Buying spare bits and bobs - Reading/Newbury

[rpwoodman]

Hi,

I thought I'd change the oil on my SV in between services, so I went to the local Suzuki dealer to get a new oil filter (I know a lot of people don't change the filter between services and it's probably overkill) and sump plug washer. I said what I wanted, they looked it up and wandered off to go and get the parts. He came back with 2 washers and said "it's one of these - don't know which one it is - either the 12mm or 14mm", and charged me 20p for each one - I didn't bother arguing for 20p. Now that doesn't really fill me with confidence - I'm very glad I don't take my bike there for servicing.

So, anyone got any recommendations as to where to buy such things from, either on the internet, or in Reading (where I live) or Newbury (where I work - more convenient - just pop out at lunchtime)?

Thanks!

Rgds

Rupert

[Sir Trev]

Rather disgraceful if a Suzuki dealer did not know which one you needed!

Try using Robinsons Foundry for mail order parts - they're very clued up. http://www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk/

[SDMF]

There's a small shop down the Oxford Road called 'Motorcycle Parts and Accessories'
They are generally pretty good at supplying parts, and are quite knowledgable. And if they don't have what you need, they can order bits in too.

[rpwoodman]

Rather disgraceful if a Suzuki dealer did not know which one you needed!

Try using Robinsons Foundry for mail order parts - they're very clued up. http://www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk/

Yes, I was rather taken aback, I must say.
Thanks for the tip - bookmarked!

[rpwoodman]

There's a small shop down the Oxford Road called 'Motorcycle Parts and Accessories'
They are generally pretty good at supplying parts, and are quite knowledgable. And if they don't have what you need, they can order bits in too.

Cool, thanks. It's a bugger to park around there, but good to know they're there - thanks

[SDMF]

Cool, thanks. It's a bugger to park around there, but good to know they're there - thanks

If your on the bike- there's usually room in the bike bay or if not then on the pavement outside ;)

[SV650Racer]

trouble is it may not have been the normal or technically clued up person that served you. I wouldnt discount them just because of that!. When we are busy my mother in law helps out selling parts..she does a good job..people are patient with her and she gives good service.

To be honest it was probaly best this guy was actually honest with you rather than guessing and giving you the wrong one!. Sounds fine to me.

(bearing in mind you cant expect everyone that might be behind the counter to know what size every sump bolt is!).

[rpwoodman]

(bearing in mind you cant expect everyone that might be behind the counter to know what size every sump bolt is!).

That's fair enough Sarah - I must admit, I was having a bad day yesterday, so I may have been a little less understanding than I would have been normally (tho his attitude wasn't especially good; it was a very different experience to when I've been in your place).
Having said that, you don't want to encourage me to go back - I bought my bike from you and have it serviced by you - this was just an oil change in between services that I thought I'd do myself! :-)

Rgds

Rupert.

[petevtwin650]

Sounds pretty poor service to me. Surely it's oin the parts book or microfiche.

This is the link I use for identifying parts numbers.........also useful for reassembly work

http://www.alpha-sports.com/suzuki_parts.htm

[SV650Racer]

of course id want you to come back!!!!!!....:thumbsup: ..but was just thinking outside the box so to speak!...maybe the guy had been left to cope on his own and wasnt happy!.


Glad your still enjoying the bike!

[SV650Racer]

Sounds pretty poor service to me. Surely it's oin the parts book or microfiche.

This is the link I use for identifying parts numbers.........also useful for reassembly work

http://www.alpha-sports.com/suzuki_parts.htm

Trouble is some shops use generic washers for sump plugs and not the suzuki part. We do in the workshop and have washers and crush washers of all sizes plus genuine ones on the shelf. To be honest if someone came in and asked for one and i looked in the box i couldnt say which size a GSXR one is!!..and it isnt written onto the EPC we have either!.

It would be poor service if the guy had guessed and let Rupert walk off with the wrong size...working in a customer service environment though you cant always please everyone!...

Bit like buying jeans...a good shop assistant would always give two choices of size to try rather than guess which one the customer actually is:cool:

[petevtwin650]

Surely then there should be some sort of quick checkup list, even if it's hand written on the back of a fag packet. Lol.

Also if they are generic washers why do dealers charge so much for em? Would have been better to have given him both for the 20p. A tiny gesture maybe but a gesture nonetheless.

[SV650Racer]

In a perfect world..i am aiming to have a cross reference list for every nut and bolt..but so far i havent found the time!.

20p is cheap anyway for a crush washer..am sure Wurth charge us more for the ones we use!. Think from memory the Suzuki ones are £1.04!!!

[petevtwin650]

Fair enough.

Nice to get a bit of inside info.

[SV650Racer]

S'ok!!!

[Stig]

Hi,

I thought I'd change the oil on my SV in between services, so I went to the local Suzuki dealer to get a new oil filter

Is that local Suzuki dealer in Reading where you live or in Newbury where you work:?:

There is only one place in Newbury and it's called Pro-Bike Yamaha.

http://www.pro-bike.com/

They are a Yamaha and Suzuki dealer, but I have heard that Yamaha are not so keen having Suzuki's sat next to their Yams and things are changing. At least that's what I have heard.

Anyhow, they do parts, repairs, bike sales, servicing and MOT's. The only thing I use them for are spares if I really need to and MOT's. I think their bikes (used) are seriously over priced. They also have an accessories shop but to be honest it has just moved into the main bike shop and has been reduced in size by quite a lot so nowhere near as well stocked as it used to be. Plus the guy that worked on that side of things was quite cool but left when the shop moved across.

In Reading the only place that I know is where I buy my tyres from. Ride In Bike Tyres.

http://www.rideinbiketyres.co.uk/

Very good prices and run by a superb guy called Mark. :thumbsup:

[rpwoodman]

Is that local Suzuki dealer in Reading where you live or in Newbury where you work:?:


Ahh, sorry, the one I was referring to is in Newbury (and you've got the right place) - from your comment it doesn't sound like my experience was a one off, if you only use them when desperate.
I may give them another go at some point if it's convenient - Sarah's point is valid - everyone has to learn at some point.

Good info on the tyres, thanks. I used to ride past that place going to where I used to work, and wondered what it's like - now I know!

Thanks Si

[Sir Trev]

Good points above here about giving the guy a break over a washer, but how about when they try to sell you a FI workshop manual when you asked for a curvey one? I could not believe the parts guy in my nearest Suzuki dealer trying to tell me they were the same!!!