Just thinking,..
They obviouslt put your bike together backwards, since the primary is on the right side and the pipes and air cleaner on on the left. LMAO
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
I think you're right. I haven't thought of that.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 128
I'm not suggesting your problems are caused by anything you did, but my niece is a tech at a dealership and she would strongly disagree with your point of view and she would support whoever said most problems are self inflicted. There are a whole lot of guys turning wrenches on their bikes that don't have a clue what they are doing. More than you may think. She's always telling me about the crap she sees and on more than one occasion she has said if it weren't for backyard wannabe mechanics, she would probably be out of a job.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 11
From: El Paso, Texas
I think the majority of the problems are self inflicted. As soon as we get the bikes home we start messing with just about everything about them. Others ride them like they are a carnival ride and cannot understand why they have more problems than their car. I am sure if they drove the car the same way most ride their bike, the car would have drive train issues as well.
If it is treated like a toy, it will have the same problems as a toy.
If it is treated like a toy, it will have the same problems as a toy.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
i'm really pleased with how my bike is put together. it pays to keep everything tight and maintained rather than just assuming it'll go forever without servicing. the quality, fit and finish are superb. my first was a 53 panhead and they've gotten better all along except for the AMF years. just ride yours and appreciate that you're able to own such a great bike.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 185
Likes: 1
From: Tuddenham St. Mary, United Kingdom
I don't know about the quality of the bikes, but I do know that, in my experience, the quality of service departments has plummeted. I just moved to a new house and, based on what I've read on this forum, will be getting a Pit Bull lift and doing the work on my wife's and my motorcycles myself.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 122
Likes: 1
By thoughts..
1) There are more AmEx "bikers" getting into the hobby that cannot change a spark plug or otherwise maintain their bikes. They would rather write letters to inflate their self importance than follow normal procedures that work for the rest of us.
2) Seems like there are more people riding more miles. Don't see many metric riders riding 15,000 - 20,000 miles on their bikes year after year, except for a few retired Gold Wing riders.
3) The newer bikes can be easily tweaked to 110+ horsepower with torque numbers that were unheard of with the old Evo motors. The power increase puts added stress on things.
4) I know of many stock Twin Cam bikes with over 100,000 miles with not issues. The bikes seem to last a long time in stock configuration.....but what fun is that?
5) I have buddies that complain about service at the local HD shops. I seem to have none of these issues. But my buddies tend to treat the Service Managers badly and tend to get the same treatment back to them. Old story.......people tend to respond back in the same way as the respect they were given.
6) These are motorcycles for God's sake. Have owned nearly 30 in my life, all brands. They all break!
1) There are more AmEx "bikers" getting into the hobby that cannot change a spark plug or otherwise maintain their bikes. They would rather write letters to inflate their self importance than follow normal procedures that work for the rest of us.
2) Seems like there are more people riding more miles. Don't see many metric riders riding 15,000 - 20,000 miles on their bikes year after year, except for a few retired Gold Wing riders.
3) The newer bikes can be easily tweaked to 110+ horsepower with torque numbers that were unheard of with the old Evo motors. The power increase puts added stress on things.
4) I know of many stock Twin Cam bikes with over 100,000 miles with not issues. The bikes seem to last a long time in stock configuration.....but what fun is that?
5) I have buddies that complain about service at the local HD shops. I seem to have none of these issues. But my buddies tend to treat the Service Managers badly and tend to get the same treatment back to them. Old story.......people tend to respond back in the same way as the respect they were given.
6) These are motorcycles for God's sake. Have owned nearly 30 in my life, all brands. They all break!
Last edited by bubba455; Oct 25, 2010 at 06:04 AM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post