Every vehicle I have ever owned has always retained every accessory it was ever supplied with even after say 10 years. I am not OCD but I just take care of things and it comes so naturally to me as I'm sure it does to any other enthusiast. That said, I am always amazed and curious to know how it happens that so many pre owned bikes in particular, are missing things like: Owners handbook; spare keys; tool kit; spare fuses; the odd nut or bolt and also always seem to have stripped sump bolts and general fixings; missing fixings, dubious wiring and so on and so forth. At what stage do owners become bodgers who no longer care about the integrity of their vehicles?
The day after the warranty period runs out, when they can start ripping the thing apart themselves without proper tools and with only basic knowledge.
Easy, move home several times. Things get shoved into clutter filled boxes & then boxes get accidentally chucked into the bin.
I do understand that but what sort of people are we talking about? Surely not the sort of people that frequent forums like this. I just find it quite staggering that owners are so uncaring about their vehicles.
Hmmm.... Being the devils advocate for a moment... Some people's poor repairs are done to the best of their ability. And if these repairs work, they are possibly good repairs in their eyes? As for the obsession to have everything original including what is sometimes just free tat included to sell the bike -meh! I do get the irritation when a numbered plaque is missing from a yoke, but I doubt the owners remove them. Is it not more likely that they simply fell off whilst riding? So blame Ducati. Personally I look after my "stuff" pretty well. I prize reliability above all else so you won't find a bodged repair on my bikes. But you may be displeased that some things are upgraded (not original -better!) and sometimes there will be cosmetic changes too. Chances are you will get the books. Maybe not a key ring or cover though. They were probably used and worn out over the years, or maybe a young relative was given the shiny bauble? But you knew this when you bought the bike!
A lot of stuff like bikes and sportscars get bought for a "summer pose" so therefore misused and not maintained.
Totally understood and I agree with all that is said. For me it is always the depressing heartbroken moment when you suddenly realise that some previous bodge job is going to cost you money. If only such things were known when I bought the bike!! It is a terrible indictment that facts are withheld for no other reason than to catch the innocent and maybe naive buyer. Sadly, this is now the world we live in.
Agreed, people who conceal known defects are arseholes. The alternative is to pay £2000 more at a dealer where they have to put it right or give a full refund. Mostly I only buy really well priced or projects from private sellers. That means I have some money in the deal to make the car/bike right in the event of it being a lemon. That said, (touching wood) I haven't been stitched up for a longtime.
What Jez sez. There's a solar system of difference between a missing manual and stripped threads. Personally I've never expected to find an original tool kit - had most of the 999's, but meh anyway. They're usually inadequate - chocolate spanners etc. My position is and has always been from the moment you take possession it's your responsibility: your property; your life. Before going Ducati I used to effectively strip and rebuild every bike I ever owned - though I always thought at the back of my mind I was being a bit OCD myself. Even when the owner isn't a mechanic capable of personally ensuring everything their life depends on works and is sound and anything you might need at the side of the road between towns in the middle of the night is present, don't rely on the average previous owner. Most of them haven't got a clue.
