SNAFU

After making yet another call to Corbin today and speaking with a fellow named Sergio in Florida, Nina called me back and said " There is no way that seat is going to fit your bike", no shit Sherlock, what did I say from the get go ! I really can't be too hard on her as she has been polite, though uninformed, all the way through this mess. It's the rest of the idiots at Corbin I have a problem with.

I know they make a seat that will fit because I just talked with a guy who has one on his R80.

I suppose someone grabbed the wrong/miss marked form and built my seat and rather than admit a mistake they decided to take the easy way out and take the seat back and refund my money.

The term SNAFU comes to mind.

CORBIN IS A JOKE

You won't believe what Nina, the Corbin customer rep told me today, hell, I don't believe it!!

She told me that the boys in the back room told her to tell me that I don't really have a 1986 BMW R80G/S. What the Fuck!!! I may be 70 but I sure as hell ain't senile, I know what bike I own. Just because their seat won't fit I have the wrong bike!! It's my fault their shit don't work?? When she told me that, I burst out laughing so hard I almost dropped the phone – the colossal arrogance of these people. I think it dawned on her just what an asshole she looked like telling me that because she told me she would have to call me back later after she checked with her guys again.

No call yet and it's after closing time in California. I think next time I'll ask to speak with the someone with the knowledge and the authority to make a decision. I don't want to make Nina look bad, her own co-workers have done a really good job of that already. I just want to speak with someone who knows what the hell they are talking about.

I think tomorrow will be the 6th phone conversation, not counting the 2 e-mails with attached pictures showing in detail why the seat won't fit!!
If you are thinking about buying a new seat I suggest you look to someone else, hell, anyone else, other than Corbin.

What a bunch of fucking jerks they are.

Me and Corbin butt heads again.

Recieved my new Corbin seat and like normal with them, it won't fit. Have talked with them several times and sent them pictures and they just won't understand that the seat is 2 1/2" too long. I really don't know how to make it any clearer. Will try again on Monday when they return to work. Why has it got to be like pulling teeth every time I deal with them!!

Good news on the Jesse Panniers though, I talked to Al and he saw the problem right away and is sending spacers to fix things. It's nice to have a manufacturer try to help fix a problem instead of finding excuses why it's your fault their shit don't work(Corbin).

DEPRESSION

Today was not a real happy day for me, pretty shitty in fact. Looked the R80 over more closely and was not pleased with what I saw, Jesse bags need some work to make them usable, the subframe looks twisted and out of line, front brakes need major work and although I haven't looked I'm sure the rear brakes will need work too, fork boots shot, stock side stand sucks, looking like a $1000 bill to get her up to snuff. Us old creatures need lots of TLC.

There's no fool like an old fool.

Nothing to do now but choke it down and tackle one thing at a time. Think I'll start with the least necessary things first - just so I can piss off the Moto Gods and anyone else afflicted with logical thinking.

Here we go again

This will be my second try to get to South America by motorcycle. Last years try was aborted by a back injury, which, in truth, still has not healed.
I kitted out a '08 KLR for the trip last year but now find that it is too tall for me even though I lowered it 1".
This years bike of choice is a '86 R80G/S BMW. Quite a change huh! I have been looking for this bike for years with no luck. A good friend bought one, 3 years ago, from a older fellow who could not ride anymore and had stored the bike for years before being able to part with it. My friend recently got the urge for a Harley and happened to like my '06 Arctic White Road King and when his wife saw it she fell in love with it right away ---- done deal. Swapped +boot for the BMW.
Now to get it ready for a long trip.