Hey,

I'm thinking of having the dealer throw the chrome fork sliders on my soon to arrive Deluxe. It only requires the lower fork and cow bells (not messing with the Axle Retainer Nut Kit, Chrome Fork Slider Drain Screw Kit, Chrome Front Wheel Spaces, etc.).

He is asking 300 for labor; says it is around 3.5 hours. Does this sound right? 90 bucks an hour? I have heard that the job should be about 2.5 at most, but book may say 3. Wants 90 to install the alarm.

As this is a new bike and I am getting quite a few things put on it at the time of pick-up; how much room is there to negotiate on labor? Says he is taking 10% off accessories if purchased at time bike purchase, which I understand is common.

Other labor he is charging looks like this:

INST. CHROME FRONT END 3.5 HOURS $315.00
INST. ALARM 1 HOUR $90.00
INST. ENGINE GUARD .5 HOUR $45.00
INST. PASS FOOTBOARD 1 HOUR $90.00
INST. GRIPS 1 HOUR $90.00
INST. SISSY BAR/PILLION 1.8 HOURS $162.00
INST. DET. WINDSHIELD 1.5 HOURS $ 135.00


Do you suppose I am getting boned here?

Thanks for any help,

Arthur

 

My suggestion is to buy the factory manual for $50 and do most of it yourself id you are a little handy with tools.You stand to save yourself about $600 here so you be the judge here.

Engine guards/footboards/sissy bars/winshield/alarm/ even the grips have been done by many without much tech experience and there is information in the DIY area to help out on these topics. https://www.hdforums.com/forumid_241/tt.htm

The front end may be better left to the dealer depending on how your mechanical abilities are in this area.
http://groups.msn.com/ToddsHarleyPix...eforkswap.msnw

 

yes, what TC said. save the $$ for other mods... goodluck

 

I just put black lower legs on my Deluxe and did all the work myself. TCSTD gave me a link to an article on it and it was rather easy, if you have any mechanical skills I think you'll be OK. I know the personal satisfaction that I felt was worth more than the money. Also remember that the $300 the dealer wants is for labor, then you're looking at another $250 for the legs and $50 for the cans. Once you get over the fear of having your $20,000 bike on a lift with the front end ripped off it's really pretty simple to work on. After all it's just nuts and bolts right?

 

90 bucs an hr. dam, my dealer charges about 56 an hr.

 

I had the chrome front end installed on my Deluxe before I took delivery. I opted to get the chrome axle cap nuts, fender screws, drain screws at the same time. They're not expensive and since the dealer was having to remove these parts and put them back on, there was no additional labor. The chrome spacers would have required the removal of the front wheel's hubcap so I didn't get those. My dealer gave me a 10% discount on the parts and charged me 1 hour per side at $70 / hr.

I also get at least a 10% discount on any parts I purchase till this day and sometimes even greater discounts on the Motor Clothes and such.

 

I have to agree with TC. Let the dealer do the forks and you can do the remainder of the upgrades. I just did grips on my Ultra and it took me maybe a half hour. You also have to remember most shops are flat rate. Meaning it doesn't "take" 3.5 hours to do the job that is what it pays. I manage a flat rate shop and it is for your protection also. Imagine if you didn't agree to pay the 3.5 hours and that tech was having a bad day and it took him 5 hours to do it then you would have to pay 5 hours?

 

The black looks great. What a cool idea! Think I'll try a bit of this myself, too. Thanks.
Arthur

 

Yeah, good points all. I think I'll go for the 50 buck manual. How hard can it be?

Arthur

 

I too would have the dealer do the forks. All the rest you can do yourself in the time they say or much less. Plus the cost savings over $600.00 heck even if your not to skilled with the tools you can get a buddy that is do the work and then you spring for pizza and beer. Also I would look for a new stealer in the area. That one has a bad case of the greeds