Wrong Part for FLD, HD and Dealer says 'oh well'
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 80
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From: Kentucky
You went looking for a specific p/n, the manager said he didn't want to sell it to you because it didn't fit your application but you bought it anyway, installed it, found he was right and now want to return it. On one hand I would say you made a mistake and the parts are yours. On the other hand, I doubt they actually show signs of being installed so what you should have said is "further research reveals these shocks (which we didn't install) won't lower our bike, could we exchange them for ones that will?"
You can probably sell the shocks in the classified section and recover some of your money.
You can probably sell the shocks in the classified section and recover some of your money.
I know I can probably sell them, just do not have much time to list them for sale. I don't spend too much time on the computer. I spend most of my time outdoor riding.
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Kentucky
Buy a repair and parts book for your year, make, & model bike, problems solved on Harley parts....
You could have measured the old shock off the bike and compared it to new shock measurements, then they could be returned un-used...
Regardless of the wrong part mistake, you are solely responsible they fact they have been installed (making them used).
If this is all that has happened to you while wrenching on your bike, you got off cheap. Mark this off as a learning experience, and be a more informed customer where ever you go....in whatever you do...
You could have measured the old shock off the bike and compared it to new shock measurements, then they could be returned un-used...
Regardless of the wrong part mistake, you are solely responsible they fact they have been installed (making them used).
If this is all that has happened to you while wrenching on your bike, you got off cheap. Mark this off as a learning experience, and be a more informed customer where ever you go....in whatever you do...
We looked at the shocks and you (based on what we see) cannot tell them were even installed.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,105
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From: Blaine, WA
Well, regardless of who said what or who asked for what from whom - never, never, ever tell a dealer that you have installed a part and found it to not fit, or otherwise not do what you wanted/expected it too and always, always open packages carefully and treat the part as if you WILL have to return it. To me this is just common sense when buying any product from HD parts to a blender from wally world.
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Kentucky
I feel sorry to hear that, it is pain!
Manage Al said it will work on FLD but did he ever say it will lower your stock FLD? Correct me if I am wrong. I always measure the length from eye to eye to determine height, learn a lesson!
Manager Al read the description of the shocks and told us that he would not sell a part that would not fit our motorcycle. He then told us that these shocks should work on the Switchback (FLD103). After arriving home and putting the shocks on the motorcycle, we noticed that these shocks are the same size shocks that are already on the motorcycle. I put the stock shocks back on the Switchback as the shocks did not lower the motorcycle.
Manage Al said it will work on FLD but did he ever say it will lower your stock FLD? Correct me if I am wrong. I always measure the length from eye to eye to determine height, learn a lesson!
Manager Al read the description of the shocks and told us that he would not sell a part that would not fit our motorcycle. He then told us that these shocks should work on the Switchback (FLD103). After arriving home and putting the shocks on the motorcycle, we noticed that these shocks are the same size shocks that are already on the motorcycle. I put the stock shocks back on the Switchback as the shocks did not lower the motorcycle.
Harley told us that if any part that does not show FLD, do not buy it. The Switchback frame and parts are different from any other Dyna.
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Kentucky
I research some and did not realize until later that actual differences in the lowering shocks. I have found Progressive Suspension for lowering shocks for the FLD103, but now I need to save up some more money for these shocks.
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Kentucky
Well, regardless of who said what or who asked for what from whom - never, never, ever tell a dealer that you have installed a part and found it to not fit, or otherwise not do what you wanted/expected it too and always, always open packages carefully and treat the part as if you WILL have to return it. To me this is just common sense when buying any product from HD parts to a blender from wally world.
In all of the metric motorcycles I had in the past including the variety of parts I ordered for those motorcycles, I never had a situation like this before and there were a few parts over time that were not right. The [metric] dealers ordered the correct parts and/or exchange them without any problems. I guess the Harley world is different from what I have been used to in the past.
I know now not to have much faith in the Parts dept in the Harley dealerships. I figured that they would know more about Harley parts than anyone on fitment, I guess I was wrong.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,105
Likes: 16
From: Blaine, WA
I am starting to realize honesty does not have benefits. However, I am an honest person.
In all of the metric motorcycles I had in the past including the variety of parts I ordered for those motorcycles, I never had a situation like this before and there were a few parts over time that were not right. The [metric] dealers ordered the correct parts and/or exchange them without any problems. I guess the Harley world is different from what I have been used to in the past.
I know now not to have much faith in the Parts dept in the Harley dealerships. I figured that they would know more about Harley parts than anyone on fitment, I guess I was wrong.
In all of the metric motorcycles I had in the past including the variety of parts I ordered for those motorcycles, I never had a situation like this before and there were a few parts over time that were not right. The [metric] dealers ordered the correct parts and/or exchange them without any problems. I guess the Harley world is different from what I have been used to in the past.
I know now not to have much faith in the Parts dept in the Harley dealerships. I figured that they would know more about Harley parts than anyone on fitment, I guess I was wrong.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 521
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
First off welcome to the brotherhood of owning an HD motorcycle.
I agree with most of what others have posted and have also experienced your frustration first hand, Get used to it from harley corporate, they are not worth a Sh*t, rude and condicending, they have your money and now do not care about you, its your problem now. maybe this is why they have almost folded several times throughout their life span but anyway i suggest building a great relationship with your local HD shop to minimize issues like these in the future. Sucks to say what i said but it is true whether you or other agree with me or not. Great bikes but thats about the only thing great about HD. Good Luck.
I agree with most of what others have posted and have also experienced your frustration first hand, Get used to it from harley corporate, they are not worth a Sh*t, rude and condicending, they have your money and now do not care about you, its your problem now. maybe this is why they have almost folded several times throughout their life span but anyway i suggest building a great relationship with your local HD shop to minimize issues like these in the future. Sucks to say what i said but it is true whether you or other agree with me or not. Great bikes but thats about the only thing great about HD. Good Luck.
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NipDawg after reading your post and some of the answers I called the dealer I bought mine from who I have known for over 20 years then I called my Indy who is a lot closer to get there response. First how much do you want to lower the bike? Second is because the bike is still new, unique parts are still on the drawing board. So when they called back the advise they gave was great. The companies that they told me to go with was Burley and progressive. I was also advised that I might try ane of the air ride suspension systems but didn't say if it would work or not
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Kentucky
NipDawg after reading your post and some of the answers I called the dealer I bought mine from who I have known for over 20 years then I called my Indy who is a lot closer to get there response. First how much do you want to lower the bike? Second is because the bike is still new, unique parts are still on the drawing board. So when they called back the advise they gave was great. The companies that they told me to go with was Burley and progressive. I was also advised that I might try ane of the air ride suspension systems but didn't say if it would work or not
If the bike needs to get lowered after the break-in period and some after that, we may get the Progressive Suspension shocks. Either 412-4045B or 430-4045B shocks, which these are 11-inch shocks. The 2012 HD Switchback shocks are 12-inches.