My National Tyres experience

I took my Suzuki Bandit in for a puncture repair at my local National Tyres one Friday afternoon.

They said it needed a new tyre so I left the bike with them. I picked the bike up about 4pm and take it easy on the new tyre.

On the Saturday afternoon I decided to scrub the tyre in and fill the bike up for the trip to meet some friends on the next day. I got two miles from home before I felt something wasn’t right with the back end.

I pulled up and, having not yet taken the bike above 30mph, pop the bike on to the sidestand. At which point the chain falls off the rear sprocket.

I am pretty fastidous about chain tension and care and the chain and sprocket kit was only 500 miles old. I was a little surprised to say the least!

Using the Suzuki supplied spanner for the rear axle nut I decided to adjust the chain to get me home for a proper look. The rear axle nut was pretty much hand tight.

I slowly rode back home and phoned the National Tyre branch to ask what the hell was going on (I was reasonable at this point) – to which they replied that the fitter had set the nut to the correct torque but to bring the bike in and they would have a look.

I then went to inspect the damage I was expecting to the chain and sprocket – figuring it must have stretched because of the wheel moving about.

Imagine my surprise to find the chain adjusting plate had been fitted the wrong way round!

I have complained to the head office and am awaiting an independant inspection of the chain/sprockets to see what damage has been done.

Does anyone know who to complain to on safety grounds? – Office of fair trading?