Front Brake Leak and Spare Part Procurement Time

Two weeks ago

I was about to ride to Melbourne and noticed that the front brake felt spongy and if I really pulled hard I could make the brake handle touch the handlebar. Not good at all.

Drove Kawasaki in Morwell and had Glenn have a look at it. The fluid reservoir was nearly empty, that explains a few things. Glenn topped the reservoir up and I continued with the trip.

Last weekend

I went for a 300km ride via Yarram, Korrumburra and Warragul and then used the car for the rest of the week. After the ride I notice a similar spongy feel return. I decided the bike needed a good look at so today I rode down to BM Motorcycles and had Chris have a look it. He topped up the reservoir and was happy that the master cylinder was working correctly. He then pulled of the right side cover and exclaimed "Aha, a wet spot!" It appears I have a leak somewhere around the ABS Unit. Chris will have to dig deeper tomorrow.

Well that's fine and dandy, how do I get home? The train was the answer. I caught the 5:40 from Ringwood to Flinders Street Station and then took the 6:30 train to Morwell. Unfortunately I hadn't planned on the Royal Melbourne Show being on and the amount of people travelling by train. I blithely stepped on the train and took the nearest seat only to be ejected by a mother and four children "Hey, That's our seat!". Sure enough. I asked a V/Line person where I could sit. I was asked did I have a booking for a seat. It appears not. Fine! Go to carriages D and E that's where you go. I made my from A, through, B and C and arrived at an overflowing carriage D. I didn't even try carriage E, just didn't seem any point.
I ended up sitting on the RBIs bin next to the toilet which was unfortunately blocked and was leaking something on the floor. Just wonderful. I ended up staying there for the whole trip to Morwell. A most memorable trip.

I was able to catch a taxi at Coles after buying a bit of food for a rather late dinner.

I wonder how long the bike will be off the road?

The next day

Chris calls me and confirms that one of the metal pipes that bolt onto the ABS unit is cracked and there isn't any stock in Australia, so I will have to wait for the pipe to be sourced from overseas. This is a cute way of saying two to three weeks wait.

A week later

I have always been amazed at the slowness of procuring parts from BMW. Why does it take three weeks? In this day and age there's really no excuse for such behaviour.

Initially I called the 1800 number and received a unsympathetic response. Three weeks is three weeks, and, it's the system!
I was then told that if I'd like to make a complaint it would to be in writing or an email. I replied that email was my preference and was given the email address 'info@bmw.com.au'. If you'd like to waste some time on the BMW site I challenge you to find that email address.

I drafted an email and duly sent it off. I wasn't nasty, abusive or anything like that. I clearly explained that the driving experience that BMW is so proud to give you when you purchase a vehicle from them does not translate into any sort of pleasure when your vehicle is off the road. Anyway, why so long? I even suggested a priority system to deliver parts earlier.

The response to the email is that the content has been sent Motorrad.

I think I'll wait a little bit more.

Fifteen days later

Received a call from Chris informing me that the bike is ready. I'm surprised as it's only taken two weeks but feels like a month.

I feel another train trip coming on.

Seventeen days later

Pick up day. I didn't get to bed until about 1:30 am Saturday morning, and getting up at 6:00 am was just a trifle hard. I had booked a taxi for 7:00. Had breakfast and fed the animals.

The taxi arrived promptly at 7:00 and had already picked up a young Indian lady who was sitting in the back. We both had the same destination: Morwell Railway Station. We arrived not soon after and the price on the machine was $25.00. I was rather intrigued to hear the taxi driver ask us for $16.00 each! Let me see, $16.00 plus $16.00 = $25.00? Maybe it's one of those Big Brother things? Don't ask questions, keep moving.

Arrived at Melbourne around 9:30 and walked to McGills and checked out the books. Had a second breakfast at McDonalds in Swanston St just inside the 10:30 menu change time and ordered a breakfast.

Walked to Finders Street Station and bought a ticket to Ringwood. I didn't have to wait long The train trip to Ringwood takes 30 minutes, I'll have plenty of time.
A few minutes after departure we are informed that the railway tracks are being worked on a little further up and we will have to stop at Burnley and take a bus to Camberwell and then back on the train for the rest of the trip. The bus trip was uneventful but it sure did seem to take a long time.
Back on the train I look at my watch and see that the time is 11:40, time to call Chris at BM Motorcycles and inform him that I will be a little later than 12:00. Chris tells me that's all right, I won't leave without you. That's comforting.

Now, BM Motorcycles is in Ringwood, so I would need to get off at the Ringwood station right? Wrong! As we leave the station before Ringwood, Heatherdale, I spot the Hungry Jacks sign that is next door to BM Motorcycles. Sugar, I've missed my stop. Got off the train at Ringwood and waited for the next train back to the city that I hoped stopped at Heatherdale, the 12:28. The train arrives and does stop at Heatherdale. From the Railway Station it's only a short walk to BM Motorcycles.
The front door looks locked but I see my bike outside the side door which is still open. I walk inside and find Chris serving a customer, well at least he wasn't bored waiting for me.

The bill tallies to $280.00. Glad the pipe was cheap.
I asked Chris about the pipe as I'd like to see the crack or whatever. He says down the back somewhere and says that he couldn't see any crack anywhere at all. I goes it just opens p under pressure.

I asked Chris about the long time to get parts and he happily informs me that other manufacturers have even longer delays! I had heard that BMW have a crate which they fill with ordered parts in Germany. When the crate is full that's when they send it. Chris informs me that that is true. I still think I should be able to fly the part over at my expenses. It's not big or heavy, and, I wouldn't have the bike off the road for so long.

Had a pleasant ride home via Yarra Junction, Noojee and Yallourn North.

Nice to have the bike back!