[gumby40]

Hi people, I'm new here and I wanted to say hello.
I also wanted to voice my angst over Harley prices. Maybe it's me being cheap, I don't know but $164 for a shift linkage? I am looking for a radio, that was $1000. I am looking for alternatives and found some. But i wanted to keep my bike all Harley, well so much for that. I'll go poor trying to.
I found a radio kit that includes everything and works with the handlbar controls for $430. Why do we need to pay so much? I paid $18,000 for the bike, hell I'll pay another $18,000 for the fun stuff. I for one am going to look elsewhere for my parts. I'll only buy Harley parts from the factory if I have to.
Is it me? Or do other people feel the same way? Thanks for listening to me, Ride safe and don't be stupid.

Gumby40

[Tomflhrci98]

Hey Gumby40. Welcome.

You said it at the end "don't be stupid" , but that's what happens to most of us when we walk into the stealership.

I have developed a list of online parts stores that I look at when I am trying to find things at a reasonable price. I don't know if there are reasonable prices anymore but there are a lot of companies today like Custom chrome and Drag Specialties that have some good products. You should try those first and then go to one of their online distributors for discounts on their prices. Then, of course, wait for the delivery truck.

I won't list them here because I never know if it is considered spamming or whatnot. Maybe one of the Moderators will list some for you.

Good luck, Tom

[kenfuzed]

I agree with everything except for the part about Drag Specialties. Drag is nothing more than a middleman broker who twists its wholesale suppliers by the short hairs until they hand over parts at near cost. Then they turn around and sell those parts through their dealer network at inflated prices. Both the manufacturer and reseller end up losing while Drag "drags" in the profit. They are able to stay on top because almost every shop in this country has their catalog on the counter, including most H-D dealerships.

Personally I won't buy a thing from that catalog. If I see a part I want listed with Drag, I do my research and even try to contact the manufacturer for other sources where I can buy it.

Okay, now I'll step down off my

[Tomflhrci98]

Thanks, Ken,

I didn't know that about Drag Sp. Sounds like WallMart

I'll get over to the "vendor feedback" area and list some of my good experiences with the online shopping.

I'm slowly getting smarter

T

[Sleepy]

didn't know that neither..thanx

[kenfuzed]

Originally Posted by Sleepy

didn't know that neither..thanx

Yeah, I know a few indy shops out here that have already turned their backs on DS, and a few small manufacturers that refuse to even talk to them. For small retailers its a difficult decision because nobody wants to turn away business. Fortunately there are still a few people in this world who remember what it means to do the right thing. I'm not going to get all righteous and tell people they shouldn't shop DS... but my money will be spent with companies and individuals who I have more respect for in this industry.

[Texas Road Glide]

the joys of owning a harley......
my ass cheeks pucker every time, i even think about addin somthing new to the bike. so now i am returning to the old school way's..... strip it down, it you dont need it, take it off......
smirking, i am only saying that cause i wrecked my bike,....

rotfl


TRG

[ringo912]

Originally Posted by kenfuzed

I agree with everything except for the part about Drag Specialties. Drag is nothing more than a middleman broker who twists its wholesale suppliers by the short hairs until they hand over parts at near cost. Then they turn around and sell those parts through their dealer network at inflated prices. Both the manufacturer and reseller end up losing while Drag "drags" in the profit. They are able to stay on top because almost every shop in this country has their catalog on the counter, including most H-D dealerships.

Personally I won't buy a thing from that catalog. If I see a part I want listed with Drag, I do my research and even try to contact the manufacturer for other sources where I can buy it.

Okay, now I'll step down off my

I agree with Kenfuzed, I know the owners of a local custom bike shop. Drag Specialties cancelled their account because they wern't selling at least 30K a year of Drag's merchandise. Ya won't see me buying from Drag.

I never bought anything from Custom Chrome but I've heard the quality of their chrome products is not so good. Kuryakyn seems to be a good source for quality parts.

[FlynDutchman]

I've gotten alot of good stuff on e-bay, stuff I couldnt find at the dealership. There are certain things you almost HAVE to go to the dealership for, but for other stuff...I look elsewhere. When I was changing out my headlight I went to Harley to see what the cost was for a new one that they are putting on current Dynas...well they wanted $145 just for the shell, no light no trim no wiring....I got a new light on e-bay from a bike shop in Fla for $89. Plus alot of times Harley doesn't make what I like (e.g. my handlebars) which incidentally I got on line for $50....It doesnt make your bike any less of a Harley...It makes you a smarter rider.

