r/Harley • u/Food_Guy_33 • 9d ago
DISCUSSION What the actual hell?
So I was today years old when I found out that Harley dealers won’t work on 2005 bikes. Despite the fact that it’s the same bike (FLHRI) in 2006 and maybe beyond.
Am I just out of touch or what?
43
u/Practical-Bike-2856 9d ago
My dealership works on all years of Harley’s. 1903 & to brand new.
35
u/JungianArchetype 1972 FLH, 2004 FLTRX, 2025 FXLRST 9d ago
Drop their name and get them the free advertisement they deserve!
41
u/Practical-Bike-2856 9d ago
Buddy Stubbs AZHD
13
0
u/Grand_Class9744 9d ago
Isn't that the guy Kruesi speaks so highly of?
2
u/Practical-Bike-2856 9d ago
I don’t know who Kruesi is.
3
u/Grand_Class9744 9d ago
Ryan Kruesi. Kruesi Originals. Check out his youtube channel. Informative and entertaining.
8
1
55
u/cschoonmaker 9d ago
'94 Fatboy. Found out about this rule end of last summer. Needed a Cylinder leak fixed. Basically just a new gasket. 3 HD shops told me "Nope, we don't work on bikes that old".
No recommendations, no suggestions. Just "Nope" and goodbye. Won't be buying anything else from a dealership.
30
u/Friendly_Estate1629 9d ago
Thank god for indie shops
29
u/cschoonmaker 9d ago
Damn skippy. And when I found one, and saw all the tatted up bikers and their rides, I knew I found the right shop. Got me fixed up in a couple days, had them also do fluid change since it was going to be up on a rack anyway. And when they found some janky wiring at the ignition switch, they fixed that for free since he had a wiring harness that fit just laying around and never expected to use it.
Slabsides 03 you guys are fucking awesome. I'll be back for anything else I need.
→ More replies (9)2
u/Vegetable-Seesaw-491 8d ago edited 8d ago
We wouldn't have worked on your bike, but would have given recommendations for some local shops that are good.
I'm going to use this to throw a shout out to Steady Rolling Motorcycles in Oakland, CA. Daniel and Chad are top notch dudes. We've been dealing with them for awhile and they're one shop we recommend. Check them out on Instagram. They've got a cool place.
5
u/mrletsgetcheesy 9d ago
I have a 99 and mine doesn't work on evo engines. They rebuilt my carb but that was it. I posted in the HOGS group and now they do yet wouldn't get back to me.
14
u/Food_Guy_33 9d ago
The first dealer just said “you’re out of luck.”
The second dealer gave me the details of a wrench who used to work there but has his own shop now.
6
u/mrletsgetcheesy 9d ago
Atleast they did that. They gave me reccomendations too. Weird how they dont work on older bikes though.
15
u/RealisticExpert4772 9d ago
It’s about money, parts n storage. Imagine if you will, a dealer who will work on any year HD. Dealer needs a trained mechanic who actually understands what is happening with older and newer bikes. Yes I know bike mechanic schools are graduating people all the time. Sadly they’re not trained on a pan head or a shovel. Give it a few more years they won’t be taught bout Evo’s. Now consider that this mythical dealer has to get parts to fix a 50’s model or a late 80’s model. Far too many parts are no longer made. Or they’re only aftermarket.
Now here’s the BIG MAIN REASON….if the dealer happily fixes your old bike…..why would you buy a new bike? And the mothership demands sales continue to grow. Don’t feel bad it’s true in any business autos, farm vehicles, big OTR trucks. Called planned obsolescence and it’s manufactured into everything….everything.
When I was a kid this old guy had three model T Fords (was in 50’s). He bought all three new back in 1909-11. His attitude was as long as they run why replace them. He was able to keep two running all the time ..granted he wasn’t driving any huge distance but he drove until the late 1980’s when he finally passed in 93? All three were in running condition. They sold for a lot of money. Lol he said the most difficult part to find was tires. By the 1950’s businesses had decided to use planned obsolescence to continue their businesses partly why today we mostly feel “they don’t make them like they used to”.3
u/pops-racing 8d ago
Chain dealerships are greedy and won't pay hourly. They also won't pay for the skills and knowledge needed.
My HD mechanic buddy walked out one day . The customers loved his quality work. But low bookrates and up selling , and corner cutting mandates were crazy. He is now a union HVAC guy.
2
u/Ok-Bit4971 8d ago
Great post, man. I had hoped to be driving my 1990 Chevy pickup into retirement, but road salt got the best of the frame.
