Forum Service Days? - Calling all Lawyers

[trepetti]

So it is that time of year again (at least here in the East) when we all get our bikes ready for the season by doing all the maintenance / mods we have been thinking about all winter. I can see the trend in the forum, with so many new posts asking for advice and assistance.

The thought occurred to me that there might be opportunity to put together some clinics, perhaps geographically, to help teach some of the newcomers how to make their bikes last and to enhance their safety.

...and then the whole liability thing hit me. How can someone be held harmless from unforeseen problems others might have as the result of bad parts or improper installation etc.?

I help friends all the time with their cars and bikes, sometimes doing the work and sometimes just showing them how. I never felt exposed doing this (is there a "Good Samaritan" clause?) but maybe I have been mistaken.

So are there any Lawyers out there that can toss their two cents on the matter? I would love to be able to provide help, but obviously this would be volunteer work that should not create liability.

What do you think?

 

[Erci]

Excellent question and very timely.. Joe and I will be working on bikes this weekend.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

On the FJR forums, they do exactly what your talking about regionaly and often.

I don't know the legalities, however, the bikes owner is helping (or doing depending on the project).

I suspect (never researched it) as long as their helping / doing, it's like you giving me a hand tuning up my bike. You helped me. IMO thou, if your a "helper", you best know what your doing on that specific bike before you pick up a wrench. Forget the lawsuits, I couldn't handle another rider getting hurt from me screwing up something/leaving a bolt loose, etc. Another mechanic/member, double and triple checking would be ideal.
.
I've never heard of any lawsuits from these get togethers(Tech meet)...


One FJR Tech Meet thread (with a BUNCH of information/idea's):

Fall Tech Meet - Pacific Northwest - FJRForum

 

[LERecords]

I would think that doing simple things like changing oil or coolant would be fine. when you start getting into brakes and taking wheels off, you might run into trouble if the person who is receiving the service does not understand that you are not a garage or a certified mechanic. If you are comfortable with your abilities, i would say offer whatever you can. if not, stick with the simple stuff. Besides, there are probably more than enough new riders out there that would like help / learn about something as simple as changing oil or how to properly lube a chain.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Your talking, generally, at doing fairly simple things anyway. On that link I provided, they limited two valve checks for the day (but then there's more plastic to remove for the FJR than the FZ.

I've had some bad experiances with "authorized mechanics" (different brands-including Yamaha) screwing simple stuff up. Good experiances as well.

You can read, on this forum, who you'd trust to do what to your bike. Reading the responses lets you know if someone's on the right track, had experiance, etc.

I personally, wouldn't hesitate to let several members here work on my bike, especially if I had charging issues (which I dislike) before I would let a shop work on it...

 

[FinalImpact]

Perhaps a dividing line goes like this:
1, I'm paying you for a service = paid person is responsible!
2, You're helping me, do you know what you're doing? If answer is NO, you both stop. If answer is yes, (i.e owner is clueless, but helper is skilled), owner understands there may be risk, but no liability to helper??

Pay attention folks. We don't want a good deed gone wrong. :spank:


IIRC "WE'RE" doing fork springs this week. We can test these theories! :sinister:

 

[FinalImpact]

I personally, wouldn't hesitate to let several members here work on my bike, especially if I had charging issues (which I dislike) before I would let a shop work on it...

Hey, Scott, your charger was taking to long so I turned it up! Blah

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Hey, Scott, your charger was taking to long so I turned it up! Blah

Can you say the faster, 07, BLUE LIGHTNIN!!!

 

[yamihoe]

Im down to help in the Atlanta area.