After seeing the beautiful ads in the news papers and attracted by the outlook of the work shop of Castrol Bike Zone, I decided to get my Hero Honda Splendor bike(1999 model) serviced at this place. The bike traveled a mileage of 61000 KM by then.
Place I visited: Castrol Bike Zone. Opp: Aradhana Theatre, Tarnaka X roads, Hyderabad.As soon as I entered the service center, one of their so called senior mechanic came to me and took my bike for a trail run. After he came back, he gave me a list of parts that needs to be replaced.
(No, my bike was not in a bad condition. It’s in a very good running condition, only that it required some general servicing). The list had some 8-9 parts to be replaced and when I asked why, he convinced me saying that the bike already traveled more than 60k KM and all these parts have gone bad. I accepted to get them replaced(My mistake). He gave me an estimate for Rs. 2400 which included the Gold service also.
The next day I went to collect my bike. They said they bike was ready except for wax polishing and that would be done in 10-15 mins. Mean while I made the pament which was Rs. 1990/- and inquired about the changed parts. They gave me some 3-4 parts(including chain bracket set etc). So far it has been a very pleasant experience. The bike was very good for a week’s time and slowly started making noises in the engine.
I dont use my bike regularly coz I usually drive my car. After 2 months of servicing the noises were unbearable and I took my bike to the work shop again.(1st visit after the service). The bike travelled 1500 KM after servicing. The mechanic over there adjusted few things(the chain, tyre) and said some cam chain(donno if I spelled it correct) needs to be replaced. I said all those were replaced in the previous service just 2 months back. He told me to run & check the bike for some more time and asked me to come back if there were any probs.
I work for a software company and usually don’t get time on week days. The bike continued to make noises in the engine, so, after a month’s time, I took my bike to the work shop again(2nd visit after the service). Now the senior mechanic after examining the bike said, the oil level has gone down than the minimum level which is why the engine is making those noises. I told him its only time has passed(3 months since the service but the bike was not used). For that he said even if we run the bike or not the oil level in the engine still goes down. I differed with his argument though. Finally, I agreed to change the engine oil.(Costed me Rs. 220/- Engine Oil+ Oil change charges). Later he said, now the engine will not make any noises.
After checking the bike for a week, I observed that the noises in the engine have increased. So, I took the bike again to them(3rd visit after the service). They said they already have enough bikes for that day for servicing and are short staffed and requested me to come some other day. They agreed to change the cam chain which was assumed to be the root cause of the problem.
Next weekend I took my bike again(4th visit after the service). The senior mechanic was not in there this time and a different one looked into the problem. Opened the engine to replace the cam chain kit and said the rubber washer there only needs to be replaced and entire kit need not be replaced. It took them 2 hours to get that and replaced. He assured the prob would be solved now.
The engine started to make more weird noises and I was totally frustrated by then. The following weekend I took my bike again to the workshop(5th visit after the service)and demanded to speak to a Manager / proprietor. After 30 mins of waiting the proprietor finally came and convinced me saying that he would get the cam chain replaced.
Mean while the senior mechanic took my bike for a trail run and after coming back explained me some automobile jargon and said it was not the cam chain prob but some thing else in the engine, He asked me to leave the bike there and collect it in the evening. I had no choice but to accept.
In the evening when I went there, they said the repair has been done and asked me to take the bike. As soon as I drove the bike I realized the prob was not rectified and decided to get it repaired some where else.(I think they did not even touch my bike).
Now my bike is totally messed up and is making all weird noises in the engine. It did not give me any problems in 60000 KM but with in 3000 KM after it was serviced in Bike Zone gave me nothing but problems.
Conclusion: If you want to mess with your bike only then go to Castrol Bike Zone. I would never recommend this place to any one. Any road side mechanic is far better and genuine than these people.