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[Boatman]

WC-
The american corporation mentality is to put the product out the door and let the dealer deal with the problem it seems.

[ultrafxr]

The american corporation menatlity is to put the product out the door and let the dealer deal with the problem it seems.

[BalDeagle]

Seems like I'm going to have to inspect my new SERK a little more closely than I would have thought. The HD dealership in Newcastle upon Tyne recently took delivery of a new SERK (for another customer) and she looked just fine. Having said that I didn't go over her with a fine toothcomb.

My Heritage's paintwork and chrome have stood up really well over the last six years so I hope the new bike will be the same.

Nige

[WFP]

My $.02...

HD uses the Dannaher Business Model, Lean/Six Sigma whatever you want to call it.  The idea is to remove waste...not a bad thing however it does cause issues.  Toyota is  an example.

In the boating industry, when fiberglass was first used for hulls they overbuilt them tough as can be.  Just look at the hull of an older vintage Pearson sailboat.  That was a thick hull.  As time progressed  manufacturers realized they could get away with less and less material.  They could add coring and do lots of other things to reduce waste and cost.  The production fiberglass hull of today will meet spec.  No longer is it overbuilt.

HD has done the same thing in different ways.  Fiberglass bags & fairings were replaced with plastic might be an example.  Accepting Questionable paint at inspection could be another.  I am struggling for other examples but maybe the vendor chosen for oil lines is another.  This actually could be a good one that could be synonymous with the fiberglass sailboat example.

Assume that for years people put in higher pressure fueling oil pumps without issue.  But then, unbeknownst to anyone, HD changes vendor for oil lines that still meets the spec but unlike the previous vendor does not overbuild them.  Now, you could have more lines breaking.  This is just a hypothesis...not supported with evidence.

/Bill

[flyingwillie]

Clyde,
do NOT take that bike.  You will never be happy with it because you will always have  [smiley=nixweiss.gif] about it.  It is also "damaged goods" particularly now that the VIN
number is posted.  I wouldn't take the bike if they fixed and then dropped the price $10K.
It just ain't worth the hassel and stress.  
My 05 SEEG was assembled in KC and I have had no issues to date (except the ones I inflicted [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif] [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif])
Good luck [smiley=cherry.gif]

[CVOMOE!!]

What a bunch of crap.  Seems there paint quality control has gone steadily downhill starting with the 2006 model year.  Unbelievable comes to mind.  They must be outsourcing the painting of these machines.  If it was me I would definately pass on that bike and wait for another one.  They (the dealer) should ship it back to Harley and tell them to do it over.  It was probably built on a Friday just before quitting time.  Maybe they could knock $10,000.00 off for you.  Fat chance of that happening.

Good luck with this though.  Ask them if you can ride it without paying for it until they make it right and see what kind of reaction you get.

Cheers, Moe

[Hoist!]

[highlight]Seems like I'm going to have to inspect my new SERK a little more closely than I would have thought. [/highlight]The HD dealership in Newcastle upon Tyne recently took delivery of a new SERK (for another customer) and she looked just fine. Having said that I didn't go over her with a fine toothcomb.

My Heritage's paintwork and chrome have stood up really well over the last six years so I hope the new bike will be the same.

Nige

We all do! Refer to my post under "Twin Cam" "110" Engine Upgrade Debate" Hoist!

[Midnight Rider]

Yes indeed, and that's what has very nearly put our domestic big 3 auto makers out of business.

[Twolanerider]

Lets face it, the MoCo doesn't care if the dealers are having problems or not, they only care (hopefully) if WE are happy or not.

[ultrafxr]

Terry you are correct that the moco has no real competition for what WE want now.  But back in the bad ole AMF days the die hard loyalists barley kept 'em hangin' on.  And as you point out the demographics are definitely not in their favor.  They realize this big time which is one reason they promote Riders Edge - to get new younger folks (especially females and minorities) riding Harleys.  I hope they can 'cause I want them to be successful.  But too much of this chit and it erodes confidence drip by drip and over time they lose new riders little by little to competition and voilla, they are in trouble again.  It doesn't have to be that way and I hope it is not.

[Ghost Rider]

We also buy one bike (generally).

[ultrafxr]

Actually, to the extent they really care about anyone or anything other than what they are forced to do to get by, it's just the reverse.

[flyingwillie]

You old guys remember the old saying......"Ride a Honda, haul a Harley" ?  Are we approaching those days again?  We are not seeing Harleys leaking oil on the showroom floor again yet but there is certainly reason for concern.
As someone said earlier.....share price is everything.
 [smiley=cherry.gif]  

[Hoist!]

[highlight]You old guys remember the old saying[/highlight]......"Ride a Honda, haul a Harley" ?

[ggraves427]

Clyde, tell the salesman you have some bad news for him.  You have decided to wait for the next bike with perfect paint.