Bandit Alley
MODEL SPECIFIC => SUZUKI BANDIT 250 & 400 => Topic started by: interfuse on September 21, 2005, 02:18:56 PM
-
Maniac, did you get your bike back yet? If so, do tell. If not do you have an ETA?
-
yeah man,
you found a real RACEBIKE mechanic that wants to help you!
I can't find anybody round here who will even look at my bike!
-
Not yet :sad:
I'm going to give them a call today and see whats going on once I have a spare moment. Probally the next time I do a build, as it is taking forever today...
Bah. If only people would stop dropping by my office with the, "Hey, can you fix this?" questions. No, I can't! GO AWAY!
:duh:
It's takening forever, I know, but I don't think I can afford to pay the shop at this point anyway. Thankfully we have a year-round riding season, and winter is the best time of year around here for it.
-
Yep, and when you get it back, it should be killer. It's hard to wait though isn't it?
-
Just checking. Keep us posted.
-
Yep, and when you get it back, it should be killer. It's hard to wait though isn't it?
Definatly. Last weekend was a long one for me (3 days off) and it was -beautiful- weather. I really could have rolled on some miles. Oh well
-
>>Last weekend was a long one for me (3 days off) and it was -beautiful- weather. I really could have rolled on some miles.<<
Tell me about it. I've been without my bike for this whole month. Still waiting for the stator cover, may not see one until October!
I'll assume you got my PM, let me know when it all happens for you. Thanks.
-
Yep, got the PM. I'm going to call tomarrow, I -think- the wheel is in 'good' shape. I rode the bike quite a bit at speeds up to 100mph without any wierd wobbles. It's not perfect, could use some paint, but I'll make sure for you.
-
A friend of mine just put USD gsxr front end on his SV 1000. Must say, it looks pretty sweet. Almost makes me wanna fork over the cash for my little bandit.
-
Well, I promised updates and I finally have some. :lol:
I can't believe how long this is taking. Needless to say, while the guy may be a racebike mechanic, it's highly doubtful I'll be taking my bike back to him. I'm seriously hoping for some labor discounts at this point, since I know my bike has been sitting gathering dust.
Anyway, as of today the engine is in the bike and, when I called, he was just making sure there were no leaks. After that it's on to tuning, thats supposed to be done by the end of the day tomarrow. The new tires are in, the new headlight brackets are on order, and the GSXR front end is installed. Unfortunatly the rear shock I had ended up not fitting, so it was back to stock. He offered to find a different shock, but I'm tired of waiting and pretty sure I can handle a shock swap myself.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to pick her up Saturday. It's supposed to be cold (for Florida) but I'll brave it!
-
Glad you've got some good news. The bikes been gone a LONG while! Post up some pictures once you get her back.
-
what shock where ya trying to use?
-
It was a Fox Double Clicker off of a '95 GSXR 750, I belive. It fit, but it rubbed on the frame something fierce.
-
pretty sure I can handle a shock swap myself.
For sure!
Good luck, dude. Bet you'll be glad to see her!
-
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to pick her up Saturday.
Well????
-
No luck yet, I'm calling the guy every day. Yesterday he told me that he still needed to install the rear tire and finish tuning, he also said he wanted to keep the bike a few days afterwards to verify that everything is OK.
Personally I think he's going to ride it, so I'm going to be taking a close look at that odometer when I pick it up...
-
Personally I think he's going to ride it, so I'm going to be taking a close look at that odometer when I pick it up...
Ferris Beuler comes to mind! The B4 is roughly equivalent to a vintage Ferrari, right???
-
Personally I think he's going to ride it, so I'm going to be taking a close look at that odometer when I pick it up...
Most good mechanics do, like they should.
-
5-10 miles is one thing, 500-1000 would be another... :wink:
-
UH, I took a 10 mile ride on a customers new bike a R6 he wasnt happy till i came out of the shop and he seen who it was we raced together and i seen his name on the work order!PMSL He asked if i broke it in for him!
