So i roll into my local HD dealer..

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Apr 4, 2012 | 11:52 PM

#21

ackman1968

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 3,863

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From: Kennewick, WA

I have told my wife if it weren't for the cut in pay I'd love to go in to our local dealer and see how long it takes to make their best look not so good. I probably sound like an arrogant *** but I am good at what I do because half way through it I realized that it pays my bills so I had better start giving a **** and do it better than the rest. If you have a mechanical background, can read (as well as read between the lines) you have the basis to be a damn good parts person. Too bad it's considered a disposable position, it really is the heart of the operation.

Apr 5, 2012 | 12:11 AM

#22

dickey

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 19,978

Likes: 6,074

From: Florida

Tampa stores are large and waste no time taking care of their customers.

True that! I patronize all the Tampa area stores and they take excellent care of their customers. Their service departments are second to none. I have never had to bring a bike back because it wasn't done right.

Apr 5, 2012 | 01:50 AM

#23

Gimp

Road Captain

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 653

Likes: 2

From: Chino Valley, Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cansoldier

This crap happens all the time.Nothing worse then someone talking to you like your retarded and then walk and talk with a stick up there a$$.
Couple weeks ago I was at dealership and they had a wicked fatboy lo with 16 inch 1.25 apes.I asked the guy what brand they were and he said
"Doesn't matter" WTF??

I tend to be pretty laid back, mostly, but that one would set my teeth on edge. He11 yes, it matters. Why?

Because a customer asked! Pick up your check when you clock out, Gomer.

Apr 5, 2012 | 05:24 AM

#24

FroggyFatBoy

Thread Starter

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 2,477

Likes: 14

From: Western MD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tampa Fatboy

You cant expect the parts salesman to know every lil thing about everything, walk over to the service dept. and ask if anyone installed any of the items you're questioning. My experience is if you call and have a decent attitude they'll research it for you and call back.

I didn't expect him to have a immediate answer for everything. as for researching a question, he could have easily said, i haven't heard of it, but let me ask a tech. at least it would have shown some effort. when i walked in i was actually in a great mood. everything went like clockwork at work, i was able to ride to and from work on my bike and not one asshat tried to kill me. I was ready to spend some money on the fatty, and who doesn't like to do that. I've known this guy for a few yrs to the point we are on a first name basis. i didn't walk in with a attitude and i didn't leave with a attitude.

Apr 5, 2012 | 05:38 AM

#25

FroggyFatBoy

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Joined: Apr 2010

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From: Western MD

Quote:

Originally Posted by lh4x4

I have a TC96B and a TC96 bike. Both yield the same mileage. Have you looked at the counter balancer in The Softail engine? The weight of the equipment is considerably more than the added weight of the SE compensator. The chain, two counter balancer eccentrics and the chain tensioner have a dramatic impact compared to the little old compensator. They soak up a few tenths of a hp and about 1 ft. lb of torque. That has not shown to be enough to impact mpg. EPA ratings on both engines are identical. Also given that the diameter of the compensator is not far out from the center of the crank , it just does not have any impact at all.

You have some thing else going on. Such as you are riding more aggressive with your wonderful new compensator or you started using E10.

Please tell me just what brand motorcycle dealer has a parts department that is any different? I have had Yamaha's. Honda's, Suzuki's and Kawasaki's. All were no different. Even the parts guys at any car dealer are the same.

The independent auto parts stores are the most likely to have much more knowledgeable counter staff. Their survival is more dependent on it than a franchised dealer where much of the parts are used by the dealership.

As you grow up and become more experienced and knowledgeable you will learn this.

