Am I wrong?

[TheDad904]

Hello everyone, Chad here, aka FNG. I took my 02 Road Star Silverado to a local, 5-star (google rated), motorcycle cycle repair shop to have a rear shock (progressive 465), fuel sending unit, and speed sensor installed. I also requested an oil change. The quoted price was great, and I was expecting the quote to increase when they found out where my speed sensor was.... So far so good. 2 days later, my bike was done, speedo and gas gauge worked (didn't work when I bought it), new shock felt great, I was extremely happy! And then I woke up Thursday morning.... Garage reeked of gas, leaking from the sending unit replacement, took the bike back to the shop as soon as they opened and they diagd the leak to a faulty rubber washer (part of the new sending unit), they fixed the issue, no more leak. Heck yeah, right? No. When I got home I noticed my lighting was shorting out and seat wasn't locked back down correctly, I just smh and was like it's whatever, BUT Friday night I started detailing my bike for our Easter ride and notice 4 bolts holding part of the lower rear fender on, had backed out, rear seat bolt was loose, missing a trans mount bolt (took it back to shop for this Saturday afternoon, they claimed it was missing when they got it and replaced it with a spare). Ok cool. Things happen. But today, I noticed I'm leaking oil, from a part that had to be removed to install the speed sensor, AND I'm missing bolt covers from the shock replacement.

SO, my issue is the oil leak. I'm pretty sure it's coming from one of the oil pipes, which I assume had to be removed among other parts to install the speed sensor. Is this something that the shop should cover? Reason being that a new o-ring (if that is the issue) wasn't used? Or should I just cut my losses and take my bike to Yamaha to make sure nothing else is f'd....

Sorry for being so long winded... Thanks

[MikeyC]

I would say talk to the shop again, I think those are o-rings in the spot you show. Could have got the o ring in there pinched. did you make sure it's not just a loose bolt? Don't put force on it, just see if it's loose and if so check torque spec before tightening.

Don't understand missing bolt covers, those little rubber ones under the seat that set on the bolt tips? They fall off sometimes but they probably tossed them as non essential. Tell them you would like to have them there.

I would be worried about the electrical issues, may be a pinched wire, mention that to them as well.

Somebody with more knowledge will chime in soon.

[TheDad904]

I really do want to be able to give the shop a excellent review, which is why I haven't posted this issue on their media outlets, yet. But if they try and say, oh it leaked when we got it, um NO. Game on.

[Shores]

Both options are wrong! Fix it yourself and never take it to any mechanic.

[Jclevesque]

I agree with Shores on this one. If you start with little things and succeed, you can tackle bigger jobs with confidence. You can always count on guys here for advice on anything alot of guys have done many things on our bikes including me. You can ask them about the problems you have.

[TheDad904]

I would say talk to the shop again, I think those are o-rings in the spot you show. Could have got the o ring in there pinched. did you make sure it's not just a loose bolt? Don't put force on it, just see if it's loose and if so check torque spec before tightening.

Don't understand missing bolt covers, those little rubber ones under the seat that set on the bolt tips? They fall off sometimes but they probably tossed them as non essential. Tell them you would like to have them there.

I would be worried about the electrical issues, may be a pinched wire, mention that to them as well.

Somebody with more knowledge will chime in soon.

Yeah, I thought maybe it was loose, no luck pretty sure the o-ring is OG so that means it's 19yrs old.Bolt covers is a bad term, swing arm caps, it's nit picking but if I have factory chrome caps when it goes to the shop (pic shows missing cap), they should be on there when it leaves. By "lighting" I meant my led strips, I fixed that problem.

[MikeyC]

If the cap was there when they got the bike it should be there when you get it back. but as stated it could have fallen off. Hard one to prove.

[TheDad904]

Both options are wrong! Fix it yourself and never take it to any mechanic.

Hahaha! I hear ya, but if I mess something up it's on me, if they do, it's on them. I know my repair limits

[TheDad904]

I agree with Shores on this one. If you start with little things and succeed, you can tackle bigger jobs with confidence. You can always count on guys here for advice on anything alot of guys have done many things on our bikes including me. You can ask them about the problems you have.