Ive also dragged the feelers off a customers cruiser on accident of course who new they didnt lean over that far! All i know is my foot was stuck and i had to go around the corner!
Wheelies if it will do it when i give it has leaving the shop bet your ass im gonna do it ! God i love power!
-
Oh, I have no problem with him -riding- it...
I just have a problem if he puts a ton of miles on her, especially considering the tags are expired. I'll be most unhappy if he gets my bike impounded. :sad:
Actually, I can see him loading it into his truck and taking it to Jennings for the weekend. He keeps saying how great a track bike it'd be. :grin:
-
So....
*cough*
Did you get her back yet? Man I thought my mechanics where SLOW!
*cough*
-
Not yet...
I just heard from a friend that the shop was broken into. I haven't been able to get ahold of the owner for a week or so, but this has me a little stressed out. He had my bike, the extra front end, my extra motor, the stock exhaust, and a bunch of other bits there! :shock:
Maybe this, and the raise I just got, is a hint that I should just stop futzing with the 400 and buy something newer. :sad:
-
Yikes. :shock:
Hopefully you'll get some good news soon.
-
Good news:
My bike is in Lakeland, not Orlando, so it wasn't stolen. :grin:
Bad news:
Mechanic is having trouble closing on his house, so hasn't had much time to finish it up. He said it just needs final tuning now, though, and that it runs well on the road. Hopefully soon I'll get it back, since I'm planning on trying to sell my car. I'll need some sort of transportion!
-
I don't think I'm ever going to get this bike back. :sad:
I just got off the phone with the mechanic. His story has changed once again! Now it seems the bike doesn't run, and hasn't run since I rode it into the shop in August. He's blaming the camshafts that GSXRRacer sold me, saying that they don't work in the motor and are causing low compression.
Since those are GK73a cams, I find that to be highly unlikely. More likely is that he bent the valves while adjusting them, and now they aren't closing all the way. Anyway, he went on and on about how I've 'ruined' my bike, and I've pretty much freaking had it with the entire thing and this asshole who I previously thought was a great guy. Needless to say I won't be directing people to him anymore.
-
Wow - you're so mad you took the bike out of your sig! :shock:
What a sack 'o shyte that mech is!
You have a spare motor, right? Does that help you?
-
Forget-this mechanic, I'd say grab ALL your parts and high-tale it away from this guy. You could rebuild the bike yourself in the time it'll take him to figure it out.
Best of luck!
Oh yeah, hopefully you haven't paid a dime, if you have, try and get it all back. Seems like more damage has been done than fixed.
-
I'd tell him to get the bike in the exact same shape as you've brought it in and then get it back to you. If he dares to charge you anything I'd quote the Pulp Fiction piece about being a mushroomcloud laying motherf*cker, superfly TNT and all that stuff :wink:
-
Thats probally what I'm going to do, except I'm about ready to just walk away from the bike. I don't have any way of transporting it, and I don't have anywhere to do the work at the moment. There is no garage at my house. :sad:
I'm going to call him back tonight after I review some of the reciepts. I've already given him something close to $900. I highly doubt it'll be as easy as asking for it and the bike back, I'll probally have to take him to court in order to get them both.
Honestly, I don't know if I want the bike back. It's a great little bike, but I can afford something new now. Maybe it's time to just do that.
-
same thing happened to me & my mazda and local supposed
cool japanese mechanic, he was cool even helped with parts
until I left the car with him and then he screwed up.
he wasn't ready to admit that he did not know
much about anything besides civics and camrys
i think mechanics have become too secure in
the routine jobs on the same old models that they
can't be trusted to odd unique products
and acts of brainstorming to fix a problem
except for gsxr400 racer of course
who does nothing but research and share
I still have the mazda dead in my garage though
unless i sell my house i don't think i'll ever give it up
don't think i could ever let go of the b4 either
even when it gives me problems its still better than payments
it looks better than all the other small engine bikes
available in the USA and women love it!
