Topic: Dealerships SUCK

[Uncle Ernie]

Aside from the occasional GSXR or BMW, our shop only works on older bikes. Stuff from the '60s and up. It's a tough row to hoe- paying rent on space to store parts that you may never sell unless just the right person comes in.  Watching old bikes continue to rust because there's never enough time to do anything with them.  Some gratification because our reputation is so solid, but a lot of the customers can't afford a new set of plugs, or buy tires online and then want us to mount them for next to nothing.  They try our helmets on but buy them online to save $10 while we have money sitting on the shelf.
It's a family thing. This town is Mayberry RFD. I'm Gomer. I kid you not.  I live in the town that time forgot- Asheville NC. Mananaville del Norte. But- if you have a skill and you're honest, people will bring their bikes to you to fix.  I recommend starting in your garage. Todays work is tomorrows reputation.
Don't really know what I'm trying to say.... do what you like/what you have to.  Very few get rich on this kind of thing.

[ElCheapo]

Aside from the occasional GSXR or BMW, our shop only works on older bikes. Stuff from the '60s and up. It's a tough row to hoe- paying rent on space to store parts that you may never sell unless just the right person comes in.  Watching old bikes continue to rust because there's never enough time to do anything with them.  Some gratification because our reputation is so solid, but a lot of the customers can't afford a new set of plugs, or buy tires online and then want us to mount them for next to nothing.  They try our helmets on but buy them online to save $10 while we have money sitting on the shelf.
It's a family thing. This town is Mayberry RFD. I'm Gomer. I kid you not.  I live in the town that time forgot- Asheville NC. Mananaville del Norte. But- if you have a skill and you're honest, people will bring their bikes to you to fix.  I recommend starting in your garage. Todays work is tomorrows reputation.
Don't really know what I'm trying to say.... do what you like/what you have to.  Very few get rich on this kind of thing.

Ernie, I so relate to this situation as a whole. I figure on the stuff that does not sell I will hide it all in a quonset hut for a few years until part rarity goes up along with the price. Sad but some parts I just destroy for posterity to make the prices of the parts go up.

Here is a copy of the text that I sent Kawasaki (not that they would care):

This letter is written as a feedback of performance on your dealerships (possibly as a whole). Recently I had the misfortune of hauling a bike to Bob Barr Kawasaki for service. First the motorcycle is a 1980 Kawasaki KZ 440 B1. It needed some very simple repairs. Replace front brake cable, replace clutch cable, and replace clutch cam actuator assembly. Pretty simple repairs really, but Bob Barr Kawasaki did every thing they could to keep from repairing the bike aside form asking me to leave. They were rude, mean, condescending, and worst of all incompetent. They kept trying to sell me the parts. This was not my bike; it was being dropped off for my customer by his request to this dealership. It became clear that my customer had made a serious error in judgment by attempting to have his motorcycle serviced at Bob Barr. The service rep even went so far as to tell me it would take 3-4 weeks to get to it.

My customer said that there is no way that he would spend his money for so much as a spark plug at Bob Barr Kawasaki and would take the time to tell all of his riding buddies. I can tell you that I do relay this same information to the people I deal with as well as those I ride with.

If it were not for the vintage bikes still being alive your dealerships would have gone bust many years ago.

This is a sad reflection on your dealerships. I spent the better part of 20 years as a Ford ASE Certified Master Technician and can tell you that at no time would anyone in the dealership be allowed to treat customers the way I was treated at Bob Barr. Most importantly they have forgotten the cardinal rule of “never underestimate your customer” this is when they take their wad of cash and spend it somewhere else.

Thomas Neubauer
Anubis Cycle LLC
www.anubiscycle.com

[byidesign]

Ya gotta remember if you didn't pay out the A#$ the owner couldn't
    ride home in his beemer or lexus...hummer...whatever.....
       it starts with the CEO....
          {think Enron/Exon  etc}
      Exon.....   98 mil. for a retirement. bonus!!!!!!!!

         thats{really} why we are going to be paying 3 dollars a
         gallon.
              that vasoline has "sand" in it....yeeeeoooooo...
                      Bruce
           
           

[marvsho17]

It's a family thing. This town is Mayberry RFD. I'm Gomer. I kid you not.  I live in the town that time forgot- Asheville NC. Mananaville del Norte. But- if you have a skill and you're honest, people will bring their bikes to you to fix.  I recommend starting in your garage. Todays work is tomorrows reputation.
Don't really know what I'm trying to say.... do what you like/what you have to.  Very few get rich on this kind of thing.