I appreciate it. I do most of my work myself but when it calls for 6+ hours to change out the speed sensor. I let the "pros" do it.

I did diag my leak correctly though though (Clymer came with bike)

[Lug Nut]

That sucks and they Obviously have not done much work to a Road Star. Ask them what oil exactly they used and how much oil they used first of all... Betting they got that wrong. I did my own speed sensor and now that I've done one I could do another in about an hour and not take much of anything apart (I do lots of work on my Yamahas but am not a mechanic).

The real issue is that most shops other than a longstanding Yamaha shop will screw up everything on a Road Star. Not many Road Stars out there that go into a shop so they don't get experience with them.

They should be ashamed of the shoddy work they did to your bike. Should have been an actual 3 hours to do all that work (book rate would have been much more obviously). What did they charge you total.

Honestly... Get some decent tools and a manual and ask us questions.... It's much better to do it yourself not only to save money and the satisfaction of doing it yourself... But safety. I've worked on probably 15 different Yamahas and one Honda and have seen some shady shit down by "shops" that was unsafe.

Again... I'm not a trained mechanic but these bikes are pretty intuitive and easy to work on and this group has literally "done it all"...

[TheDad904]

Good question on the oil, original quote was for $560 w/ synthetic oil change ($110 value). After they saw the sensor was in the location it was, and looked up the breakdown to replace it, they guestimated another $500 in labor at $89 a hour. Total was $1075...... But again, I was ok with that, our yamaha charges $130ph, and I figured with the great reviews there would be no prob, but quality is in great question....

And from now on, I'm definitely not letting anyone touch it but myself, tools I have, Clymer came with the bike, and now I'm a R*clinic member. Done, done and done.

[boomerA]

That missing swing arm cover/cap is notorious for falling off. I've replaced just that one, on the right side a couple of times. This next time, when I replace it (I know I have it somewhere around here!) I plan on putting a bead of clear silicone on it and hope it stays!

[TheDad904]

I mean I guess it could happen, but it was there, and gone after. I should just count myself lucky that found the other 5 bolts that had backed completely out before I lost them too. Not to mention a missing transmission mount bolt, I detail my bike weekly, I would def have seen that huge ass bolt missing lol To be honest, just looks like the tech didn't quality control his job.

[Jclevesque]

Does sound like there was no control and care taken with repairs to your bike. But you can change all of that and do it yourself. Not much is needed other than a few metric tools for these bikes. You are doing yourself a favour by working on it yourself. Labor is free and keeps your mind active and into it. Only frustration I have is when I put it away for winter. Guess thats why I have a snowmobile to keep me busy in the off months lol!

[Sharpman66]

My 03 is missing on the right side also! Whats up with that? lol

[Brad_G]

from Solon, IA

Lots of great folks here that can help you through most any task. This time of year all the shops are getting busy with folks getting out with the change in weather. Nobody is going to care for your bike more than you.

[Lug Nut]

Heck I would have done that work for $1,074! Lol get some tools a nice jack and a manual.... Trust me. None of us were born knowing how to do anything to a motorcycle....

[TheDad904]

Update. My o-rings have been delivered and I've decided to change them out myself. I know I have to drain the oil, is there anything else I need to do in order to remove the oil pipes? What is the best synthetic oil to refill it with? Thanks everyone.

[Shores]

20-50 or 10-40 synthetic V-Twin motorcycle oil from Mobil 1 or Amsoil depending on your climate.

[Shores]

20-50 or 10-40 synthetic V-Twin motorcycle oil from Mobil 1 or Amsoil depending on your climate.

[TheDad904]

Thanks, Shores, FL only has one climate, florida.

[Shores]

Thanks, Shores, FL only has one climate, florida.

That’s right! Then you probably should use the high humidity oil that has more water in it.

[TheDad904]

So, finally got around to changing the o-rings on the pile pipes, top and bottom. And if that was the leak, I have another one. It appears to be coming from middle drive o-ring. Either #50 or #52. Thoughts?