does this estimate sound about right?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
does this estimate sound about right?
hey guys. it's that time of year i start putting my money where my dreams are and i get my bike worked on. i don't have the time or the knowhow to work on my '65 myself, so i called the most reputable shop in the area and told the guy that at the very least i want him to rebuild my motor. he said without seeing the bike it'll probably cost around $2,800. word around town is this particular shop does amazing work but isn't scared of over charging their customers. so i'm turning it back to you, gentlemen, the learned and experienced folks you are. does that figure seem reasonable? moreover, what would you expect for $2,800?
i can afford it, i've been saving all winter to get my bike fixed up. i just want to make sure i'm getting what i pay for, that's all.
once again, thanks. couldn't do it without you...
i can afford it, i've been saving all winter to get my bike fixed up. i just want to make sure i'm getting what i pay for, that's all.
once again, thanks. couldn't do it without you...
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 2
From: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
RE: does this estimate sound about right?
I would think the people to ask would be those who had similar work done before you. Get some names of his past customers and phone numbers and make some calls. If he does reputable work, he won't be ashamed to give you any contacts.
Then, ask this guy specifically what your $2800 gets you. Top end, all new gaskets, new (fill in the multiple blanks)... Then, ask the local HD Dealer (I assume this guy isn't) and see what THEY would charge you for the same job. That gives you an apples to apples comparison.
That's how I'd tackle it.
A '65 would be a great bike to have run right and I would also want to know what to expect when I was done. Like a doctor about to do open heart surgery on your daughter or girlfriend/wife/etc, you might want to make sure you feel comfortable with the guy and his work ethic before you let him her (it) take it under the knife, so to speak.
BTW, we need PICTURES both BEFORE and AFTER, too.
Then, ask this guy specifically what your $2800 gets you. Top end, all new gaskets, new (fill in the multiple blanks)... Then, ask the local HD Dealer (I assume this guy isn't) and see what THEY would charge you for the same job. That gives you an apples to apples comparison.
That's how I'd tackle it.
A '65 would be a great bike to have run right and I would also want to know what to expect when I was done. Like a doctor about to do open heart surgery on your daughter or girlfriend/wife/etc, you might want to make sure you feel comfortable with the guy and his work ethic before you let him her (it) take it under the knife, so to speak.
BTW, we need PICTURES both BEFORE and AFTER, too.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: does this estimate sound about right?
It's tough to say. Do you actually need a total rebuild or just a top end? Even if it is a total rebuild, it had better be top notch if it is costing 2800 bucks.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
RE: does this estimate sound about right?
i'll drop the bike off and ask him exactly what i'm getting before i have him do any work to it. he wants to take it apart first to see what he's working with. after that, i'll let you know what he's offering and for how much and then you guys can tell me if i'm an idiot or not. again, his reputation for doing good work is pristine, but his reputation for costing a lot is on a parallel level.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 789
From: Heart of Dixie
RE: does this estimate sound about right?
ORIGINAL: Pilotguy1050.... Then, ask the local HD Dealer (I assume this guy isn't) and see what THEY would charge you for the same job. That gives you an apples to apples comparison....
For that price, it should be a complete rebuild, from the crank up.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: does this estimate sound about right?
I too agree with the others here on the price of the rebuild. For $2800 it should be a complete rebuild with all new bearings including rod bearings, cam bearings etc. If the machine has transmission trouble to any degree this may require some more $'s, but the guy has to get into it to see what is worn out. If the bottom end is in good shape then the price should be adjusted downward by quite a bit. It all boils down to cost of parts and the manhour charge. It takes a certain amount of hours to do the work, so see how his hourly rate compares to your local friendly Harley Shop's rate. He should be the same and no more than the dealer.
I also agree that no Harley dealer would touch a '65 ironhead. To balance that out, you do not want a dealer to do the work either because the mechanics know little if anything about an ironhead. Good luck.......pg
I also agree that no Harley dealer would touch a '65 ironhead. To balance that out, you do not want a dealer to do the work either because the mechanics know little if anything about an ironhead. Good luck.......pg
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 751
Likes: 6
From: 500 miles south from Artic Circle
RE: does this estimate sound about right?
