Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all,



I removed the bump plate from under the engine on my new woodsman.

It is newly registered, but has been hanging around at the dealer for a few months as far as I know.



there seems to be some putty like stuff along the centre of the
engine which had been over painted with silver paint.

Is this something that the factory do or is there something amiss on a bike sold as new?



have enclosed two pics.











here is the bump plate which hid everything!






The VIN says november 2012, so it can't be too old. but why the putty stuff guys?

I'd be taking that straight back to the dealer I bought it from. That looks like a Grade 1 botch job IMHO.

I'd be taking that straight back to the dealer I bought it from. That looks like a Grade 1 botch job IMHO.

Allan's right - that's been welded up or something. NAUGHTY!! I'd take it straight back if I were you, and don't accept any nonsense.
Geoffers.

Cripes take it back - to be fair, dealer may have not noticed but looks like a botch after splitting of crankcase.

I can't believe the factory would ever do a bodge like that. They make thousands of bikes, why would they spend time plastering the crank cases?. The crankcase stud nut on the second photo also looks worn, I would want my money back or I would be contacting trading standards and citizens advice.

I think i may have decoded the VIN number wrongly, as
now it seems that my bike could be 3 years old???

could somebody more familier with VIN pleats please check for me?(sorry to be a pain!)






The dealer said he bought it from Watsonian and that it was probably
one of the last woodsman's that they made, but I am wondering
if it is really 3 years old, was it their demo bike and possibly
been thrashed to hell?

even worse, it is here with me in France, and although it seems
to run very well, I would have to pay to have it transported to UK,
and it is still under warranty?
(I guess consumer law gives a year anyway?).


I guess I will need to wait to see what the VIN number says.

If the bike is 3 years old... oh hell.

You bought it from a dealer as a new bike? If so the dealer has to carry the warranty and try claiming it back from Watsonian who are no longer the importer.I assume French laws are similar to the UK with buyer protection

Looking at the 'repair,' I don't think it's welded. It's probably something like JB Weld or some other sort of epoxy resin.
You should certainly have a case against the supplying dealer. The fact that he got it from Watsonian, and they no longer import and distribute the bikes, is irrelevant. Your contract is with the dealer, not Watsonian, so don't let the dealer fob you off.........

Looking at the 'repair,' I don't think it's welded. It's probably something like JB Weld or some other sort of epoxy resin.
You should certainly have a case against the supplying dealer. The fact that he got it from Watsonian, and they no longer import and distribute the bikes, is irrelevant. Your contract is with the dealer, not Watsonian, so don't let the dealer fob you off.........