Harley Told me today...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 22
From: Beautiful Downtown Burbank
Damn Joe, you're slippin
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
I went into my dealer too browse around one day and asked the service guy how much the labor would be to install the lowering springs in the forks (already had the kit) he said it would take 3.5 hours, so I asked how much per hour and the douche bag just pointed at a sign that said $95. He then said it would probably take 4 hours and then said it could take as long as 5 hours. It went from 3.5 to 5 hours in a 2 minute conversation. Just confirms my reasoning for doing all my own work.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
You know it really amazes me on how messed up all the labor times are on these bike from what all of you have posted. Im a Toyota MDT tech at a local dealer and we have set hours that we get paid on things. if we are not sure how much something pays we have to look the labor time on ALLDATA. that way it is all standardized. as a tech it kills me to see what you guys go through at the dealer. also as a tech i understand how they make there money. for those of you that dont know techs on flat rate pay will get paid a set amount the do a job no matter how long it takes them. so if a brake job on a car pays 2.5 hours and you do it in 1.5 you still get paid 2.5. but it also works the other way were you lose money because it takes longer then what it pays. i guess i just dont understand how theys guy can such varying prices and get away with it but and a car tech if i did that i wouldnt have a job.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From:
Once I was quoted 5 to 6 hours to take the door opener module off of my RKC and put it on my ultra....Keep in mind I didnt know how to do it. I thought it was pretty minor stuff.....It took me 20 minutes to take it off the RKC .....I spend about 1 1/2 hours putting it on my ultra...I just took my time and looked it over pretty good ......To them I`m sure it looks like free money...Since then I have taken it in for 10k service only When I went to pick it up I said "I expected to hear from you about the back tire" SM disapeared and came back and said your right it needs a tire.....finished me off I bought the service manual ......When I need something I`ll take it to "HOGWRENCH" a local INDY........
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: Durban South Africa
+1 on the above, you probably find the rate is the HD standard rate charge, if they take 4/5 hrs you still only get charged for the 3.5, what wasnt mentioned is the cost for all the new cables,, make sure you have all the parts before you start otherwise it will take a lot longer,
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Prague. the Czech Republic
I have done this on Super Glide Custom. 15 minutes to figure out the rope hanging from the roof that holds the handlebar after it is unbolted (I was doing it alone!), 20minutes the exchange itself. But it was 4" risers, no cable exchange necessary.
Last edited by MonteW; Jun 4, 2009 at 03:12 AM.
I don't know if the time estimate is good or not and no I don't work for HD, but it may not be just a matter of a couple of bolts and a couple of minutes. How much slack are you going to need in the wiring harness? It isn't a real good idea to just grab and pull, so you may have to at least raise the tank to get at the bundles. Then again you might have to pull it. Even on HDs' website they tell you that you may need either new cables or need to reroute them depending on what is on the bike now vs the new risers. It may be that it is a 20min job, but don't be surprised if it takes longer. Buckhorns on my sporty were 2+ hours. Yes, I relize there is more to swapping them than just risers but until you start you never know. Would be interesting to have you come back and tell us what it did take. I for one would be interested since I have been thinking of 6" pullbacks on my lowrider instead of the 5" that are on it