How old before dealer won't work on bike?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,857
Likes: 2,503
From: Lake Orion, MI
I use to ride Wings - many Honda dealers will not work on a bike that is older than 10 years old. The reason they give is - (and someone mentioned this earlier bikes come in there in pretty bad shape - been sitting for years. Then when the bike is being repaired, if something else breaks because of age, the rider wants the dealer to fix it for free. This is in addition to the cost of the original fix that some guys think is too expensive.
My Harley dealers says they will work on anything that they can get parts for. They also let you know that there may be a delay in fixing some older bikes.
My Harley dealers says they will work on anything that they can get parts for. They also let you know that there may be a delay in fixing some older bikes.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 164
From: Northern California
I use to ride Wings - many Honda dealers will not work on a bike that is older than 10 years old. The reason they give is - (and someone mentioned this earlier bikes come in there in pretty bad shape - been sitting for years. Then when the bike is being repaired, if something else breaks because of age, the rider wants the dealer to fix it for free. This is in addition to the cost of the original fix that some guys think is too expensive.
My Harley dealers says they will work on anything that they can get parts for. They also let you know that there may be a delay in fixing some older bikes.
My Harley dealers says they will work on anything that they can get parts for. They also let you know that there may be a delay in fixing some older bikes.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 39
From: San Diego
Younger mechanics will have little training on the older bikes, and many of the repair parts are no longer supported and available through Harley. Many dealerships just put in a cut off point for the older bikes as sourcing parts takes too much time.
Additionally, older bikes are not worth all that much, and few owners will wish to spend more money than they are worth to keep them in safe riding condition. Lot of older bikes are brought to a dealership, and when the customer is given the estimate, they decline the service. Many older bikers wish to keep their bikes running on a shoe-string, and dealerships cannot make money on that.
However, there are many independant shops where the shop owners cut their teeth on these older bikes. They can source used and 3rd party parts and keep the older bikes on the road inexpensively and still stay in business.
Additionally, older bikes are not worth all that much, and few owners will wish to spend more money than they are worth to keep them in safe riding condition. Lot of older bikes are brought to a dealership, and when the customer is given the estimate, they decline the service. Many older bikers wish to keep their bikes running on a shoe-string, and dealerships cannot make money on that.
However, there are many independant shops where the shop owners cut their teeth on these older bikes. They can source used and 3rd party parts and keep the older bikes on the road inexpensively and still stay in business.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: kansas
kinda how the world is these day, too many guys doing most of the things and not enuf doing the least of things.
its pretty shitty they don't have anyone to take care all year Harleys but on the flip side if they are even close to not 100% confident then you are better off leaving no doubt about it.
The Harley world this last 6-8 years is similar to the auto world when I got into it. Older guys wouldn't touch fuel injection and younger guys wouldn't touch carburetors. I did both and adapted to fuel injection, computers etc.. My guess is the older guys wont touch fuel injection and that's really all there is anymore so maybe shops don't have a use for them which is too bad? I could be off base there tho?????? paul
its pretty shitty they don't have anyone to take care all year Harleys but on the flip side if they are even close to not 100% confident then you are better off leaving no doubt about it.
The Harley world this last 6-8 years is similar to the auto world when I got into it. Older guys wouldn't touch fuel injection and younger guys wouldn't touch carburetors. I did both and adapted to fuel injection, computers etc.. My guess is the older guys wont touch fuel injection and that's really all there is anymore so maybe shops don't have a use for them which is too bad? I could be off base there tho?????? paul
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 1,239
From: New England
I'd rather have a dealer tell me upfront that they can't/won't work on an old bike than to have them try to fix it, bill me, and maybe not fix it at all.
I give that dealer props for not taking in something that they didn't feel comfortable with. Many dealers will 'try' just to make a buck.
I give that dealer props for not taking in something that they didn't feel comfortable with. Many dealers will 'try' just to make a buck.
Stage I
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville FL
I think I know the reason why they won't work on them.
I have 8 motorccyles, none newer than 1974, including a '66 Sportster. Trying to remove an old screw can result in twisting off the head. Then you are really screwed.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 920
Likes: 897
From: Upstate NY
When I worked at a HD dealership the unspoken rule was this:
Older than 15 years and WELL KEPT- standard shop rates apply. (You can tell just by looking at a bike how the owner treats it and if maintenance has been done prior)
Older than 15 years and neglected- quote EXTREMELY HIGH and prepare customer for worst case scenario. This usually helped to weed out the true motorcycle enthusiasts from the 'hey I just found this in Dads barn and think its a quick fix so I can flip it and make some money' kind of customers.
Older than 15 years and a total roach- Throw the book at them. Give them such an insanely high estimate that they start cursing at you. We wouldnt refuse the work but we would make it financially impossible. (We had a guy bring us an older 883. It was nasty. Every part was covered in corrosion and rust and cheap aftermarket parts. It ran like ****. Tires were bald and everything leaked. He wanted a 1200 conversion but didnt want to address any of the other issues. We didnt feel like we could do the job safely due to the condition of everything else. He pressed the issue....we quoted him something crazy like $4500 bucks.) This was in 1999 dollars) Dude swore at us stormed out.
Moral of the story- At some point of neglect, a bike becomes a liability. Take care of your stuff.
Older than 15 years and WELL KEPT- standard shop rates apply. (You can tell just by looking at a bike how the owner treats it and if maintenance has been done prior)
Older than 15 years and neglected- quote EXTREMELY HIGH and prepare customer for worst case scenario. This usually helped to weed out the true motorcycle enthusiasts from the 'hey I just found this in Dads barn and think its a quick fix so I can flip it and make some money' kind of customers.
Older than 15 years and a total roach- Throw the book at them. Give them such an insanely high estimate that they start cursing at you. We wouldnt refuse the work but we would make it financially impossible. (We had a guy bring us an older 883. It was nasty. Every part was covered in corrosion and rust and cheap aftermarket parts. It ran like ****. Tires were bald and everything leaked. He wanted a 1200 conversion but didnt want to address any of the other issues. We didnt feel like we could do the job safely due to the condition of everything else. He pressed the issue....we quoted him something crazy like $4500 bucks.) This was in 1999 dollars) Dude swore at us stormed out.
Moral of the story- At some point of neglect, a bike becomes a liability. Take care of your stuff.
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