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Idiots at HD
grumpygy
Member Posts: 53,466 ✭
Went in to get the front mount for my Heritage classic Saddlebags. Told them I wanted the Rubber Isolator. Just dumb looks and then they ask is it stock.
Finally told them to get the parts book for that year and go to the Saddlebags area. They show me the book finally. Then the guy tells me that that part is not rubber.
So I ask him is it in stock, yep was his answer. So told him to get it. When He came Back then asked him again is that rubber.
They even had a hard time finding the sparkplugs for my bike. The stock plugs.
The old parts guys were gone had an all new crew, at least the old guys could find your parts.
Tried to order the stock Baffels for my stock exhaust, they no longer sell them cause of the new laws and the old ones like mine were to loud. Great I changed out my Baffels cause they were to quiet( I had drilled them out some but that was not a good sound, thats why I needed the new ones), but the new ones are getting on my nerves.
Finally told them to get the parts book for that year and go to the Saddlebags area. They show me the book finally. Then the guy tells me that that part is not rubber.
So I ask him is it in stock, yep was his answer. So told him to get it. When He came Back then asked him again is that rubber.
They even had a hard time finding the sparkplugs for my bike. The stock plugs.
The old parts guys were gone had an all new crew, at least the old guys could find your parts.
Tried to order the stock Baffels for my stock exhaust, they no longer sell them cause of the new laws and the old ones like mine were to loud. Great I changed out my Baffels cause they were to quiet( I had drilled them out some but that was not a good sound, thats why I needed the new ones), but the new ones are getting on my nerves.
Comments
Guy comes out of a Side Isle and stops right in front of me , so I step right to go around him he steps right. so I go left, But just then something caught his eye to the left. tried one more time to the right he decided that what was on the left did not interest him so off agian to the right. Then I just walked thru him.
Should have seen me trying to leave. People who wonder around and keep getting in my way really pisses me off.
Guy comes out of a Side Isle and stops right in front of me , so I step right to go around him he steps right. so I go left, But just then something caught his eye to the left. tried one more time to the right he decided that what was on the left did not interest him so off agian to the right. Then I just walked thru him.
that drives me insane...I usually say to them...pick a f-ing lane...I don't tolerate people and their stupid lil worlds anymore
Sounds like you got the "from the books" type..
Give me the guy/girl that has worked on cars/bikes/trucks/guns/houses/ whatever for years..he/she is light years beyond the "book taught person".
i knew counter guys who knew part numbers by heart. they could walk down aisles blindfolded and find a part. they use to know a -1 from a -2 anything. they were just as important to wrench twisters and good at it.
problem is...new people dont have books and pics, they have computers. and computers are onlyas smart as the person who programs it....miles away.
old dealers use to have books with notes taped in the pages to make corrections. remember the old ham radios? dealers who didnt know a trick part request, would call another dealer on the 'horn' to get some advise or the part.
the system worked. hd is experiencing what everyone else is. they have become too dependant on techno progress and lost common sense. theyve lost touch with the product. remember how you adjusted carbs by putting your hand over the exhaust to feel pressure? and then it backfired? ahh, the joy of being an old guy.
dont have the answer for you guys. im old school. just remember that the next time you see an old guy at hd. find one and hang around him. ride with one. you might learn something.[^]
Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
Former NSSA All American
Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
MO, CT, VA.
Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
Former NSSA All American
Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
MO, CT, VA.
Idiot driving a U-haul passed me in I 81 in Virginia, flying low. Couple of miles down the road they blew a tire and instead of pulling off the road, they simply stopped, blocking the left lane, got out and were milling around. Lots of tire smoke.
Dialed that emergency number on my cell and slowly and plainly described what I saw and where, 1 vehicle blocking the fast lane, debris and people in roadway I 81, southbound side, mile marker 111. She kept insisting I was on I 64. Hope the highway patrol figured it out and got it untangled before someone got killed.
Should have seen me trying to leave. People who wonder around and keep getting in my way really pisses me off.
Guy comes out of a Side Isle and stops right in front of me , so I step right to go around him he steps right. so I go left, But just then something caught his eye to the left. tried one more time to the right he decided that what was on the left did not interest him so off agian to the right. Then I just walked thru him.
That's usually about the time I adopt a "two hand hold". I reach out with both hands and grab a hold, then I move them where I want them. It can actually get their attention.
Old dealers DIDNT have notes taped in to make corrections...They learned by DOING....They found the part on the shelves by memorization of WHERE It was before..
There are many many OLD repair guys who couldnt even read,...explain how they got so good....They got good by DOING..not reading.
But so far there are enough "vintage" bikes to keep them going.
