I may be posting this in the wrong place, so if I am I apologize. What I am trying to find out is if anyone has a list/guide/manual that shows HD Labor times. I am not looking for labor cost, looking for times. I recently had some work done at the local dealer ship and think I may have been......well you know. I blacked the bike out, changing front forks, bells and skirt, added black spot light kit, black brake/clutch lever, All engine covers, Mufflers, heat shields, engine guard, and the rear tail light bracket. This was all done while it was in for the 1000 mile service. Here is the deal. Basically was charged 12 hours labor, 4 of which was supposed to be rmove and replace the forks. They agreed to change all the engine cover(cam, transmission side and top, and primary) for 1 hour labor. 12-5= 7 hours to add the spot light bracket, the levers, and the rear turn signal bracket, mufflers, shields and engine guard. Seems a little high to me. Appreciate any help.

 

If you are talking about the "Flat Rate Manual" I think that is on their private web site. That is guarded tighter than the combination to the lock on the Queen's chastity belt.

 

I think those times are pretty standard. They might be tweaked a bit here and there for Harley specific applications but the times are pretty standard. It's their shop rates that vary wildly from one dealer to the next. Maybe you can do the work quicker but they probably have a bunch of stuff they check and have "best practices" to follow that take more time. Do you torque and loctite every bolt every time? If you stay and watch them perform the service they will.... And it will take about as long as the manual says.

I think you can get non-Harley flat rate manuals and they're not that far off. I know someone that worked in a repair shop (not a motorcycle shop but they did work on bikes) and their flat rate manual wasn't much different than what the dealer told me.

 

It's been my experience with dealerships as well as indy shops that if you're in a hurry to get something done, they're more likely to pay their full houlry rate.
Whereas if they can work on a bike at their own pace they may give you a little break.

I just ask them how much as opposed to how long.

 

Batone, It really comes down to you need to get a quote BEFORE services are rendered.

and when it comes to any "custom" type work extra costs can be incurred if "non-standard" ( custom, aftermarket etc.) parts or equipment are involved.

for instance if the owner changes the fasteners to allen instead of torx head, then extra time is required for the tech to get the correct tool, or if the exhaust has been changed, or the doofus who put something on stripped all the threads etc. etc.

Shop labour rates are usually set to an average. a slower tech earns less, a faster tech earns more ( billable hours) the service mgr trys to make sure the work is down to standard.
The service writer ( the guy at the counter) is usually a commission position, which is why they want to upsell you on parts and services.

The owner should be aware of costs before the work is done.

if you have sticker shock, then you can make the SM aware that 'someone" failed to properly notify you of the costs before the work was done.

Mike

 

....And, if youaren't happy with the dealership, might I suggest that you find an indy that you trust, or, do it yourself. I'll bet that you couldn't have done that job in 12 hours.

 

30 years ago Mitchell had a publication we used at Good Year to go by to quote jobs.
If we did a job quoted at 5 hours, and we got her done in 3, the customer paid for 4.

Sounds like the MoCo has the same type of pub, its just under lock and key, which is probably a good thing.

 

^^^Like VTL_nut indicates^^^

Also, what the book states & each HD shop charges will vary by dealership, job, service tech & service mgr. Seven hours for performing "six" different procedures, some which are time consuming, seems pretty fair.

I'd say, if you have a problem with the charges, address it with the Service Mgr. to see if they'll knock-off something, or credit future work. Again, if there was a pre-service labor agreement, you might not have a leg to stand on...

 

Was the 1000 mi. Service included in the 12 hours?

 

You can not pin them down. Asked about installing chrome switch caps. Was told one hour. When i was ready to do it i was told 30 minutes. I asked if that was firm and he went to check with mechanic and came back and said 2 hours. Was given a coupon for $10.00 off 1000 mile service, went to get it and they wanted $350.00 . I came home put bike on ebay and sold it. They will screw your eyes out and not even kiss you.