Just venting
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 535
Likes: 4
From: Boca Raton, FL
Just venting
Went to the dealer to find out how much labor they would charge to install a set of $45 extended reach handlebars. They tell me it's a four hour service charge. FOUR HOURS!! Even removing the fairing and replacing cables (may not need them)it's still outrageous. At $80 an hour that's $320 to install a $45 handle bar!! Are they CRAZY!?!?!?!?! I guess I'll be a bit busy this weekend!
Truly, they could makemoney off of me if they were a bit more reasonable. I'd rather pay some experience wrench to do most jobs. Charge me two hours labor and I'd have them install the handlebars. But FOUR!!?!?!?!? Geez!
Whew! I feel better now...
Truly, they could makemoney off of me if they were a bit more reasonable. I'd rather pay some experience wrench to do most jobs. Charge me two hours labor and I'd have them install the handlebars. But FOUR!!?!?!?!? Geez!
Whew! I feel better now...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,515
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From:
RE: Just venting
If you dont have to change any cables it takes a couple of hours anyway. (done it twice on my roadglide) Id say there time line is close for sure if new cables are involved, the right exhaust has to come off to change clutch cable, brakes have to be bleed if you change front brake line, throttle cables are not fun. If you need cables,brake line change bet if you try it yourself you will wish you paid.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From:
RE: Just venting
I've replacedmine with the screaming eagle internally wired touring bars, it took me at least four hours, maybe five, but I don't work on Harley's everyday so their proficiency should be a little quicker. But like prior posts have stated, anything that requires cables or brake line changes is going to be even more of a job, brake bleeding is the most time consumingpartIMO.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church, VA
RE: Just venting
Four hours labor doesn't seem out of line. I got a quote of $1000 from my dealer for installing a set of Wild 1 bars. That included $200 for the bars, about $350 for new braided cables, and about $450 (or 6 hours) for labor. Since replacing the clutch cable entails removal of some exhaust system parts, that (and internal wiring) might account for the differencewith your estimate. Another dealer quoted me the sameamount for labor.When you're swapping bars, that is the time to switch to braided cables and chrome controls, since they have tobe removed from the bars anyway. (They wanted another 2 hours labor to swap out the controls.)
Obviously you can save money if you're mechanically inclined and do the work yourself. Reading some of the other threads on this forum, pinching a wire or crimping a cable is easy to do, if you're not careful and/or experienced.
Obviously you can save money if you're mechanically inclined and do the work yourself. Reading some of the other threads on this forum, pinching a wire or crimping a cable is easy to do, if you're not careful and/or experienced.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Just venting
I did it all myself on my '05 Road King a couple of years ago. 4 hours isn't all that unreasonable - that, in fact, may be the most time it would take - not a flat rate. It's really not that bad to do it yourself, and, it's quite educational. Wiring became a bit of an issue - had to figure out how to take the plugs apart - be sure to label everything well and chime in if your run into trouble - all of us are always glad to help. It truly makes me wonder when I see the prices charged at dealerships how people can afford to NOT do their own service. I just shake my head - btw, Oct. 23 is my last day as a HD service writer - going back into retirement - I need a road trip REALLY BAD -
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Surprise, AZ
RE: Just venting
When I was in AZ, I had the Reduce reach handle bars installed by a guy who worked at MMI. He told me with those bars you had to do internal wiring so he did. I had originally gotten quotes from the dealer of 2 hours but it would be 4 for internal wiring. I don't know who was right or wrong but with internal wiring 4 hrs sounds about right. Good luck. It looked awfully tricky when he was doing it. Basically had to remove the Headlight to get the fork lock thingy off. Go on Craiglist and post or here for that matter and see if someone in your area is willing to do it or at least help. This guy on charged me $30 an hour. Could be someone in your area that could make it happen a lot cheaper than the dealer.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 535
Likes: 4
From: Boca Raton, FL
RE: Just venting
Thanks for the comments (both of encoragement and not!) I am mechanically inclined but would rather spend my time doing something else (it always seems like I'm behind on something). Going to see an indy tomorrow and see what he charges. If not, I'm doing it this weekend. Will have laptop handy to post any questions if something comes up (thanks for the offer to help!). Will also try to document the process.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 845
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From: ID ho
RE: Just venting
Slope, I dont know how many of those bars I've installed but what I do know is that everybody comes back in a day or 2 and wants us to remove them and go back to the stock bar for free. They just suck! The angle at the grips is horrible. Everybody gets mad when we tell them it'll be another four hours to take them off!? I would suggest trying different seats if you need to get closer. The parts guys will walk outside with you to try a seat on and it only takes 2 seconds to swap out.
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