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I’m new to Harleys and was curious about quality control. The first bike I bought was a ‘20 Iron 883 and after a couple of weeks, I noticed the rear view mirror nuts were starting to rust. I ended up trading it about three weeks later for a ‘20 Low Rider for a more comfortable highway ride, a little longer range and the six-speed gearbox. Since I bought it, I noticed the triple clamps have scratches and seem to be oxidizing a bit. One of the things I love about this bike is all the bright work. The polished cast items seem so dull compared to the chrome. In addition, the handlebar chrome has a hint of copper color compared to the pipes and rocker covers. It almost seems like it’s tarnishing. Is this normal Harley quality?
The QC of many parts is hard for HD as bits come in from all over right and these parts are built/made down to a price not up. Yo it's not just Harley either it's every manufacturer, sometimes batches get through that aren't quite there .A busy station worker can miss it and the QC guy/gal might only look at every fourth or fifth bike.The station worker has to stop the line if it's not right but if he stops the line and it just needs a buff the guy might get his *** chewed right.He can put a mark or tag on it but the QC guy can still miss it. Harley has made some changes and the QC of bits and pieces isn't quite where it was years ago but the bikes are better everywhere else by a big margin so swings and roundabouts.Fastener bolts now are a case in point they look old/tarnished fast.The paint and major parts are usually good but it's the bits that sometimes aren't there but mostly that's contractor stuff not HD but yes it is on HD in the long run..
I would take that back and get them to look at it if it won't buff down and look good but don't get it nearly there and take it in.Take a picture and then work on it so you can show how it was.You'll get a result.
Someone may argue they've been the the factory and bla bla bla but the guys and gals in the factory are human not machines and humans make mistakes.
Yeah, it's kind of weird. Harley parts are both better and worse than their counterparts. If you're coming from Japanese bikes, especially the cruisers, they look great until you realize 90% of the shiny parts are just chrome plated plastic vs. Harleys which are polished aluminum, stainless, and chrome plated steel. You can certainly replace screws and bolts with stainless in the non-structural parts (e.g., engine covers). Dunno, guess we take the good with the bad, and folks modify, paint, powdercoat and customize just about everything on our bikes anyway.
At least you found out that a 18+ Softail is a huge step up over any Sportster, and my '19 Low Rider is the best Harley I've ever had.
The QC of many parts is hard for HD as bits come in from all over right and these parts are built/made down to a price not up. Yo it's not just Harley either it's every manufacturer, sometimes batches get through that aren't quite there .A busy station worker can miss it and the QC guy/gal might only look at every fourth or fifth bike.The station worker has to stop the line if it's not right but if he stops the line and it just needs a buff the guy might get his *** chewed right.He can put a mark or tag on it but the QC guy can still miss it. Harley has made some changes and the QC of bits and pieces isn't quite where it was years ago but the bikes are better everywhere else by a big margin so swings and roundabouts.Fastener bolts now are a case in point they look old/tarnished fast.The paint and major parts are usually good but it's the bits that sometimes aren't there but mostly that's contractor stuff not HD but yes it is on HD in the long run..
I would take that back and get them to look at it if it won't buff down and look good but don't get it nearly there and take it in.Take a picture and then work on it so you can show how it was.You'll get a result.
Someone may argue they've been the the factory and bla bla bla but the guys and gals in the factory are human not machines and humans make mistakes.
All good points. I get they HD can’t micromanage the quality control of its outside suppliers. I was just curious if this was the norm.
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Harley QC