I've been using the same fuel station for all my vehicles both 2 and 4 wheels. the bike is the only one that has dropped. when i first put the comp in, yes i was twisting it pretty hard. but after running 3 tanks of fuel through with normal riding, mostly commuting i have noticed a drop in fuel mileage, is it excessive ? not really, but dropping between 3-4 mpg with changing nothing but the compensator it makes me lean towards it being the reason. being a mechanic for the past 30 yrs and do a lot of diagnosing issues, it makes me think things out, sometimes over think them. i'm wrong, i did put miniapes on and relocated the turn signals down to the forks but I would have to think that adding additional rotational weight to the crank would have more of a effect on mpg then bars and light moving. the bars and lights were moved about a month prior to the comp. the reason i say this because manufactures have been shaving weight by size and materials in engine for decades trying to get more power and mpgs out of their vehicles.

Apr 5, 2012 | 06:49 AM

#26

chevele72

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 1,529

Likes: 8

From: Central Fl.

I worked at a dealer part time a year ago,, for 4 years. We had an awsome parts team, one guy could tell you any part # and what it was and fit 98% of the time. (He works at Arnott now) As the team started to go different ways the young MMI crew moved in, very sad.

Apr 5, 2012 | 06:52 AM

#27

rlowride

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 1,396

Likes: 5

From: Lakeland, Fl

Hmmmm...
So you have one bike... 1 set of parts and you know all about it... Way more than the parts guy....

Well, you should...

The parts guy has what...
7 different families, over 20 models a year, for say... The last 15 years...
Not one of you on here could have , or would retain that knowledge...
Not to mention when hd comes out with a new model... Year...
The dealers, parts guys, managers, sales guys... Don't know anything about them until the bikes, products, and magazines hit the show room...
Yes I am a lowly salesman...

The best thing to do in these cases is be honest...
I'm not sure, let me find out for you...

Apr 5, 2012 | 09:21 AM

#28

Cansoldier

Advanced

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 75

Likes: 0

From: Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlowride

I agree if you don't know something,be honest.

I don't pretend to know everything about my bike,Im far from a mechanic.Thats why I go to the dealership!!
It's the arrogant attitude that kills me,or even better when they all lean on the counter chatting and look at you like your intruding

Iv'e gone plenty of times with cash in hand,looked through stuff my self expecting some help.Instead I end up leaving and ordering online.
I go there hopeing to establish a costumer,client relationship.Someone I can count on.I guess not eh!!

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Apr 5, 2012 | 09:42 AM

#29

Robotech

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 2,036

Likes: 8

From: Temecula, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tampa Fatboy

Didnt I say that they will research the item and get back to you? Do you really expect them to know every li detail without touchin base? C'mon now...no one is that silly!

Actually, I worked with a guy when I sold cars (GM) that could tell you, off the top of his head, any spec on any GM car sold in the last 10 years AND what page of that car's owner's manual where you could find that information. No joke. How much windshield washer fluid could a 2001 GMC Sierra hold? He knew it. Coolant capacity of a 1995 AstroVan...he knew it. And you know how GM uses those codes for what options are on a car (Like Z28, Z71, etc?)...he could tell you what every single one of those meant too without looking it up. Dude freaked me out.

Now, are there a lot of guys like him out there? No. Do I expect a great deal of knowledge from the parts counter guys? No. However, I do expect the folks who work at the dealerships to know more than they do. I have a $250 Speedometer/Tach combo for a 2011 Dyna that uses a 5" gauge that I got for my Wide Glide after a parts counter person told me it was the one for my bike. Even asked them to verify it. Problem is, I got it home, followed the directions (which tells you to plug the gauge in and mate it to your bike before you do anything else) and went to put the gasked from my current speedo on only to find out my speedo is 4.5" and now, because I already mated it to my bike, I can't return it or sell it! I'm sorry, but a parts counter person SHOULD catch something like that...

Apr 5, 2012 | 10:32 AM

#30

FroggyFatBoy

Thread Starter

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 2,477

Likes: 14

From: Western MD

I would think that if they sold you the incorrect part that they would take it back and get you the correct one..

i have a tool guy who comes in here where i work at, who use to work at the dealer where i was yesterday, and he said that the person i talked to doesn't know his *** from a hole in the grd and to go down and talk to one of two certain people and that he was the one who sent me.

I'll have a talk with them when i go in next week to get the SE AC.. just to see what they say.

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