let me vent

[oldyam80sg]

OK this is not about anyone here.The guy who I work with is a piece of work.He bought this motorcycle in May-June after he got his license and needs a reality check.I cleaned his carbs for him and before I did that I told him most shops charge $85.00 + an hour to repair a bike + parts.He wanted to go cheap and I told him my price-$60.00 to clean his carbs.The bike needed a battery at the time and he said go cheap dont break the bank.Batteries can be pricey-I spent $120.00 for a Yuasa for my Kawasaki ZRX 1100. He said he needs cheap so I spent $40.00 at Wal-Mart on a battery for him.Last week the battery crapped out on him.He wants to take the battery back and get his whole amount he spent on it.Walmart wont do that.I explained to him years ago,you bought a battery and it came with a tag that the person at the auto parts store punched out the little holes when it was purchased.The battery didn't last as long as they told you,they would pro-rate the battery and give you money off a new one.Not any more!So I told him the money or store credit Wal-Mart will give you should go to me for removal and installation of the battery + diagnostic fees. Now he is mad and claims I'm ripping him off.

[Bonz]

When it comes to friends, my experience is there are no strings attached. If I expect something in return I could end up disappointed. Many guys on the forum itself and a few guys in person have helped me so much I can't begin to put a value on it other than good friendships, cigars and beer. Plus some great rides as well.

With that said, this fellow doesn't seem like a friend, and you have established with him that he compensates you for work done. If you don't like the guy enough to help him w/o compensation, and he's complaining, tell him you feel this is making tension and you feel it's best not to help him anymore. I'd chalk it up to good experience on learning about a bike (KZ550 from another thread) you didn't know before and some good skill and info from the deal as well.

[MaximPhil]

Hi Oldyam80sg,
Someone is getting ripped off. Was it Willie Nelson who sang
Know when to hold them and know when to fold them ?
Time to fold and walk away...before you get ripped off even more.

Phil

OK this is not about anyone here.The guy who I work with is a piece of work.He bought this motorcycle in May-June after he got his license and needs a reality check.I cleaned his carbs for him and before I did that I told him most shops charge $85.00 + an hour to repair a bike + parts.He wanted to go cheap and I told him my price-$60.00 to clean his carbs.The bike needed a battery at the time and he said go cheap dont break the bank.Batteries can be pricey-I spent $120.00 for a Yuasa for my Kawasaki ZRX 1100. He said he needs cheap so I spent $40.00 at Wal-Mart on a battery for him.Last week the battery crapped out on him.He wants to take the battery back and get his whole amount he spent on it.Walmart wont do that.I explained to him years ago,you bought a battery and it came with a tag that the person at the auto parts store punched out the little holes when it was purchased.The battery didn't last as long as they told you,they would pro-rate the battery and give you money off a new one.Not any more!So I told him the money or store credit Wal-Mart will give you should go to me for removal and installation of the battery + diagnostic fees. Now he is mad and claims I'm ripping him off.

[oldyam80sg]

Yes the same guy-He is adamant that he will get money from the old battery.Today I gave him the battery and Walmart wants a receipt which he said he has and will only give partial store credit not cash.I am done helping him as of today.We almost came to blows at work as he told several friends I ripped him off.I actually gave him a break as now he has to pay top dollar or learn to do repairs himself. Also now that he has a temper issue with fellow co workers,he has been told to take an anger management course.

[Bonz]

The song is called The Gambler by Kenny Rogers.

Willie Nelson? Really?

[MPittma100]

Vent

...................and the horse he rode in on!

[motoman]

OK this is not about anyone here.The guy who I work with is a piece of work.He bought this motorcycle in May-June after he got his license and needs a reality check.I cleaned his carbs for him and before I did that I told him most shops charge $85.00 + an hour to repair a bike + parts.He wanted to go cheap and I told him my price-$60.00 to clean his carbs.The bike needed a battery at the time and he said go cheap dont break the bank.Batteries can be pricey-I spent $120.00 for a Yuasa for my Kawasaki ZRX 1100. He said he needs cheap so I spent $40.00 at Wal-Mart on a battery for him.Last week the battery crapped out on him.He wants to take the battery back and get his whole amount he spent on it.Walmart wont do that.I explained to him years ago,you bought a battery and it came with a tag that the person at the auto parts store punched out the little holes when it was purchased.The battery didn't last as long as they told you,they would pro-rate the battery and give you money off a new one.Not any more!So I told him the money or store credit Wal-Mart will give you should go to me for removal and installation of the battery + diagnostic fees. Now he is mad and claims I'm ripping him off.

that WOULD be the least he could do............then, better well spent, he oughta' buy an Interstate battery. I use them in ALL my vwhicles......2 and 4 wheel. Get 7-9yrs with NO re-charging.