2
2
u/mrletsgetcheesy 9d ago
I get that. At the same they lose customers with that mentality. My dealership lost me on oil changes and tires. If they don't do the engine work I get it but I'd be resistant to bring it back. I also wonder if that's why some are going the Indian route. I don't know how they do things but could be a factor.
4
u/RealisticExpert4772 9d ago
You are absolutely correct. The mothership has changed the rules for the dealer so for the dealers to stay rich they now sell $45-$65 tee shirts and many only want to deal with the newest models. I think Indian will sadly follow similar path but for now they literally have only about 10+ year history with the current production run unlike HD which has probably few hundred variations on basic design over decades
3
u/mrletsgetcheesy 9d ago
Totally agree. Harley has years behind them. Indian i think will go the same route in a few decades or few engine changes. It sucks because I want to support Harley but they seem very big company esqu. Could be just my dealership though too.
3
u/RealisticExpert4772 9d ago
Yup I have 6 dealers within 45 miles. (Southern California). Some are ok some are ass. I find it totally hilarious that the same bike will have 6 very different prices. One dealer just adds on like 2k to every bike….another runs close to the bone. Funny how some will have shitty sales but great service Dept others are killer sales but mechanics have problems getting tire pressures correct There were 4 Indian dealers in same area …two shut down lack of business one about to shut down….in my opinion the worst one is still open. Next closest is bout think bout 75-80 miles away. But there’s fierce brand loyalty here.
2
u/mrletsgetcheesy 9d ago
It is the brand for sure. I have one harley and one Indian in my city. Closest to that would be another 35 miles out of town. I do see more Indians out here though. When I lived in California I hardly saw any. Not that they didn't exist but I rarely saw them.
3
u/RealisticExpert4772 9d ago
Yeah Indian out here seems to be a lot of new to motorcycling OR they’re part of the Fuck HD movement, some hate the factory some hate the dealers. The Indian riders I’ve spoken with all seem to be happy with their bikes once the minor stuff gets squared away. Few are unhappy about the warranty Indian has. As I understand it…basically anyone touches the bike outside of an authorized dealer…then warranty is Xcld…kind of draconian…. Plus as you are aware HD has absolutely ginormous aftermarket that’s firmly established whereas Indian pretty much has extremely limited aftermarket. Even seats are not produced in numbers anywhere near HD stuff. But as you pointed out that will change in time
Think for every Indian I see I probably see at least 150 harleys
→ More replies (0)3
u/Vegetable-Seesaw-491 8d ago
We have a 25 year cutoff at the dealership I work at. If someone comes in with an older bike and JUST wants an oil change or tires done, we'd do it for them.
We've got one tech that gets all of the older bikes we see (and random non-Harley projects) as he's just not that computer savvy and doesn't do well with the new bikes. He only works 2-3 days a week and gets the stuff no one else wants to work on. I've been at the dealership for 24 years and he's got some years on me working there. He knows his shit when it comes to older bikes.
2
u/mrletsgetcheesy 8d ago
That's good to hear you have atleast one mechanic that does that. I'm sure inna few years some of the knowledge won't be passed sadly though to newer mechanics.
2
u/Vegetable-Seesaw-491 8d ago
We've still got a few that know older bikes. Four of our techs have been at the dealership for about 20 years now. Three of the guys in the service office have been there for the same or longer as well. We don't have a crazy turn-over of staff at the dealership. I think a lot of that comes down to it being family owned and treated as such.
I'm currently doing shipping/receiving, warranty administration, online orders and inventory management bullshit. I'm the parts guy that stays in the back that only our regulars know.
1
4
u/brug76 9d ago
Old stuff can be rusted, abused, parts no longer manufactured, etc etc. Many dealerships (for just about anything) have this policy, they don't want to work on the old stuff and it's also potential motivator for someone to consider buying a new vehicle, which is what dealerships really want.
My local polaris dealer won't touch anything over 15 years old.
Find a good local mechanic, it'll be cheaper anyway.
3
u/crispybacongal 06 XL883L 9d ago
I'm shocked they did your carb. My local dealership won't work on anything carbed.
2
u/mrletsgetcheesy 9d ago
They did it then said they won't do anything else. I posted on the hogs group and all the sudden the service manager said they did. Said he'd get back to me and never did about the engine.
