Another reason to do it yourself!
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 4
From: Ponchatoula Louisiana
Another reason to do it yourself!
Just got my bike back for some warranty work (primary bearing and starter clutch). Heard what sounded like minor exhaust leak and figured maybe just loose clamps at the slip on or something simple. After closer examination found missing nut on bottom flange at rear exhaust header and another nut at the front header about to fall off. I went back and asked the tech if he had to drop the exhaust for the job and he said he had to loosen it. The look of shame and embarrassment on his face was apparent. He ran to the back and got a new flange nut and said he'd put it on while I waited. I told him no thanks and put it on myself and tightened the rest of them. At $85.00 an hour you would think things like this wouldn't happen. I can only imagine how someone with a short temper and a new $30,000 bike would have treated them. Not the first time from this dealership, but they really expedite things and go out of their way to take care of me, but it could have been something really dangerous. You really have to go over the bike with a fine tooth comb when you get it back. It's sad when you lose trust in a shop that you would like to give your business to. Rant over!
The only people who don't make mistakes are the who don't do anything, anyone can make a mistake, but it's how they put it right, and the guy certainly done that.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 8
From: Louisiana
I had the same thing happen. Dropped my 2012 Fat Bob off to get a Stage 1 done. When I picked it up I noticed a bolt sticking out, a plug just hanging down, and some weird smudge on the intake elbow that looked like black RTV. I was pretty pissed. The loose bolt was one that didnt even need to be messed with. And the black smudge was actually paint, like someone scratched the elbow and then tried to cover it up. That was my first Harley service experience and needless to say I wasnt impressed. Im going to give them the 1000 mile service but after that Im going to look for a good indie shop for the work I cant or dont feel comfortable doing myself.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 4
From: Ponchatoula Louisiana
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Midlothian, TX
I prefer to do maintenance myself so I know it was done right.
I got a question though. I got an extended warranty on my bike and was planning on doing the maintenance myself. As long as you keep records of the maintenance you do, the dealer could not deny any repairs under warranty. Is that correct? I would be pissed if something broke and they denied repairing it because they might say you did not do the maintenance correctly or at the right intervals?
Anyone have that happen to them? Or am I just freaking paranoid??
I got a question though. I got an extended warranty on my bike and was planning on doing the maintenance myself. As long as you keep records of the maintenance you do, the dealer could not deny any repairs under warranty. Is that correct? I would be pissed if something broke and they denied repairing it because they might say you did not do the maintenance correctly or at the right intervals?
Anyone have that happen to them? Or am I just freaking paranoid??
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
Sounds like a good reason to NOT do it yourself. Who do you rant about when *you're* the one who forgets to tighten a bolt? 
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,632
Likes: 46
From: East Hartford, CT
I too have an extended warranty and have never been back to the dealer since driving it away.
At 7500 miles I have a perfect running maintained bike, I do all the maintinance I can and that has been everything so far.
I purchased a spoke torque wrench and tighten to spec more than the service intervals requires but I don't record everything item I do but believe me every critcal bolt is checked and torqued to spec.
Oils are changed, clutche adjusted, fall away adjusted ect ect..
I get enjoyment in maintaining the bike and that is half the fun.
Hopefilly I will not have to go in for warranty work.
I ride the bike every fringging day (not to my neighbors delight) rain or shine and the bike has preformed great. Go harley!
At 7500 miles I have a perfect running maintained bike, I do all the maintinance I can and that has been everything so far.
I purchased a spoke torque wrench and tighten to spec more than the service intervals requires but I don't record everything item I do but believe me every critcal bolt is checked and torqued to spec.
Oils are changed, clutche adjusted, fall away adjusted ect ect..
I get enjoyment in maintaining the bike and that is half the fun.
Hopefilly I will not have to go in for warranty work.
I ride the bike every fringging day (not to my neighbors delight) rain or shine and the bike has preformed great. Go harley!
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 4
From: Ponchatoula Louisiana
Don't worry. Got enough bruises on my azz from kickin' it myself!