Am I getting ripped off? Or am I wrong?
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: New York City
Am I getting ripped off? Or am I wrong?
I took my 2011 Sportster to my local repair shop to swap out a 10" Mini Ape handle bar I had bought online and even took in an extra left grip so that he wont have to waste time taking off the one on the old handlebar.
So after having my bike for a day he calls me to tell me he has to change all the cables since ALL the cables on the Sportster are too short for a 10" Mini Ape and the cost to change the cables plus labor would be $639.00
Is it me or is that WAY too much? Considering I brought it the handle bar and even made his job easier by buying another set of grips just so that he wont waste time removing the left grip which is glued on to the old handle bar.
So after having my bike for a day he calls me to tell me he has to change all the cables since ALL the cables on the Sportster are too short for a 10" Mini Ape and the cost to change the cables plus labor would be $639.00
Is it me or is that WAY too much? Considering I brought it the handle bar and even made his job easier by buying another set of grips just so that he wont waste time removing the left grip which is glued on to the old handle bar.
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: New York City
So you think $639 for extending the electrical wires plus ordering the and installing the clutch/throttle/brake cables is ok? Or is it still too much considering it all?
Do you know what a fair price would be for this kind of job?
Where can I get the extension kit to do this myself? And about how much should I expect to pay?
Thanks for your prompt response btw.
Do you know what a fair price would be for this kind of job?
Where can I get the extension kit to do this myself? And about how much should I expect to pay?
Thanks for your prompt response btw.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,435
Likes: 7,127
From: Beyond Fucital
Do I think it's OK? Hell no. I'm a cheap sob, so if I can't do it myself and think it's to expensive It doesn't get done.
It's a matter of how much YOU want it.
If I want it bad enough I can justify anything.
It's a matter of how much YOU want it.
If I want it bad enough I can justify anything.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 13,526
Likes: 34,684
From: Pine Flat Dam/South Bay Area, CA
I can't think of a job I hate to do more than changing handlebars on a motorcycle that aren't a direct replacement.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 390
Likes: 79
From: WI
Agreed. Especially if one decides to route the wires inside the bars. Best be careful not to strip the insulation off the wires as one is pulling them through. 
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 57
From: Fredericksburg, VA
Do you know how to do that kind of work? Have you priced the cables and wires?
I'm also a cheap SOB, and have been working on my vehicles since I bought my first car... A '72 Vega... I got good at head gaskets and timing belts real fast! I know how to do the cables and extend wires and have done that kinda thing on a few bikes. It does take some time.
I swapped out the bars on my wife's 48 the other week. I didn't need any longer cables or wires.... What should have been a 1 1/2 hour job turned into 3 when I mistakenly rerouted the throttle and clutch cables thinking they'd be too short to go up around the headlight, like they do stock. ..and I had to re-route them again... But, I was not in a hurry and it really was a low stress job.
So, 1 1/2-2 hours without extending anything... So, probably four or five hours with splicing and adding new cables, re-adjusting the clutch, etc. What's shop time worth?
I don't think you're getting ripped off. But, it still seems expensive to me... But, time and experience are worth money. Mechanics' gotta make a living same as the rest of us schmucks.
I'm also a cheap SOB, and have been working on my vehicles since I bought my first car... A '72 Vega... I got good at head gaskets and timing belts real fast! I know how to do the cables and extend wires and have done that kinda thing on a few bikes. It does take some time.
I swapped out the bars on my wife's 48 the other week. I didn't need any longer cables or wires.... What should have been a 1 1/2 hour job turned into 3 when I mistakenly rerouted the throttle and clutch cables thinking they'd be too short to go up around the headlight, like they do stock. ..and I had to re-route them again... But, I was not in a hurry and it really was a low stress job.
So, 1 1/2-2 hours without extending anything... So, probably four or five hours with splicing and adding new cables, re-adjusting the clutch, etc. What's shop time worth?
I don't think you're getting ripped off. But, it still seems expensive to me... But, time and experience are worth money. Mechanics' gotta make a living same as the rest of us schmucks.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 57
From: Fredericksburg, VA
Yeah, therapy probably woulda kept me outta the crack house! LOL
I think I did a few water pumps too.
Made owning an old shovelhead seem like a day at the spa!
I think I did a few water pumps too.
Made owning an old shovelhead seem like a day at the spa!