Sonja: Today the bikes got picked up for crating. The Sportster will get shipped in a metal box the moving company procured from a local Harley Davidson dealer, while the Vespa will be protected by a wooden custom crate.
With combined muscle power two men and myself pushed the motorcycle on to the road, since it got no insurance left. I noticed that the gentlemen in charge were no motorcycle experts. The concept of using the levers for breaking or pulling the clutch to get it into first gear to prevent the bike from moving seemed fairly new to them...
The Sportster merely fit on the lifting ramp, and again I had to make sure that the guy in front used the hand brake to prevent the bike from rolling further.
While maneuvering the Harley into a better position the battery cover came apart, and one of the rubber thingies that hold it in place got lost in the process...
Quite skeptical I watched their efforts to strap the Sportster to the wall of the truck. I was tempted to jump into the back of the vehicle and do it myself.
Next in line was the Vespa. I almost lost it when they tried lifting the scooter by its accessories, and got quite verbal about it.
I explained that the accessories are not made for heavy duty and that they should please apply appropriate care when handling those babies. I can only hope that the bikes will arrive unscathed at the warehouse and that the craters will do a good job of wrapping up the two-wheelers for the upcoming ocean transport.
Isn't that extra mean from the weather gods to provide us with blue skies and sunshine.
ReplyDeleteOnly once of the many times I've moved did I have a "professional" service. Everything arrived in one piece, but I wondered how. That one time made me keenly aware of what some have described as my "control issues" and others have called living up to my German heritage.
ReplyDeleteGood luck,
~k
Keith, it looks like control issues come hand in hand with having German roots... it is the first time for me that I didn't pack all my possessions myself, and I didn't feel at all comfortable with it.
DeleteYikes, scary to think they didn't know what they were doing. I am sure it will be fine though and they will get crated appropriately.
ReplyDeleteBrandy, I hope so. But I didn't anticipate they would send somebody that doesn't know how to handle bikes. It is not like a piece of furniture. They would send specialists for moving a piano, so why not for a motorcycle (it also is a special piece that makes lovely sound..).
DeleteAnother Harley in Germany?
ReplyDeleteYou must come to Rudesheim Magic Bike - I saw only 10,000 there last Summer!
10,000? Not much for a population of 82 Mio.
DeleteSonja, I'm not at all surprized. As soon as they have to deal with a delicate object of value they exhibit all the skill and understanding you might expect from a Neanderthal.
ReplyDeleteIf I were you I'd inspect the crating. Good luck!
SCARY... fingers crossed that the bikes arrive unscathed.
ReplyDelete