Man you guys are brutal , try running a business with overhead and making a profit. It's not easy especially when's its so competitive . my buddy runs a Indy shop he needs $80 an hour just to squeak by after all business expenses, health care, labor, and on and on it goes.

 

I won't let anyone touch my cars or bikes other than tire changes because I hate doing it and really would rather pay someone else .

I do find the prices to change oil at the dealership rediculously high at $99 plus tax when I can change the the oil on any Harley I have owned including the Primary oil and adjust the chain for that price three times and know it was done correctly.

And if I need to do any major mechanical work it is still easier than doing it on any of our cars .

I think I would. rather totally rebuild my bike rather than change the power steering on my wife's SHO .because that engine may be one of the most reliable and great sounding and looking engines ever made it is so tight it looks like it was shoehorned in .

I plan on a complete fluid change on my Super Glide this weekend and the 20 minutes it will take me will actually feel much less painful after reading this thread .thanks for reinforcing the reason I turn my own wrenches ,and it is not because I'm cheap as much as it is I feel safer knowing I did it not some one who could care less if my bike seizes up on the highway a few hundred miles from the house .

 

i see the other way.... easier to work on the cars vs the bike. (excluding transmissions on low cars)

heavier lift but, more room for error.

 

I have been mechanic for 46 years now and charge an hour and my friends and customers are happy to pay it. As a technician we never just change the oil. We follow the book which is a list of checks of lights,brakes,fluids,tire wear, set tire pressure, check belt tension, check for leaks, road test and general checkover of controls plus grease steering head bearings. Dispose of dirty used oil, I bought a $1500 lift and have invested in $25000 in tools plus equipment. I am busy because its about quality service and preventative maintenance. Guess you can sue me too and all other techs that try to do good work. Try taking your bike to walmart !

 

With all due respect cgaroberts, you are a dying breed. Most dealers let the kid who takes out the trash, sweeps the shop, and gets the coffee do the oil changes. He's not touching my bike! I've been riding since the '60's and have never paid anyone to change my oil. $75-90 to do a 15 minute job? That's nuts! If you can change a light bulb, you can change your own oil.

 

This thread has died, and come back, more times than a cheap horror movie. Lol