Top box fell off

[matt28]

Hi all
I would like to share my recent experience.
Picked up my CT on 17.06.2020 from Craig's Honda Shipley and brought it down to Kent.
600 miles after purchase, while riding around Dover my top box just fell off from the bike.
I was lucky, as this happened shortly after left motorway, and my speed was approx 25mph.
I had bungee rubbers with me, so wrapped them around top box and slowly got back home.
At home found that all 4 M8 nuts gone - looks like top box bolts not been tightened up properly to the mounting plate.
Contacted Craig's Honda, they trying to brush it under the carpet, ignoring my emails and calls.
Decided give Honda UK a call, after 3 weeks they basically told me to "F**k off", as they saying that Craig's Honda is independent dealer and Honda UK is only responsible for mechanical or design issues not faults during installation.

So at the moment my top box is still in usable condition, but due to the impact it has several deep bruises and scratches, also 2 spacers they normally sitting between top box and mounting plate gone.

No response from the dealer, no help from Honda UK...
Any ideas what to do next?
 

[Jac]

Here is what I would do.  1) make an appointment to speak face-to-face with the owner or manager of your Honda dealer.  2) if you are unable to arrange a face-to-face meeting or if the result of that conversation isn’t satisfactory to you I would take them to the U.K. equivalent of our American small claims court to recover damages resulting from the dealer’s negligence prepping your new bike a few weeks ago.

[Younger06]

Pop into the dealer and slam it up on the counter (in front of customers) and have at it. I understand it's probably a fair distance for you but some things have to be done ...........on principle.

[John J]

I saw a really nice Goldwing for sale on line at Craigs Honda last night and was going to call them today about it but I don't think I will now if that's their attitude to customers. Pretty dangerous sending out a sold bike with a top box not bolted down properly. They owe you a new top box at the very least.

[matt28]

Originally Posted by John J

I saw a really nice Goldwing for sale on line at Craigs Honda last night and was going to call them today about it but I don't think I will now if that's their attitude to customers. Pretty dangerous sending out a sold bike with a top box not bolted down properly. They owe you a new top box at the very least.

They never contacted DVLA and changed owner details as well.
Had to fill up V62 form and send it to Swansea to get my V5 logbook.

[Potter]

Matt28
I had a similar issue with my new CT but, fortunately, I noticed that two of the four nuts had dropped off. I replaced them then took it to my nearest dealer under warranty. They assessed the nuts and said they had been installed as per Honda instructions. I suggested that the Honda instructions were inadequate and that they needed  thread locking as a minimum.This was done on the replacement bolts and I asked the matter to be flagged to Honda.  The nuts have stayed on since.
So Honda are aware of the issue, I'm sure I've seen it elsewhere on this forum too.
Sadly Honda will blame the dealer and the dealer will blame Honda. Neither or which will help you
I would go to your dealer and appeal to their better  nature. Then I would do as Jac suggests.
Good luck.

[matt28]

Originally Posted by Potter

Matt28
I had a similar issue with my new CT but, fortunately, I noticed that two of the four nuts had dropped off. I replaced them then took it to my nearest dealer under warranty. They assessed the nuts and said they had been installed as per Honda instructions. I suggested that the Honda instructions were inadequate and that they needed  thread locking as a minimum.This was done on the replacement bolts and I asked the matter to be flagged to Honda.  The nuts have stayed on since.
So Honda are aware of the issue, I'm sure I've seen it elsewhere on this forum too.
Sadly Honda will blame the dealer and the dealer will blame Honda. Neither or which will help you
I would go to your dealer and appeal to their better  nature. Then I would do as Jac suggests.
Good luck.

Thanks for the advice.
Don't believe personally in dealer's better nature, as they sold this bike under the market value and gave me fair P/X price.
As I'm based in Kent, so they will not make any extra money on me for service as well.
Therefore, for them I'm a lost customer, and they do not need look after me.
Sad, but true.
Stripped down box assy, fitted M8 nyloc nuts M8 and penny washers, replaced original missing spacers with M10 nuts, which are the same height as original Honda brackets.
Box looks rather tired, but is fully functional.
Thinking about Small Case Court, but have to check it out first how much is new top box.
 

[VFR1200XDH]

If they can sell Honda motorbikes and have Honda signage, actively advertise Honda then they are an agent of Honda and Honda needs to make it right.

The manufacturer rep is correct though, its a dealership problem and regardless of the price you paid, you paid for adequate product and service but didn't get it. That is breach of contract but you don't need lawyers or solicitors, just good letter writing.