Greetings,

Ditto here. When I was putting on my apes I called my local indy, Watson's Wheels of Madness, and they helped me out a lot over the phone since they have done a lot of work for me. Plus, I've bought a lot of parts there over the years.

 

I met some nice people at Zion HD.

Crazy Mary set me up with some directions, a map, and food locations when I was there for a stop while riding. It was raining and I needed a break and saw the sign. Seemed like real nice folks there.

Lots of the "custom" shops around here are real fly-by-night. There one day and gone the next. Anybody can call themselves whatever they want, but that does not mean they do good work.

I try to do most myself. I've used the locals, and have used the dealers. I've had good and bad experiences with all 3.

If you have an Indy that does good work-treat them nice.

 

I have a local independent shop that is FANTASTIC and they do all my non-warranty work.

Clemmons Cycle

http://www.clemmonsmotorcycles.com/

Just west of Winston Salem on I-40. Kenny, Jamie, Coy and Henry are GREAT.

I really like the Harley dealer I bought my bike from. The owner is a super guy that is well respected. The clothing people are awesome, the parts people are really good and I like the sales staff. The problem is that I feel like a nobody in the service department. They NEVER remember that you have even been there before not even the next day when you go to pick your bike up. They have for some reason an I don't care take it or leave it attitude. So I found an indy that is really good and I enjoy going over there to visit them.

They also were the guys that changed my tins out when we did the custom paint and they chromed the front end and put the billet wheel on.

 

now that warranty is out I have used and will use the Indy more.

 

I take mine to an independent for tires, brakes and such. Do the rest of the maintenance myself.

Service intervals can be done by independents or yourself. Warranty work (2 year/24,000 miles) and recalls however must be done by Harley Davidson if you don't want to be charged.

 

indy does all my work, which is only the stuff i dont the tools for

 

I tried taking my bike to an indy here, several times. I wound up fixing both problems myself by getting out the manual and doing a little studying. I have had a rear tire put on by one indy and a front by another. For tires and stuff I will continue to use them, anything else I will fix it myself. I have never used the local HD dealer for anything, maybe I never will have to, we'll see. There is a certain amount of satisfaction in fixing your own stuff that is over and above the money saved, I feel good knowing I remedied two problems that the local guys couldn't fix.

 

My local dealer is 200km away. He offers a pick up and drop off service but then you are without a bike for a week and he charges for the service. It is more convenient for me to take it to the local non dealer shop. He is good with Harleys.

 

all I used the dealer for was to buy my bike. Texas Outlaw Cycles of San Antonio has done everything else to it. the owner Chris, is an HD trained tech that really knows his way around the motorcycle, and will spend the time detailing what needs to be done, or what has to happen and why.

 

one of the indy shops here is renowned as an excellent service shop. I enjoy going there for parts, the attitude is very "riders welcome". So if the time ever comes that I can't it repaired myself, I'll take it there.
However I have no problem with buying parts or accessories from the H-D dealership, and my friend always takes her 93 sporty there for service. The dealership is very community involved always sponsoring or hosting an event to help a local group.