Rosey Toes - Ted retiring

[Lightcycle]

Forum Sponsor

I've had bikes fail safety when they're clearly within spec. Then they hold you hostage by offering to fix it for less than it would cost you to pay for a new safety somewhere else. And these are so-called "reputable" shops.

Exactly right.

"Wanna a safety cert? Then you gotta buy a set of tires from us."

Dirty safety all the time.

Everyone knows it's a joke and a government hoop you gotta jump through. Do your own due diligence *after* you get the piece of paper signed off.

 

[TK4]

I've had bikes fail safety when they're clearly within spec. Then they hold you hostage by offering to fix it for less than it would cost you to pay for a new safety somewhere else. And these are so-called "reputable" shops. So it's one thing to get a dirty safety on your own bike for a guaranteed price when you have the technical knowledge to know it will pass, but I do agree with you on doing it on a bike you're selling when you don't know if it will (or worse, know it won't).

And doing safeties off-site or unseen which is a clear contravention of the rules.

 

[TK4]

Exactly right.

"Wanna a safety cert? Then you gotta buy a set of tires from us."

Dirty safety all the time.

Everyone knows it's a joke and a government hoop you gotta jump through. Do your own due diligence *after* you get the piece of paper signed off.

And then you sell that bike to someone who doesn't know better ? Go ahead, fill your boots - I'll pass.

 

[Lightcycle]

And then you sell that bike to someone who doesn't know better ? Go ahead, fill your boots - I'll pass.

We've had this discussion before.

By the letter of what's covered under the safety cert, the new owner who doesn't know any better can still end up with a bike with major problems. It's way too cursory of a check.

Most shops (including the reputable ones who end up holding you hostage) don't even start the bike up.

But go ahead and defend the practice of nickel and diming the customer anyway they can. I'll pass.

 

[bitzz]

A safety is mostly a loser for a shop. Calls for an hour, and takes an hour, with no parts to markup. Some shops will use it as a fishing expedition. It's a quick indication of the shop's integrity.
When your shop's reputation is shady safeties.....
I am the opposite to most safety customers. I want an inspection, as thorough an inspection as I can get. I don't mind if they overlook the el-cheapo Amazon tail lights that aren't 11.5" from the centerline of the bike, but I do want the actually mechanical safety inspection that I'm paying for.

 

[TK4]

Most shops (including the reputable ones who end up holding you hostage) don't even start the bike up.

As part of the process (read it some time) the machine must be started and ridden at a speed of at least 20kmh and the brakes must be checked.
'Most shops' must and will do that, the ones that don't are woefully negligent.
Any conscientious, licenced mechanic will not take that chance, those that do are leaving themselves wide open.
Your hard on against people trying to do the right thing tells me you've never had the shoe on the other foot.

 

[TK4]

A safety is mostly a loser for a shop. Calls for an hour, and takes an hour, with no parts to markup. Some shops will use it as a fishing expedition. It's a quick indication of the shop's integrity.
When your shop's reputation is shady safeties.....
I am the opposite to most safety customers. I want an inspection, as thorough an inspection as I can get. I don't mind if they overlook the el-cheapo Amazon tail lights that aren't 11.5" from the centerline of the bike, but I do want the actually mechanical safety inspection that I'm paying for.

Amen.

 

[bitzz]

Everyone knows it's a joke and a government hoop you gotta jump through.

I don't know about that. I've seen lots of REAL dicey bikes/cars out there. I don't REALLY have problem with mandatory vehicle inspections... except that like safeties, too many shops use mandatory inspections as a fishing expedition.

 

[Lightcycle]

As part of the process (read it some time) the machine must be started and ridden at a speed of at least 20kmh and the brakes must be checked.
'Most shops' must and will do that, the ones that don't are woefully negligent.
Any conscientious, licenced mechanic will not take that chance, those that do are leaving themselves wide open.
Your hard on against people trying to do the right thing tells me you've never had the shoe on the other foot.

I've read the safety cert guidelines. I've linked to it several times on GTAM. That's how I know how flimsy the requirements are.

I've taken bikes to several shops - not just Rosey Toes. None of them have taken the bike to 20 km/h to check the brakes. They do the push-brake test. Apparently, mechanics that have done enough safeties know exactly when a bike will fail just based on that.

I've never had the shoe on the other foot because I do the due diligence above and beyond the thin safety cert regs.

I have had the brand new shoe on the foot that didn't pass safety. And had to buy a new shoe from that dealership. That's the shoe I'm talking about.

 

[bitzz]

As part of the process (read it some time) the machine must be started and ridden at a speed of at least 20kmh and the brakes must be checked.
'Most shops' must and will do that, the ones that don't are woefully negligent.