Hey I've been there.  I've spent a few weeks in Galax Va.

[Stevearino]

Look at it this way.  Why would you want any of these numbnuts working on something you regard as precious, when they regard it as worthless?

If you cant fix it yourself, get help from a friend.  If they cant help, get new friends or sell it.

Thanks friends.

[Noel]

If you cant fix it yourself, get help from a friend.  If they cant help, get new friends

That's kind of what's been in my head while reading all this. I've never actually taken an SOHC to a dealer. The bikes are simple enough that almost anyone can do the routine maintenance and many if not most of the repair jobs. And if you get to feeling ambitious -- engine rebuild or something -- the SOHC/4 website can guide you through it.

And buying parts from a dealer? Riiight.

[Uncle Ernie]

There are some bikes I will never get rid of again, I insist that they run right, and I can't/won't work on them.  Stupid, but that's the way it is.  I'm on my 3rd and last Indian. I keep selling them and keep buying another because I like them too much.  I've had this one for 10 years, and it's not going anywhere. I'm on my last 400/4. Never again will I sell one. I've come to call them "core" bikes.  The ones I love too much and will go through hell to keep, if necessary.
The crazy thing is, I keep coming up with projects. Just this morning my wife lamented that i can't leave a bike alone.  The bitter irony is that I HATE to wrench.  God help me.  That's why I'm a parts guy at work.

[ElCheapo]

Look at it this way.  Why would you want any of these numbnuts working on something you regard as precious, when they regard it as worthless?

If you cant fix it yourself, get help from a friend.  If they cant help, get new friends or sell it.

Thanks friends.

HERE HERE I definitely concour

[byidesign]

  It seems {commercially at least} that the pride in doing things
      to a high standard of Quality, has left the dealerships...
         and there are some bikes i will not part with,not just for
      the history, but the hours of resto, and maintenence on them.
         the years of riding them as well,{my kids would kill me..if i sold them}
               as long as we have those people,{like this forum} that believe
       it's worth it...and share knowledge,   the industry will just move underground,
           and keep going.
                  I take every chance I get to teach the next
            generation how to fix build,and maintain things....
          {and the pride of doing things yourself}{and liking"projects"}
                    so it all won't be lost......the average age
             in our gage shop, is upper 50's...so wait ten yrs...........
                    and the schools here have done away with
                the industrial arts,and tech programs..{so much for good techie's}
                    {Parents don't want their kids thinking about...}
                      {"trades }OH..MY......
                             College only.....
                  So Keep wrenching ,it is worth it.....................
                                Bruce

[Stevearino]

It occured to me today to add one more thing:

... and get your kid to help you.  Not only will they learn a lot about the mechanics of a motorcycle, the process itself is fodder for unlimited discovery.  Physics, mathematics, chemistry, politics, human nature...  You might also find that they are good company.

My wife is a secondary mathematics teacher in a large public high school.  Trust me, our children need all the help they can get.

SM

[jsaab2748]

Working on cars for the past thirty years or so I've learned a few things about working on old vehicles.
The most important is that, no matter how hard you try, you can't polish a turd. With the rising cost of doing business in today's economy it just doesn't pay (in most cases) to work on old vehicles. THIS IS NOT TO IMPLY THAT I DISLIKE OLD VEHICLES. BUT... A simple tune up aint exactly the same on a bike that is thirty something years old now as compared to when it was new. (thank God for SOHC4 )
How can you effectively tune an old bike that has a totally crappy fuel system? You can tune all day and that nasty #$%* in the tank is still gonna flow into those carb bowls. How can you properly sync
carbs that have been butchered/re jetted/pirated from another bike etc. etc. years ago by one, or many a P.O.? It can be an almost endless cycle. Most old bikes the dealer sees are like this, and these bikes owners aren't like all of us who know how to service what we ride. My point is, dealer techs don't have time to deal with all the "unknown extras" that
have appeared over time with these bikes (mostly due to neglect or improper service methods), and it'd take forever to
get them running properly.  Hell, most of us on here know that right? Then there's parts availability. If it's discontinued, where does the deale,r or anyone for that matter, get it? Should they spend endless hours on ebay like we do, or should they spend that time servicing what they sell and get the parts over thier own counter? Dealers service what they sell to make thier living. We service what we
ride because it's fun. Two different situations. Has anyone ever turned a profit working on thier SOHC? If so, please let us all know   So I guess I can see why they don't want to work on old machines. I do however think they have somewhat of an obligation to help the owners of these machines out when it's within thier power to do so (in a courteous manner). There's no excuse for rudeness. Look around. Good ones are out there and they can be a valuable resource in some unique ways. Give them your business.
my little rant. have a nice day.  jim

