Intake Manifold
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Stockton Ca.
Intake Manifold
Okay here's the quote of the year from an authorized Harley Extended warranty service mechanic after I found the intake manifold bolts loose to the touch.
"the bolts have loctite on them and are set to a specific depth"
The bolts did not have loctite on them; the flanges were rattling loose and I could reach in with two fingers and turn the bolts. The bearing surface of the socket head cap screw wasn't even touching the flange.
Lessons learned? ALWAYS know what a mechanic has done to your ride so YOU can check their work.
"the bolts have loctite on them and are set to a specific depth"
The bolts did not have loctite on them; the flanges were rattling loose and I could reach in with two fingers and turn the bolts. The bearing surface of the socket head cap screw wasn't even touching the flange.
Lessons learned? ALWAYS know what a mechanic has done to your ride so YOU can check their work.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 23
From: Summit, Mississippi
It's crazy man....idiocy abounds. It has gotten to the point that if I have a break-down or issue on the road...if I can't fix it myself I will bring it home in a U-Haul. The techs HD have in most of the dealerships now are newbies that got their education from MMI, or some on-line technical school. The old-timers are retiring and the newbies will break as much as they fix. I have not bought a new ride in 10-years now and won't. I have something that I can usually repair without dealer assistance (thank goodness) and I intend to hang on to it until it gives me up or I give up. I have one mechanic that I trust here in my home city dealership and I will never let some idiot in another shop touch my scooter unless I can stand over his shoulder.
These people truly believe they actually can pee down your leg and make you think it's raining and this rings-true from the janitor right on up to any VP at Harley I have ever spoken with.
These people truly believe they actually can pee down your leg and make you think it's raining and this rings-true from the janitor right on up to any VP at Harley I have ever spoken with.
Last edited by 0734; Apr 21, 2011 at 07:10 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 7
In any chosen profession, no matter which, if a person wants to be really good at it, it takes 5-7 years to do that.
We used to say takes 4-8 years to really make a HydroCarbon Man who knew what was going on.
I have a Roofer friend who is a real master but you can get people to do it at half his price and then leak and leak and leak.
The Germans still use the Apprintice method and young people start at the factories at 14-16. Teach them everything, school, etc, then how to do the job right.
Problem in America is finding the right people at the right place doing what they love.
We used to say takes 4-8 years to really make a HydroCarbon Man who knew what was going on.
I have a Roofer friend who is a real master but you can get people to do it at half his price and then leak and leak and leak.
The Germans still use the Apprintice method and young people start at the factories at 14-16. Teach them everything, school, etc, then how to do the job right.
Problem in America is finding the right people at the right place doing what they love.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 62
From: GA.
Not defending any of the young techs, but those old timers screwed up in their early days too...... And I bet that everyone here has screwed up on their job as well.
Having said that, I had a dealer do something on my bike a few weeks ago that I couldn't do myself. They screwed it up. Had another dealer check it out, and they said that what the first dealer did was fine, despite the fact that the bike wasn't running right. I ended up fixing it myself in the end, with the help of someone here. I've got no use for dealers when it comes to repairs.
Having said that, I had a dealer do something on my bike a few weeks ago that I couldn't do myself. They screwed it up. Had another dealer check it out, and they said that what the first dealer did was fine, despite the fact that the bike wasn't running right. I ended up fixing it myself in the end, with the help of someone here. I've got no use for dealers when it comes to repairs.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 7
It all comes down to Management.
For most of my lift I fixed all my stuff myself.
Harder to do as you get older.
One of these days these Motorcycle Manufactures will get the message that ---Service--- counts.
For most of my lift I fixed all my stuff myself.
Harder to do as you get older.
One of these days these Motorcycle Manufactures will get the message that ---Service--- counts.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 138
From: NE Ohio
You hit the nail right on the head. The dealer I used to do business with won't ever sell me a 2 cent part let alone another new bike or trike. The owner is arrogant and the service manager doesn't have a clue. Now if they would ever come under new ownership and the hacks they call technicians along with the clueless service mgr was to be weeded out I'd go back because the rest of the folks are great.
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Joe Kucinski
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 7
From: Northeast Ohio
There are still good mechanics at a lot of the dealers, these are the "lead" mechanics and they are there to help the newbie mechanics. If you know who this guy is at your shop, request that he is the only one to touch your bike.
Even lead mechanics will make mistakes occaisionally. They are victims of constant changes in electronics and runing gear, as well as being paid by flat rate which makes them rush at times to make a decent living wage. Auto techs can make $70k a year or more...how many bike mechanics do you think make that kind of coin?
Even lead mechanics will make mistakes occaisionally. They are victims of constant changes in electronics and runing gear, as well as being paid by flat rate which makes them rush at times to make a decent living wage. Auto techs can make $70k a year or more...how many bike mechanics do you think make that kind of coin?
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