[MaximPhil]

The song is called The Gambler by Kenny Rogers.

Willie Nelson? Really?

Howard just more proof ,if any was needed, that I know even less about music/artists than i do about Motorcycles
Phil

[mack]

Phil

You just need to hang with HamJam more!

[mack]

OldYam80sg

I've been helping a young guy up here to get his SF running again. He was given the bike for nothing and it was in rough shape. Right from the beginning we agreed that he would do most of the work, my job was to show him what to do and explain why it needed to be done. Every weekend I would give him a list of parts needed for his next weekend visit.
What started out as grafting in a fuse box and installing a centerstand, quickly turned into a fairly complete tear down and rebuild. Everytime we dug deeper we found issues that needed to be addressed to make it safe and run properly.
He'd said he'd cleaned his carbs already so I told him to show me. Well I pulled them apart and showed him what he'd missed and we redid them together. I showed him one then expected him to do the rest. Same with calipers, wire harness connectors, you name it.
The only thing I did without him was time the cams to the crank. But next spring he'll get a lesson on that too.
I didn't expect payment for my time because I like the bikes and working on them, but he's a good kid and anyone who rides them better know how to fix them.When he picked it up to take home over the winter he gave me money for my time and parts without being asked to.
Your X-friend shoud be sat down and explained that owning a bike is like belonging to a brotherhood. We help each other. That trust should never be broken even if you are an a-hole when not in the saddle.

[ViperRon]

Most of us here grew up and came from a different era and we see things often times very different from the current generations. Unfortunately we are who we are and we want to help others but expect to be treated fairly. I have done much to help people and have learnt to be careful how far I go and have developed a philosophy of starting off thinking no good deed goes unpunished. A cousin I have not so long ago actually did some work for a young guy and problems started quickly. He took an older poorly maintained bike and got it running for a guy very cheaply. For his effort the guy went to a bike shop to get it tuned up and of course they wanted to redo carbs new coils etc because someone messed them up etc etc and in the end the guy took him to small claims court. He did not win but the arrogance of some can just Gaul a person. I do understand how you feel.

[trbig]

It happens in life everywhere. Even on here. After helping people a few times with parts on here for free to help them get their bike going so they can ride, then immediately after, they sell their bikes and offer no compensation for the parts, I am done. Even one guy I considered a friend. He wrote and asked if I had a #2 carb so he could get another bike going so he and his son could attend an upcoming rally we were going to. Tore apart a good bank of carbs and sent it to him free... No-show at the rally and never heard from him again.

I hope that soon you are like me. Not bitter, not angry, just wiser. Make it your New Year's resolution!

[motoman]

It happens in life everywhere. Even on here. After helping people a few times with parts on here for free to help them get their bike going so they can ride, then immediately after, they sell their bikes and offer no compensation for the parts, I am done. Even one guy I considered a friend. He wrote and asked if I had a #2 carb so he could get another bike going so he and his son could attend an upcoming rally we were going to. Tore apart a good bank of carbs and sent it to him free... No-show at the rally and never heard from him again.

I hope that soon you are like me. Not bitter, not angry, just wiser. Make it your New Year's resolution!

Sounds familiar..........resolution was in order several yrs. back.......lesson learned.......and yes, it was another member here. Shipped the 81' slide-in backrest.....never heard back for cost or shipping cost.

[Bikes]

I'm with Mack....i like bikes and working on them........if I have time, I try to help a guy out.......however......if you dont expect anything in return, you'll never be disappointed...
Personally, I'd give him his money back and be done with him....

[hamjam]

You just need to hang with HamJam more!

I dont do "C&W" well and after reading all this , I don't think I will "help" anyone again