[voodoochild]

I like those bars and the look of less crap up there Flyn, how hard was it to do? I really want to "clean" up the front of my bike. I would like to do hidden wires, cable, etc, relocate the turn signals, and change my mirrors. Sound like a pain in the neck??

[chucktx]

Originally Posted by voodoochild

I like those bars and the look of less crap up there Flyn, how hard was it to do? I really want to "clean" up the front of my bike. I would like to do hidden wires, cable, etc, relocate the turn signals, and change my mirrors. Sound like a pain in the neck??

piece of cake there voodoo..........just do it one step at a time.....

[Peyts]

Buying stuff from the Harley stealership usually kills me. I have done VERY WELL with purchasing items from eBay... got a Harley clutch clock for less than $40 CDN to my door (the stealership wanted $109 CDN), a set of V&H slip-ons for for less than $300 CDN (to my door), etc.

[kenfuzed]

One thing that I've found interesting on eBay is there are quit a few Harley dealers selling custom paint sets (tins), scratch & dent stuff, and items that were returned and can't be sold as new. I noticed they don't sell under their dealership names though, perhaps to keep the motoco happy.

[Clem]

J&P cycles is the same - a middle man. They advertise items that drop ship to you from the manufacturer and some items must be ordered by them - they don't even stock it.

The eBay source is pretty good but you must do your homework on the seller. By all means check his feedback. I have done that and still got junk sent to me, but I must say that the majority of these deals were rectified very fairly and honistly. There are dumpster divers selling on eBay so be careful.

I have tried to keep this bike all HD. It has been expensive but the parts and chrome plating and fitment is superb. Most of the prices are competitive when you compare quality. But I do believe that the initial price of the motorcycle is outlandish to say the least - but it's a Harley not a wannabe. The price makes it another central point in your life - making that paycheck.

[FlynDutchman]

Originally Posted by voodoochild

I like those bars and the look of less crap up there Flyn, how hard was it to do? I really want to "clean" up the front of my bike. I would like to do hidden wires, cable, etc, relocate the turn signals, and change my mirrors. Sound like a pain in the neck??

It wasnt as bad as I made it out to be in my head...The part that always freaks me out is clippin them wires......Its like Im workin on the bomb squad or something. One thing to note though....cut off the rubber shrink wrap stuff before you pull the wires....the rubber doesnt like to slip through those bars as easily as it looks....I did the right side first & when I tried to pull the wires through with the sheathing still on the string that was already fed through the bars to make the job easier broke, making the job much harder...but still well worth it... I did the turn signal relocation thing easily too...like a $28 kit from H-D...I think Im swappin out mirrors next. Not because I dont like the ones I have, but since I changed the handlebars, my stance on the bike is different & I cant see a thing behind me....I get to see my arms & shoulders ok though. Take some pics & share with us when you finish up.....I always like to see other peoples work, thats how I got the idea for all this change in the first place.

[voodoochild]

Thanks Flyn, I mentioned it to the wife the other day and she looked at me kinda funny. Wierd cause she never says anything about how much I spend on the bike. Oh well. She did say to me that I have to get my sissy bar re-done first so that she can ride again. I guess she's afraid I'll goose it and send her off the back..... It'll get done, just a matter of time that's all. Thanks for the info.

[FlynDutchman]

Yea...I used to have the shorty sissy bar (never even wanted that one) & the wife said it was smaller than an eye-glasses case. My daughter refused to ride with me so I had to get the bigger sissy bar. I've changed my handlebars twice already, so I got that same look you did when I told her I wanted new ones. Had an even harder time explaining why I needed a new headlight, & relocated turn signals just to put these bars on. But in the end I really dont get much beef when I tell her I want to do something. (as long as I dont need a loan to cover it)

[voodoochild]

The sissy bar is mainly for my daughter, not the wife, but she likes it too. I'm lucky in the fact that my wife likes my bike as much as I do. She knows it is one of my few pleasures in life, besides my kids, that really keeps me happy, so she's all for it! I'm just trying to make my bike unlike every other one out there. I like to be different.

[exegesic]

I found a local shop Axiom Cycles with an internet site Axiom Cycles: Home - Harley Davidson Parts,custom motorcycles,choppers,bobber motorcycles,rolling chassis that not only offers great prices but was helpful beyond my expectations. The guys over there know there stuff.

[steveb]

Has anyone tried to trade a bike in after the 96" engines came out. The dealers dropped my trade value by $4,000. due to the new 96" engine and 6 speed trans. They claim the 2005 bikes are not worth as much .Is this true?