[bmull]

I brought my zx9 to south shore motorsports in Quincy at the end of march. It was there for a valve adjustment, tune-up, front brake pads, clutch work and two blinkers needed to be fixed. After 2 weeks of waiting, my dad went over to check on the progress. I was told that the engine sounded like a bunch of marbles were being shaken up in a tin can. Some retard adjusted the valves wrong. Then they wanted to put on a new cam chain tensioner to fix the noise. At first, they said they weren't gonna charge me. Later on, I found out that they did.

After 3 weeks of waiting, it still wasn't ready. After talking to the owner about the situation my bike was finally done later that day. Or was it? I go to pick it up the next morning and it still wasn't done. I was told it would take an hour to get the plastics back on and they were gonna throw in a new battery for having taken so long to fix. Now, I'm not anywhere near being a pro when it comes to wrenching but even I can throw the plastics back on in 15 minutes.

Finally, my bike rolls out of the shop. I go in to pay and the price was $400 over the estimate I was given. We go over the work order and Rob (service manager) tells me that the blinkers were fixed free of charge and the new battery was free. As I go over to my bike, I notice the fairing was scratched to shit. I go back in and tell Rob and at first he denies it. He must of realized he had no way out and agreed to get me a new one.

On my way home, I notice the blinkers that were fixed free of charge don't even work. Later, I realize the seat isn't even bolted on. Then, the fan refused to turn on. Once home, I discovered the fan cage had been crushed, preventing the fan from spinning. It was a result of some knucklehead trying to pry of the valve covers, slipping and jamming a tool into the fan cage. At least, that seems to be the reasonable explanation.

Could it get any worse? You bet your bottom dollar it can. The day after getting my bike home, I get a package in the mail. Guess what it was? Front brake pads. Why would I need these when I just paid $65/hour to a dealer to put some on? 'Cuz they didn't put them on, that's why, but they still charged me for it and assured me that all the work was complete. End of story, right? I wish. A couple weeks later, my engine and fairings were covered in oil. The exhaust was blowing blue smoke. This was because when they adjusted the valves wrong, they messed up the valve seals, allowing oil to get into the cylinder. I got the work done for free but still, it didn't have to be like this. So do yourself a favor and stay away from South Shore Motorsports if you want your bike done right by competent mechanics.

By the way, I think the service manager got fired because a new guy was in his place. Not sure if Rob was on vacation but I really do hope the guy got canned. Anyone know for sure?

[OreoGitorio]

you gotta be shitting me..... and people ask me why i'd rather learn how to do my own work when "it takes you so much longer to get it done"

[bmull]

This was the first time I ever took my bike to a shop. My dad always does the work but he just didn't have the time or tools to mess with the valves. This experience has definately encouraged me to learn how to do my own work.

[OreoGitorio]

that sucks... i haven't had to do a valve adjustment on my bike yet... but it's comin up... guess i'll learn how soon

[TheIglu]

Book $25
Feeler Guage $5

[a13x]

Ouch...

[ssg]

Originally posted by TheIglu
Book $25
Feeler Guage $5

Basic mechanical skills: priceless

[ssg]

What I've found with pretty much any dealership is that in the end it would usually be worth my while to pay them their hourly rate to STAY AWAY from my bike.


Sorry to hear of your experiences all the same.

[MnM]

dam sorry to hear.....

you know you think you go to the dealers because they are supposed to be qualified in their field then shit like this happens.

[mc4bbs]

They're out of business as of Spring 2008.

I hope a new dealership (with real mechanics) opens in it's place, as I now have to go all the way to Somerville to Riverside Motorcports (where I always feel like I'm being raped with the price), or Brockton (which is too far for me to drop it off, and I have to wait, sometimes all day...)

SIGH.

[Devil1]

It isn't bump Friday.

[GixerJockey]

Originally Posted by Devil1

It isn't bump Friday.

Your keen powers of observation are staggering..

[SVRACER01]

Originally Posted by TheIglu

Book $25
Feeler Guage $5

yeah...but it depends on the valve adjustment type. if it shim under bucket then you gotta pull the cams to change them. if its shim over bucket then you need a special tool that will push the bucket down so you can get the shim out. im sure that tool is $100+.
dont get me wrong. it can be done but prepare your self. they arent screw and locknut anymore.

[GNTurbo6]

Do yourself a favor, buy a bike that doesn't have a dealer within an hour from you. Then you'll learn to do the work yourself.