Attempted fuel theft?

[Grahamm]

I keep my bike in the shed at the bottom of my garden and there's a door which leads out on to an alleyway which is, admittedly, not too secure and the door from the garden doesn't lock anyway.

When I came to unlock my bike to get it out, I noticed that the bolts holding the front of the fuel tank down had been removed. After a good check around, I was certain that nothing else had been tampered with, so I think that someone had tried to lift the tank to drain the petrol.

Fortunately I always store it with the steering lock on which meant that they couldn't raies the tank as the handlebars got in the way of the metal tabs on the front of it, but it was none the less very annoying and concerning in case they'd tried to do something else too.

I've reported it via 101, but the Police basically said "Well we can take a statement, but that's it unless we catch them trying it somewhere else."

Anyone else ever had something like this happen?

 

[ChristoT]

Yup, Deefer had a tankful nicked from his FJ1200 a while back.

I'd say secure the gate better, or invest in a security camera. If they know where the bike is for fuel, that knowledge *may* be passed on to bike thieves.

[fazersharp]

Are you sure that it dig not just work its way out on a ride and you have only just noticed it

[Dead Eye]

There are 6 bolts I think so that sounds like attempted theft to me. Thankfully there is another one under the cap which can only be accessed if you have the key ^.^

[Grahamm]

Are you sure that it dig not just work its way out on a ride and you have only just noticed it

There are two bolts and I always make sure they're cinched tight when I've had the tank lifted.

Actually I've found one which had lodged on top of the radiator, but the other one is nowhere to be seen

There are 6 bolts I think so that sounds like attempted theft to me. Thankfully there is another one under the cap which can only be accessed if you have the key ^.^

It was the two at the front of the tank, not the ones on the fuel filler cap.

[fazersharp]

Are you sure that it dig not just work its way out on a ride and you have only just noticed it

There are two bolts and I always make sure they're cinched tight when I've had the tank lifted.

Actually I've found one which had lodged on top of the radiator, but the other one is nowhere to be seen

It was the two at the front of the tank, not the ones on the fuel filler cap.

I was thinking "no there isnt there is only one" but then I see you have the FZ6 and not the FZS---- as you were, get some extra security NOW

[midden]

Yup, Deefer had a tankful nicked from his FJ1200 a while back.

I'd say secure the gate better, or invest in a security camera. If they know where the bike is for fuel, that knowledge *may* be passed on to bike thieves.

Shame on you young apprentice. Deefer may have enjoyed telling that story himself.   

[midden]

Are you sure that it dig not just work its way out on a ride and you have only just noticed it

Actually I've found one which had lodged on top of the radiator, but the other one is nowhere to be seen

Sounds like they may have come out as  fazersharp suggested, otherwise I'd have thought the other would have been found.  If not I'd say you were lucky they didn't do more damage for the sake of it

[taylor]

 buy a cheap alarm?

[lew600fazer]

Seems a lot of trouble to go to for what, max 19 litres of fuel ? why not just go and siphon of a car tank full

[ChristoT]

Seems a lot of trouble to go to for what, max 19 litres of fuel ? why not just go and siphon of a car tank full

Most cars now have anti-siphon devices. But agreed. Hence my caveat about them coming back for the rest of it! 

[midden]

Yup, Deefer had a tankful nicked from his FJ1200 a while back.

I'd say secure the gate better, or invest in a security camera. If they know where the bike is for fuel, that knowledge *may* be passed on to bike thieves.

Thats good point because bike thieves Daren't fill up at the petrol station through fear of being caught

[Grahamm]

Sounds like they may have come out as  fazersharp suggested, otherwise I'd have thought the other would have been found. 

The chances of both of them working loose simultaneously would be pretty remote.

If not I'd say you were lucky they didn't do more damage for the sake of it

Yep.

Last time someone got in there, they pinched the metal caps off the tyre valves and then, when they couldn't steal either the motorbike or the pushbike, punctured the tyres on the bicycle (be thankful for small mercies!)

buy a cheap alarm?

