Shoddy work, or me
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,000
Likes: 11,441
After market, even factory bars have been known to be a little off. That does not excuse **** poor work. A real tech already knows this before staring the job. And surely the bill already has that figured in weather more work is needed or not.
But the key point was mentioned right away. Dealership.. That right there is the issues.
But the key point was mentioned right away. Dealership.. That right there is the issues.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 390
From: Florida
Example: if you have Wild 1 Bars ...
https://wild1inc.com/install-tips
(see topic on heated and short grips)
You would think a dealer would know about this ??
.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 791
Likes: 386
From: New York
Regardless of the bars being aftermarket and requiring more to cut off or the wires or whatever, bottom line is you paid for a job to be done and it wasn't done correctly or completely. The tech knew damn well they weren't going on all the way...and they didn't bother to give you the BS excuse until you called them out on it after you picked it up. If they had a legit problem with eliminating that space they should have let you know right then and there. Look, I'd have no issue at all if you needed to increase the price because it was more involved to cut the bars or more labor intensive to "stuff" the wires, but do it right. To not say anything, and hoping the customer wouldn't notice or care is not acceptable in my book, I have no problem paying for something to be done, just do that something right when I do. Just my 
Last edited by Craigny; Oct 7, 2021 at 08:56 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 11,760
From: Omaha,NE
Regardless of the bars being aftermarket and requiring more to cut off or the wires or whatever, bottom line is you paid for a job to be done and it wasn't done correctly or completely. The tech knew damn well they weren't going on all the way...and they didn't bother to give you the BS excuse until you called them out on it after you picked it up. If they had a legit problem with eliminating that space they should have let you know right then and there. Look, I'd have no issue at all if you needed to increase the price because it was more involved to cut the bars or more labor intensive to "stuff" the wires, but do it right. To not say anything, and hoping the customer wouldn't notice or care is not acceptable in my book, I have no problem paying for something to be done, just do that something right when I do. Just my
As others have said, some bar/grip combos are not plug and play; additional modification needs to be done. Dealers work on OEM stuff and are trained for it. Having them install or repair anything aftermarket is asking for trouble. It's better to DIY or have an independent do the custom work for you. You can't expect a factory tech to know what to do with aftermarket parts.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 35,239
Likes: 19,070
From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W
Probably aftermarket grips, and the tech is flat rate, not going to take the time t cut 1/8 off the bars...the thing to do at least is to stop and call the customer get permission to cut their handle bars,amybe a few bucks more...i dunno few bucks more is always a toucht subject i used to work cars flat rate. people weren't happy even if you were doing it for free...
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 791
Likes: 386
From: New York
The bolded above is the root of the problem.
As others have said, some bar/grip combos are not plug and play; additional modification needs to be done. Dealers work on OEM stuff and are trained for it. Having them install or repair anything aftermarket is asking for trouble. It's better to DIY or have an independent do the custom work for you. You can't expect a factory tech to know what to do with aftermarket parts.
As others have said, some bar/grip combos are not plug and play; additional modification needs to be done. Dealers work on OEM stuff and are trained for it. Having them install or repair anything aftermarket is asking for trouble. It's better to DIY or have an independent do the custom work for you. You can't expect a factory tech to know what to do with aftermarket parts.
Get your money back or have them fix it. If you're looking for an answer that is.
As stated, they took on the work knowing right away they were aftermarket bars, or should have. Unless you just have time and money to throw in the trashcan.
You're paying for someone else's experience, not for them to learn from you.
As stated, they took on the work knowing right away they were aftermarket bars, or should have. Unless you just have time and money to throw in the trashcan.
You're paying for someone else's experience, not for them to learn from you.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 35,239
Likes: 19,070
From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W
Yeah but you are dealing with 20-30 something delaership workers, if it isnt easy peasy bolt on and go they are clueless...there is no craftsmanship any more not at a dealership.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 11,760
From: Omaha,NE
A factory tech can't tackle aftermarket handlebars? Don't some dealerships install them before selling the bike when they accessorize to put on the showroom floor? I know mine has. If they can't do the job correctly then they shouldn't take it on or at least inform the customer when he picked it up. If it takes more work than originally stated that's fine, charge accordingly. I do agree with DIY or Indy 100%.
However, the tech could've recognized that "something didn't look right" and offered an estimate for the extra work needed to make it cosmetically correct. The problem is, it may have appeared acceptable by his standards, but not to the OP's. The tech was hired to install what he had. He did so. I wouldn't expect any more than that.