I hope.
SAD...
You may absolutely never disgrace the Harley Davidson name under any circumstance!
Seriously- Its just tough to find good help anywhere these days.
I should have went there for my part, but 60 miles one way for a $3 part is a little much.
Now I do need a new windsheild so may make the trip for that and my 20% military discount. Plus that dealer is 10% cheaper normally than the one near me so its like getting a 30% discount.
"I have a torch, welder, mill and lathe amigo, any part will fit if you'd just hand it to me and stop talkin' out your pan-hole"
When you get a fully-trained and knowledgeable parts guy; DON'T abuse yer new-found friend because he/she might be in a foul mood due to all of the Chromosexuals, Phony "Builders", asshats and know-it-notz they've had to deal with.
My li'l Bro is one such Rally Rat, and will be at your service just North of Sturgis all month. Come get eddicated!
There are two types of learned intelligence...One is from books, the other is from actual hands on..
Sounds like you got the "from the books" type..
Give me the guy/girl that has worked on cars/bikes/trucks/guns/houses/ whatever for years..he/she is light years beyond the "book taught person".
I worked in an auto parts store one summer during college. I know very little about cars, but I could find anything in that rack of books. It's all about the attitude - you want to know if it's rubber, let's pull one and look at it.
As little as I knew about it, the only problem I had was when a guy brought in something wrapped in newspaper, plopped it on the counter and said "I need one of these." I said, "no problem, what is it?" He said "I forget what you call it." I asked what it came off of, and he said "an old tractor." I asked him what kind of tractor, and he said he didn't know. I asked if he could tell me anything else that might help me find it in the parts book, and he said "it goes behind the {something else that meant nothing at all to me}." Other than that I was able to help all the other customers with book knowledge and a customer service attitude.
Say you wanted a baffle. What is a baffle? My FLHT has Kirker Exhaust with fish tail end caps and NO baffling.[;)] Seriously though if you add more baffling you might have to re-jet if a carb model or adjust the EFI if so equipted to make up for the added back pressure. Seriously I am running straight through with no baffles at all and have not had any problems with LEOs yet and it has been that way since 1992.
The new twin Cams do not run right without some sort of baffle, they need back pressure, some not a lot. To get mine to run right with the morte open baffle I have now I will need to add a tuner to the system. since the EFI the way it is cannot be adjusted enough to mke the bike run right.
I did try running with out the baffle and yes it was loud but I had to keep the RPMS up to keep my power and even then It was down enough HP I could feel it.
The new twin Cams do not run right without some sort of baffle, they need back pressure, some not a lot. To get mine to run right with the morte open baffle I have now I will need to add a tuner to the system. since the EFI the way it is cannot be adjusted enough to mke the bike run right.
I did try running with out the baffle and yes it was loud but I had to keep the RPMS up to keep my power and even then It was down enough HP I could feel it. quote:
The fact they have to have some baffling AND I have no frioggin clue as to working on EFI systems is the main reason I have not bought a new one. I might have to some day unless I can find a side car for mione due to my back but until that day I will keep my evo.
gunnut505 can you PM me a shop number that has the "rally rats" sticker at the parts counter? None here in KY and I need a part that is very hard to find. I need a NEW 15" windshield for a 85 FLHT and they were ONLY used on the 85 year models and as an option at that. Most had the 18" windshield unless you ordered the 15" one. I would like to call a shop that has the "ralley rats" to see if they can find me one. Needless to say HD no longer stocks the 15" one.
Just ordered a 17" from J&P CYCLES. Mine had way to many scratches, been riding at sunup to get to work and cannot see a thing thru it. Thats also why I went with a 17" so I can see over it. My stock one I would need to stand up on the floorboards.
I am also not thinking of New exhaust and a power commander which would let me tune the Bike the way I want.
Then next winter go for a change to gear drive cams instead of the chain drive it has now. Of course I will chan ge the cams while I'm in there.
I was buying a brand new 1984 XLX 1000cc Sportster. They told me it was one of the first sold in the state. I was sitting there waiting for it to be serviced, and I saw their mechanic (Owners son) almost doing a wheel stand down the side of the shops parking lot on a brand new black XLX. I looked at the salesman and asked him sternly if that was my new bike being abused? He looked puzzled, and said "NO that's another bike they are working on." I asked him how many like that did they have, because you had told me that you only had one, and not many had been sold yet!
When I left there I had two brand new helmets, a bunch of Harley patches & pins, ball cap, and a brand new $100 cobra seat all for free. The owner was severally ticked off at his stupid son, but not enough to give me a free leather jacket.[:p]
Trinity +++