HD Dealership repair

[gliderider94]

Don't know what's happening it other parts of the country but Harley dealers around here are going out of business right and left.

[coolhawg6622]

I recently (Friday 13, January 2012) had abnormal sounds and blue smoke out of the tailpipes of my 2007 Nightster and took it in to B.S. HD in Phoenix (I will use initials not full names).


The service person G. told me that it would cost me $414 to diagnose the problem (could later be applied to cost of repair). He then gave me free ride home in one of his service vans.


I received a call about a week later from J. at B.S. HD, and I was informed that the problem was not confined to the top end, but probably the bottom end because he found metal fragments in the oil.


I asked him how much to repair, and it was my understanding that it would be about $2225. I said I found several '07 motors on ebay same year as mine for about $2220.


I went in to B.S. HD in Phoenix a few days later and spoke to the sales manager M., and saw a VROD I liked for about $9000.


Then D.J., the service manager offered to buy my 07 nightster for $1000.


The salesmanager M. had talked to the service department and he told me that it would cost between $3500 to $4000 (parts and labor to repair the bike - out the door total repair cost).


I felt this was too much to pay for a repair, but didn't buy the VROD for $9000 because I balked at the fact they would not dismiss the $414 diagnostic fee and he would only be paying me $1000 for my '07 Nightster with less than 5000 miles on it.


I said no, I will not buy the VROD for $9000 because D.J. said that I must still pay the $414 service charge (diagnostic).


J. told me that it would now cost me $1700 diagnostic fee to check the bottom end and determine the total cost of the repairs needed.


I agreed to let him go ahead with the diagnostic.


A week later J. informed me that total cost of parts to repair the bike is $2700, plus the $1700 labor.


The total cost out the door to rebuild the motor would now be 2700 + 1700 = $4400, plus taxes about $4700 out the door.


This is a true story, and the facts are true.


I appreciate any opinions about this from members of this forum.


Thank you.

So, me bein a tell ya like is guy I'll say this...........

IF you are dumb enough to let someone "diagnose" a problem for $414 let ALONE $1700 yer a fool!!! 30 minutes and a couple tests will give ya a ball park of whats wrong....metal in the oil is a good indicator.......so $50 to say to you...... "Metal in the oil and it will cost $1k to $4k depending on what we find inside".............Done!!

But.........You got BONED plane and simple! Take yer KY Jelly next time....Not only did they screw ya then they had the nutz to offer you a grand for the bike? Christ thats funny!!!!!!! I'll give ya 2k right now!!!!! lol

I sure wouldnt go on a public forum and flaunt it..........$1700 to "diagnose" ............wow!!

[Wild1Poet2]

The dealers around here are pretty good. And we got plenty of independents with good reps and long histories. It helps to have business competition cuz they know customers will go somewhere else. Its a little different now cuz big corps. own the dealers compared to the olden days when it was mostly family owned dealers but I have no complaints.

When the cost to rebuild starts to get high you have to consider either just buying a brand new mill or "souping up" the motor. Rather than a rebuild you might just buy a new unit. Or it never hurts as much if you pay to get a big stroked out firebreathing mill rather than merely rebuilding to stock specs. Hey if they're gonna split the cases you might as well put in a stroker crank and other goodies. I always lean towards upgrading to more power. For some reason writing out the check never hurts as much when you're getting something really hot in return. Its like handing out money to a panhandler versus handing out dollars at the gentleman's club.

PS: If you get a new mill you could keep the old one as a project and build it out in your leisure time.