of height.
Anyways, if your spokes are tight they prevent any kind of denting on the rim.
Cost for both wheels worked out at 300 for me.
The denting was quite severe. I actually had a flat 3 inch surface. :(

While getting this done, have the bearings also inspected.

I know a good guy for this job in Hyderabad. But that is not gonna help you.


For the fork job, I guess kcstheg can give a better input as he had this done.

I've got this done before to center the 100/90-19 Duro tyre. The guy did an exceptional job. I'm not sure if he's still there, but will take a look soon.

The bearings have been replaced.

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Stock spokes will do fine, inless you had stainless steel spokes earlier or want to change over completely to SS spokes.

You gave your own answer - damage probably occurred when refitting the wheel assembly.

Not as simple as in a bicycle, but yes, something similar. Easy to fix unless the whole frame-fork alignment has gone for a toss and the bike is actually pulling to one side when riding handsfree. Even then it's repairable perfectly.

@ Gordon: Can we have a pic of the tank repair job please?

I was taking SS spokes into consideration since they never rust or turn dark unlike the stock spokes. But I'd like to know about their strength and durability.

Exactly, the work carried out at PR Enterprises is just not good. Its utter nonsense, both my experiences have been seriously poor.

I'll post a pic of the tank tomorrow. There are blemishes.

I'll be taking it to the Andheri East mechanic soon. I'm sure he WILL do a good job and at a reasonable rate.

Originally Posted by kcstheg

Spokes and Rim :

• Please do replace the bent spokes.
• RIMs are generally strong, so unless there is a sharp dent, the tension from the spokes, after they are done would keep it circular and solid.
• RIM/Spoke job, though is not extremely complicated ( it just requires that there should be right amount of tension in all the spokes, so they keep the rim well and round), but should be done by an experienced person. Your mechanic should be able to point you to someone, else, local puncture repair dudes by the road-side may also be able to direct you.

Fork:

This could be very simple to very complicated. I skid and fell once, trying to save myself from an autorickshaw taking a sudden u-turn towards me on a divided road. The fork pipe bent very slightly, and it took me a lot of pain and time to figure that out and get it fixed. Things to do on this:

• The fork pipe needs to be checked and straightened if required. The straightening is not done by hand, but in a machine. Speak to your mechanic and he should be able to guide you to the right place
• The tee needs to be checked. If its not right (not very likely considering your accident was not really major, but you never know! ) , i'd suggest a replacement for safety reasons.
• Also check the handle bar once, once more if done already. Even a slight mis-alignment is potentially dangerous, please replace, its not too expensive anyways.

Happy repairing and good luck!

Do keep us posted with the results.

Thanks a ton everyone don't leave yet, just stay close until its done!

This is what I feel like in the end of the day -

Patient: Doctor I have a bad aching cavity.

Doctor: Oh dear, lemme check.

Patient: Err okay.

Doctor: You do have a bad cavity, but don't worry it will be sorted out when I am done. Also you have some other small issues.

Patient: Okay. go ahead and start.

After quite some time, the doctor finished working on his teeth.

Patient: Doctor, I still feel pain and that cavity doesn't seem filled.

Doctor: Well I whitened your teeth, gave a complete clean-up, filled in some small areas where there were likely cavities for prevention.

Patient: Yes, but what about the cavity I came for?!

Doctor: Oh thats okay, you wont have much problems. Just don't bite using that tooth.

Patient: But if it still continues to pain, can I come back and you'll do the work?

Doctor: Well the total is Rs 1729, I haven't charged you for filling that cavity anyways!

Patient:

[Gordon]

I somehow find that parts brought in from authorised spare parts dealers are cheaper.

Attached a scanned copy of the bill.

- Taillight assembly (Rs 150??!). I never asked to replace it. What I had was chrome backing, what I got was just boring cheap silver back and thats all they changed.
- Taillight wiring (Rs 125?!?!?)

[SS-Traveller]

Patient: Doctor I have a bad aching cavity.

Doctor: Oh dear, lemme check.

Patient: Err okay.

Doctor: You do have a bad cavity, but don't worry it will be sorted out when I am done. Also you have some other small issues.

Patient: Okay. go ahead and start.

After quite some time, the doctor finished working on his teeth.

Patient: Doctor, I still feel pain and that cavity doesn't seem filled.

Doctor: Well I whitened your teeth, gave a complete clean-up, filled in some small areas where there were likely cavities for prevention.

Patient: Yes, but what about the cavity I came for?!

Doctor: Oh thats okay, you wont have much problems. Just don't bite using that tooth.

Patient: But if it still continues to pain, can I come back and you'll do the work?

Doctor: Well the total is Rs 1729, I haven't charged you for filling that cavity anyways!

Patient:

I wouldn't comment on it for fear of implicating myself. But then as you found out, Gordon, there are good garages and bad garages...

[Raccoon]

Originally Posted by bblost

Wheel Alignment jobs are generally done by a specialist who calls this job as Rim Truing.

If a spoke is bent, I suggest you replace the same.
If the rim is bent then they can generally hammer it back into shape.
The entire job shall take not more than 2 hours at most.
As the wheel is removed, the tire+tube are removed.
Then the wheel spun on this tool. I have this tool is called.

But it allows the guy to check if the wheel is balanced or not.

I had never bothered to get my wheel rims aligned. After some 5+ years it was plain stupid not having done it.
During the ride to Rider Mania, I flew off a the road and landed in a pot hole.
Bone jarring jump.
The road actually had two levels of height.
Anyways, if your spokes are tight they prevent any kind of denting on the rim.
Cost for both wheels worked out at 300 for me.
The denting was quite severe. I actually had a flat 3 inch surface. :(

I recently got my Shogun's rear wheel trued. One spoke was also broken (dunno how), and the same was replaced. Cost was Rs. 50 for wheel truing. Cost of spoke I was told is Rs. 4 each (I didn't pay for this). Besides this, had to pay Rs. 20 to a nearby puncture shop for getting the wheel of the bike and the tyre off the rim.

Seems they just spin the rim on a stand with an axle and adjust the spokes with just visual aid and check the rim wobble with just a finger! Sounds quite crude to me... Don't think the results will be very accurate. If it was possible to this way, then I don't see why expensive equipment is required for aligning and balancing 4 wheelers. But then this is how its done. Don't know if there is a better method.