Mike,
your complaint about the overall quality of the bikes is so true. Just today I had the dealer replace the lower triple tree cover on my 03 SERK. The first one was completely rusted out, after only one year. I noticed a couple of other rusting chrome parts, all around the front end of the bike.
The dealer says I should polish the chrome more often. That's all I do ever since I got the bike. He also said that HD will only replace one chrome part under the one year warranty. How generous! I now need some new hardware, floorboards and a new headlamp trim ring. I will avoid HD parts as good as I can.
Also, I am stuck with a seven year warranty and probably won't change anything on my bike from OEM for fear I could lose coverage under the warranty. That really sucks.
I have read it in several threads, and I can only agree: I guess you get what you pay for.Truth be told, though, I still love my bike. I just wish it would be better built.