I was trying to a safety a 1956 Norton. No one would do it, no one wanted to try to start it and ride it to do the brake inspection. I offered to start it.... NOPE.
... there's not much to inspect on a '56 Norton. EVERYTHING is grandfathered. The brake check is about all there is to do... and it has to have tail light

 

[TK4]

I've read the safety cert guidelines. I've linked to it several times on GTAM. That's how I know how flimsy the requirements are.

I've taken bikes to several shops - not just Rosey Toes. None of them have taken the bike to 20 km/h to check the brakes. They do the push-brake test. Apparently, mechanics that have done enough safeties know exactly when a bike will fail just based on that.

I've never had the shoe on the other foot because I do the due diligence above and beyond the thin safety cert regs.

I have had the brand new shoe on the foot that didn't pass safety. And had to buy a new shoe from that dealership. That's the shoe I'm talking about.

So you're telling me that you've taken various bikes to the wrong shops ? Who's fault is that ?

 

[Lightcycle]

So you're telling me that you've taken various bikes to the wrong shops ? Who's fault is that ?

The first time I failed a safety on a brand new rear, that was my fault. I should have known better than to ask the barber if I needed a haircut.

The other times when I took the bike to a place that passed the safety on a bike that I knew should have passed safety? Well, I guess that was my fault too...

 

[TK4]

I was trying to a safety a 1956 Norton. No one would do it, no one wanted to try to start it and ride it to do the brake inspection. I offered to start it.... NOPE.
... there's not much to inspect on a '56 Norton. EVERYTHING is grandfathered. The brake check is about all there is to do... and it has to have tail light

There are indeed special considerations to be extended to vintage machines. They must be in good condition 'as manufactured'. Not finding anyone to do that seems strange ?

 

[bitzz]

The last safety I did was on a RD400. The guy that I have gone to for safeties for years took the test ride... and he was gone for 2 hrs. He left me in his shop to answer the phone. He was mad he had to stop for gas, and he didn't find the oil under the seat.

 

[TK4]

The first time I failed a safety on a brand new rear, that was my fault. I should have known better than to ask the barber if I needed a haircut.

The other times when I took the bike to a place that passed the safety on a bike that I knew should have passed safety? Well, I guess that was my fault too...

I guess so...

 

[deckard]

could be far worse
UK MOT annual inspection
Google it

 

[GreyGhost]

could be far worse
UK MOT annual inspection
Google it

Or the Japanese inspection that basically kills all vehicles. IIRC it is for vehicles every five years but getting it done is a five figure proposition. Most get exported and they buy a new one.

 

[Lightcycle]

Or the Japanese inspection that basically kills all vehicles. IIRC it is for vehicles every five years but getting it done is a five figure proposition. Most get exported and they buy a new one.

Many island nations are like that. Limited space to keep on adding vehicles.

Singapore has a rule: bring a vehicle in, scrap a vehicle. The well-heeled crowd buy a junker and sacrifice it to the government so they can register their new Beemer or Merc.

 

[bitzz]

This is the bike.

Pretty much "as manufactured". No mirrors, no marker/signal light, it DOES have a horn (but doesn't need it for a safety, but IF it's there it has to work), the tires were from the '90s but that's OK
In the end John Crossely from HB Cycle did the safety. His brother used to race one back in the day in ol' Blighty. Thanks John. John knows vintage iron, too bad he moved to Alberta.
It worked out better than I could have imagined though. We were standing out by my truck, John going over the bike, when, Phil, the owner of HB came over to see it. He asked me if my collection was now complete, and I told him NO, I am still looking for a Laverda. He said he owns a Laverda, so I told him he was an *******. I explained to him that anyone that owns a bike I want, especially a Laverda, but don't have, is an *******. We LOL'ed. He asked me if I wanted to be an *******. I said yes, and went home with a Laverda SF and a safetied Norton.
So I am now a contented *******.

********* = slang for anal oriface

 

[Lightcycle]

This is the bike.

Pretty much "as manufactured". No mirrors, no marker/signal light, it DOES have a horn (but doesn't need it for a safety, but IF it's there it has to work), the tires were from the '90s but that's OK
In the end John Crossely from HB Cycle did the safety. His brother used to race one back in the day in ol' Blighty. Thanks John. John knows vintage iron, too bad he moved to Alberta.
It worked out better than I could have imagined though. We were standing out by my truck, John going over the bike, when, Phil, the owner of HB came over to see it. He asked me if my collection was now complete, and I told him NO, I am still looking for a Laverda. He said he owns a Laverda, so I told him he was an *******. I explained to him that anyone that owns a bike I want, especially a Laverda, but don't have, is an *******. We LOL'ed. He asked me if I wanted to be an *******. I said yes, and went home with a Laverda SF and a safetied Norton.
So I am now a contented *******.

That's a beautiful bike!

Forum Sponsor