I have had it with A. D. Farrows here in Columbus, Ohio….this last screw up was the final straw.
Farrows owns all three prominent stealerships in the Columbus area, and they know it, thus, charge high labor rates, and estimate long times on seemingly simple tasks.
To add insult, their workers are ignorant and incompetent. When I bought my bike (Centennial Park location)it has some minor problems…just some loose trim bolts, and some finish issues. The day I drove it home I noticed these things. When I called them the next day, they said there was no warranty on a used bike, and I would be charged accordingly, however, after I complained to the manager, they did finally agree to do those two things for me.

Less than one week later, I get a trouble code…no air intake temp. I take the bike right over to them, and they tell me to make an appointment. I plead with them…telling them the bike is here, and I have a scheduled ride the next day. After more aggressive arguing, they agree to look at it while I am there, and appear to fix it…apparently, the plus simply came off the sensor, and they reconnected it.

Four days later, same code. I took it back, and since they had just worked on it, they again agreed to take a quick look. The service manager came out about 20 minutes later and said the bike was ready. I asked what the problem was, and he said the plug came off again…the last time the tech repaired it, the bread tie he used to secure it came loose. WTF! A bread tie! He went on to say that they robbed the proper spring clip from another bike, so it is now fixed “correctly”.

Brings us to this past Saturday…I see I am only 60 some miles from my next service, but I know I’m doing a lot of riding on Memorial day. I’m doing a parade (which I am a coordinator on), and two charity rides (one with my daughter for a soldier she went to high school with)for two different fallen soldiers…about 300 miles total, plus any additional riding I might do, as the weather was to be perfect.

So I swing by Andersens and get my 5 quarts of Amsoil, and Centennial Park to get my filter. I tell them my bike, and the guy waiting on me starts to look it up, when “Pete” interrupts and says “It’s right there.” pointing to a stack of filters behind the counter. My guy says “For a V-Rod?” to which Pete says “Yes…that’s them…right there.” pointing again.

So Sunday about 5pm I decide to change the oil. I empty the oil and take off the old filter. I then can’t seem to get the new filter on, so I look at the part number, and sure crap, it the wrong part number! So now I’m screwed! I have no filter, and can’t possibly get one that night, or certainly not tomorrow (Memorial day), so I have to cancel my rides, as my bike sits in garage with no filter for it!!

What kind of moron doesn’t know there are basically only two types of Harley filters?? Even I know there is one for (most) airheads (SAE), and one for the VRSC (metric). Seems that would be “Parts 101” for any parts person at a Harley shop!

Well I’m done. I can’t believe the ignorance and incompetents this Pete moron has. He personally ruined one of the biggest riding days of the year for me, and for what? Because he wanted to be macho to think he knew all parts without looking then up?? Pete is nothing more than an incompetent tool, and I will NEVER spend on red cent at ANY A. D. Farrows store!!

 

I notice this is your first post so maybe your not aware that Napa and most other auto parts stores carry these filters. I've heard you can also get them at Wallmart as well as most every Indy shop. If the ride was that important I might have considered dumping the oil and using the old filter for the day and rode. Then changed it the next day. But that's just me, Back in the early70's when we road chopped bikes most of us didn't run any oil filter at all until those custom spin on oil filter kits cam out that mounted under the front motor mount.

 

Yep, I agree, No way an oil filter will stop me, also, I don't go to the stealer for oil and filter, I know what I need, I go get it off the shelf myself, no body to blame. You just learned the hard way, get to know your bike, know what you need, and get it yourself. Brakes, bearings, filters, oils, and most every other part is available without setting foot in a dealership.

 

Unfortunately we don't have a lot of choices. Had some issues with C&A too on an issue about Riders Edge enrollment. Haven't had any problems with service though.........

 

By the way.....they DID resolve the R.E. issue satisfactorily...........

 

I did think about reusing the old filter, however, when I removed it, I set it in a dirty oil pan that had debris in it. It now had dirty oil/debris on both sides of the inside of it. Besides, its never a good idea to reuse an oil filter as the rubber gasket is designed to compress just once.

Also, the VRSC filters have a check valve in them...as far as I know, the only cross-ref is a Wix filter, which i could not locate.

Also, Im pretty **** about things...Im not sure I would have felt good reinstalling a dirty filter on a $7k engine, that would clearly be violating the maintenance schedule. Plus I would have felt compelled to change the oil again when I got the new filter...another $60 down the drain (no pun intended).

Oh well, their biggest problem isnt that incompetent tool they have working for them...their biggest problem is they lost a long time customer that has spent tens if not twenties of thousands of dollars there. Good bye forever A. D. Farrows!

 

Pretty much agree with all posts - I stock my oil and filters for upcoming two or three oil changes - but what I most agree with is the arrogant and ignorant attitudes on display at AD Farrow dealerships as well as consistent overcharging. I have bought a Deluxe from them and I don't go there unless absolutely necessary. C&A is fine as far as dealerships go - they have been good to me.
My .02 is buy a MOCO manual for your bike and do everything you can to your own bike - then I would get to know an Indy mechanic and use him for the stuff you are not comfortable with.

 

A good replacement for the H-D oil filter is the K&N filter designed for the H-D's. This one has a nut welded to the top which makes it much easier to install and remove. It is the filter choice of lots of folks on this forum. I haven't used it but I've seen it mentioned a lot. It's available at a lot of auto parts stores. Maybe someone can reply with the correct part number.

 

Not to ridicule but

If you knew there's only 2 types of filters, why did you not know which one you needed before you went in there to ensure you were handed the correct one?

 

I made the (incorrect) assumption that the stack he was referencing were the VRSC filters...I do not have the two different part numbers memorized.