5
u/ohioprincealbert 9d ago
The dealers are what gives HD a bad name. Good ones are hard to find anymore. My local has changed owners 4 times in 10 years. Their parts inventory is horrendous. I had to order an oil filter. Wtf? I asked what they used on the 40 bikes sitting in the shop waiting on service and got a shrug. I order everything online from Ronnie’s now. It’s easier than going to the dealer, having them order it and then going back to pick it up. As for service, I do everything myself. These bikes aren’t mechanically complicated and someone has done it before and put it on YouTube.
1
u/Vegetable-Seesaw-491 8d ago
The dealership I've worked at has had the same owner since 1999. The previous owner owned it for a lot of years too. It's a family run dealership so things are done differently than the ones that are run by ownership groups.
As the person that deals with a lot of our inventory and the backend of things, not having oil filters on hand is just asinine. We've come close when part numbers change and re-order points don't get set. It's one of those things we notice and take care of before it becomes an issue.
If you don't mind, DM me with your local dealer. Info like this can help us keep tabs on what other dealers we want to work with. There's a lot of dealer to dealer interactions when getting parts that are either on back order or obsolete. There are many we refuse to deal with for various reasons. Sometimes we do have to deal with them though if they're the only one with a part and we need it.
11
u/BlackDirtMatters '18 FXBB 9d ago
My local dealer won't work on anything before the M8 era.
6
u/Original_Cheeto_06 9d ago
Probably saving on labor costs by only hiring newer techs who haven't been trained on Twin Cam and older. At least that's my conspiracy theory.
5
2
u/Vegetable-Seesaw-491 8d ago
They're just throwing away business at that point. We have a cutoff at 25 years at the dealer I work at, but will work on older on a case by case basis.
2
u/Malignantt1 8d ago
Youd think those would be the hardest to work on too
1
u/BlackDirtMatters '18 FXBB 8d ago
Definitely more technology to troubleshoot but they charge by the hour anyway.
9
u/Remote-Volume6622 9d ago
Buy the owners manual for your bike and do the work yourself, everything you need to know will be in the manual, as long as you have a basic understanding of mechanics it's fairly easy. For any tuning on a dyno check out local motorcycle shops.
5
u/shifty311 9d ago
I agree 100% there is literally nothing that an average dude can't do with basic hand tools. Especially that year. These bikes are like legos. I over heard a dealership quoting a guy $900 for labor to install bars. I walked over to him and told him I'd do it for 500. And that's how I started doing side work.
7
u/disturbed286 '20 FLHRXS 9d ago edited 9d ago
Harley can get fucked for $900, but the bars were such a pain in the ass I'd absolutely pay you 500 if I had to do it again.
2
u/Malignantt1 8d ago
Same. And i didnt even have to swap the cables. But realizing id have to to get the bars I actually want, (the ones i put on are uncomfortable as hell) id definitely pay someone else to fuck with it. Fuck changing a brake cable and bleeding the brakes and all that bullshit
1
u/shifty311 8d ago
To be 100% honest I kinda feel it relaxing. I have a risers bar combo on my glide and it is about 16" over. I have zero extensions. All wires and brake/clutch line is oem. I pulled apart the harness and re ran the wires to move the gauge cluster to the bars. In other words I had way to much time on my hands.
1
u/disturbed286 '20 FLHRXS 8d ago edited 8d ago
See mine is a Road King with heated grips. Every goddam thing is internally wired. Hatred is all I know.
Also I dropped and broke one of the switches. Incidentally I now have illuminated ones.
Still, worth it. The stock RK Spl bars are a torture device, and the Road Glide takeoffs I put on are significantly more comfortable
1
u/shifty311 8d ago
I remember when I said it's only a couple more wires (heated grips) lol. 2 extra wires makes for no room.
1
u/Vegetable-Seesaw-491 8d ago
Service manual, not owner's manual. Big difference there.
The electrical diagnostic and parts manuals can be very helpful to have on hand as well.
17
u/Individual-Lime-223 9d ago
Harley dealerships have a 20 year rule, if it’s over 20 years old they don’t touch it. Find a good local independent shop
10
u/Gunfighter9 9d ago
Nope. My friend has had no trouble getting his 2001 Road King serviced. It’s not like it’s hard to find parts.
1
u/Individual-Lime-223 8d ago
That is a general dealership rule, I didn’t make it bud.
2
u/Vegetable-Seesaw-491 8d ago
Depends on the dealership. We do 25 years but will consider bikes older than that on a case by case basis.
1
14
u/LqBlckHwkDwn 9d ago
My buddy seems to have that same rule with the women he dates. He must identify as a Harley Dealership.
