Posted by Datesfat Chicks on August 21, 2011, 7:07 pm
Got my bike (2006 Shadow 600, aka Honda VT600C) back from the
dealership. Chain, sprockets, valve adjustment.
Took it up to full throttle on the freeway. Top speed 92 MPH. This
is about right.
Was at a coffee shop. Decided to look more closely at the chain and
sprockets. Noticed that:
a)The axle was too far forward (not outside the range that the axle
can be adjusted, but just too far forward for a new chain). (I
noticed immediately that the distance offset was about the same as a
chain link length. It would be consistent with using a chain that is
two links too short.)
b)The driven sprocket looked foreign. It wasn't the same as the Honda
OEM sprocket. For one thing, it didn't have the little ledge with the
rubber (presumably noise abatement).
Called the service manager at the dealership. He indicated that:
a)They decided to use an aftermarket chain and sprockets kit, because
they've had good luck with them and they cost less. (They didn't
communicate this information to me--I just asked for new chain and
sprockets.)
b)He didn't have an explanation for the difference in axle
positioning.
c)As best he could recall, the maker of the kit was "Regina".
I looked at my service documentation. The chain is supposed to be
#525, 120 links.
I counted the links on the chain the dealership installed. There are
118, not 120.
I don't see this as a safety issue. All it really does is render the
sticker on the side of my swingarm that shows when to replace the
chain useless.
To further complicate matters:
a)On Regina's web page, they incorrectly list the replacement chain
for the VT600C (wrong years, but those also had a 120-link chain) as
118 links.
b)However, Regina does make 120L #525 chains. You can find them on
Amazon.com and listed for the Honda VT600C.
Any thoughts on this?
Was this a mistake?
How did it happen?
Is it reasonable for a dealership to install the "wrong" length chain?
Thanks for any insight.
I have a great relationship with the service manager, and I can get it
all replaced with OEM parts if I want.
But I'm just confused by the whole scenario. Why would they install
the wrong length of chain?
Thanks for any thoughts.
DFC.
Posted by WaIIy on August 21, 2011, 7:39 pm
On Sun, 21 Aug 2011 19:07:29 -0400, Datesfat Chicks
>I have a great relationship with the service manager, and I can get it
>all replaced with OEM parts if I want.
That will make you happiest, you might want to consider it.
The dealer should have talked to you before using non-Honda parts.
Posted by CS on August 21, 2011, 9:57 pm
"Datesfat Chicks" wrote in message
<snip>
Called the service manager at the dealership. He indicated that:
a)They decided to use an aftermarket chain and sprockets kit, because
they've had good luck with them and they cost less. (They didn't
communicate this information to me--I just asked for new chain and
sprockets.)
b)He didn't have an explanation for the difference in axle
positioning.
<snip>
I would be mighty pissed. The whole point of going to the dealership and
paying way more than you would at an independent shop is, they use factory
parts, installed using factory tools and methods.
It's bad enough they used non-Honda parts without telling you, but they
aren't even the right parts.
Yes, I'd definitely take it back and have them put the correct Honda parts
on there, and I wouldn't pay one red cent extra for labor, and probably
nothing extra for parts.
If they were cheaper, and the dealer reflected the price difference in the
invoice, AND that price is the same found elsewhere, I might, in the
interest of keeping good relations with the dealer, pay the difference.
Maybe. On the other hand, if they charged the usual dealer markup, I'd tell
them to suck it up, or race the wrath of the owner, Visa, and the corporate
office.
And I'd WATCH them do the whole job, from beginning to end.
I've had mechanics violate my trust before, and I have no problem making a
huge dickhead of myself when one plays fast and loose with my money, time,
safety, and so on.
What's worse is, who knows if they used substandard or incorrect parts
elsewhere? Valve shims? Brake master cylinder? Oil filter? How much
money has he saved while putting you and your bike at risk?
Maybe on off-brand chains and sprocket aren't a big deal. Maybe a smaller
chain isn't a big deal.
It IS a big deal that he refused to ask your permission to use non-Honda,
incorrect parts, leaving you to do the research and hope it's good enough.
CS
Posted by Tim on August 21, 2011, 11:46 pm
> "Datesfat Chicks" wrote in message
> <snip>
> Called the service manager at the dealership. He indicated that:
> a)They decided to use an aftermarket chain and sprockets kit, because
> they've had good luck with them and they cost less. (They didn't
> communicate this information to me--I just asked for new chain and
> sprockets.)
> b)He didn't have an explanation for the difference in axle
> positioning.
> <snip>
> I would be mighty pissed. The whole point of going to the dealership and
> paying way more than you would at an independent shop is, they use factory
> parts, installed using factory tools and methods.
> It's bad enough they used non-Honda parts without telling you, but they
> aren't even the right parts.
> Yes, I'd definitely take it back and have them put the correct Honda parts
> on there, and I wouldn't pay one red cent extra for labor, and probably
> nothing extra for parts.
> If they were cheaper, and the dealer reflected the price difference in the
> invoice, AND that price is the same found elsewhere, I might, in the
> interest of keeping good relations with the dealer, pay the difference.
> Maybe. On the other hand, if they charged the usual dealer markup, I'd tell
> them to suck it up, or race the wrath of the owner, Visa, and the corporate
> office.
> And I'd WATCH them do the whole job, from beginning to end.
> I've had mechanics violate my trust before, and I have no problem making a
> huge dickhead of myself when one plays fast and loose with my money, time,
> safety, and so on.
> What's worse is, who knows if they used substandard or incorrect parts
> elsewhere? Valve shims? Brake master cylinder? Oil filter? How much
> money has he saved while putting you and your bike at risk?
> Maybe on off-brand chains and sprocket aren't a big deal. Maybe a smaller
> chain isn't a big deal.
> It IS a big deal that he refused to ask your permission to use non-Honda,
> incorrect parts, leaving you to do the research and hope it's good enough.
> CS
I agree that the dealer shouldn't have used non-OEM parts and that
that is why most of us go to a dealer. I agree that David should take
the bike back and insist on OEM Honda parts and a 120-link chain.
The Regina chain is not an off-brand, though.
And the bike probably (almost certainly) handles better with 118 links
and a shorter wheelbase than with 120 links and a longer wheelbase,
all other things being equal. In fact, I would be tempted -
personally - to ask them to install OEM parts but to stick with a 118
link chain if it is not causing any other problems.
Posted by Datesfat Chicks on August 22, 2011, 9:14 am
On Sun, 21 Aug 2011 20:46:24 -0700 (PDT), Tim
>And the bike probably (almost certainly) handles better with 118 links
>and a shorter wheelbase than with 120 links and a longer wheelbase,
>all other things being equal. In fact, I would be tempted -
>personally - to ask them to install OEM parts but to stick with a 118
>link chain if it is not causing any other problems.
There are no other problems. It seems fine and normal.
The only consequence is that my little NEW/REPLACE sticker on the
swingarm isn't useful in the position it is in.
I was just surprised.
DFC
XML Sitemap
>all replaced with OEM parts if I want.