Sorry in advance she's a little wordy

BACKGROUND: I used to get my old Harley serviced at one mechanic, I did the minors he did the majors. Was very happy with the service and a few modifications and aftermarket bits and pieces I had installed over the years.
I needed wheel bearings done Just after Christmas in 2015 and my usual place was closed so I went to a new mechanic, well known and reputable. Ended up getting quite a bit done (Wheel bearings + entire driveline, belt, pulleys, bearings etc) was super happy with the service and the bike rode like new. He also called me as a follow up to make sure all was sweet and we talked at length about a longer term plan for setup and maintenance of the bike given the km I do.

We began discussing long term plans for the bike (I do around 40,000km a year on a quiet year).

The bike developed an issue with poor running and pinging, I took it straight in for investigation and also added that I need brake pads done F&R and investigation of two issues:

1. Rear indicator intermittently not working
2. The switch for my legends intermittently not working (however the air bags were not losing air)

I received a call to say that the idle issue was sorted (replaced crank angle sensor) in discovering this he had to plug the bike into a computer (something it appeared had never been done at my old mech, which we had suspected) and also run the bike up on the dyno. The dyno showed that the bike was poorly tuned and would at some point need a top end. All cool at this point, I suspected a top end was on the horizon anyway because it had started using a 1/2 quart of oil every 5000km.

I was still completely satisfied with the new mech and actually pretty excited about what we could come up with in terms of an engine build that met my needs. I was also planning a second Harley to balance the miles. We had also discussed his recommended setup of the bike from new and I was looking forward to many more miles.

I paid the bill and picked the bike up but two corners later noted that the indicator was still faulting so I returned and pointed this out.

At this point I should also call out that I work 50-60 hours most weeks, I need my bike to be 100% and despite being mechanically capable I don't always have the time to investigate the little things. Sometimes it is just easier to drop it off, pay some money and pick it up good as gold again.

As the mech and his offsider began looking at the indicator wire he noted that the brake pads had NOT been done, he was very apologetic and suspected his other mech had fitted my pads to another customers bike perhaps but couldn't be sure, I was frustrated but hey shit happens and he assured me they'd get it done and I'd be on my way same day.

In front of me they did the pads and re-soldered the indicator wire (it had broken) he added that my legends were an issue when he test rode the bike. He was not a fan of the ride quality and recommended I replace them as they were losing air.
I left for the second time however I didn't even make it home that night, I was around 20 km from home and had the issue with the indicator return in conjunction with the legends not airing up or down resurface. After trouble shooting on the side of the road I was forced to ride the bike home at lowered ride height. I parked it in the garage and didn't get to look at it for two week.

When I did get a chance to look at the bike I found the cause of the two electrical issues

1. The indicator wires were not tucked back into the wiring clips from the tail light and were contacting the tyre
2. The positive connection on the battery for the legends was completed snapped off (vibrations from 50,000km of use no doubt)

An hour tops troubleshooting and some soldering and shrink wrapping had both resolved.

I never got a follow up call, actually I never heard from him again. Faced with the option of needing to do a top end on my bike and also get a second Harley setup how I wanted, (both of which I had no confidence in anywhere I could take them for the work) I went for the easy out. I sold the Streetbob, and bought a BMW.

A year later and another 40,000km I'm super happy with my beemer but know I need two bikes and really really miss owning and riding a Harley.

So my question (and thanks if you've read this far) is should I give this guy the benefit of the doubt or say screw it and go elsewhere?

I have another mechanic in mind but still value the good work and advise that was provided by this guy prior to the bad service experience.

 

Well Steve, I've "read this far" and can say it really is going to be your choice and your choice only, because you know the mechanics involved.
We don't, so go with your gut.

I can say, that when you find a good one they're worth sticking with! So your call.

Yeah, I made it 'this far' too. I've had my share of issues with mechanics over the years - humans make mistakes, no one is perfect. But what does your gut say? Sounds like your keen to give him another go to me. And look, noting what I said about mistakes, I rate it when people take responsibility for their stuff-ups and try to remedy ASAP. This guy sounds that way inclined, if I read your story right. Give him another go. If it doesn't work out, you have other options.

As the others above have said ultimately its your choice.

Reading through your post, it sounded like the guy has all the good intentions and advice, but then passes your bike to his off side that maybe a bit forgetful.

As you wrote, he suspected his mechanic fitted the pads to someone elses bike.

Its frustrating but my local stealers are the same. The front man is all good, very polite, great custmer skills but their technicians can be a bit average.

So are you looking at buying a Harley from the Indie or using him for your servicing?

They fuck up once, I never go back. I just do my own work now.

I do my own work too...BUT from time to time something comes up that is beyond the tools I have so I will drop the bike into my Indie and leave it with them. I always know in the back of my mind just what ballpark value the work should cost and they are within $100 of this so I'm happy to keep going back.

I would definitely prefer an Indie to a Dealership as my Evo is older than 90% of the 'technicians' that would be working on it which is just plain wrong! What I find is that my Indie has been around for a few years and has a good breadth of knowledge on older bikes.

Nothing worse than taking your time to book your bike in for service/repairs ahead of time and they only do half the shit you asked.

This shop be in Ringwood by and chance Steve?

Time for a change IMO, your call.

Hi All,

Thanks for the responses.

Deadwood - no it wasn't a shop in Ringwood

A box of matches or a new bike, if I get bad service I never go back. It's my money and I'm the one doing them the favour.

1----As the mech and his offsider began looking at the indicator wire he noted that the brake pads had NOT been done,

2--- The indicator wires were not tucked back into the wiring clips from the tail light and were contacting the tyre

3---- The positive connection on the battery for the legends was completed snapped off (vibrations from 50,000km of use no doubt)

1 mistake is a mistake ,, 2 mistakes is , whats going on

3 mistakes and i would start to think , did he do anything ,,, Offsider putting new brakes on the wrong bike Suppose your lucky , he could of stripped your engine down and replaced the valves or something ...


3 srtikes and your out

From your original post you said you were very happy with your first mechanic but he was closed at the time you needed work done...Why not just go back to him unless he has shut up shop..

I'm with boxa and sparra

I can Fuck things up very well on my own without paying someone else to do it, thanks very much

they would sell well,mr mow.