Disappointing
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 89
From: Vermont
Disappointing
In the past any time I have ever replaced a chrome Harley part with the OEM piece, the quality has been excellent just like it came from the factory on my bike originally. Over the past year or so however, the quality of the OEM pieces has gone seriously down hill. Simple piece like the lower front fairing skirt had deep sand type lines under brand new chrome and the edges were so hazy I cant live with it. The one I removed had a rock dimple in it but the chrome was perfect. This isn't the first Harley replacement piece I've had to send back. Ironically the dealer said these days the next one I get is just as likely to be as bad or worse and today, its the lesser of the evils. Really? Others seeing the same thing? One thing you could always count on with Harley was nice paint and Chrome. Hmmmm
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,535
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
I bought HD Frenched Rings for my lights, and the big screw for the headlight one was messed up bad where no driver in the world could fit in it, and was chromed over it too!
Brought it back, exchanged, yep - China.
Brought it back, exchanged, yep - China.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 198
From: Ill Annoy
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 150
Likes: 15
From: Sacramento, CA
Everything I have bought from Harley has been good quality and finishes have been great. I see a lot of poorly made Chinese products in the auto industry come through my shop, but lets remember this, Chinese manufacturers will make products for customers at any quality level they specify. That said most companies are looking to China to get a cheap price so they can turn a bigger profit. I have friends who have companies that manufacture products and they have components made in China that are very high quality. China is not the problem, the problem is companies who commonly outsource to other countries want everything done as cheap as possible with out regard for quality. My wife is Chinese, born and raised and I think she is pretty high quality, except for falling asleep on the back of my street glide and scaring the crap out of me. HAHA!
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 405
From: Cedar BC
Have to agree with Chris57, its not the manufacturers in China that are the problem as they will build anything to any spec that you are willing to demand and pay for.It's the greedy *** North American corporations that don't give a rat's *** about their customers and demand the highest margin possible to maximize short time profit and their year end bonuses over all else.
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 492
Likes: 20
From: The Town of Saint Joseph of Guadalupe
Have to agree with Chris57, its not the manufacturers in China that are the problem as they will build anything to any spec that you are willing to demand and pay for.It's the greedy *** North American corporations that don't give a rat's *** about their customers and demand the highest margin possible to maximize short time profit and their year end bonuses over all else.