1,000 mi service story

[Hoosier XLC]

I agree, wrench your own! I think Jam's right, if somebodys gonna fuck it up, it might as well be you. You will also gain experience and learn something in the process, you'll learn how to do it, not how much the dealers gonna charge ya.

LD has a thread on here about warranty work, where they have to prove what you worked on affected the part that failed. It's a good read and i'll see if I can find it later and post a link here.

[Goshawk]

The only time they have to prove anything is if you sue them. h-d did not honor the warranty on my 2007 Sportster.
Their reason, which is illegal, is that I did the 1,000 mile service. They also said if an independent shop did the work they will not honor the warranty.
I will continue to work on my own bike but I will never buy another motorcycle from those pieces of shit.

[Tinman13]

Originally Posted by Goshawk

I will continue to work on my own bike but I will never buy another motorcycle from those pieces of shit.

Amen. I love my scoots but I have a lot of issues with the MoCo Stealerships and the Co itself.

Here are a couple of pieces that ran on Bikernet




FROM THE ARCHIVES For the Week of November 11, 2007

EXPERTS BLAME INEXPERIENCE FOR BIKING DEATHS-- The number of deadly motorcycle accidents in Virginia is up 87 percent this year. So far, 116 bikers have died in 2007.-- By Andy Jenks, NBC12 News.
We can't publish the rest of the article due to copyrights, but it spills the same shit on a crime against motorcyclists. Of course the article spoke of older inexperiences riders, helmets and more training.
--from the Tinman
Can't see the fuckin' problem??? It's a free 1/4 page ad for H.D. Come in and buy one of our $400 helmets, a few hundred on other gear, and while your here sign up to spend another $300 on a refresher course.
Could be inattentive drivers might cause an increase. Can you tell me about another vehicle that requires "special training?" A 16 yr. old can drive off in a SUV the size of a fuckin' bus without any requirements. I can name some others but I don't see the point.
Here in Florida it's now mandatory that you take a safety course before you can get a motorcycle endorsement, and that's discrimination, and just plain wrong.
--Tinman
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



For the Week of June 3, 2007

BIKERNET SUNDAY POST - JIMS TOOLS, DARRYLS GIRL, MRF OFFICES, RFR TEASERS AND MORE.

FACTORY HELMET INSPECTIONS ENCOURAGED-- H-D is embarking on a marketing campaign to urge riders to bring their helmets in for inspection. Harley is suggesting you bring your helmet in for inspection and replace it every 3-4 years. More marketing especially if you consider the helmets are going from $200.00-$400.00 with a nice profit margin for the dealers.
I am not sure how they plan to inspect them as the only true test to find out if they meet the FMVSS218 standard is a destruction test.
When I got a e-mail from H.(hundred) D.($$$) a few weeks ago about the helmet inspection, we laughed our asses off. Told my old lady they were probably out back smacking customers heads against trees (and make 'em like it). New helmet every 3 or 4 years, what a crock of shit. I think I might have one around here from '71. There's a lot of clueless buttplugs that will fall for that shit. They can sell the yupsters just about anything. Crying fuckin' shame.
Man, all this BS has me really longing for days long gone. Remember when you stopped in at a H.D. shop and the salesman was finishing up a tune-up? Then was ready to blow a doob with you and shoot the shit for awhile. Fuck me, now it's Harleys 'R' Us. Dollar bills Brother, dollar bills. If you see me wearing a Harley shirt, just kick me in the nuts. I'm looking at Victorys real hard. I'll never get rid of my Harleys, but I'm not advertising for them anymore. Fuck the Factory. I spend my time at the small, independent shops. They're the ones that stay true to you and the life. --Tinman

[HEADBANGER]

I had my 1000 mi service done by a HD certified independent he adjusted my clutch to tight and put in 1 quart too much in the primary ended up costing me 200.00 at the dealer to fix. I won't be using any more independents.

[Tinman13]

Originally Posted by HEADBANGER

I had my 1000 mi service done by a HD certified independent he adjusted my clutch to tight and put in 1 quart too much in the primary ended up costing me 200.00 at the dealer to fix. I won't be using any more independents.

You can get a service manual on e-bay for $35 or less, a few tools and more oil and tranny lube, and still get in for less than $200.

Also, I would ask around about different independents. Reputation goes a long way, and if you find someone you trust it's like gold. You'll never find a bond with a stealership. With their $8.00 hr. wrenches the turnover rate is pretty high.

BTW, what did you get for $200?

[LA_Dave]

Originally Posted by Tinman13

You can get a service manual on e-bay for $35 or less, a few tools and more oil and tranny lube, and still get in for less than $200.

Also, I would ask around about different independents. Reputation goes a long way, and if you find someone you trust it's like gold. You'll never find a bond with a stealership. With their $8.00 hr. wrenches the turnover rate is pretty high.

BTW, what did you get for $200?

Tinman is 100-percent right. You can't just stumble into any shop and expect the best from 'em. You've got to shop around and find one that you can trust and you can build a relationship with. Get references from others that ride. I mean really ride and don't go with the "Road to chrome is paved with plastic" crowd.

Yeah, some of the unauthorized (Indy) shops can be a bit scary to walk in to. Long haired greasy bikers might work there sometimes, there may be some "1-Percenters" hanging out too. So what? If you've done you're homework on the guy, you're gonna find out that he'll give you the same attention and respect that he gives them. I've been dealin' with the same indy for years, I trust him, he trusts me. I don't go anywhere else without going to him first...

And spend a few bucks for a service manual. It would've saved you a lot of grief and money in the long run...

[skratch]

Originally Posted by Goshawk

I did my 1,000 mile service myself and harley davidson tells me my warranty is no good because of it.
When informed it is illegal to require that they do the 1,000 mile service to honor the warranty they replied that they do not care.
After they get your money they do not give a shit about you or your bike.

i know that you know its illegal to do that, i would go to a different dealer, if you have that choice (we don't in this area, 1 dealer 60 miles one way, good dealer 120 miles one way). this is of course only for any warranty service that would need to be done. everything else, self done.

[thatscool]

I cant complain about the kokomo harley shop. They are good people, and a "welcome to the family" was a pleasant surprise. any work I cant do goes to them. I did have a bike for three years and never ran right, I had dealers want to rebuild the carbs, the backyard shop did nothing to the bike and charged me, didnt put on a rear tire I asked for. because in his opinion " it would last the summer " in the end, I noticed the tank had been on reserve since I bought it, when I switched to " tank " on the gas line it ran like a scalded dog! somthing so frustrating was actually so simple.

[Moe Taters]

This week I will be doing my 105,000 service.... I am thinking of taking an oil sample to get analized.. 4 quarts of Mobil1 and a Wally World Supertech filter..

Moe Taters