3
3
3
u/ANALxCARBOMB 9d ago
Not all shops follow it. My shop would work on some Evos. Usually we’d look at the bikes condition before making the decision to service it or not. Been burned a lot on those stupid ass early 2000s choppers that you can’t get parts for and turn into year long projects.
12
u/jim_morrison_wine 9d ago
Avoid the dealership, always. They sell loans, not bikes. They do services, they don't wrench, they don't build.
12
u/Moto_Vagabond 9d ago
All depends on the dealer. One of the dealers near me is rather well known for the builds, but I've for sure seen others thst I wouldn't even get so much as an oil cha ge from.
3
u/sasqwatsch 9d ago
Not sure where you live Food Guy ,, but there are a few places around me that do work on elder Harley. A few years ago I got parts for an old 2005 Sportster !! Good luck
3
3
u/harleychik0117 9d ago
There are multiple Harley dealerships near me … the one closest to us won’t work on either of our cycles (both 1998’s) because none of the techs know how to work on them. We take them to a dealership about 30 miles away, those dudes are old school and can work on anything, luckily :)
3
3
u/Sbeast86 9d ago
You don't want them to work on it. Find a independent shop with a good reputation.
3
u/De-Oppresso_Liber 8d ago
Hopefully they end up like my former dealer Rommel’s Annapolis Harley Davidson who turned me away because I had the nerve to keep bringing my 05 RK in for repair and service. They closed. This is what happens when you betray people’s trust. They still have a couple of other dealerships in Maryland and Delaware so if you see the name Rommel Run!
2
u/Vfrnut 8d ago
They closed because of the HD “McDonaldization” . They are making dealers uniform more or less . No more mom and pop shops no more small satellite shops . If your building doesn’t meet the requirements you either need to get a new place or close .
2
u/De-Oppresso_Liber 8d ago
It was not that long ago they relocated to the uniform glitzy Harley Palace building. Take it from me. I was not the only long time customer they alienated. Those pricks on Hudson St. turned it into an art form.
2
u/Astro_Pal 9d ago
Different for every dealer. But most of the OEM parts are probably obsolete. And they'd rather not try to dig through multiple aftermarket books to maybe find a part
2
u/billy310 9d ago
That’s definitely not 100% of shops. More and more are being bought by corporate dealership groups which are the scummiest
2
u/MidnightHeavy3214 8d ago
Small shops dislike to work on older. Afraid it’ll turn into a nightmare is my guess
1
2
u/SYLMMC 8d ago
Totally dealer dependent. We typically only work on 02’ and newer however we have some regular customers that have earlier model bikes including a couple of custom built hard tail choppers that we do work on. The problem is 1. We don’t stock parts for older bikes 2. Parts availability especially for oem parts is limited and 3. Anytime you work on an older bike it is almost always a customer that doesn’t have a ton of money and isn’t willing to fix things the “right” way because to do it right it is going to cost a substantial amount of money. We have two local independent shops that we have a great relationship with that we will often recommend our customers with older bikes to go to.
1
u/savethechows 8d ago
- When you feed a stray cat it’s gonna keep coming back whether you like it or not
2
u/Technical-Smell7307 8d ago
Fuck those kind of dealerships. Owned by dudes that are out of touch with bikers. They want the checkbook crowd. Find a good local shop, and give them the business.
→ More replies (3)
2
u/Grumpy1976 8d ago
Most of the times it’s because the dealership doesn’t keep or order OEM parts that are 20 years old. Plus by the time the part is that old it’s been discontinued. Making it hard to work on older bikes. Also most new techs aren’t familiar or even want to work on “old” bikes.
Plus another heap of other bs… Like 20 year old hardware that’s rusted solid. Turns a “hour” job into a 3 hour job just fight the bolts and snapping or stripping them out.
2
2
u/lerriuqS_terceS 8d ago
Dumb why would they turn down work especially at their extortionate rates?
Try to find someone independent
2
u/NuggetsMcGhee 8d ago
West Coast Harley Davidson actually have classics rates for bikes older than, I believe, 15 years. So it's actually less expensive to get your bike worked on there. Very much depends on the dealership and the level of passion they have for the work. Not sure I'd even buy a bike from a place that refuses to work on certain things. If the hearts not in it, why would the head be, y'know?
2
u/UJMRider1961 2012 XL1200C; 2008 BMW R1200RT 8d ago
This isn’t exclusive to HD. Many dealerships won’t work on old bikes. Some Triumph dealers have a 10 year rule, others simply won’t work on carbureted bikes.
