Dealership vs DIY
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 3
From: here
Dealership vs DIY
Just called the local dealership and asked about installing new handlebars and was quoted $600 for labor. This obviously doesn't include the $100-$500 for handle bars and another $200-$300 for a cable extension kit. I think this is going to be my 3rd DIY. I already did the engine guard and slip-on exhausts. Who else out here watches YT videos and reads manuals instead of paying someone else to do it?
Last edited by kopirokok; Jul 10, 2019 at 04:03 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 106
Likes: 29
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Just called the local dealership and asked about installing new handlebars and was quoted $600 for labor. This obviously doesn't include the $100-$500 for whatever handlebars I choose. I think this is going to be my 3rd DIY. I already did the engine guard and slip-on exhausts. Who else out here watches YT videos and reads manuals instead of paying someone else to do it?
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 909
From: Texas
Have done everything myself so far on my Evo. On SS retirement just don't have the 150/ hr shop rate to have dealer do things. Still on the road , in large part because of FM and all the help from the forum members . Plus I enjoy working on it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,634
Likes: 2,903
From: Mostly Florida, some Michigan
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Former licensed auto mechanic, strong mechanical background.... owners manual, you-tube, and common sense go a long ways. Never had a dealer work on mine. If you change your bars, not really that difficult. Couple of suggestions.... make sure all cables and hoses will be long enough with new bars or you will have to change them. Be very careful when you remove the lever/switch assemblies. When you re-install, make sure all the wiring is neatly tucked back in original location. I just changed grips on my street glide and the cruise did not work....yup, pinched the wire. Rearrange and away we go. Get the parts manual too.... that has some very nice blow up/expanded detail drawings on all the various systems.
Changing bars should be relatively easy. Let us know how it turns out!
Changing bars should be relatively easy. Let us know how it turns out!
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 141
Likes: 19
From: FORT MCMURRAY, ALBERTA, CANADA
if it looks doable, do it. watch yt videos, buy a manual, save your selve lots of money. couple hundred dollars to do an oil change, screw that, $80 in fluids, and 20min of my time, done.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,858
Likes: 5,421
From: My own little slice of heaven
it depends.
I look at the labor rate times hours. If my time is more valuable than the rate I have the dealer do it.
Handlebars? my time is to valuable to give up that time. If it is going to take the dealer six hours (assuming $100 per hour) I can safely add three more hours onto that if I am doing myself. Cheaper to let them do it
I look at the labor rate times hours. If my time is more valuable than the rate I have the dealer do it.
Handlebars? my time is to valuable to give up that time. If it is going to take the dealer six hours (assuming $100 per hour) I can safely add three more hours onto that if I am doing myself. Cheaper to let them do it