Just so you guys know what I'm talking about, here's a link to a picture of the pedal--http://www.netusa1.net/~pulse/accphoto/daddyo.jpg, although the colors are bad. And in a way the revival of the Danelectro accessories (they're not currently making guitars as the original company did) is similar to Triumph's and Excelsior Henderson's revitalization of a long dead name. The cruiser of guitar compoments?

Bam! I take the bait! lol How about the "American Showster" guitar? The one that looks like a Sportster tank with flames? It's a Fender wannabe made by some crew in New Jersey. Sounds like a cruiser to me!

Well, you all know what my favourite cruiser is, even though I've never ridden one (or any other cruiser, for that matter)! Hint: It's not the Dyna Convertible! I'm still partial to standard-types, though; especially the Nighthawks and the GS500E.

I will use this topic rather than the Polaris topic to respond to Brad and his post about replacement parts/service. I have never had work done at a Harley dealership. It is doubtful if I ever will. In my life, (other than bike purchases) I know I have spent less than $200 on HD replacement parts. Why?? I started riding Harleys in the late 70's. At that time--the bikes were not built as good as the Evo's. Aftermarket parts were far cheaper (and better) than HD parts. I did most of the service on m bikes myself. Within my circle of friends, service at a dealership was unthinkable except for emergencies. They were overpriced and often incompetent. Everybody did their own customizing on their bikes--preferring to get to know their bikes. The stock carb was usually the first part thrown in the garbage can--to be replaced by the far superior S & S. Stock exhaust usually went next. At this point in time--Harley offered very few if any choices in the factory custom line. Slowly, Harley began to co y many of the aftermarket custom creations and serve them up as factory custom. In the 90's, many of the aftermarket companies began offering outrageously priced creations. Arlen Ness was the worst offender. CCI, Drag Specialties and others followed. The aftermarket companies, which for years kept Harley parts prices from going through the roof, were now coming out with parts that were often higher priced than Harley. It seemed like the highest priced items were often interpreted as the "best" by co sumers. IMHO, todays most of Harleys parts are competitively priced. A smart buyer will still shop around. Harley Motorclothes sells leather jackets that are way overpriced--many people buy them because of the name stamped in the leather. I realize that I am far more critical and skeptical of HD than most. It comes from many years of HD ownership. I am glad that Harley is producing much better bikes than they did in the past. Competition is good for the consumers--us! Hoop

Very good statement, from the faculty, not the students. When I started paying attention when I was around 14 years old up 'till now, I think I concluded the same thing, watching Harley sort of from the outside. The day of the "dirty" shop that knew its stuff versus the dealer may be over. Drag Specialties, Ness, Kuryakyn, they don't seem to produce for bikes that are *ridden*, but HD is doing its best. Just my $.02.

It's not over as far as I can tell. I'd say that there were (from my observations) twice as many "un-authorized" dealers than real dealers. For instance, in San Angelo there were two greasy little unauthorized places, no real dealer. And from driving around Denver I'll see little non-factory places left and right--have yet to see a real dealer (but again, this is all very unscientific). I'd say as long as demand stays so far ahead of supply the little shops will do just fine.

It's interesting. HD is now putting in a program that will have each dealership post the actual factory training certifications of it's mechanics on the wall! The idea is to provide the information to consumers so they can actually see exactly how many mechanics qualify. Dealerships will also be provided with incentives to get more techs trained. Certainly not a guarantee of quality, but a big, and in my view necessary, step in the right direction. As far as the mom and pop places--buyer beware. Some are great, and some are a disaster. The bottom line is that it pays to know who you are dealing with. And if you find someone you like, don't let him/her out of your sight regardelss of where they work! It's time to service my baby! hehe

I agree that some of the independent motorcycle repair shops are great while others are nightmares. The same can be said about factory service shops. I personally have heard of far more horror stories steming from repairs done at the Harley dealerships. Most of these horror stories center around massive overcharging for un-needed parts/repairs. IMHO, any dealer that charges over MSRP will screw you on repairs as well. The Harley dealer in Green Bay, WI sells Road Kings for $25,000--the shop labor ra e is $60 per hour. I think common sense should prevail when choosing repairs. Some people forget that some dealerships started out as independent repair shops. Some mechanics also decide to quit working at a dealership to hang out their own sign. Keep in mind that most mechanics get paid by the work performed rather than by the hour. By the way, the worst mechanics I have ever encountered have been at the bike rallies/events. The independent mechanics at places like Sturgis give all mechanics a bad name. Why would a good mechanic travel all the way to an event, pay big $ for a repair booth/location and then spend all their time working on bikes? The answer is simple--most good mechanics make their money at home and relax at the bike rallies/events. The bottom line is this--buyer beware for any repairs at any location. Hoop

$25 grand on a Road King? And he gets it, I guess. Unbelievable.

Totally agree Hoop. Lots of bad apples out there in dealerships too. That's why I think having dealerships post their HD certification credentials is such a good idea. That won't protect you from unnecessary or overpriced work, but at least the work performed should be of reliable quality. Frank, don't be surprised at what HDs can fetch in certain parts of the country. I have a friend in Baton Rouge, La. where the waiting list is 3 years long, ant the bikes still sell at a premium! In fact, the local dealer doesn't even carry the bike she wants--the Super Glide--because their margin is too low! I'm coming to believe that the East Coast has the best dealer network in the country--1 year waits for MSRP at many places. You don't have to be a King to afford one, but it doesn't hurt!