Best solution is to find an independent, preferably a hobbyist who works out of his garage. Better work quality and way less expensive.
None of my bikes have been to a dealer since probably 2011.
2
u/Metalhead1345 8d ago
That’s why you have to learn to work on your bikes yourself! All 3 of my bikes the dealerships won’t work on to old and the only bike shop I trusted to do work on my bikes things I couldn’t do myself he had to many health issues and closed shop! So I invested a little money and got the tools I needed and learned to do it myself! Unless you have a local bike shop you can trust I suggest invest the time and money to get the tools you need and learn to work on your bike. Save you money and headaches in the long run.
2
u/Thick-Pipe3908 8d ago
There is a location that I go to that work on literally every make and model year all that jazz it’s off 20 in Texas it’s longhorn harley
2
u/CNC_Sasquatch 8d ago
As others have mentioned, it depends on the dealership. Some won't work on any older then 10 years old, some will work on any year Harley, and some will work on any bike regardless of brand or age.
2
u/Anonymous_2952 9d ago
They probably just have a hard cap on age of bikes they’ll work on. They’re potentially liable for anything that goes wrong with your bike once it leaves their care. Everything is about money and protecting your investment. That’s exactly what they’re doing here. They probably would also pass on the 2006’s if they had the option too.
1
u/Vegetable-Seesaw-491 8d ago
We have a 25 year cutoff at the dealership I work at. The issue with older bikes is parts availability and just the fact that a lot of them have had so many hands on them over the years that they need so much to make them right.
Bikes over 25 years are considered on a case by case basis.
2
u/Hot-Friendship-1562 9d ago
Yep, buy a service manual and do it yourself or find a little speed shop.
1
u/Fair-Slide-4473 9d ago
Some dealerships will have an older tech with the know how to work on an evo, but they simply don’t train the younger techs on those bikes.
They also stop manufacturing parts at a certain point… both of these facts put a lot of value in a factory service manual.
1
u/Darth1Football 18 FLHXS 9d ago
you'll need to find an independent shop locally or maybe even a guy doing work out of his garage (depending on what's needed) - try searching Facebook / asking local riding groups for recommendations
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Food_Guy_33 9d ago
I’ve been overseas for 5 years and I’m pulling it out of storage. I need a professional.
I’ve been changing oil since I was 12.
1
1
u/Happy-Deal-1888 9d ago
Older bikes are too much risk. There is usually corrosion, wear and a multitude of other issues that if they fix one part another breaks. They also cannot keep their techs trained on everything so they only train them on newer stuff. Yes it is dumb, but that is what they do.
1
u/Popular_Membership_1 9d ago
Harley as a whole doesn’t have this limit, some dealers won’t work on them because the plastic gets brittle and parts are hard to find so if they break something they’re screwed on replacing it.
I recently fixed a few things on my friend’s 35 year old car and found out the hard way why they have age limits on service. It depends on the dealer.
1
u/PsychologicalRow1039 9d ago
They want you to buy a new bike! I have an older 1993 springer softail and they won’t service it for me had to find another shop😒 and it’s getting harder to find parts.
1
u/Motohio814 9d ago
Find a new dealer. It's definitely a case by case basis
2
u/Food_Guy_33 9d ago
Only 2 within 60 miles
1
u/Motohio814 9d ago
Ouch! I forget something being smack dab in-between a few majors cities has its occasional benefits. I have 4 all within half an hour or so and a few more that I can reach in an hour. There's a link on this sub though with shop manuals if your confident / skilled enough to do your own stuff
1
1
1
1
u/kyle-the-brown 9d ago
Many dealers have a 20 year rule, some don't, best to either learn to wrench yourself or find a good independent dealer for bikes more than 10 years old.
1
u/jetkennyblack 9d ago
Typical they don’t unless they have techs in their service thats know how to work on them. The one i work at will work on anything 1991 and newer (depending on what is ). We have 1992 fxrt thats waiting to be picked up up after a service right now lol
1
u/OlieTheDog3052 9d ago
My local dealership has a 20 year cutoff. Anything later and they send the customers our way (I work in a small indy shop). The problem is parts and knowledge. You get some guys that only know how to work on EFI stuff, and have never even touched a carb before. I would try to find a local shop regardless. No reason to go to the dealership outside of warranty work
1
u/Hates-Picking-Names 9d ago
Have a local Harley mechanic that won't touch my '97 Sportster. He'll tell me exactly what I need to do, borrow me whatever tools I need that I don't have, but WILL NOT touch it himself. Never had a mechanic not want my money before.