[MRieck]

I do a lot of business out of the house because of older bikes. This is especially true of carb cleans, valve adjustments etc. I only work on very clean older bikes....no rats! I also tell people what parts I will be replacing based on age etc. And I don't rip them off on parts- I make money but it is fair.  Many satisfied customers...period.

[mbrock307]

This is really inspiring me to open a shop specializing in vintage machines.  To hell with modern stuff.

I've been wanting to open a vintage shop for years....got any money???

[Objectionableone]

The guys behind the counter are often arrogant in my experience

[eldar]

Thats what  I get too. They know it all but never get the right part somehow!

[Bob Wessner]

I have to say my local dealer (Nicholson's) is pretty good. Always try to help, no attitude. My biggest complaint is they are way out on the west edge of town, 14 miles round trip. They use to be downtown, but I guess they needed a new building and more space when they became multibrand. Don't mind running out there on the bike in nice summer weather  but in the winter if I need a part, I generally do it from the comfort of the PC.

[Ted Nomura]

In the good'ol days, back in the early '70s when I just started motorcycling, I was fortunate enough to have mechanics who knew what they were doing, like the guy who maintained my first Yamaha but reliability of Honda made some of the other mechanics lazy and it started to go downhill from there. By mid-1980s, it seemed like I knew more about the motorcycles than most of the so-called experts. I even sold a bike when I just came in to check out the new models. At least they were nice enough to give me a discount in exchange for commission.
Now it seem like most of the new guys know how to hack a computer but nothing about adjusting points or actually putting a tube inside a tire. So, like many guys from "old school", I end-up building my own private motorcycle shop. It's a good thing my experience in USAF jet engine mechanics helped. Now I just go to the dealer to get some parts but even that can be frustrating to someone who knows nothing about pre-21st century motorcycles. Thank goodness some real classic motorcycle experts still exists.

[74cb750]

Recently I went to the "local" dealer (28 miles one way). When I told the parts guy
I had a CB750, he says,"What make is that?"

He quoted me
$87.50 for labor on pre-1998 bikes!! and $52.00 for newer bikes.

He wanted over $200 for labor to relace my 1974 cb750 rear wheel, plus parts.
I said forget it, I'll do it myself.

So, where can I buy some good spokes in the USA? as the ones from David silver are killer on shipping.
peace,
michel

[putnaja1]

I used to get mega attitude from the parts counter jockeys when I would go in to buy parts for my DOHC CB's in the late '80s and early '90s..  Back then, you weren't cool unless you rode one of the latest tupperware bikes.  I remember one guy who was clearly too cool to help me at the parts counter, when I told him what kinda bike I had, he berated me in front of other customers - "That bikes a sled!  Get a real motorcycle!"  Can you believe that!?  I was a lot younger then, and for some reason I wouldn't challenge a-holes like that.  I'd almost love for someone to take that attitude with me at a shop now- I'd give them an earfull for sure.  *BUT*, lately I've noticed all the parts folks I've talked to have changed their tune.  I wonder if the current trend is towards newer bikes, and so parts folks are trying to be nice to customers..

I have to say my local dealer (Nicholson's) is pretty good. Always try to help, no attitude. My biggest complaint is they are way out on the west edge of town, 14 miles round trip. They use to be downtown, but I guess they needed a new building and more space when they became multibrand. Don't mind running out there on the bike in nice summer weather  but in the winter if I need a part, I generally do it from the comfort of the PC.