-
Honestly, I don't know if I want the bike back. It's a great little bike, but I can afford something new now. Maybe it's time to just do that.
At least get the bike back and part it out, there are some cool parts on that bike. That should get you some of your 'investment' back.
Never give someone the satisfaction of screwing you AND getting to keep your parts :wink:
GSXR cams would sell rather quickly around here, same with the 33mm carbs, exhaust and USD fork!
-
Honestly, I don't know if I want the bike back. It's a great little bike, but I can afford something new now. Maybe it's time to just do that.
At least get the bike back and part it out, there are some cool parts on that bike. That should get you some of your 'investment' back.
Never give someone the satisfaction of screwing you AND getting to keep your parts :wink:
GSXR cams would sell rather quickly around here, same with the 33mm carbs, exhaust and USD fork!
+1.
-
Now it seems the bike doesn't run, and hasn't run since I rode it into the shop in August. He's blaming the camshafts that GSXRRacer sold me, saying that they don't work in the motor and are causing low compression.
Since those are GK73a cams, I find that to be highly unlikely. More likely is that he bent the valves while adjusting them, and now they aren't closing all the way. Anyway, he went on and on about how I've 'ruined' my bike, .
Wow just seen this ! Crazy shit man. Definatly not the cams there is so much room with stock clearances that i ran 2 intakes with 10 thousandths milled of the cylinder ,in a bandit 400 motor i might add. And i cant beleive he said that you RUINED the bike? WTF. Vlave adjustment causes low compression (being to tight) maybe rings are done (need a big bore kit?) LOL cheap shot there! Maybe he ran it tomany times on the dyno lean and burnt up the rings. Maybe cause it sat out side rings rusted up or it needs a valve job.
-
And i cant beleive he said that you RUINED the bike? WTF.
Me either. I mean, didn't he do all the work? Every step of the way I discussed stuff with him. I asked if he thought something was a good idea, and if he said yes, I went ahead with it. I was told he could make it work, now it doesn't, and it's my fault? :roll:
Vlave adjustment causes low compression (being to tight) maybe rings are done (need a big bore kit?) LOL cheap shot there! Maybe he ran it tomany times on the dyno lean and burnt up the rings. Maybe cause it sat out side rings rusted up or it needs a valve job.
He did the valve adjustment on it, supposedly. Actually, from what he told me back in September, I believe he did it several times. A total of three times, I think, because he couldn't get them to stay adjusted. This is an interference engine, isn't it? Is it possible he bent the valves?
I don't know at this point, I'm going to call him again either tomarrow or Saturday. I have bigger fish to fry at the moment, I just got off the phone with the bank collection office. They are trying to say that I owe them $4000 on my car for insurance that they had to buy, and as such my payment is now $589 a month (which I only sent them the $360 this month). This is bullshit as well, because I have proof of insurance sitting right here and I remember them photocopying it. I had to go back out to the car to get it! :roll:
I'm hoping they aren't futzing up my credit report, because I'm trying to buy a house...
-
Oh yeah, Jay, I may have to hit you up for reciepts on that front end and those cams. I have a suspicious feeling that this is going to end up in court, or at the very least, mediation.
Same for those carbs you sold me, Pitter. I'll let you guys know. :thanks:
-
Oh yeah, Jay, I may have to hit you up for reciepts on that front end and those cams. I have a suspicious feeling that this is going to end up in court, or at the very least, mediation.
Same for those carbs you sold me, Pitter. I'll let you guys know. :thanks:
Todd - I'll be outta town for a week starting in a few mins (actually headed your way taking the kids to see Mickey). PM me if you need anything and I'll get it to you late next week.
I'd get the bank at least the regular car payment with a note that you're not paying the ins. Just my $.02.
GOOD LUCK!
-
Ok, I swear he's not answering when I call now...
I just left a lengthy phone message with my mechanic, explaining to him that I was tired of waiting (7 months + now) and that I didn't appreciate him calling me an asshole on the phone the last time we spoke. I told him that I can think of three options at the moment.
