Oh, the drama…
My life is chock full of drama lately. Not the least of which is the ongoing saga with my bike. I called my mechanic this morning, to find out if he had actually picked up the bike from West Vancouver yesterday, because I didn’t hear from him — He was going to swing by my place to pick up the key last night.
So, he tells me that he went last night to get the bike, but it wasn’t at the Firehall where I left it. [place pause here] “What?!” I say. “What do you mean it wasn’t at the firehall? It was parked at the back of the lot there.” The mechanic continues, “No, it wasn’t there, so we drove around and down to the pub and found it down on the road there with the ignition wires cut and threaded together — The theives obviously didn’t know what they were doing because that’s not how you hotwire a bike.”
“Is there anything else wrong with the bike?” I ask, trying to keep my composure. “A few scratches on the faring, but nothing serious,” he says, “I’ve already fixed the wiring — It’s fine.” I asked him what I should do about locking the bike up, and he did give me some good ideas. I’ll have to do something because as he said, the bike is quite light, and two guys could easily pick it up and walk away with it.
So, phew. I still have a bike. What I’d really like now, is to simply have a *NORMAL* riding experience, with a bike I can have confidence in. I honestly don’t think that’s too much to ask.
Hey fellow riders: What do you use to lock up your bike? Does this method change away from home?
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Hey, I use two disk locks to lock up Gizmo.
Use a basic loop one with a orange cable thingy over the handle bars for the front.
for the rear I use a Xena Disk Alarm,
http://www.xenasecurity.com/product/motorbikes/XR1/page1/
It’s motion sensitive and there is no way you’d forget it on there.
hah! I can see the prospective buyers…
“So, why are you selling it?”
“She’s posessed. But really, it’s a good bike! Look at the wicked-cool paint job!”
“Posessed?”
“Yes, pure evil. Won’t stay working for more than a week, and constantly breaks down stranding me places. But the seat is really comfortable, and look, low mileage!”
*runs away*
You know, we were up in Kelowna this past weekend! You know what I saw being used to keep the bikes safe?
Hells Angels Bike patrol!!!
Thats all you need. Just hire one to stand by your bike 24/7 and all will be okay. They can switch out with each other after a period of time. You can also provide them with a comfortable arm chair too.!!
ps. sorry to hear about your bike, this is insane!! its not right!! how bout one of your web cams?? I think if you had a live web cam and it was on a website for all to see, between me and all your friends that go on your website, I am sure it would be watched 24/7!!
take care
love
t
I’m not a superstitious man by any stretch of the imagination… but i’m thinking you should sell the bike and get a new one. Its pretty obvious at this point that the bike has a curse on it. Or at least possessed by some kind of devil child.
It’s evil I tell ya… EEEEE-ViLLLLL….
Yes, I am beginning to think the Black Beast is evil. That said, she’s gotta get me home from Richmond tonight, so tonight, she’s my baby, and she’s a good girl.
But, the moment she messes with me… Man, I tell ya.
[I'm SO done with dealing with crap to do with this bike!!]
Jer — yeah, that’s what was recommended, but since I don’t have my handy reminder cable (read: string) yet, I put it further out where I’m more likely to see it. As of yet, that’s worked quite well, except for once earlier this year when I was *really* distracted… damnit.
I am so impressed that I remembered the name. Wow.
Donna – you’re right… it’s the calipers. (the caliper housing, actually)
The way to prevent/minimize damage to the calipers /housing/mounting is to mount the disc lock through the holes that are closest to the housing itself. That way, when the thief starts the bike forward, the lock doesn’t have any real tyime to start turning (and building up speed) before it’s stopped by the mounting.
By a big motherf***ing Rottweiller and chain him to the bike. Of course you’ll have to teach the dog how to ride ‘bitch’.
(Okay, not too practical).
Yes and no. It won’t actaully damage the disc, but it can damage the … thingies that attach to the disc. Yeah, I’m very technical,aren’t I? I want to say calipers, but I suspect this is wrong.
However, it’s not a *huge* risk. This’ll happen if you try to roll the bike with the disc lock on. I’ve done this out of stupidity half a dozen times. In fact, it’s the only way (aside from once when I first bought it and was stupid) that I’ve dropped the bike. So far, no damage. (Note: To avoid this, most people get a bright colored $20 reminder cable. Me, I’m planning on buying a string. Reminder cable… sheesh.)
So, it’s a chance, but I’d rather risk that than have someone simply roll the bike away.
I mean, what’s worse? The thief causing damage to your bike, or the thief taking the whole thing?
Bikes, being pretty “out there” are easy to damage as it is. My new ignition cost me $300, due to the complete ineptness of the thief.
Note: Put the disc lock on the back wheel, not the front, and lock the steering column as well. With the front, the thief can simply stick the front end on a skateboard or something similar, and off they go. At least with it on the back, they have to lift up the whole damn bike, or roll in circles.
It’s not MUCH more protection, but without something permanent to attach it to, I’ll take what I can get.
Well said, J! I am counting the moments until I get my bike in shape. I’ve quite honestly had enough with the extraneous crap.
Bring on the good rides!
Vern is going to drive me into Richmond tomorrow, and follow me home so that I have someone around in case something goes haywire.
Sad that I’m thinking that way!
Disc lock on the back wheel & steering column lock, every time. Alas, I park on the street, so none of the fancy bike brace or other actual secured parking measures will work for me. Very annoying, really. :/
Someone still tried to steal my bike last year. Luckily, they were completely inept so all they did was trash my ignition. Jerks.
I heard a disc lock can ruin the disc, should the theif be a moron (and most are…) which costs $500 to replace. That said, maybe that’s easier than carrying a huge chain around. Hmmm.
Shh! Yer scaring away potential buyers! She’s a good girl. She just needs a priest to chase off the devil in her.
Ya, that’s it.
You almost got your wish! So close to a new bike. I only hope that he can sort everything out for you, you need to be riding your bike, not writing about it.