View Poll Results: Should Harley-Davidson manufacture genuine parts and accesories for older model bikes?
Yes, It's about time someone at the MOCO thought of this!
25
71.43%
No, I like sourcing old parts the way it is now...
10
28.57%
Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll
Harley-Davidson Genuine Parts and accessories
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1,046
From: Southwest Desert
Harley-Davidson Genuine Parts and accessories
I have always wondered why H-D hasn't tried to get a corner share in the aftermarket for parts availability. I can get more OEM parts off of eBay for my Evo than I can at my local Harley dealer. Wouldn't it make sense if Genuine Parts were available? Right now, it's sometimes a crap shoot to buy aftermarket pieces as far as quality is concerned.
Many will say that they don't want to keep their bikes running any longer than the warranty period. I say hogwash on that theory. There's a Ton of money to be made there. Why hasn't the factory capitalized on it? Between V-Twin, or Drag Specialties, and quite a few others, wouldn't it make more financial sense to buy out a majority in an aftermarket manufacturer, put Harley-Davidson on the parts label, and cash in? Parts are already made in China and Japan, and everywhere now anyways. They already have the distribution network in play. I say it would be good PR to see older bikes on the road looking newer and running well. For that matter, dealer service shops could be made busier by working on Older bikes.
Restoration shops alone would relish the opportunity to buy genuine parts. Indy shops, and self-wrenchers would benefit from some quality parts.
Wouldn't it make sense to sell accessories like windshields, saddlebags, seats, sissy bars, and side plates for older models? How about brake parts? Master cylinders, calipers, gas tanks, and clutch's etc... Throttle or carb cables, or a starter?
If Harley-Davidson is losing riders and closing dealerships it seems to be the wise next step to profits. They could control quality assurance and put out decent parts.
Before anyone nays this idea, keep in mind that Mercedes Benz sells parts for any of their old cars, and it seems to be working. Benz Car guys have leaned on Mercedes for many years as a source for their old car parts. So why can't I buy an OEM brake rotor or caliper for my Evo??
Many will say that they don't want to keep their bikes running any longer than the warranty period. I say hogwash on that theory. There's a Ton of money to be made there. Why hasn't the factory capitalized on it? Between V-Twin, or Drag Specialties, and quite a few others, wouldn't it make more financial sense to buy out a majority in an aftermarket manufacturer, put Harley-Davidson on the parts label, and cash in? Parts are already made in China and Japan, and everywhere now anyways. They already have the distribution network in play. I say it would be good PR to see older bikes on the road looking newer and running well. For that matter, dealer service shops could be made busier by working on Older bikes.
Restoration shops alone would relish the opportunity to buy genuine parts. Indy shops, and self-wrenchers would benefit from some quality parts.
Wouldn't it make sense to sell accessories like windshields, saddlebags, seats, sissy bars, and side plates for older models? How about brake parts? Master cylinders, calipers, gas tanks, and clutch's etc... Throttle or carb cables, or a starter?
If Harley-Davidson is losing riders and closing dealerships it seems to be the wise next step to profits. They could control quality assurance and put out decent parts.
Before anyone nays this idea, keep in mind that Mercedes Benz sells parts for any of their old cars, and it seems to be working. Benz Car guys have leaned on Mercedes for many years as a source for their old car parts. So why can't I buy an OEM brake rotor or caliper for my Evo??
Last edited by SirHarley; Feb 26, 2022 at 02:52 PM. Reason: spelling
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 821
Likes: 705
From: N/E Indiana
They can't get Parts for the Bikes their Building Now! Most Dealers won't work on anything 10 years and older. This is why we have Aftermarket Parts. They want you to buy another $50 T Shirt..........
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,414
Likes: 6,366
From: Honah Lee
You need Unions. And I was salaried management for 42 of my 46 year career. You need Unions.
But like you need good management people, you also need good unions and people. And I do realize that is not always the case on both sides of the desk.
Does stand to reason if you had good management people, you wouldn't need Unions. But the chance of that happening is about the same as a snowball battle in hell.
But like you need good management people, you also need good unions and people. And I do realize that is not always the case on both sides of the desk.
Does stand to reason if you had good management people, you wouldn't need Unions. But the chance of that happening is about the same as a snowball battle in hell.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Feb 27, 2022 at 08:30 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 915
From: Madisonville, La
Industry standard operating practice to only support older models for x years. My Jeep dealer just told me they won't work on my 2005 Wrangler it's too old. Hell they could not even cut a new key for it. Same at all major manufacturers. I had an oven 8 years old, no new parts had to buy a used part or search the web for a NOS one.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,210
Likes: 3,040
From: St.Louis Mo.
Don't matter all their crap comes from Taiwan or China. And they overcharge for everything they sell. Might as well save some beer money and buy after market as long as it's a quality part.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,414
Likes: 6,366
From: Honah Lee
Now there is some cases where aftermarket is better if you do your own work. Especially if it has a lifetime warranty from someone who has been around a while. But in some cases, you may get tired of putting a new one on every 6 months.
Especially on cars. I put a $100 Autozone lifetime alternator on a Toyota that the dealer wanted $900 and a lifetime AC compressor for a 1/3 of what the dealer wanted. Now if it was a timing chain setup buried in the engine, I would go OEM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,870
From: Upstate New York
Fact is, although the MoCo may say they're proud of all the older bikes out there, the truth is, they regard your bike and mine and every other older bike as a "new bike sale they're not getting." Harley makes their money selling new bikes, not repairing old ones. They don't want their dealers servicing or selling parts for older bikes.