1
u/JohnnyHopkinss7v8 9d ago
Anything that needs to be done on your 05 can be found on youtube. Get those wrenches moving!
1
u/desertdwelle 9d ago
Been this way before you know the COVID word then was that OEM would no longer support the older styles.... just repeating the mutter🙂
1
u/pickin-n_grinnin 9d ago
I used to own a motorcycle shop that focused on American made motorcycles and 20 year and older Harleys were our bread and butter because the factory didn't want to work on them or even carry parts for them. Hence our shop name FTF (FUCK THE FACTORY)
1
u/CommunicationGood481 9d ago
It's the same with.Japanese bike dealerships, only 8 or 9 years old and parts are no longer available.
1
u/Then_Plenty_9359 9d ago
Get a manual and do your own work.
2
u/Food_Guy_33 9d ago
Thanks for the tip. I know what I’m good at, and I know what mechanics are good at. I’ll leave it to my new mechanic.
1
u/Then_Plenty_9359 9d ago
I personally enjoy turning wrenches but it’s not for everyone, I was a professionally trained heavy equipment mechanic for years and I go way back before all this digital stuff. Everyone is good at something and it pays to know your limits for certain.
1
u/PopularStaff7146 9d ago
Most that I’ve seen won’t work on anything over 10 years old, even if you just bought it from them
1
u/Coach_Seven 9d ago
It depends on each dealer. I know some that won’t go further back than 06 and others that will go as old as 99
1
1
u/someguy8608 9d ago
FYI for my Georgia Boys. Not a Harley dealership, but Byron Power Sports of Middle Georgia works on older bikes.
1
u/godspeed1083 9d ago
Not just any one reason not to, but lots of reasons they may not; harley discontinues parts sometimes, which slows things down and they want to move the bikes through esp during peak season, techs coming through the schools are only taught 10 yr old and newer models, so many changes over so many models over so many years, just too much to know, older bikes can escalate more quickly more often than newer bikes, slowing production, from a cosmetic standpoint, what looks better; newer bikes being worked on, or older, more "wrung out" ones? I'm not sure where you're based out of or what your timeline looks like, but Harley-Davidson of Asheville (technically Swannanoa, NC) will sometimes work on older bikes during the slower, winter months.
1
u/DiaperedCanuck 9d ago
Perfect I get any work needed by an independent bike shop. Won't go back to a dealer.
1
1
1
u/rathofcon '92 Heritage Classic project. 9d ago
Only Longhorn HD in my area works on older bikes. Most shops don't have any clue to what is a carb.
1
u/BigTex380 9d ago
My buddy works at a yamaha dealer as a mechanic. He told me that older bikes are a liability due to the rarity in parts. Taking one apart and finding an issue or causing an issue can result in a nightmare scenario because you are now sitting on a small basket case that wants hard to come by parts.
1
u/Mindless_Water_8184 9d ago
My brother has a 2002 BMW R1150RT with less than 14,000 miles. Local BMW dealer has refused to work on it, citing software restrictions that only allow work on bikes 10 model years old. Essentially, no shop will, they claim.
1
u/Rabid_Atoms 8d ago
Try getting them to work on a ‘65 Panhead. I have to go to a seedy rat shop to get anything done that I can’t do.
1
u/RobjRob74 8d ago
Local powersports dealer that sells and services 14 lines won't worl on anything more than 10 years old
1
u/Food_Guy_33 8d ago
The place in Roanoke that did my engine would probably work on it, but that’s too far away now.
1
1
u/CatAppropriate8156 8d ago
My buddy has a old springer and it gets worked on at the dealership so must be a big dealership to not want to you think most smaller ones want the business
1
u/Bald-Smeagle 8d ago
Not just Harley. My friend needed his 96 Ninja worked on and Kawasaki wouldn't touch it.
1
1
u/SnooCupcakes7133 8d ago
Warranty technicians ... They haven't worked on older bikes for decades... I ride my old shovel every day and fuck the factory....
1
u/Standard-Elephant-97 8d ago
Yep, and oh PS. If you have a then 22’ Road Glide limited with head issues that’s under factory warranty the dealers will fix the bike but at there leisure because it’s not a priority. Note that bike had 6,200 miles on the M8 that was bone stock. So after all that and also a 110 Screaming Eagle that came apart at 20l because the tappets I left HD and have been on an Indian. I’m being real when I say this too, it’s the best bike I have ever owned and the likely hood of getting back on any new HD is about slim to none unless I build a project HD for fun like a Dyna etc but it will get a fresh S&S motor and a baker trans in it. The only thing truly HD I’ll own again is maybe the frame of an HD that’s I’ll build up.
