I was just in the elevator with this guy whose bike stopped working right after he installed a new seat. I told him he probably knocked a battery connection loose or something. He said he checked all that and couldn't find anything, so he took it to the harley mechanic.
He finally got it back today. Among other things, they said his plugs were fouled and changed them and they cleaned and rejetted the carbs as well. All this probably cost at least $500, but he was happy his bike was running again. Any thoughts on all this?
2007-09-08 14:46:41 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Seems bill b and I are still thinking along the same lines.
it all sounds like guesswork based on little to no real information.
BTW, changing screen names does not change who you are.
We still know you as you were. Insults are insults, and are taken that way no matter how you hide or disguise yourself.
FWIW, I am called Firecracker in public and on the street as well.
I don't hide who I am or what I think. I suggest you grow a little, and keep your mouth (fingers) shut in the meantime.
2007-09-10 11:04:24 · answer #1 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
That other guy is right. You can do it yourself. Go to your harley dealer and get a service manul for you model of Harley. It may cost $60 or so, but it is well worth having. It does not take a lot of tools to do oil changes, primary chaincase lube and transmission lube changes on your bike. You will learn more about your bike and you will know it was done and done right. It's also a bonding thing and good to do on those rainy days, and during the winter months when you cant ride. It keeps you in the motorcycle mode of thinking. You'll be unsure at first but after one or two times if doing it yourself you will be as good at it as any certified mechanic.
2016-04-03 21:56:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a problem with your statement, "probably cost at least $500." Is this a guess of yours or did it cost him that much.? Also with "rejetted the carbs" Most Harleys only have one carburetor unless it is a really high performance machine. I don't think you got the story straight. Anyway if he agreed to have the work done and was happy after wards I see no problem with it.
I do all my own work except machine work and a friend of mine does that for me. If you can't do it yourself then you pay the price. Like someone else said, a shop isn't going to ruin their reputation for a couple hundred bucks.
Sounds fair to me.
2007-09-08 16:25:09 · answer #3 · answered by bill b 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I knew of a fellow who thought he would save a buck and adjusted his own valves on a new bike voiding the warranty, and causing major engine damage. Saving a buck usually means paying alot more later! It is best to let a trained and competent person do even the simplest job, even just putting a seat on. Trying to troubleshoot someone Else's screw up can take time, with insurance, employee costs and overhead the dealer can not do this for free. It always amazes me that customers pay alot for a nice bike, and a few whine when they have to spend a couple bucks to keep it running
2007-09-08 23:09:36 · answer #4 · answered by wayne b 1 · 4⤊ 2⤋
ahhh he got shafted alright.....and dry. a rejet and new plugs can be done extremely easy, and over a 6 pack even. poor connection on the battery cables will keep a bike from starting. been there a few times. even at warren hd's 60 dolla an hour shop time, for new plugs and a rejet, it wouldnt have come even close to 500 clams. that stealership needs his franchise license yanked by the moco.
2007-09-08 15:46:48 · answer #5 · answered by forktail_devil 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
You have to watch the 'stealer'ships. They always do extra to a vehicle. There was probably more problems with the bike than just a seat change. If he is happy, then he doesn't feel he got hosed. Don't worry about it.
I always do my own work. As much as I can anyway.
2007-09-08 14:52:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Most mechanics are legitimate, though the general consensus is otherwise....perhaps you did not get the whole story....the mechanic or service advisor most likely called the customer and advised of the bikes issues and the customer agreed to the repairs....Most repair shops are reputable and would not jeopardize a good reputation for a lousy couple of hundred dollars....think about it
2007-09-08 14:55:31 · answer #7 · answered by RiverRat 5 · 7⤊ 1⤋
If you wanta own a HD you have to be prepared to either repair it yourself, or pay big money to have the dealer repair it.
Any motorcycle requires a lot of maintenance, more so on HD's, you have to keep the oil changed, tighten up loose nuts and bolts, check tire pressures, clean carbs, and so on.
Engine overhauls on HD's can run $6000, and most engine problems are caused by lack of maintenance.
HD's are expensive to own, and maintain.
2007-09-08 22:28:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Motorcycles like Harleys aren't as maintenance-free as cars are. Mainly because they sit around with gas sitting in their carburetors for half the year. Because their fuel-delivery systems are more primitive than those in a modern car, they tend to foul plugs a lot faster as well. Add to that higher engine temperatures and your friend is going to spend more money maintaining his machine.
If he has any mechanical inclination, and doesn't mind getting his hands dirty, maintaining it shouldn't be too bad. The carbs are a different story.
2007-09-08 14:57:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋
should have started even with a bad plug has nothing to do with not starting and imsure he said fix the carbs while you working on it man i d say he got hosed with a big one should have been a round ten minutes for plugs and hour or so for carb either way not 500 bucks
2007-09-08 14:56:31 · answer #10 · answered by infoman89032 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