Hey Bob- you mentioned PC shopping in my other post, and I've been meaning to ask you:  Do you use the ServiceHonda website for ordering?  And if so, are they reliable?  I checked out their site, but they must have been doing some maintenance on their page as it worked fine in the AM, then wasn't working when I went back to order!

[Bob Wessner]

Hey Bob- you mentioned PC shopping in my other post, and I've been meaning to ask you:  Do you use the ServiceHonda website for ordering?  And if so, are they reliable?  I checked out their site, but they must have been doing some maintenance on their page as it worked fine in the AM, then wasn't working when I went back to order!

I have used ServiceHonda several times, and recently, despite the name, Crotchrocket.com seems to have a similar set-up. Most suffer from one shortcoming, that is their data base may say something is in stock, but turns out it is not when they go to pull the order. I will say that in both cases, that is these two suppliers, they contact you before shipping to let you know and Crotchrocket offered the opportunity to cancel the entire order is you so desired. I've often wondered if all these suppliers don't have hooks right into Honda's system and maybe it's Honda's data base that is not always kept current. 

[bill440cars]

               I've never had a dealership do anything except try to get me the parts I needed because:

               I've been mechanicing on something for years. From the time I could walk, my Dad had
       me taking motorcycles apart (my Dad would loosen up the nuts, bolts and screws 1st. We had a
       motorcycle shop in the family) Then, at age 14, I build a 125cc Jawa from scratch. Then at
       age18, I did an engine replacement and maintained a 56' Plymouth and had Auto Shop at school   
       Then at age 19, entered the USAF in Auto Mechanics and cross trained into Jet aircraft, 1 & 2
       engine fighters. Then at age 23, I worked for an engine rebuilder and put short blocks together
       for about a year and worked at a VW dealership as a line mechanic for about a year. Then, at
       age 25, I got a job in civil service as a WG-08 mechanic on Army trucks and equipment. I
       progressed over the next 23 years to a WG-09 Direct Support mechanic (Doing 2nd level work
       like replacing major components and going into engines and hydraulic systems), and finally to a
       WG-10 Equipment Inspector which included everything from a 5cfm air compressor through
       weapons and ended up at the 20 ton Cranes. Now, while I have learned a lot over the years, I
       know that there's a lot I don't know and that's where you guys come in.

       The point is, we should all strive to help each other as much as humanly possible so that none of
       us has to think about using a dealer that could rip us off. I know there are some good dealers
       out there but, there are also the ones who'd like to take out money, one way or another.

       If I've done something besides bore you to death, then my time wasn't wasted. Later on, Bill

                                                       SORRY, I GOT LONG WINDED

[Uncle Ernie]

Bob; Bingo!
Michel; everyone I know gets everything wheel related from Buchanan

[Trevor from Warragul]

Being married, single income with 3 kids turned me into a pretty good mechanic, 'cause I couldn't afford to take my bikes into a shop!  And you know what?  I do a darned sight better job than most of the mechanics I've ever dealt with.  Do it yourself and you'll realize it aint that hard, plus it's fun!

[Ted Nomura]

When my family got me my first motorcycle, a 1972 Yamaha AT2, for Christmas of 1971, I knew nothing about mechanics except mini-servicing my bicycle briefly when I was in elementry school. I didn't ride any two-wheeled vehicle for 4 years until I got my first motorcycle. I learned to do servicing even before the first 500 mile check up. Since then I never took any of my motorcycle for servicing except for getting parts. I learned to completely disassemble my second motorcycle, the 1971 Honda SL350K1, so I can repaint the parts, including the frame. I even disassembled the gearbox of that engine. But as you get older, you realize that sometimes it may be cheaper to let the dealer service your bike rather than spending the hours you can make more money out of but by then, you only trust yourself.

It's amazing how many views you get when someone mentions dealer service.

$200 to change a CB750 rear tire? That sucks!

[cafehonda]

Dealership mechanics suck, except when they have an older guy back in the shop. I only use my dealer for ordering parts . Do your homework, have your part numbers ready if possible and be prepared to raise your voice in front of  new bike shoppers in the showroom (as a last resort of course). Loud pipes may save lives, but loud voices scare off potential customers. Hit 'em where it hurts...in future sales. For those who may not agree... I DON'T CARE! Sorry, don't mean to yell at friends. Best advice I ever got was learn to do it yourself; that way you don't have to depend on dealers that just want your money.