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[lilcoot]

Speaking of funny visits to HD service departments, I had a good one the other day.

I decided to look into replacing the compensator, so went to the parts desk of Skip-Fordyce HD in Riverside, CA.  I asked the clerk at the desk how much it would cost to buy a new compensator, but he wasn't quite sure what I was talking about.  While he was trying to find "compensator", we had a nice chat.  It turned out he was the manager of warranty services at that dealership for the past three years, and was just helping out at the parts desk (found this hard to believe).  Also, he said he's never heard of a compensator problem with Harleys.

After several more minutes, he said showed me a picture of the clutch assembly, and said it's $500+.  I told him that isn't the compensator, told him it's part of the assembly on the crankshaft which buffers the engine's torque from being transferred to the clutch, even showed him the picture in the parts catalogue.  He looked through the catalogue for a few more minutes, and said "No, this is definitely the part you want", referring again to the clutch.  I just thanked him and left.

Then I went home and fired off a nasty email to the dealership. 

How in the hell does Harley think they're going to earn any repeat business with idiots and service like that? 

[jacks]

Hi Ladies and Gentleman,
I must be one of the lucky ones,,,,, we have a dealership here in Brunswick (Victoria) called Harley City, I am fortunate to be a member of their HOG club (among others), and enjoy a 10% discount on all parts, and the service department are the only people that I will ever allow to touch my bike...

In saying this, I asked Chris if he was OK in servicing my imported Street Glide CVO, and the answer was "I service Harley Davidsons period"....

You see, in Australia, some dealers will not service what they call "Grey imports"(US purchased Harleys).... as they are NOT originally sold here in Aus....
This is prevalent in Western Australia with those enthusiasts needing to scorce services elsewhere....we don't seem to have too much problem in Melbourne as the a couple of dealers here are cleaning up where they purchase from your HD finance repossession sales, and sell at local prices...

In fact, Australian delivered Harley's have a VIN starting with 5, not 1...(Japan is also 5.....interesting...) and naturally we are all in business to make a profit, and we know that much of the profit in Harley's is in the servicing, so where these people minds are is anybody's guess...talk about cutting off your nose despite your face...

[Eqcons]

I never have any scheduled maintenance performed by dealer. Only take bikes in for warranty or repair that I cannot perform. Helps keep my blood pressure down!

X3

[Eqcons]

Australian delivered Harley's have a VIN starting with 5, not 1...(Japan is also 5.....interesting...)

All HDI bikes start with HD5, Jacks.

Jim

[dayne66]

In fact, Australian delivered Harley's have a VIN starting with 5, not 1...(Japan is also 5.....interesting...) and naturally we are all in business to make a profit, and we know that much of the profit in Harley's is in the servicing, so where these people minds are is anybody's guess...talk about cutting off your nose despite your face...

Canadian Harley's VINs also start with a 5...I think all exports do, maybe?