Option 1: Fix the damn bike and return everything to me.
Option 2: Return the bike as is, plus the $550 already paid and all the parts I gave him and the money he got for selling the shock I provided him with (provide reciepts!)
Option 3: Purchase the bike and parts off me. I was asking $1250 when I took it to him, with the old front end on it. The front end I was asking $400 for. I purchased an exhaust, on his advice, for $100. Then there is the $550 I gave him, and the price he got for the shock he sold. I figure something like $2500 to $2700, and I provide him with the manual and stuff I have. This is the one I hope he takes, I have no way of transporting a broken bike. :sad:
I'm going to type a letter up tomarrow and send it certified mail to his offices. Provided I can find his new address.
-
And.... apparently he doesn't want to do any of those.
According to him, it's only been three months since he started work and he told me this when I dropped it off. I call bullshit on that, since initially he said a few weeks before he could get started, then he said it'd be done before Biketoberfest... then he just up and disappeared for a month.
The reason for the low compression was that the cams were off one tooth and the exhaust valves were too tight (good call on that, Racer). The engine still isn't running, and definatly hasn't been tuned. The new front end is on, but the headlight isn't mounted and there is no fender. According to him, the front end is way high and the ass end is way low (I suspect he's got it installed wrong), ruining the bike's handling dynamics.
I got lectured about all this extra work he had to do to make things work, and how he's not charging me for the -4- times he had to adjust cams/valves. If he couldn't do it the first time, why should I have to pay for the second, third, and fourth anyway? He never called when he ran into trouble, he just forged ahead, and now he claims I owe him like $1000 on top of the $550 I already gave him and the '96 Fox Double Clicker that I gave him new in a box (which he sold).
Or I can go pick the bike up as it sits right now, but there are parts missing and it doesn't run. Not to mention I have no way of transporting a bike across the state, or anywhere to store/work on it.
I don't even know where the bike, or this guy, is. He's supposedly in Lake City, but according to the Chamber of Commerce and his website he's still in his office in Orlando. A vacant building, now, I might add.
This is more of a pain in the ass than I need right now, and I don't have time nor resources to really devote to a drawn out fight about it. I'm supposed to call him back today or tomarrow with what I intend to do, and at the moment I'm leaning towards telling him to just go phuck himself and buying a new bike. I sure as hell am not giving him more money
-
Ok, update...
Supposedly the bike is going to be dropped off at my house sometime this weekend, the mechanic is running a bike in this weekends race and is going to be in Daytona Beach. He just called me and told me the local bike wrecker offered him $1000 for the bike, but I don't think I'm going to take it. For one, I don't want to go through him, so I may call them myself to see what they'll give me for it.
Currently, as far as I know, the bike isn't running. It has compression though, and those GSXR carburators, so I figure it's either not getting fuel or spark. I'm leaning towards spark at the moment, I may fiddle with it a bit and see if I can't get her running.
Tonight after work I'm going to the bank to see about a loan on an '03 Honda 919 that is for sale nearby with 5500 miles and new tires. With any luck I can get decent financing on that. It isn't a Bandit, but it's still a naked, and at least it's not a Harley. :lol:
That means one of two things is going to happen. Either I'm going to sell the bike to the local wreckers myself, and possibly part out the rest of the parts here and Ebay, or I may just part the entire bike out here and on Ebay. The only problem is that I don't really want to deal with shipping on either of the engines or the frame, so someone would have to pick those up at my place.
So keep your eyes peeled, folks! Providing my loan goes through and the bike actually does get dropped off, I'll be selling some good parts! I've got two engines (one that I know should run with GSXR 400 cams, one that I suspect can but haven't tried), the frame with new tires and the GSXR front end (clean FL title), a good gas tank thats been kreemed with a new petcock, GSXR 400 carburators, a stock header with a Supertrapp on it, and the Yoshimura race exhaust. Not to mention a good '93 Spark Controller, a non-leaking radiator, and all the other fiddly bits!
