Didn't realize the junk I bought...
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 10
From: West Bend, WI
Took my 97 Springer into Milwaukee Harley for a front end (springer) overhaul. They were happy to do the work and at a reasonable price. Ok....maybe not super happy. They said getting the neck bearings out was a motherfxxxer (their words) and took twice the time. And they still charged me the quoted price.
Thumbs up. They get all my work now.
Thumbs up. They get all my work now.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
My local dealer still works on my 22 year old bike (mostly tire changes and accident repair), and I've seen older bikes than mine being worked on there.
It helps that I've been a steady customer over the years, and the service manager knows the bike as well as I do. There was a time when they weren't as willing to work on older bikes, but when the economy went south, they found the weren't in a good position to turn away money.
It helps that I've been a steady customer over the years, and the service manager knows the bike as well as I do. There was a time when they weren't as willing to work on older bikes, but when the economy went south, they found the weren't in a good position to turn away money.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,015
Likes: 6,909
From: NC
Local dealerships indicated that I should not be taking my old, unreliable and unsafe 2002 Ultra Classic on trips.
I order from a local indie shop most times. I could order online cheaper, but the 10-15% saved is not worth it to me.
I order from a local indie shop most times. I could order online cheaper, but the 10-15% saved is not worth it to me.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,865
Likes: 517
From: georgia
I think the older mechanics are tired of the dealership taking to big a cut and now work on bikes at home it should turn into a better deal for the bike owner JMO
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Joe Kucinski
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
About 10 or 11 years ago I was helping my brother restore a 1972 Sportster. I took the heads into my local Harley dealer to get the valves and guides replaced and seats cut. As soon as I told them what the heads came off of they said they will not work on them at all. I was astounded and asked them why, they said Harley no longer sells parts for them and the dealer won't buy parts from the aftermarket.
My brother took them to a Harley dealer around Chicago and they rebuilt them and bored the cylinders and fitted new pistons, all with aftermarket parts. I guess it just matters where you go.
My brother took them to a Harley dealer around Chicago and they rebuilt them and bored the cylinders and fitted new pistons, all with aftermarket parts. I guess it just matters where you go.