Repairing my Blade...
Discussion
to cut a long story short, bought a Blade end of 05 (so not had it long!), but managed to spank it in to the back of someone the other day - all fine and hardly any damage to the 3rd party, so he's sorted with cash... BUT - there's a massive caveat....
Unfortunately, switching my insurance from my old SV, forgot that I had switched to only 3rd party F&T cover about 4 years ago, so assumed when I had transferred to the Blade I was transferring fully comp cover with Carole Nash.... I wasn't!
So, now I am facing an estimate from Chiswick Honda for just shy of £5k - most of which is parts at about 4.5k. I loath going to an independent garage that might be able to do the job cheaper but might not provide me with a 'safe' ride at the end of the job?! so, anyone have any recommendations on what I could do or some decent repair shops that I could try for alternative quotes?
Unfortunately, switching my insurance from my old SV, forgot that I had switched to only 3rd party F&T cover about 4 years ago, so assumed when I had transferred to the Blade I was transferring fully comp cover with Carole Nash.... I wasn't!
So, now I am facing an estimate from Chiswick Honda for just shy of £5k - most of which is parts at about 4.5k. I loath going to an independent garage that might be able to do the job cheaper but might not provide me with a 'safe' ride at the end of the job?! so, anyone have any recommendations on what I could do or some decent repair shops that I could try for alternative quotes?
What about trying to source the parts yourself? Labour seems to be about £500 from that, so have a search around on ebay for damaged/written off bikes which you could get parts for, or get out there searching scrap yards. Ask the dealer that gave you the quote for an itemised list of all the parts you need.
sounds terminal if thats the sort of damage its done 
What's the damage to it? List what needs doing and the year of the Blade (ie, did you buy it new or used?). Also, where are you based? I'm near Salisbury and I use a local one-man-band and the bloke is brilliant, and cheap too. Also, if you're nearby I might even be able to lend a hand with the spannering.
Ebay is invaluable in turning up parts for bikes and i'd be shocked if you couldn't save a bundle by sourcing some or all of the parts either second hand or pattern parts - even things like head bearings are stupidly expensive from a dealer.
re Independants - of all the vehicles i've owned, the only people who've tried to stiff me over have been the big dealers - if you pick wisely, you can find independants that are staffed by dealer-trained mechanics and offer far better service than the dealers.
Ebay is invaluable in turning up parts for bikes and i'd be shocked if you couldn't save a bundle by sourcing some or all of the parts either second hand or pattern parts - even things like head bearings are stupidly expensive from a dealer.
re Independants - of all the vehicles i've owned, the only people who've tried to stiff me over have been the big dealers - if you pick wisely, you can find independants that are staffed by dealer-trained mechanics and offer far better service than the dealers.
Been away for weekend so just checked for first time since posting this - thanks to you all for suggestions. Much appreciated. Will check out ebay and then rest from the Firebladeshop - who have a pair of forks for 500 notes - that's some mark-up by Honda then!
Mad Dave - am in Weybridge, so Salsbury not massively far - depending on what the work would cost me I guess. Major bits on the honda list of parts are as follows:
* Radiator Comp
* Light Assembly Head
* Sensor Comp
* Wheel Sub As
* Both Forks
* Stem Sub Assembly
* Bridge, Fork Top
* Fender Comp
* Cowl Comp, Up
They're the things that seem to cost the most - and then they have listed something as "Set Type 1" four different times, each with a different price attached ranging 60-400 notes! So god knows what that is for - will find out. The rest of the stuff is small things like mirrors, screen, coolant, bolts etc - all the little things you can imagine it would need after the front end taking a smack. Let me know if you reckon your contact would be worth a shout. It's just getting the bike there I would have to sort then... and then clearly figuring out how I raise some cash!
Guess once it's done - I would need to get the frame checked out too. Would he be able to do this?
Thanks again guys - massive help...
>> Edited by brokenblade on Monday 27th February 09:33
Mad Dave - am in Weybridge, so Salsbury not massively far - depending on what the work would cost me I guess. Major bits on the honda list of parts are as follows:
* Radiator Comp
* Light Assembly Head
* Sensor Comp
* Wheel Sub As
* Both Forks
* Stem Sub Assembly
* Bridge, Fork Top
* Fender Comp
* Cowl Comp, Up
They're the things that seem to cost the most - and then they have listed something as "Set Type 1" four different times, each with a different price attached ranging 60-400 notes! So god knows what that is for - will find out. The rest of the stuff is small things like mirrors, screen, coolant, bolts etc - all the little things you can imagine it would need after the front end taking a smack. Let me know if you reckon your contact would be worth a shout. It's just getting the bike there I would have to sort then... and then clearly figuring out how I raise some cash!
Guess once it's done - I would need to get the frame checked out too. Would he be able to do this?
Thanks again guys - massive help...
>> Edited by brokenblade on Monday 27th February 09:33
brokenblade said:
to cut a long story short, bought a Blade end of 05 (so not had it long!), but managed to spank it in to the back of someone the other day - all fine and hardly any damage to the 3rd party, so he's sorted with cash...
What did you run into..a tank?
Good luck with the repairs, hope you get it sorted..
brokenblade said:
They're the things that seem to cost the most - and then they have listed something as "Set Type 1" four different times, each with a different price attached ranging 60-400 notes! So god knows what that is for - will find out.
For your info "Set Type whatever" indicates the body panels. Type 1 might be one paint scheme, set type 2 the other etc. Bodywork is always hideous money due in no small part to the volume a huge fragile box takes up in shipping from Japan. You can often get a full panel set for a late bike for around a grand or a bit less.
Forks are definately worth getting s/hand rather than new. You might want to run them, the yokes and wheel(s?) over to Maidstone Motoliner 01622-790705 to see if they can be straightened.
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