Ever been ripped off by a bike shop?
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Tourer
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Ever been ripped off by a bike shop?
So I've spent just over $2k at my local bike shop in the past month......I've had my bike dyno tuned, re-jet, new pipes and handlebars installed,gaskets, seals, 5k service, new back tire, yadda-yadda. I've taken the bike in twice to have the same leak plugged and they still haven't fixed it. Now my bike won't start, after it stalled on me on the freeway after they dyno tuned and re-jetted it.
Have any of you had really bad experiences with bike shops in the past? I'm so sick of dealing with these arseholes, I'm just about willing to cut my losses. All the more reason for me to learn how to wrench on my own bike, but at the same time, I want my money's worth! They told me they would pick up my bike this past Saturday, but of course, that didn't pan out because the driver was stuck in traffic. The regional manager didn't want to deal with me, so he referred me back to the service manager who was giving me nothing but lip service. Then my roommate proceeded to tell me that most biker mechanics are former bikers and criminals and cheat people more often than regular car dealers......
Sorry, just wanted to rant.
Have any of you had really bad experiences with bike shops in the past? I'm so sick of dealing with these arseholes, I'm just about willing to cut my losses. All the more reason for me to learn how to wrench on my own bike, but at the same time, I want my money's worth! They told me they would pick up my bike this past Saturday, but of course, that didn't pan out because the driver was stuck in traffic. The regional manager didn't want to deal with me, so he referred me back to the service manager who was giving me nothing but lip service. Then my roommate proceeded to tell me that most biker mechanics are former bikers and criminals and cheat people more often than regular car dealers......
Sorry, just wanted to rant.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: (Toronto) Canada
RE: Ever been ripped off by a bike shop?
ORIGINAL: Beefcake
All the more reason for me to learn how to wrench on my own bike,
then my roommate proceeded to tell me that most biker mechanics are former bikers and criminals and cheat people more often than regular car dealers......
Sorry, just wanted to rant.
All the more reason for me to learn how to wrench on my own bike,
then my roommate proceeded to tell me that most biker mechanics are former bikers and criminals and cheat people more often than regular car dealers......
Sorry, just wanted to rant.
1. learning to wrench is hard. It not only includes a requirement for a good set of tools, some specialty just for HD,s but requires a delicate touch. All new HD backyard wrenches wreck crap because they over tighten the soft aluminum.
2. Don't listen to your roomate. I know a lot of great mechanics. Plus the comment of being former bikers? I can tell you I have some biker brothers who would do more for me than my own blood! It's a bad statement he is making.
3. Ranting is what we are here for. Rant on.
I sure someone here can reccomend a good wrench in your area.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,950
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RE: Ever been ripped off by a bike shop?
ORIGINAL: Joe Scout
1. learning to wrench is hard. It not only includes a requirement for a good set of tools, some specialty just for HD,s but requires a delicate touch. All new HD backyard wrenches wreck crap because they over tighten the soft aluminum.
2. Don't listen to your roomate. I know a lot of great mechanics. Plus the comment of being former bikers? I can tell you I have some biker brothers who would do more for me than my own blood! It's a bad statement he is making.
3. Ranting is what we are here for. Rant on.
I sure someone here can reccomend a good wrench in your area.
ORIGINAL: Beefcake
All the more reason for me to learn how to wrench on my own bike,
then my roommate proceeded to tell me that most biker mechanics are former bikers and criminals and cheat people more often than regular car dealers......
Sorry, just wanted to rant.
All the more reason for me to learn how to wrench on my own bike,
then my roommate proceeded to tell me that most biker mechanics are former bikers and criminals and cheat people more often than regular car dealers......
Sorry, just wanted to rant.
1. learning to wrench is hard. It not only includes a requirement for a good set of tools, some specialty just for HD,s but requires a delicate touch. All new HD backyard wrenches wreck crap because they over tighten the soft aluminum.
2. Don't listen to your roomate. I know a lot of great mechanics. Plus the comment of being former bikers? I can tell you I have some biker brothers who would do more for me than my own blood! It's a bad statement he is making.
3. Ranting is what we are here for. Rant on.
I sure someone here can reccomend a good wrench in your area.
All torque specifications can be found the the Harley manual for your make and model
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,197
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From: (Toronto) Canada
RE: Ever been ripped off by a bike shop?
Tripper, you make me laugh. Beefcake just tells us he had it stuck to him, his bike is dead, his roomate is looking for a beating, and you're making jokes. Keep up the good work.
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Tourer
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RE: Ever been ripped off by a bike shop?
You're right, I've met a lot of bikers who are some of the nicest, most honest people around. Then again, we all know, car dealers are scumbags. I really hope that isn't the case for bike dealers.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
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RE: Ever been ripped off by a bike shop?
ORIGINAL: Joe Scout
Tripper, you make me laugh. Beefcake just tells us he had it stuck to him, his bike is dead, his roomate is looking for a beating, and you're making jokes. Keep up the good work.
Tripper, you make me laugh. Beefcake just tells us he had it stuck to him, his bike is dead, his roomate is looking for a beating, and you're making jokes. Keep up the good work.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,950
Likes: 4
RE: Ever been ripped off by a bike shop?
ORIGINAL: Beefcake
You're right, I've met a lot of bikers who are some of the nicest, most honest people around. Then again, we all know, car dealers are scumbags. I really hope that isn't the case for bike dealers.
You're right, I've met a lot of bikers who are some of the nicest, most honest people around. Then again, we all know, car dealers are scumbags. I really hope that isn't the case for bike dealers.
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RE: Ever been ripped off by a bike shop?
Howdy Beefcake, sorry to hear about your troubles with mechanics. Not all mechanics are bad, I've met some good ones. There are good and bad in every profession. Have you thought about taking your bike to a different shop? I'm about ready to take mine in for my first checkup, so I'll be able to judge my own HD mechanics. Hope that you have better luck than what you are experiencing now. Like Joe said, Rant all you want to, it's good to get it off of your shoulders and maybe we can help you make it easier. Good Luck
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: Ever been ripped off by a bike shop?
Is this a Harley shop that is giving you crap, or an Independent? If it is Harley, go over the Regional Guy's head. If you call Milaulkee there is a good chance that the matter will be taken care of. It sucks to have to do that, but sometimes it's the only way.
Regards,
Bill
Regards,
Bill
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Tourer
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RE: Ever been ripped off by a bike shop?
It's an independent shop, but it's a chain. It's called V-Twin City and they've got three locations here in So Cal. I tried talking to the regional manager on Saturday, but he wasn't interested in listening to me.
I agree, not all mechanics are bad and I don't think these guys are either.....I mean if this was a lousy shop, I don't think they'd have three different locations, considering all the competition they have here in So Cal.
At this point, I still want my money's worth out of these guys and I want a little better service considering all the money I've spent. I'm going to request that they pick up my bike according to my schedule, make the repairs, and deliver it back to my house. I think it's the least they could do. After that, I'll start taking it to a different shop and learn how to wrench on it myself a little more.....
I agree, not all mechanics are bad and I don't think these guys are either.....I mean if this was a lousy shop, I don't think they'd have three different locations, considering all the competition they have here in So Cal.
At this point, I still want my money's worth out of these guys and I want a little better service considering all the money I've spent. I'm going to request that they pick up my bike according to my schedule, make the repairs, and deliver it back to my house. I think it's the least they could do. After that, I'll start taking it to a different shop and learn how to wrench on it myself a little more.....