OK, so I'm leaving tomorrow for South Texas and won't get back till 5/20. I put a new rear tire on last night and thought I had all the maintenance covered and was looking forward to the trip.

Today I'm riding around and as I pull in the clutch I feel the slightest little tweak in the hand lever. When I get home I start to investigate and the clutch cable is about half way broke. Couldn't believe I was lucky enough to catch it before the trip.

I went to the local HD dealer and ask for a clutch cable for a 2013 Limited and the parts guy is looking in his book for the part number. Then he asked me a question that just floored me. He asked if it had a hydraulic clutch! I was amazed and told him if I had a hydraulic clutch, I wouldn't have much use for a clutch cable now would I?

He continues to look in his book and then informs me they don't have one in stock. I can see my trip down South going South real quick.

He looks a little more and says Oh, wrong part number. They did have the cable in stock!

I had forgotten how much crap you have to take apart to replace a clutch cable, but it's done now and I'm ready to hit the road tomorrow.

 

Most parts guys are no different than the drive-thru drones at McDonalds. If you find a good one, treat him well

 

I'd tell you that they were out too if I were treated like crap.

Ben

 

Sometimes you just have to show off them feathers!

 

Was I supposed to act like that was an intelligent question?
Anyone that would say they didn't have the part in stock because of a response to a stupid question is a low life. He isn't doing the dealership any good and he isn't doing the customer any good. He would just be screwing everybody and no one wins.

Little people do that a lot.

 

your mistake was not going online and finding the part number yourself (Ronnies has the entire HD parts diagram online) and walking in with your own part number.... IF i need a part locally ( normally Boardtracker gets my business) I get the PN, call the local Stealership, ask if they "can check a number for me", and if it comes back good I get the parts drones name and tell him I am on my way up to get it ..... have it on the counter

 

Attitude goes a long way. Bet he was sitting on 100 clutch cables.

Ben

 

Maybe the reason he asked you if your bike had a hydraulic clutch was because the last half dozen geniuses looking for a clutch cable did have hydraulic clutches.

 

Neggy's got it down pat...I do the same thing. I have a bit of an advantage in that I have an auto parts background, plus I understand the machine...mine...yours...and his over there.

Ben is also spot on...if you walked in there and displayed the same attitude you've flown in here, then expect nothing in the future. Ya know, OP, I've run across more than a few dummies behind various counters over the years, but I've never found it so interesting to everybody else that I've gone on the World Wide Web to cry about it.

​​​​​​​The vast amount of parts 'specialists' these days, whether at an HD dealership, Pep Boys, or a sewing machine store don't know anything about the parts they sell, or the machine they sell them for. How's about you cut 'em a little slack, huh? And the next time you go in there for a part, use the World Wide Web to look up your own part number. You'd be surprised how much better your experience will be. Unless...perish the thought!...you make a mistake your own self.

 

I just thought it was funny. I thought I'd pass on a little humor.
Sorry to get you all worked up about it.

if you didn't find it humorous, let's just let it lay.

Don't really feel like getting in a pissing match. I've got a trip coming up tomorrow