That's good to hear.

I think I would be a little concerned if My dealer "farmed out" warranty work to an Indy? Nothing wrong at all with Indy shops, But I have never heard of that practice before......I will have to look into that. I would assume that at a minimum they would have to be HD certified.

 

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/...hog3/M1183.pdf

This link was earlier in the post.

 

MANY HD dealerships send out warrenty repair bikes to independants. There are about a half dozen independants in the DelMarVa area alone that does warrenty work for dealerships. There is a good chance your own local dealership farms out warrenty and overflow work as well. Just don't expect them to ever tell you. If HD dealerships told you they sourced out some technical work for whatever reason(too many to list), its going to make the customer question why they should even bring their bike into that dealership in the first place, since the dealership itself in effect becomes nothing more than a "middleman" and losses even more credibility. Do you know how many posts I read every day from people bringing their bikes into dealerships for engine work, only to have them running like cr@p in one form or another after they get them back from simple things like big bore kits, or exhaust and intake mods, reflashes etc? Its rediculous. And its non stop.

If you want to be a little concerned about who works on your bike, then look right at any HD dealership. Most of the "techs" have little to 0 formal training. For the most part they dont need it, all they are doing is bolting on your silly chrome accesories, which btw all come with detailed instructions on how to install. Any monkey off the street can do it. "HD certification", LOL! Its a big joke. But what do you expect when many dealerships are paying less than $10 an hour for entry level techs and peanuts for even semi skilled technicians? Everybody in the industry knows that most of the skilled techs in this business work at an independant or own their own where earning potential is so much greater. Just the excuse another forum member here posted about his own dealership waiting for "videos" on how to do the repair before they supposedly attempt it. Or waiting on a Transmission "specialty tool" LOL! You would think a true tech would have em already. So many excuses, the pile is sooooo deep!

 

If the speciality tool is the one referenced in the service bulletin, anybody could make up that tool themselves. And probably at a lower cost than the actual tool costs. When I saw what needed to be done to change out those parts, in the tranny, I say no way. I have no problems with my Tranny or bike now and I do not want any tech to cause some. If my transmission does act up, I am replacing the tranny. ( I will replace it myself. If you want it done right do it yourself. ) I have used screw extractors before and they are not real kind on the metal parts they twist into. Any opinions on what anyone thinks about all the dismantling of the Clutch assembly, pulling the primary housing off, pulling the tranny apart and using the screw extactor on the shift drums. Can you say damaged seals, and transmission components early demise due to metal shavings and burrs. And do'nt forget leaks due to poor alignment of reinstalled components. For once I agree with H-D Megaman. You need proper training to do it right the first time. Most independents do it right because they want to stay in business.

 

They picked up my Low Rider on the 15th. I went by the dealer on the 22th and my baby was on the rack.

The parts came in on the 21th. Mine was the first one they did. They are also doing the 1000 mile while it is in.

I might even get a discount on the first service if the procedures overlap.

Dealer time to perform this job is 3 to 3 1/2 hours.

Lee

 

I got a call today asking for my permission to do the recall work on my WG while they already have it in the shop doing the 1000 mile service and putting on the stuff I bought. They said they will still have the bike back to me when promised.

 

Using a screw extractor to remove the fork shift shafts is the proper way to remove them, and if inserted right wont cause any metal chips to fly. You dont want to clamp down to the shafts from the outside that would damage them.

 

Chukmar,

I live in Culver and have been to the Valpo shop many times, strictly as a visitor. Just wanted to inform in case you didn't know, the Michigan City shop is run by the same people as Valpo. If you want a good indy mechanic I know of a couple in the area and can give you information on them if you would like.

 

Thanks for the info - I believe you're right and I think the same owners have 4 or 5 dealerships in Indiana. You're not the 1st person that has told me they've only gone to the Valpo HS as a visitor

Any additional info on some indy's would be appreciated. BTW I ended up talking with the folks at the HD dealer in Munster - they're the ones I'll probably go through to have the recall done for my WG. Thanks again . . .

Ride safe . . .

 

My recall work was completed and the promise to have the bike in my possession by Christmas Eve was kept. The dealer informed me that everyone in the shop was involved and witnessed the recall work as it was performed on my motorcycle. I was informed that there was a DVD as well.

We had a glorious 50 degree 24th of December. The Sun was shining bright as I dropped Bertha (my bike) into first and smartly pulled out of the parking lot. I ran her through the paces and everything checked out just fine. I can honestly tell you fine people that if you ever have bike problems in the Pittsburgh, PA vicinity that Cerini's (PA's oldest dealer) is your absolute best option.

Happy New Year