So I broke my bike...

CrazyRabbit

Long story short, my Aprilia Mana 850 has been in storage for about 3 months. Just went to start it and the battery is practically dead (display cuts out when trying ignition).

So that didn't seem too bad. Just charge it up or get a new battery I said. Except I don't have charging leads.

Then I went to move the bike...and I could only move it a few inches. Grrr.

Now, I have the mechanical skills of a 4 year old on valium, but I'm guessing that either the brakes have siezed, the chain is gone wonky or something horrible has happened to the engine.

I'm also down to zero tools as I'm moving apartments over the next few days and everything is in my new place. Sigh.

At this stage I think my best bet is a motorcycle recovery service and get it in to a mechanic. So with that in mind...any suggestions on the cheapest recovery service (in Dublin) for bikes?
As far as I know, Bikeworld are the most familiar with this bike, so I'll probably take it there. I know they're not the cheapest though.

I'm having really bad luck this week. One of those periods where even the stuff that can't go wrong is doing so and in spectacular fashion.

Have pity on me.

kkhornet

Just to rule it out but did ya remember to take off the disc lock/chain before ya tried to move it??

Mesrine65

Is the bike in gear?

CrazyRabbit

kkhornet wrote: »

Just to rule it out but did ya remember to take off the disc lock/chain before ya tried to move it??

Haha. I'm dozy at times, but not that bad! Yup, they were both removed.

I guess though that several people have actually done that in the past, so a good suggestion. Thanks

thecivvie

Get a piece of a 2x4 and hit each of the callipers, that should be enough to unbind the brakes, Done it a few times on the Pan with no problem

arybvtcw0eolkf

Have you tried putting it on the center stand and try free spin/turn both front and back wheels?.

Most likely you'd seized brakes. The rear will be harder to turn than the front anyway, but you can move the wheel forward to loosen the tension on the chain (or liberally oil the chain).

Un freeing and servicing the brakes is easy enough but if your skills are as bad as you say then get a mechanic to do it for you.

Youtube search 'Dellboy's Garage' ~ I find his clips brilliant.

Hotblack Desiato

If you can borrow jump leads and get the bike within reach of a car you can jump start a bike perfectly safely off a car. They're both 12V electrical systems. However I would expect that allowing a battery to go flat for 3 months would severely shorten its life. If you'd known the bike was going to be idle for that long (especially in winter) you could've taken the battery out and stored it indoors (away from frost) and given it a charge every few weeks. If the bike has an alarm or clock then there is a small constant drain on the battery. Even without that, they self-discharge eventually anyway. Lidl do a very good battery charger for 10 euro every few months, worth keeping an eye out for.

Regarding the brakes, it could be seized pistons as others have said, or just that the pads have rusted to the discs. Depending on the type of iron/steel used to make the discs, some rust a fair bit in storage especially if it's damp. This is harmless once you can get the bike moving as it just rubs off.

CrazyRabbit

Twas the brakes alright. All sorted now. And I was able to borrow a charger. Got enough from it to get the bike going. A drive out to the middle of nowhere in Kildare took care of the rest.

The bike wasn't meant to be idle for that long. It just turned out that way. Back to semi-regular driving now anyway.

Thanks all for the suggestions.

P.S. It's damn cold out there. 6 layers minimum! Take care.

kkhornet

CrazyRabbit wrote: »

Twas the brakes alright. All sorted now. And I was able to borrow a charger. Got enough from it to get the bike going. A drive out to the middle of nowhere in Kildare took care of the rest.

The bike wasn't meant to be idle for that long. It just turned out that way. Back to semi-regular driving now anyway.

Thanks all for the suggestions.

P.S. It's damn cold out there. 6 layers minimum! Take care.

Glad ya got sorted. Ya think 3 months is long, try nearly 2 years. Was only supposed to be a couple of weeks for meself 😭

P.C.

CrazyRabbit wrote: »

Twas the brakes alright. All sorted now. And I was able to borrow a charger. Got enough from it to get the bike going. A drive out to the middle of nowhere in Kildare took care of the rest.

The bike wasn't meant to be idle for that long. It just turned out that way. Back to semi-regular driving now anyway.

Thanks all for the suggestions.

P.S. It's damn cold out there. 6 layers minimum! Take care.

Glad you got it sorted.

It is the weather for layers.

galwaytt

Mesrine65 wrote: »

Is the bike in gear?

..can't happen: the Mana doesn't have gears: it's automatic..


OP - would love to hear about the Mana - I like the idea of a big CVT that's not a scooter...........tell us more !

CrazyRabbit

galwaytt wrote: »

..can't happen: the Mana doesn't have gears: it's automatic..


OP - would love to hear about the Mana - I like the idea of a big CVT that's not a scooter...........tell us more !

It does...and doesn't have gears. To be more precise, it doesn't have a clutch. You can change gear ratios using a traditional foot peddle, or using two buttons on the left handlegrip. Or indeed, leave it in twist-and-go. Once you drive a CVT you'll wonder why anything else even exists. It's fun and really the perfect bike for those moving up from pure automatics.

t c

Just wondering where you are CrazyRabbit as I have a Mana as well and there are not many????? around.