Is this the end of my beloved bike?

Indeed - but that involves not having done it 200 miles away from home, when trying to get back as you're due to go to Ireland on business for the next week, the following day. And it's 11pm.

It was a case of "I don't care, just sort it" so guess I only have myself to blame...

[northwind]

Ah, what I meant was, the garage should have known that and had you sorted in about 5 minutes. It's typical of most bikes with a cable-lock on the rear, it's about as secure as a knot.

Originally Posted by Al_Sweetman

Glad there's some end in sight now Nadine - you should report this to the local paper! They'd jump on this story, I'm sure... Mind you, given the crazy state that the UK's in, I'm surprised that the police didn't arrest you for GBH because the thief got a thorn putting your bike behind the bush *joke*.

Apologies if my next snippet rubs you up the wrong way - I'm not trying to be awkward or prattish, but one thing in your tale of woe stood out, though:



Surely this approach was the best one? - what result would bollocking the monkey have? If he'd (suit) had just ranted at the **** who refused to help then (said ****) would have most likely just dug his heels in and skulked off, and then the suit would have disappeared and you'd be left on your own. I'd say that the guy in the suit was professional as (it wasn't his job?) he just rolled up his sleeves, got stuck in helping you and then went back to work. None of this "it's not my job" crap. I certainly know that on the occasion I've been bollocked in front of customers/other people when working in a shop it's the worst way of telling someone off - time and place, sadly.

Surely the suit guy shows that there are some decent people left?

Anyway, I'm glad you've got your bike back - happy riding!

Al.

Hi Al, thinking about your perspective I guess you are right - and I am very glad he did help, so I will shut up about that now. It's just that it was so perfectly clear that he really didn't want to help but only did so cos I was being German. But yeah, true, it was nice of him to help. It's just, to be honest with you, if somebody asked me for help I wouldn't hesitate and waste 10 minutes on a good excuse and then only help cos I can't come up with one. Ah, never mind, I just felt very very lonely/vulnerable/helpless, cos I am good on my bike, but not next to it - lol.

All the best,
Nadine

Originally Posted by Al_Sweetman

Hi Nadine,

You mentioned in a previous post:

Bad news: As you can see in the pic, they broke the yoke as they must have forcefully unlocked the steering. I have no clue how to repair that myself- and my budget will not allow for professional help.

Got my own tale of woe here: A short while ago I lost one of my keys, and locked the other one (it was in my spare glove?) under the passenger seat. I went to the garage, and asked them if I could just force the steering lock and wheel it in. They said that hte steering lock had bits that actually "dug into the frame" and that breaking the steering lock also (often) lead to a hell of a lot of damage to the frame, not just the yoke....

Any .orgers have experience of this, or was I diddled too?

I just read this message... aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

Right guys, my internet situation is a bit silly in the moment - basically I haven't got any, so I keep going to uni once a day. This is my visit for today.

I decided that I gonna put up some more pics for you to see the damage.

1. I am sure I can fix the cables by myself - they all have different colours, so it should not be a problem to put them back together.

I will just buy some extra cable and fiddle them back together and make sure that they don't touch each other and that they are well insolated - does that sound good?

My only worries is the BROWN cable, cos for some reason they cut it much shorter than the rest, so a good 3 inches is completely missing on that one.

The second problem is that there are actually 2 RED ones - anyone got an idea how I can differentiate them? Does it even matter???

2. With the rest I have no clue. lol. I somehow have to get the lock out, but the steering lock seems to still be kind of working - well, the key position is still on lock, as you can see in the pic, but I can move the steering from completely left to kind of middlish - not further. I will just have to wait for advice and for Northwind to take off his old lock. (YUHUUU, NORTHWIND, YOU ASKED ME FOR A REMINDER )

3. So I have to somehow find a way to support the bike so I can take the top yoke off - will be getting one this weekend hopefully. And then I will have to ask a friend for help cos there is no way I can move those bolts. Oh dear.

well, for today I will jsut fiddle around with the cables and hope that some of you guys are online. I will check again tomorrow after 3pm.

And now, tadaaaaaaa, here are the pics:

Here's another one, didn't fit anymore:

Nadine have you found a yoke yet? I have one that I can arrange to send you it's even got the ignition lock still fitted so you could use that if you wanted.

I just thought I could probably send you replacement wiring too.


Adrian

[yorkie_chris]

No replacement wiring needed by the look of it, the connector on an ignition switch has that part on it I think.... trace it back and check. If not it's soldering time

Originally Posted by NadineDieBiene

The second problem is that there are actually 2 RED ones - anyone got an idea how I can differentiate them? Does it even matter???

Buy some stuff called 'heat shrink' ... you cut a bit off, slide this on the wires (away from the heat) before soldering them, then once soldered, slide it over the joint and heat (a lighter/oven lighter works well) ... the heat shrink then shrinks (funny that!! ) with the heat and insulates the wires perfectly. You can use these on the individual wires, then just tape the 'bundle' with electrical tape.

As for the red wires, wiring diagram only shows 1 red wire to the ignition switch ... it is a main feed, I assume there is two to spread the load a bit. Looks in the pic that one is slightly fatter than the other??? If they are then the match is easier ... if they are not, then just connect either reds.

[yorkie_chris]

IIRC the 2 reds go into one at some point. Both permanent lives anyway.

I use adhesive backed heatshrink, it's ace stuff.

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.e...k.php#adhesive
Good site that.