Waiting a year for a ride sound a bit much to me! I guess that's part of why I'm a Nighthawk fan; they might be the Lumina of bikes (too labour-intensive to be the Accord or Camry of bikes, that probably goes to the ST1100 or some other shaftie tourer) but they're available, realtively good looking, relatively light and FUN! Nighthawk...two seats, no waiting! heehee! (Full blown case of Brad-itis here! And I forgot to tell the doctor about it at my check-up today!)

BTW, does that LA dealer carry Sportsters? Those don't have very high margins... Ahh, a trailing end! Maybe I'm getting back to my old style after all...

A lot of the "indepdent shops" that work on Harleys are the only place a H-D rider with a Flat/Pan/Shovelhead harley! Most of the New age shops (for BUBS, blue collar urban biker, like me) won't even touch the older Harleys! Local we have 3 independent shops and they'd rather eat crap than work on a EVO motored Harley. The new shops cater to RUBS and people like me that don't like to WORK on the bikes except the low-level basics. So the independent shops are really good for Harley as the keep the past a ive and running but I feel that the next step in the evolution motor will be full of major changes, won't be suprized if in 5 years, the old oil cooled pushrod Evo Twin will be welcome in the independent shops as the "last of the old style H-D motors. Tailwinds, BJ

It's no surprise. Fay Myers wouldn't think of even looking at a Meriden Triumph. No fear, Isles Motorcycles is the expert anyway.

I know what you mean, I had a stand up row with the mechanic in out local "official" dealer about how the oil system worked on my Pan. I wouldnt normally have bothered but he had such an attitude ("I was a female and couldnt possibly know anything") I had to have a go, and anyway I had the time! :) oh yes & I was right and he was guessing (badly) come to think of it that was the same shop that told me that HD never made Iron head 900's, I should know better by now! ;)

Why bother going to this shop at all? Just for a nice fight every now and then? :-) It sounds like they're a bunch of idiots. Oh well. I'm saving money now and am going to buy a T-Bird Sport (if Hinckley doesn't reintroduce the Bonnie first) but I'm not sure I'm going back to Fay Myers, though, as they treat me like I'm walking in in rags. I think it's a result of the middle aged baby boomers getting back into biking and the fact that bikes are now outrageously expensive. If you're not 40 or 50 something they don't bother even trying to help you.

Jon, yea I can understand that, the problem with Fay Meyers is that it's just so big (mega-multi brand dealership), that Triumph is just "another bike" to them. You might have it worth your time to talk to the boys at APEX SPORTS here in Colorado Springs, they love the Triumph's, the Salesmen (Kenny & Gary) both own and ride them. The owner has a Tiger and has vowed that even if the sales aren't what he hoped for, he will sell them anyway as they are apart of his history! The Sport is a great looking pie e (except for the pipes, ha ha!), I know they'd treat ya pretty well. Tailwinds, BJ

Triumph is just "another bike" to them I don't know. They seem to have more Triumphs than anything else, and they're all situated near the front of the store (next to the Ducatis). You're right--they're huge, but there's no mistaking the fact that they don't think I'm really worth talking to. Heck, I can't afford it, so they're right anyway. I'm putting away now. I'm going to start saving in CDs of various lengths that will all mature about 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 years from now. That'll keep my grubby paws off of the money and if save a little bit from every check, and continue to live as frugally as I've been used to for most of the past 25 years, I'll be able to walk in and buy Ye Old T-Bird Sport for cash.

Jon It's the nearest shop (within 150miles) for the bits that you need "NOW", eg plugs, oil, filters, gaskets for the bits you didnt think you were going to take off - but its only any good for Evo bits!. Everything else I get via mail order, its next day delivery and a lot cheaper!

You don't have a Pep Boys or Autozone or Western Auto on every corner to buy those things? You can't get gaskets, but these big chain auto parts stores carry plugs and (sometimes) filters. And they cost half as much as the bike shop. I could buy NGKs for all my bikes at Western Auto for about $1.00 each, instead of $2.50 or so at the dealer.

Hey, give me your humble opinons on the Suzuki Maraduer 800. For some strange reason I like this bike better than any of the Japanese cruiser's. Really like the feel of the handlebars, always been a "dragbar" fan but the seat would have to go asap and I've read it has a real problem with carberation flat spots. I'd prefer if it had a pipe on each side like the Intruder and "wish" it was "belt drive" like the 650 Savage! Gee, I need to just buy 3 bikes and take the best off of them and create one really e cellent bike. Oh well, let me know what ya think? Tailwinds, Bj

Handlebar--$20. Get an Intruder--slightly faster motor (am I wrong here, that seems like what I remember), much less fakey plastic parts that are covering things or supposed to look like something they're not, and a nice lean style. Then you can fool with the handlebars to get the riding position you want.

It sounds like you really like the Intruder. Why the Maurader, then?