Wrenching?
#51
Every time this topic is dug back up, it's the same "only manly men rode back in the day and now these pansies ... blah blah .. ego stroking ... blah blah." I only trust myself to go so far into modifications, after that I'm happy to throw money at someone that knows far more than I do to make sure the job is done right.
I change my own oil and do all of the scheduled maintenance on my bikes but in all honesty......I'm gonna throw some money at my local Indy to change out my handlebars. It's not because I can't do it......it's because I don't wanna do it and spend a whole day doing it! I'd rather sit on my deck or my local pubs deck with some buddy's watching the game or talking about girls we have no chance with then fishing wires and cables through bars and not misplacing every screw and bolt........
The following 2 users liked this post by Kingface:
cacomly (05-17-2018),
FXDXTSport (05-20-2018)
#52
And the factory knows all that. They also know that that's what will net them another few thousand dollars more out of each customer that buys a new bike. And in the end if something major does happen they will still fight you tooth and nail to try and have it not covered under the warranty. They will tie you up with inspection after inspection and review after review. Probably fly in a specialist from the factory to look at your motor or whatever is the source of the problem who will then not be able to identify the root cause and the item will have to be shipped back to the factory for the post mortem which will lead to...- on an on ad nauseum.
I am friends with the service manager; I'm hoping that would help too.
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cacomly (05-17-2018)
#53
Every time this topic is dug back up, it's the same "only manly men rode back in the day and now these pansies ... blah blah .. ego stroking ... blah blah." I only trust myself to go so far into modifications, after that I'm happy to throw money at someone that knows far more than I do to make sure the job is done right.
EXACTLY!!!!! Drives me nuts when I read "Back in my day men were men and boys were boys!!! I'm a real man because I can change a tire!!"
I change my own oil and do all of the scheduled maintenance on my bikes but in all honesty......I'm gonna throw some money at my local Indy to change out my handlebars. It's not because I can't do it......it's because I don't wanna do it and spend a whole day doing it! I'd rather sit on my deck or my local pubs deck with some buddy's watching the game or talking about girls we have no chance with then fishing wires and cables through bars and not misplacing every screw and bolt........
I change my own oil and do all of the scheduled maintenance on my bikes but in all honesty......I'm gonna throw some money at my local Indy to change out my handlebars. It's not because I can't do it......it's because I don't wanna do it and spend a whole day doing it! I'd rather sit on my deck or my local pubs deck with some buddy's watching the game or talking about girls we have no chance with then fishing wires and cables through bars and not misplacing every screw and bolt........
Let me pose a question and be honest with yourselves answering, if Harley had a limited or no warranty and the support titty was few and far between including worthwhile indies just how many of you would still own a harley ?
That my friends is the difference....
The following users liked this post:
TwiZted Biker (05-16-2018)
#55
It's one of those, You had to be there things. Like the difference in calling a guy brother and being his brother.
There's lots of truth in my SIG line.
#56
A DIY individual is a DIY individual, p/o their DNA! Whether it's building a fence, a storage barn, pouring cement or wrenching - it's what they do! Just a fact! I've known guys that will build a fence that is out of plumb, crooked, uneven, weak and ugly but although acknowledging the fact will spend hours on how they constructed the aforementioned, out of plumb, crooked, weak and ugly fence - they're proud of it? The second fence they build is usually a work of art!
If your doing your own wrenching there are a few caveats.
-research the job, know what needs to be done and how much work, expense, time is involved and then decide
-have the correct tools, manuals, parts catalogues, jacks
-have a place to work
-take your time, don't take short cuts
-aim to fix it once and fix it right
-don't fool yourself into thinking you're a pro, you're not!
Experience is learned, not read? It is usually expensive and time consuming. No one is born expert in anything.
If your doing your own wrenching there are a few caveats.
-research the job, know what needs to be done and how much work, expense, time is involved and then decide
-have the correct tools, manuals, parts catalogues, jacks
-have a place to work
-take your time, don't take short cuts
-aim to fix it once and fix it right
-don't fool yourself into thinking you're a pro, you're not!
Experience is learned, not read? It is usually expensive and time consuming. No one is born expert in anything.
Last edited by JackStaff; 05-17-2018 at 04:24 AM.
The following 4 users liked this post by JackStaff:
#57
You guys both missed and eloquently made my point at the same time, different breed altogether now verses then for numerous reasons and changing a tire being the least of them.
Let me pose a question and be honest with yourselves answering, if Harley had a limited or no warranty and the support titty was few and far between including worthwhile indies just how many of you would still own a harley ?
That my friends is the difference....
Let me pose a question and be honest with yourselves answering, if Harley had a limited or no warranty and the support titty was few and far between including worthwhile indies just how many of you would still own a harley ?
That my friends is the difference....
To answer your question......yes, I absolutely would still own a Harley if that fantasy current world were to happen or if we took a time machine back to 1950. It is human nature to adapt to your current surroundings and life....... If that is not inherent in you then you have a lot more to worry about then wrenching on a bike.
#58
EXACTLY!!!!! Drives me nuts when I read "Back in my day men were men and boys were boys!!! I'm a real man because I can change a tire!!"
I change my own oil and do all of the scheduled maintenance on my bikes but in all honesty......I'm gonna throw some money at my local Indy to change out my handlebars. It's not because I can't do it......it's because I don't wanna do it and spend a whole day doing it! I'd rather sit on my deck or my local pubs deck with some buddy's watching the game or talking about girls we have no chance with then fishing wires and cables through bars and not misplacing every screw and bolt........
I change my own oil and do all of the scheduled maintenance on my bikes but in all honesty......I'm gonna throw some money at my local Indy to change out my handlebars. It's not because I can't do it......it's because I don't wanna do it and spend a whole day doing it! I'd rather sit on my deck or my local pubs deck with some buddy's watching the game or talking about girls we have no chance with then fishing wires and cables through bars and not misplacing every screw and bolt........
#60
I built a couple cars when I was in my 20's, 72 and 68 camaros. I didn't know much when I started but after I was done I knew a lot more. I bought my bike and after a couple months I had a plan of what I wanted to do with it. A couple of things happened down that road that "Forced" me to do it myself, Best thing that happened. Ill take it and drop it off for tires but thats about it. I put together my S&S 106 kit, stereo 3X, fluid changes, etc. I have a manual and youtube and common sense so Im confident I can do a lot of it but I know my limits. This has started another obsession, tools. I have been moving the craftsman tools out and have been moving in a lot of snap on, mac, matco and S K. Ive always loved tools and top tier tools are so nice to use. So important to have the right tool for the right job, more than the name on it obviously. Snap On torx and hex bits are so much better than the crap sold at the big stores is crazy though.
Service manual, every owner of a bike should own one. Should be mandatory!
Service manual, every owner of a bike should own one. Should be mandatory!