Backordered Parts
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,444
Likes: 104
From: Near Joliet, Illinois
Some of the dealers in this area will look up the parts when you order them and will tell you if they will be back ordered. That has helped a few times in the past. So I try to use those dealers a bit more than the others.
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ
This explains why my orders from Chicago Harley (via the internet) took so long to fill. I waited almost 5 weeks from order date to delivery -- but the correct parts all came.
But mysteriously, Zanotti's seems to fill orders quickly -- but that could just be that what I ordered happened to be in stock.
But mysteriously, Zanotti's seems to fill orders quickly -- but that could just be that what I ordered happened to be in stock.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 2
From: Hallsville, Tx.
so, your saying "wait for the special Asian made bolts" ? I'd buy new bolts rather than wait. Probably find some good ol' USA made bolts! And take a bearing to your local bearing supply house and have them match it up, probably get a better bearing too!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 5
From: West Branch, Michigan
I agree with KBFLDXI....... As soon as the bike goes into storage ( usually November) , we hand the dealer our list of mods we want done.
I know for a fact that they've been having trouble with overseas suppliers. Twice now, "new" items we've wanted were placed on "in-definite" back order. Then we were told the items would not be sold due to POOR QUALITY ISSUES.
Also in 2009 HD released the following press statement:
The Company earlier this year announced plans to consolidate its two Milwaukee-area powertrain (engine and transmission) plants into one facility; consolidate paint and frame operations at its York, Pa. facilities into one plant; and close its Franklin, Wis. Parts and Accessories distribution center and consolidate those operations with General Merchandise distribution through a third-party logistics company.
I fear it's going to get worse until the economy gets better. I also read that HD is going to RE-VAMP their entire parts system including part numbers. They're going to DROP their current numbering system all together. I suspect they'll be "discontinuing" many "older" parts from their line up so if you want something, now might be a good time to get it....... just my opinion.
I know for a fact that they've been having trouble with overseas suppliers. Twice now, "new" items we've wanted were placed on "in-definite" back order. Then we were told the items would not be sold due to POOR QUALITY ISSUES.
Also in 2009 HD released the following press statement:
The Company earlier this year announced plans to consolidate its two Milwaukee-area powertrain (engine and transmission) plants into one facility; consolidate paint and frame operations at its York, Pa. facilities into one plant; and close its Franklin, Wis. Parts and Accessories distribution center and consolidate those operations with General Merchandise distribution through a third-party logistics company.
I fear it's going to get worse until the economy gets better. I also read that HD is going to RE-VAMP their entire parts system including part numbers. They're going to DROP their current numbering system all together. I suspect they'll be "discontinuing" many "older" parts from their line up so if you want something, now might be a good time to get it....... just my opinion.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 8
From: Earth
Greetings all, I wonder if anyone has been having this issue. I went in the the HD dealership about 2 weeks ago and ordered Roulette Contrast Chrome wheels for my 2009 Ultra Classic. I forked out over $1,700 for new wheels, and when I include the cost of tires, labor, and the new wheel installations kits as required in the 2010 catalog, I forked out over $2,300. The special order wheels came in about 2 weeks. I got a call from the service / parts department telling me that my wheels were in. I made the appointment to take the bike in and have the service completed. When I got there, I was told that there was a problem. The wheel installation kits that I had ordered when I ordered the wheels were on BACKORDER, no release date announced, just rumored to be late May. WTF!!!
Appartantly HD Corporate has been implementing a number of cost savings measures that included slashing inventories of parts. They expected 2010 sales to be low, so they cut back the ordering and stocking of even common parts. As it currently stands, I have wheels that I can not use. I understand that there have been a lot of customer complaints about this issue, and the company is rushing to get some but not all parts out to the dealerships. There is no word on the parts that I require. When the dealership started calling area dealers for inventory checks, there were no parts to be had, not even 200 miles away.
Is anyone having this problem? Does anyone have any updates on backordered parts? Does anyone know of a dealership I might try in hopes of ordering the parts online?
Thanks, Dwayne
Appartantly HD Corporate has been implementing a number of cost savings measures that included slashing inventories of parts. They expected 2010 sales to be low, so they cut back the ordering and stocking of even common parts. As it currently stands, I have wheels that I can not use. I understand that there have been a lot of customer complaints about this issue, and the company is rushing to get some but not all parts out to the dealerships. There is no word on the parts that I require. When the dealership started calling area dealers for inventory checks, there were no parts to be had, not even 200 miles away.
Is anyone having this problem? Does anyone have any updates on backordered parts? Does anyone know of a dealership I might try in hopes of ordering the parts online?
Thanks, Dwayne
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ
That would be just my luck. Now that I'm old enough to retire I decided to start spending some of the money I've saved over the 45 years of working, I get a few H-Ds, and now the company seems to be unraveling at the seams. Great.
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,724
Likes: 234
From: Altoona, Pa.
Ya know, not ssecret that HD along with many others trying to be in the black. I know we all hate to wait, but if this is what it taked to keep HD around, guess we have to work with them. just my 2 cents and feeling on this kind of stuff.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Riverview, FL
I know the company has to maintain a bottom line. I am sure all of us would hate to see the company in big financial trouble or wvwn worse, falling into Chinese hands. I am simply stating that it would have been nice to know that there was an issue with pasts before I placed and paid for my order. I also agree that the motor company will screw a dealer before they screw a customer. In my case, both the dealer and I are being screwed. The dealer cant sell what they do't have, and I can't make bike mods based of non availale parts. Seems like the motor company should comp the labor for my wheels, and compensate the dealer in some way. As far as reusing parts, my service guys said that they could get into very big trouble using the old bearings and spacers. The bearings are practically destroyed when removing them, and there is a guarentee that they will seat propperly. The spacers from the 2009 ultra will not fit the 2010 wheels. The motor company makes these small changes and modifications to keep us off balance and to keep a market for new parts. Additionally, if there was any damage to the wheels caused by this practice, the company would NOT stand behind the product. If I wanted a company that does not stand behind it's products, I would have bought a Jap bike. Wait.... I already did that. That is why I bought a Harley in the first place.
Dwayne
Dwayne
Stage I
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: calgary
Wake HD
Live in Calgary Alberta and had small accident the bike is a year old. Fork fender wheel bars. In Calgary you have maybe 6 months to ride. With a bike thats not a year old they back ordered for a month maybe longer. This really PiXXs me off. I gues when sales are affected then maybe will produce parts for the bikes. Best part i disscouraged one friend from buying HD. I dont blame the dealer just HD word does spread so than later.