-
before you part it mate, let me know take a pic i got a freind that needs a race bike!.
-
Oh and that guy not know how to time cams is just retarded . Sounds like he just got scared cause he heard gsxr 400, they time just like the B$ and look just like them to. I would have got a lawyer.
-
Oh and that guy not know how to time cams is just retarded . Sounds like he just got scared cause he heard gsxr 400, they time just like the B$ and look just like them to. I would have got a lawyer.
I thought about it, but what, I'd go after him for the $550 I paid him? Not really worth it, in my opinion, since it'll cost me more than that to get the money.
I'm fairly certian I can get the bike running easily enough. I'll get some pics of it when I get it back, I may clean it up a little first though. It's practically a race bike now, it's supposedly got Metzler M1s on it that are brand new, the Yoshimura race exhaust, GSXR400 cams, those GSXR400 carburators... I mean, short of your big bore kit, what else is there? (well, chain conversion I suppose...) Not to mention those GSXR USD forks are on it now... she does need a new rear shock, it's still got the stock one on there.
Hell, there is still a small chance I may hang onto her if I can get her running good. Most likely not, though, since I'm going to be selling the Mazda and using whatever bike I get as a Daily Driver (The one good thing about FL!) with a cheap truck or something for backup.
I will say that I'll miss you guys, though. Best group of motorheads on the net, in my opinion. Not a lot of BS.
-
IC I thought you still owed him more loot! cool keep me informed
thanks
jay
-
IC I thought you still owed him more loot! cool keep me informed
thanks
jay
Oh, he tried to get another $1000 out of me, but that wasn't happening. I think he realized that I actually had a court case, because all of a sudden he started being -real- nice and has offered to bring the bike up and drop it off. :lol:
Also, turns out he didn't sell that Fox twin-clicker, so I'm getting that back too. Much coolness on that, I may have to hang onto it.
-
Im telling you it would make a great track day bike, if you can afford to keep it . And get another bike. Well daytona supersport and superstock is on TV (SPEED) so im gonna watch it again. cheers
jay
-
Thats what the mechanic said too, as well as a few of my friends. Problem is, I have no where to store a track back, not to mention no way of transporting a track-only bike. At least, not right now. :boohoo:
Eh, I may keep it, but I'd really prefer not too I think. I'm going to use whatever I get from my car, plus whatever I sell the Bandit for, to get myself a truck or something.
-
HU a truck and the bandit sounds like good transportation. You cant beat a full size van , great to sleep in. LOL
-
That's great that you're not gettin' screwed as bad as you thought! :bigok:
Wish you were closer - I'm considering a Mazda3 S as my next ride.
Also, turns out he didn't sell that Fox twin-clicker, so I'm getting that back too. Much coolness on that, I may have to hang onto it.
If you change your mind... dibbs on the Fox!
-
Wish you were closer - I'm considering a Mazda3 S as my next ride.
You should, they are a kick-ass car! I'm really going to miss mine, she's got the TMW shifter, 20% tint, intake and an adjustable anti-sway bar. Really a fun little car, nice on long rides too. I'm pulling the parts I added off this weekend probally, going to sell them to a guy here at work. :bigok:
If you change your mind... dibbs on the Fox!
It won't fit on the B4, it's too long by about an inch. :sad:
-
It won't fit on the B4, it's too long by about an inch. :sad:
They can be shortened.... but what's it off of/designed for originally? There are some limitations (basically, to shorten the cheap/easy way, you take away from total useable travel by adding an internal spacer), but it can be done. The 'right' way to to swap in a shorter shock shaft (or use a shorter body ~ in some cases, both need to be done to get a shock short enough).
I might be interested if the price is right and no-one else wants it (meaning, I'm spending too much on home renovations and the wife would frown on me if I bough it and spent much... lol).
Brian
-
I will say that I'll miss you guys, though. Best group of motorheads on the net, in my opinion. Not a lot of BS.
You can still check in every once and a while... even if you do buy a honda! :stickpoke: