what were they responding to?

 

For those that are hesitant on doing their own service work, fluid changes, brakes, etc check out www.fixmyhog.com Dennis explains things in simple englishin a professionally donevideo (dvd), it's money well spent. Read my review in the product review section and check out fixmyhog website.
capt42a

 

I don't know where to begin, this just keeps getting worse. Just got back from picking-up my07 Ultrafrom the dealer for the clatter noise and a few other problems, e.g. broken starter, engine cylinder paint peeling, vibration. Prior to arriving at the dealer, was told on the phone by the service manager, that they had; removed the primary cover to check the compensator and chain tensioner and everything was ok, starter was repaired and the cylinder repainted, they test drove the bike and claimed theyfound no clatter or vibration. However, after arriving at the dealer, I was given a different story, that they did not remove the primary cover for inspection because HD corporate forbid them to do that on the 07's, and would not be covered by warranty. The cylinder was reported as painted, but when I got home, I inspected, and the opposite was true, bare metal on the rear cylinder. Also, the bike still had the clatter and vibration. Apparently the only thing that got repaired (and only time will tell) was the starter, since Monday of this week. So the problem/s continue. I guess it's time to buy the service manual, and do things the right way. If this is the best the dealers can do, I think I can beat that by doing things myself.Good qualitycustomer service is a thing of the past, not just with HD, but others as well. Anything for a buck isthe motto nowadays, and it's one lie after another to get it.

 

I don't let my local dealer do service, unless I need my oil changed. I found a independant mechanic (HD trained/cert) that charges less and is willing to work with me. Dealerships are nothing but money ****** that have their hands in your wallet every time you walk in.



[IMG]local://upfiles/13603/BBC5B0FC266D4003A8DDD1F87CDE9D23.jpg[/IMG]

 

yep. after two unsatisfactory trips to two local dealers, i'm done..

i've resolved to do/learn/buy whatever i need to so that i can do whatever i need to on my own. already had the service manual and jack, bought and watched the two relevant fix my hog dvds, and read another good book on motorcycle maintenance. i will also be buying a table style lift in the near future.

lots of upgrades and maintenance planned so i'm stoked..

 

gave up a long time ago

 

My bike has been to a number of dealers (and indys) for 'repairs'...Never for service, unless it was incidental to the repair. Actually, the service manager where I bought the bike told me to do most of the 'service' myself. But that was in 1993...Bet they don't offer that bit of advice anymore.

For routine service and maintenance, if you have the aptitude, the tools, the workspace...There is really no good reason to have anyone else do it. Even 'simple' repairs, ie: cable replacements, tire replacement, brakes. Or 'bolt-on' performance mods: Air Cleaner, Exhaust, etc..Can all be done at home with a bike lift and ordinary hand tools.

Let's face the economic reality of things,a dealership or indy makes a whole lotta money by 'turning over' a huge volume of simple service work. Oil changes, 'bolt-ons', performance mods,'scheduled maintenance', etc. Things that all can be done in a matter of hours (or less) by their 'techs'. And can be 'squeezed' in between prepping new bikes or other 'major repairs'. They don't make their 'quota' by having a bike 'tied up' for a week (or seven weeks) getting an upper end rebuild.I suspect areason for all the delaysscheduling services/repairs are all due to the 'inventory' or 'backlog' of all the simple things that could'vebeen done by the owners...If they were so inclined.

But....There are a whole lotta HD owners that don't wanna get their hands dirty, or crawl around on the garage floor for an hour (or so) doing a fluid change. Dealers and Indys love people like that...

 

Update just more reasons to do your own repairs/maintenance. This morningI proceeded to wash and detail my bike after getting back from the dealer,as stated above. While going over the bike, I foundblack paint smudged on mychrome derby cover, apparently happened while they weredoing their sub-standard paint touch-up workto the rear cylinder, which also has bare metal showing,as also stated above.Again, bike still clatters and vibrates, just like before I even left it with them. What would one expect anyway, they're just off-springs of HD corporate or should I say, inbreds of HD.

 

I really hate to see dealers giving bad service when I just had such a great experience with mine. Sorry.

 

you won't ever get any practical experience unless you give it a try. take your time and enjoy the feeling of knowing your bike inside and out.