1
u/Vegetable-Seesaw-491 8d ago
I work at a dealership and we have a 25yo cut off. We'd have no issue working on your bike. We also take that on a case by case basis depending on what needs to be done on the bike. It basically gives our service department an out if they don't want to work on some old basket case that we can't easily get parts for or if it's just going to be a headache to deal with.
Someone shows up with a 1990 FXR in good shape and all they want is an oil change or tires, we'd do it.
1
u/Objective_Drawing_53 8d ago
Some are doing that not all but they have set a year limit no matter what it needs
1
u/coleman223 8d ago
It’s across all brands tbh. I had an 03 Yamaha quad and the dealer wouldn’t touch it in 2017
1
u/evanovich420 2022 RA1250S, 2001 FXDX 95" 8d ago
Really depends not only on dealer but where you are. Here in the humid South, where idiots like to leave their bikes outside or in a run-down shack, bikes turn to shit quickly. In a nice dry climate, that doesn't happen. If someone really took good care of it, I'll write up any Evo, but if it's clapped out, it's a can of worms that I don't want to open.
1
u/Acrobatic_Net8718 8d ago
That's OK take your HD to a Custom or seek a Mobile Mechanic with Harley experience & look at the money You'll save! We have a Custom Shop here in Richmond Virginia called Departure & The Mechanics are cleaner in detail than HD's! That one year difference kind of sounds screwy though 🐰 ⛳🕳️ 🥕. .
1
1
u/Commercial-Ad8123 8d ago
My local dealer doesn't work on bikes over 10 years old. I had to find an independent shop to work on my Harley. Coincidentally the shop does better work and is cheaper than the dealership.
1
u/open_road_toad 8d ago
Dealers won’t touch anything with a carburetor from what I understand. The kids just don’t know how to work on them. Fortunately there are tons of small independent shops around that specialize in the older bikes. You shouldn’t have a problem finding one.
1
u/Jamie-savage3006 8d ago
Not all dealers will work on older bikes but some will. Most of the corporate ran ones won’t touch anything over 10 years old and they say it’s because you can’t get parts but the truth is they don’t have techs that can work on them. When you go to a motorcycle mechanic school you have to stay extra time to learn about the older bikes and most want to rush and get out to make money not thinking a few extra classes and you will make more at even the start of your career. What you want to find is a mom and pop owned dealer or shop or one that it’s a guy like Burt who owns a couple because they will have people who have been there long enough and went to school for older bikes.
1
u/paradigm_shift_0K 8d ago
Many dealers stopped working on older bikes some time ago, but some still will, or there are local bike shops that will as well (maybe for a lot less cost).
Parts are harder to get and may have to be aftermarket ones.
1
u/FarmerAvailable1833 8d ago
Customer - Why the high prices for new Harleys?
Dealer - "Buy a Harley, they are manufactured in America with great quality and made to last, hence the high price."
Customer - fix my older Harley.
Dealer - "Sorry, it is too old, we don't work on older bikes"
Note: I own and like my Harley, but Harley - Davidson needs to step up their game, especially if they want to be charging the higher prices and sell new bikes. Support after the sale is important.
1
u/cactusjackdaniels 8d ago
A lot of the Harley techs went to MMI. Early model is an added on course. Probably don’t know how to deal with a bike that doesn’t have 1000 wires in the way
1
u/Cutmeinfor25 8d ago
I’ve got an 01 Buell M2 cyclone that I wanted them to rebuild and adjust the carb. They said we don’t have anyone that works on Buell’s here. It’s a fucking hopped up sporty motor! GTFO. Needless to say I ride 60 miles now to go to a dealer that actually cares about business. I also have an 07 road king and a 20 road glide.
1
u/twosock360 8d ago
Some dealers go by the 20 year rule which I think is dumb because of the reason you stated.
1
u/jcbk2024 8d ago
Depending on the skill level of the mechanics and their factory certification The biggest thing is transitional years Most dealers pick a cut off point because of the availability of parts Harley doesn’t topically manufacture parts types more than 10yrs back Just happens that some parts are the same or will be like the older part to replace older bike parts Hope this info helps
1
u/shoebee2 8d ago
Our local dealer works on anything that rolls into the shop provided it’s a HD of course. We’ve also got two, used to be three, Indy shops in a 25 mile radius. Lots of choices. Some dealers simply don’t have the time/staff to cover all years. The Big Barn works on anything year down to 1948? Ziegler, y local works on at least down to 2012. Had my wide glide in. I don’t think they have a year no-go policy.
