Dealership troubleshooting/repairs...???
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,599
From: Danbury CT
RE: Dealership troubleshooting/repairs...???
ORIGINAL: Jumpman
Dude, That is the point of this whole post.
He was not 'informed' of the wear...he was told that the 'cupping' of the front tire, or possibly loose spokes on the front wheel could be causing the 'wobble'. After he agreed to have the front tire replaced...THEN.. they call him back and tell him that the rear wheel is boofed & needs replaced.
I'm not arguing the 'heads-up' type of preventative maintenance as an opportunity to provide good customer service and a safe ride.
I'm saying that at $80.00 an hour for labor...these guys should not be 'guessing' at a solution. In your scenario - you are absolutely correct and I agree with your opinion... But I'm looking for thoughts on THIS scenario...where the timeline and troubleshooting process seems to be questionable.
ORIGINAL: golfblues
He could have told them not to replace the front tire if it wasn't the problem, owners choice. My guess is once they got it into the shop on a lift they were able to tell it was the rear wheel & fixed it. Cased closed. I find that the dealer did the right thing by pointing out the front tire wear. If I brought my bike in for a oil change & the servce tech noticed my drive belt was really loose should he wait until the oil change is done & I'm picking up the bike to tell me? Then I'd have to bring it in again? I can always say don't fix it I'll do it myself. My take.
He could have told them not to replace the front tire if it wasn't the problem, owners choice. My guess is once they got it into the shop on a lift they were able to tell it was the rear wheel & fixed it. Cased closed. I find that the dealer did the right thing by pointing out the front tire wear. If I brought my bike in for a oil change & the servce tech noticed my drive belt was really loose should he wait until the oil change is done & I'm picking up the bike to tell me? Then I'd have to bring it in again? I can always say don't fix it I'll do it myself. My take.
Dude, That is the point of this whole post.
He was not 'informed' of the wear...he was told that the 'cupping' of the front tire, or possibly loose spokes on the front wheel could be causing the 'wobble'. After he agreed to have the front tire replaced...THEN.. they call him back and tell him that the rear wheel is boofed & needs replaced.
I'm not arguing the 'heads-up' type of preventative maintenance as an opportunity to provide good customer service and a safe ride.
I'm saying that at $80.00 an hour for labor...these guys should not be 'guessing' at a solution. In your scenario - you are absolutely correct and I agree with your opinion... But I'm looking for thoughts on THIS scenario...where the timeline and troubleshooting process seems to be questionable.
I just read the original post wrong I guess.
"Steering bearings are okay, but they 'think' there may be an issue with loose spokes...and the front tire is showing signs of 'cupping' and should be replaced. I was like "ok, 10K miles on a tires is about normal"
My take was it "may" be loose spokes AND your front tire should be replaced while it's here. When they got it in they found the wheel was bent. Now if they actually had the bike in the shop for repair when they diagnosed it they were wrong but it sounded like he dropped by, they took a quick look & told him it may be this or that, then he brought it in for service at a later date (or left it there for service). At that time they found it bent.
When you said "and he takes it by the dealership" it really didn't sound like it was an official service appointment.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,972
Likes: 1
From: King William, VA.
RE: Dealership troubleshooting/repairs...???
Well they are very hard to find but if he had gone to a mechanic in the first place he could have saved a lot of money. Instead he went to a parts exchanger that had to go on until the problem was removed or the victim ran out of funds to continue.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 3
From:
RE: Dealership troubleshooting/repairs...???
I see nothing wrong with what the dealer done. 1st inspection showed a problem with the front. They got permission to fix and replace the tire. Whenever they do work like that the test ride. Test showed problem not solved, so they found a problem in the rear. Sounds like there was a potential problem at both ends of bike. So WHAT did they do wrong?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 8
From: Earth
RE: Dealership troubleshooting/repairs...???
I know a guy that a wobble issue. He went to the dealer and they determined it was the nut holding the handle bars. Very loose and unpredictable this nut was. hmmmmmmm, whe knew?
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,632
From: along the shore of Mishigami
RE: Dealership troubleshooting/repairs...???
Starting to see the same caliber of techs in the service arena of the industry I'm in. We review what warranty was paid out and why, boy oh boy some of those repairs. Also the dealers will hire fresh graduates of the schools to save money on mechanics wages. I really think the motorcycle skilled mechanic is a dying breed. I'm not slamming the knowledgable indys. Just my two cents.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
RE: Dealership troubleshooting/repairs...???
This is my take on it, too many mechanics are parts replacers, and will continue to replace parts ad infinitum until the problem is solved, they might be young and relatively inexperienced or not,assuredly they are trained that way, even the experienced ones, in our overly litigious society, what dealer wants to get sued for missing something that causes "serious injury or death"(took that from the owners manual lol) so... what do you think the mechanics gonna do... he's gonna replace everything he thinks may be a potential problem. Peace.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Dealership troubleshooting/repairs...???
The real question is how does your buddy feel? It's his bike..his money..his life!! If he's happy what's your b!tch?? Maybe next time he'll buy a manuel roll up the sleeves and get dirty. The reason there's dealers/shop's like your's is because there's people like your buddy..More money than common sence/knowledge ..Maybe if you spent as much time helping your buddy as you have bashing the shop he'd be money ahead and he'd owe you dinner too.. Oh, I do ALL my own work on my bike, if there's a screw-up it's on me.. Steve
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CSS_FXD
Softail Models
71
May 29, 2012 02:23 PM
arachman
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
8
Sep 4, 2006 06:17 PM
