This is where it all started. Andy quoted a rate of “£75 per hour or £50 per hour if it was a long job”, but did not specify at how many hours it became £50 per hour. And, of course, did not put anything into writing.
Perhaps that was the first red flag I should have seen.
“£1,000”, which he later demanded in writing that I must pay in advance as a security, would therefore be 13 to 20 hours.
He refused to provide an estimate or explanation of what it was for. He told me that he could use email as he “didn’t have time to look at pictures on the internet” (approx).
Boyer-Brandsen told me that to fit an ignition system should take about 1 hour. The fairing was already partly diassembled. Personally, can’t see where the other 12 to 19 hours work was.
Had I be conned into handing my BMW over to him, so he could help himself to my wallet?
“1980 BMW R80TIC
Introduction
I have not had a chance to closely inspect the bike at all but I have seen or been told that;
a) The engine turns over on the starter, but won’t fire.
b) There is a loose relay or wiring issue meaning the headlight/lights won’t work, but does when you wiggle it.
c) The front brake master cylinder requires a new gasket or seal. Although it has an RS fairing, it has been fitted with handlebar mounted master cylinder. I have not checked if it is the right bore yet.
As far as I can work out from the records I have, the bike has an original 28,000 miles on it, and has been dried stored since at least 2003. It’s never even had an MOT since the new DVLA computerised system came in.
Stage I would simply be to getting running, stopping and lit so that I can ride it home. It clearly needs at least a new front tyre at least. I have a few bits and minor pieces for it, e.g. grommet and O-ring for the side panels, seat hooks etc.
There is other work that I would like done, depending on how that goes.
I decided to go for a Boyer-Bransden with digital ignition kit, including dual output ignition coil (Kit 297), rather than struggle with original components. To be honest, I don’t even know if it has already has an ignition kit already.
Therefore, stage I would just be;
- i) to fit the digital ignition,
- ii) get the engine running,
- iii) get the lights working, and
- iv) inspect the brake/master cylinder.
From memory, there is a stainless steel braided line from the master cylinder to a junction. I haven’t seen the junction, & have no idea if it or the lever is switched or not.
I will probably go for braided lower pieces too.
Stage II, I haven’t decided on yet.
It would make sense to change the oil when the fairing is off, and to balance the carbs and check the valves (there was a new, one piece oil filter in the spares that came with the bike) but I have a couple of options there that I’d like to discuss first, so please don’t dive in straight away.
Thank you.”