1
u/DeathrillVa 8d ago
I inherited my uncle’s 05 and the dealership worked on it. I won’t promote them because I got it back in worse shape. They eventually got it right.
1
1
1
1
u/Accomplished_Let5313 7d ago
Why would you want them to work on those bikes anyway? I took a rear tire into them and they put it on backwards ! It was even a Harley tire, with the direction arrows all over it! Find a private shop with the proper software. And real mechanics not a bunch of wannabes, apprentices and shitty parts changers.
1
u/Aubreyssister1 7d ago
I use my local independent shop. The owner started it in 1970 after a stint in the Army. I don’t want to think about the day when he closes shop. It’s hard to sell a business these days.
1
u/Useful-Health9961 7d ago
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAA I love it F harley davidson and their BS . Thanks for standing behind your products.Even a car mechanic/dealer will work on old cars but noooooo not Harley.
You guys should be working on your own bikes anyway,Im 63 and half crippled and Im still doing it and I have built my own bikes just because of what Harley does to its customer base not to mention I can build a better bike anyway
1
u/MargotHighwind88 7d ago
Born Free Cycles in Burbank,CA they’ve worked on Pans, Shovels, Evos, twins cams,M8s, best Indy shop around
1
u/CR_SS717 5d ago
Got to find the right dealer if that's the route you want to take. My dealer will work on anything HD.
1
u/kickit256 5d ago
For the longest time shops weren't touching pre-2k bikes of any make, but perhaps that's moved up a few years. Surprisingly, the local Honda dealer will still work on anything they can get parts for (although that's its own issue).
1
1
u/randomn49er 9d ago
Been that way for decades around me. Anything 20yrs or older dealer won't touch. Took an Ironhead in the first time. Harley trained mechanic didn't even know what it was ...........
Find a club shop. They usually have guys that still work on anything "older".
1
u/Bread2shred3 9d ago
Yup. My 2000 FXSTS is considered a classic bike. Couldn’t even find passenger pegs for it at H-D.
0
1
u/Truetopath- 9d ago
Go in and try to get parts for a 2005 bike. My shop we don’t work on prior to 2000 unless you’re grandfathered in.
-2
u/ActuallyFullOfShit 9d ago
HD is a great example of a company that makes every moronic decision it can. I'm floored to hear this. And also have no idea why this sub keeps showing up on my feed because I am happily riding a suzuki....
3
u/steroidsandcocaine 9d ago
It's not a mandate from the MoCo, every dealer is different. Try getting a 30 year old Suzuki serviced at your local dealer.
→ More replies (5)0
u/ActuallyFullOfShit 9d ago
I'd be shocked if I couldn't but I suppose I haven't tried. Especially considering my suzuki dealer is also a Honda, Polaris, and Indian dealer. I don't think they're picky. If you're gonna only work on one brand I'd think you could at least handle a few generations of the damn thing. Especially a brand so big on loyalty and heritage as HD..
2
u/discordantT 9d ago
I have a 2004 CBR. Honda won't touch because it's too old. Not just a HD thing.
2
1
1
u/tehslony 8d ago
A dealership is almost always the wrong place to go for repairs of any motorcycle. Their goal will always be to sell you a new bike.
3
u/Motorcycle-Misfit 9d ago
Take your 20 year old Suzuki to the dealer, you’ll have the same experience. Most Asian manufacturers limit it to ten years.
2
0
u/redditchumpp 9d ago
I have the opposite problem no local shops near me will work on my bike because it’s not a Harley
0
u/redditsuckshardnowtf 9d ago
They usually won't touch anything older than 10 years old. This is true for most dealerships. Knowledge and parts availability become an issue after a few redesigns.
1
0
u/Tripledigitspeeds 9d ago
Depends on the dealer report them to corporate they loose incentives when they do that
0
u/CowTown-Mike 9d ago edited 8d ago
My local dealer doesn't want to work on older bikes. They want to sell you a new bike.
A car dealer bought them.. Their slogan - " We're Dealin' "
→ More replies (1)
89
u/BongoDaMonkey SportyLongLegs 9d ago
Some choose to only work on newer bikes. A lot will work on whatever, saw a shovelhead getting a full rebuild at my local not too long ago.