The bike has an alarm, but the motion sensor hasn't worked since some idiot nerfed the bike in a car park a while back.

I did get a replacement, but the speaker on it was knackered and I'd never got around to fixing it, but now at least this has given me the impetus to sort it out :/

[midden]

The chances of both of them working loose simultaneously would be pretty remote.

Its possible you may not have noticed just the one missing.  Seems strange they would enter garden to get in and risk being spotted rather than break in through the door to the alley.  Presuming you haven't advertised the garden door is unlocked.

[darrsi]

I had something happen to me last year where the police were equally foccing unhelpful.

[stevierst]

Sounds like kids/teens to me, hence the lack of success due to mechanical naivety.


Up the security buddy, there's a chance they'll be back. And the cops couldn't really do a great deal there. As shit as it sounds to be absolutely honest, the 'intruders' haven't really committed any crime apart from vehicle interference.

Just a shame you didn't catch them in the act. Can't beat a bit of restorative justice if you'll excuse the pun >

[Grahamm]

Its possible you may not have noticed just the one missing. 

Sorry, but that's incredibly unlikely and even less likely that I'd not have noticed the second one working loose too.

[lew600fazer]

Keep your fingers crossed they just do not decide to torch the place , suspect it is kids up to no good, stop fecking about and get a decent audible alarm, install it or lose it your call.

[locksmith]

Before you get too paranoid.
Are you sure absolutely nothing else in the shed was taken or moved?
A couple of scrotes in your shed, alone, will have a rummage to see what they can find.
Was the shed door or gate still swinging open?
If they were disturbed they wouldn't hang about closing doors.
Was there no damage to the bike? Presumably they would have tried yanking it past the handle bars causing some damage.

So if nothing else was out of place, I'd be surprised if you had visitors.

It's just possible that last time you had the tank off, you only nipped both bolts and forgot to tighten them both. This would make it perfectly feasible for two bolts to come loose and fall off.  We've all done it!

Obviously you need a serious review of your security arrangements so at least this incident has given you a kick up the backside!!!!

[taylor]

smear the handles with dog shit,

[Grahamm]

Are you sure absolutely nothing else in the shed was taken or moved?

There's nothing of any value in the shed apart from the Optimate!

Was the shed door or gate still swinging open?
If they were disturbed they wouldn't hang about closing doors.

I don't they were disturbed, just stymied when they couldn't lift the tank.

Was there no damage to the bike? Presumably they would have tried yanking it past the handle bars causing some damage.

I've not noticed any damage to the handlebars or the tabs at the front of the tank where the bolts go. Also, although it's at the bottom of the garden and not obvious, if they'd tried brute force they may have attracted some attention.

It's just possible that last time you had the tank off, you only nipped both bolts and forgot to tighten them both. This would make it perfectly feasible for two bolts to come loose and fall off.  We've all done it!

Sorry, but I really don't think this is the case. Even if I'd somehow forgotten (which I very much doubt) the idea that they would both come out simultaneously is unlikely and it's even less likely that I'd have not noticed one missing and then have the second one fall out too.

[midden]

Can't say I've ever paid much attention to the single bolt on my tank.

[Dead Eye]

I've ridden around with the single bolt missing on my blue fazer before... only for a few miles at which point I realised and returned home :P woops

[Deefer666]

Yup, Deefer had a tankful nicked from his FJ1200 a while back.

I'd say secure the gate better, or invest in a security camera. If they know where the bike is for fuel, that knowledge *may* be passed on to bike thieves.

Yup obviously I now have someone to tell all my stories for me.

[midden]

Yup, Deefer had a tankful nicked from his FJ1200 a while back.

I'd say secure the gate better, or invest in a security camera. If they know where the bike is for fuel, that knowledge *may* be passed on to bike thieves.

Yup obviously I now have someone to tell all my stories for me.

Next he'll be paying your shopping bill for ya. Or even better washing your Y fronts