Dealer mechanics, it might be so that they have born after production of Ironhead was already ended...
2800 is big pile of bills, so IMO you should ask from your mechanic more details what is included in that price. As PG wrote in that price there should be good quality seals, all bearings, and parts.
Don't forget tranny, as PG mentioned there might be issues that can cost some extra.
It would be worth of thinking to send your cylinderheads to Ironhead Tom and let him make his magic touch to them. You get complitely rebuild cylinderheads with new guides, springs and valves plus porting ...
2800 is big pile of bills, so IMO you should ask from your mechanic more details what is included in that price. As PG wrote in that price there should be good quality seals, all bearings, and parts.
Don't forget tranny, as PG mentioned there might be issues that can cost some extra.
It would be worth of thinking to send your cylinderheads to Ironhead Tom and let him make his magic touch to them. You get complitely rebuild cylinderheads with new guides, springs and valves plus porting ...
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
RE: does this estimate sound about right?
hey guys. thanks for all of your input.
the mechanic i am having do all the work has a sterling reputation here in new hampshire. his shop is chock full of classic HDs that he's rebuilding or working on for customers. i asked him for a list of what he was going to do to the motor and without going into the extremely long response he gave me i'll just say that yes, it is a COMPLETE rebuild. to the point where i'm going to have to make a decision about whether or not to get the motor powdercoated or painted before i get it back. i dropped the bike of yesterday and despite the large quantity of hard earned dollars i handed over as a deposit, i feel pretty solid about my decision. he's local, experienced, pretty cool, and if the bikes he was working on were a testament to his abilities i'm confident he's the right man for the task.
i figure since i'm already in the hole this much, i might as well start pouring more money into the bike in order to get it in tip top shape. there are a few things i'm considering right now like new forward controls (my existing ones were made for left side shift and then just installed wrong) and handlebars. i know a guy who works in a body shop in the area who said he will paint my tank and fenders for $200, so i see that in the near future, as well. speaking of which, the last time i was in san diego i saw a JEEP that was painted in orange rhino liner - like the stuff in truck beds - and it looked awesome. i'm considering pursuing a similar route for my bike.
long story short, this is going to be a good summer for my '65. i'll definitely keep you guys posted with pictures and updates.
thanks so much. i really appreciate all of your help.
the mechanic i am having do all the work has a sterling reputation here in new hampshire. his shop is chock full of classic HDs that he's rebuilding or working on for customers. i asked him for a list of what he was going to do to the motor and without going into the extremely long response he gave me i'll just say that yes, it is a COMPLETE rebuild. to the point where i'm going to have to make a decision about whether or not to get the motor powdercoated or painted before i get it back. i dropped the bike of yesterday and despite the large quantity of hard earned dollars i handed over as a deposit, i feel pretty solid about my decision. he's local, experienced, pretty cool, and if the bikes he was working on were a testament to his abilities i'm confident he's the right man for the task.
i figure since i'm already in the hole this much, i might as well start pouring more money into the bike in order to get it in tip top shape. there are a few things i'm considering right now like new forward controls (my existing ones were made for left side shift and then just installed wrong) and handlebars. i know a guy who works in a body shop in the area who said he will paint my tank and fenders for $200, so i see that in the near future, as well. speaking of which, the last time i was in san diego i saw a JEEP that was painted in orange rhino liner - like the stuff in truck beds - and it looked awesome. i'm considering pursuing a similar route for my bike.
long story short, this is going to be a good summer for my '65. i'll definitely keep you guys posted with pictures and updates.
thanks so much. i really appreciate all of your help.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: Boise, ID
RE: does this estimate sound about right?
sounds like you have made a good decision. I wish you all the luck. any idea how long the bike will be at the shop. did he give you and eta? please get pictures if any are available.
Malac
Malac