Howdy Fellow CVO Members,
I took another tumble last evening as I turned in the bathroom to exit I fell face down. I really don't remember falling but strangely I heard the thud. Sue heard it too and luckily I landed on the floor without hitting the sink or tub and still left room for the door to be opened. Sue helped me get into my recliner and in a short time helped me get into bed. I slept pretty good and now I'm home from attending a 40th annv for Jerry and Barbra. Funny how 40 years seem like such a long time, but they only have Sue and I beat by 4 years. lol
Seeking help!! I have asked my friends and family on the Heritage Springer forum and thought I'd ask my friends and family here too.
I'm pretty weak so I'm not sure if I can do it but I am at least going to give it my best shot with Small Claims Court over the incredible labor over charge let alone that the work is of such poor quality I have every reason to believe it needs to be redone in it intirety. I've watched Judge Judy and Judge Joe Brown enough to know that I'll need all my ducks in a row.
Apples to Apples! What I mean is, I must be absolutely correct in what it is that takes 4 to 6 hours. At this point I am pretty sure I understand but, lol, I have felt that way before only to find later that I was wrong. So it's a safe bet that I could possibly be wrong with this, as far as what a Judge will Rule, although I don't think so.
Now, according to the time sheet I was given by the Granite State H-D service manager, it took the H-D mechanic 2.93 hours to completely disassemble my Heritage Springer frontend. This means that the rigid fork was actually in hand and the triple tree was completely off the neck of the bike frame. This pretty much lines up with 4 to 6 hours for the complete job because 2.93 hours is roughly half of the higher end of the estimated 4 to 6 hours labor charge given to me by other local H-D shops.
Point in question: How can it possibly take a H-D mechanic 13.86 hours to reassemble the same parts that took the same H-D mechanic only 2.93 hours to disassemble?
I was charged $1,342.15 for 15.79 hours for a 4 to 6 hour frontend job and sadly it was done with such poor quality it can not be ridden and most likely needs to be redone in it's enterety. Although Granite State H-D said they'd repair (re-repair) my bike, I removed it from that shop. I had no reason to believe that the proper repair would be done in a timely manner or meet Manufacturer Spec's since the new shop mechanic doesn't even have the tools needed to reassemble and adjust a springer frontend to begin with.
I hired Granite State H-D in good faith to perform work on my Heritage Springer frontend during the winter storage and paid for the new shock absober as well.
There were NO other frontend parts replaced. For the purpose of clarity, let the below senario mean, (Labor Only)!!
Model: 1997 heritage Springer
note: my bike has nearly 70,000 miles and has never had any frontend work prior to this.
1) Disassemble entire springer front end suspension including head/steering bearings and inspect all parts. Labor Only!
2) Reassemble entire springer front end suspension including head/steering bearings. Labor Only!
3) Any and all worn or broken parts replaced with (NEW) parts with any additional labor charges are extra, and not included in this (Labor Only) scenario.
If you guys would be willing to get a written estimate for the work [1,2,3] listed above and send it to me I could add it to my evidence and hopefully will help me be reimbursed for the bogus charge.
A written estimate might be obtained in person or with a phone call to your dealer service dept. and ask for the quote to be sent to you. Anyway, It would be great if you would help me in this way.
Not sure how to ask more members here for help with this mater so if you would ask your circle of Harley friends I would appreciate it greatly.
Sincerely your friend
Sam/chappy