Harley Davidson experience.......... A word to the wise

[natrgatr]

Straighten the fender enough to ride and have them call you when they get the part in...then start looking for someone else to fix your bike if it ever happens again. I bet there is an independent mechanic out there that can do just as well.

 

[Dirty Farmer]

A front fender is only held on with four bolts. Take the fender off, beat it back straight enought with a hammer and pliers. Ride it untill the new fender arrives. Then swap out the wrecked one with the new one.

 

[doc_gonzo]

i've never used the "stealership" for anything but parts. if i cant fix it myself i go to an indy shop. i agree with the others though, take it off, beat it back into shape, and get youre knees back in the breeze.

cheers

doc

 

[Pumpkinpup]

There is alot more wrong with the front end than just a bent fender or I would have already taken care of it all myself.

 

[ranchhand]

If it's DH's ONLY option for getting to work and back, have another talk with the insurance company. And sic them on the Harley shop. The insurer should be paying for transport and if they're unhappy they should be hounding the shop to get it done.

I've had battles like this, you really have to politely persevere. As in, nag nicely. Best of luck.

 

[kpsullivan]

My husband and I noticed that how you are treated in a Harley shop depends wholly on how you are dressed! If you don't have HD all over your clothes, you are completely ignored!

 

[HHandbasket]

I don't think people should be treated differently in a Harley shop.

I ride a scooter. Yes, indeed, a cheap, made-in-China-but-totally-looks-Italian scooter. I love my scoot. I recently needed a part to mount my cool new windshield to my cheap Chinese scoot, and the only place in town that had it was... you guessed it... a Harley shop.

So I put on my pink motorcycle jacket, and my pink motorcycle helmet, and get on my PINK scooter and scoot over to my local Harley dealer. I figure if they do say anything, I'll get a little ribbing and a little joking about my wanna-be motorcycle.

What I got was a response I did not expect.

I pulled up in front of our local Harley Davidson dealership, and I proceed to get off my scooter and remove my helmet. I'm obviously not a young girl (I'm in my late 40s, closer to 50 than 40, and I look my age... not older, not younger, but look my age). The group of men standing in front of the door having a pissin' contest over their bikes gave me a look and stood in front of the door like they weren't going to let me in. I don't know how, but I somehow made it past them and went inside. I stood at the counter and waited for the gentleman working behind the counter to be done with the previous customer. They chit chatted... and chit chatted... and chit chatted... and after about 10 minutes, I said (WITH A BIG SMILE ON MY FACE, TRYING TO BE POLITE IN THE FACE OF BEING TREATED LIKE POOP), "Hi there! I'm so, so sorry to interrupt, but I just need a small part." The guy behind the counter looked at me, shot lasers at me through his evil Harley Davidson eyes, and said in the most snide tone possible, "Yah, I saw you pull up and come in a few minutes ago." He then returned to chit-chatting about the weather with the other guy. I waited about 3 more minutes, and the tension in the store was palpable.

They would not even wait on me.

I ordered the part online and vowed that day that if I ever graduate up to a "real" motorcycle from a scoot, it sure as @%^& ain't gonna be a @%&(*$+ Harley, that's for sure.

 

[njduck]

it took me 4 months and a lawyer to get my title from harley credit. never again

 

[SarahFair]

My dads had them for ...gosh... alomst 10 years now. I dont think Ive ever heard him complain. Stone Mountain HD even approached him about buying his bike.
Ive been in there and they have been nothing but polite

I dont know how far youre willing to travel but I think Twisted Throttle Choppers does HD work.
They are located in Grayson, Ga (more snellville) off 78.

 

[greeneggsandham]

Wow I'm pretty shocked at how some of you were treated at a Harley store.

My husband bought a 2010 Hertiage softtail classic with custom colors last year and the sales person was so helpful and patient.

I highly recommend both Ocean State Harley in Rhode Island and Seacoast Harley in Hampton, NH. You could walk into either of those store in your birthday suit and they wouldn't blink an eye. Just ask you what you are looking for and how they can help you.

One thing to the OP is your bike a custom color? I'm only asking as my husband's is and we were told before we even signed the paperwork that should and type of damage happen to it the lead time for replacement parts would be 8 to 12 weeks.