Alasportster
12th August 2005, 04:25
On Lovell Road (508 Lovell Road, just off the interstate), across the street and a half block down from the new HD of Knoxville location, is an indy called "In the Wind Cycle Parts", run by Dennis Jenkins.
I had exceptional service there as follows.
I stopped in and inquired about a rear tire for my '05, and was told a Dunlop 401 "Harley Davidson" branded was $90.00, plus 20.00 labor off the bike or 40.00 on the bike. I knew the tire price was good, and the labor sounded fair also.
I could have waited and got it that afternoon, but didn't have time, so we arranged for me to come back at 9 the next morning, a Saturday.
I showed up a little before 9, and a little after 9 my bike was on the lift. Dennis was very friendly, let me into the work area, and was patient with my questions while he worked.
He took off the rear muffler, and asked if I knew the "L" bracket for the muffler was broken. I said no, but sure enough, it was broken into two pieces. I said I'd go by the HD place and get them to replace it, and he said "I believe I've got one here, I'll put it on for you.
The axle did not want to come out, it was obvious it was just tight. Dennis
was apparently short a man that day, and I offered to help, which he let me do; then, his other mechanic who was there helped him get the axle out. It was really crudded up. I offered to clean it up, since he was short handed, to save him some time, and also because he'd quoted me a flat charge to change the tire, and he said, ok, and got me some sandpaper and pointed me to his workbench.
We talked while I cleaned the axle and he changed the tire and computer balanced it, and he commented that it had five oz on it from the factory and that he did not like to use more than three at the most.
I cleaned up the axle, and he put anti sieze on it, and the tire was back on in no time. He polished the mufflers and rear wheel with Mothers. I paid for the tire, and asked how much for the bracket, and he said no charge. This is knock me over with a feather time, but it gets better.
I asked him about NGK iridium plugs, and he said they were good firing plugs, and probably lasted longer than stock. I told him I had bought two from advance auto parts, and he asked if I had them with me, that if I did he'd put them in for no charge. I didn't, and he said if I was out later that day, to bring them in and he'd install them.
SO, I did come back by, and he asked if I'd gapped them, which I had not, and while he was gapping the first one, he said "I just bought you a new plug cause I broke the electrode". I looked and the electrode is VERY small diameter, and he said that happens sometimes. He said he'd have it Tuesday. I asked if he had some standard plugs, and if he did we could put a set of those in, and when we got the iridiums in, I could just keep the HD plugs as a spare.
He pulled out two HD plugs, put them in, advised me that the bike was running a little lean, particulary the front (It's stock, so we know it's lean). We went back into the store, I pulled out my billfold to pay for the plugs, and he said "no charge". I said, "well, when we get the iridiums, you can have these back for spares", and he told me to keep them, it was no big deal, and he apologized again for the problem.
This is a true story, and I know I'll go back. He sells a standard array of parts, and discounts everything either 10 or 20 percent, I don't remember which. He rides a Buell, and his son had a '05 1200C. When my axle problem was goin' on his mechanic told him "we need to check (his sons bike, I don't remember the name) and make sure it's is not like this".
Dennis looked up the price for V&H HS slip ons, and gave me a good price for them. He also had a customers XL that he'd put some long pipes on called "porkers". Too loud for me, but still a good sound.
I'll be back to get some stage one stuff, and I believe I've found a good shop.
He said he's on the internet, but I haven't looked him up yet. Take a trip by there if you're in the area, I sure had good fortune there. Of course, this is kinda the way it ought to be, and I believe the man knows that repeat customers keep you in business. He said he's been in business five years, and had started because he loved motorcycles and working on them, and decided it seemd like a good way to make a living.
It's nice to find some "good old fashioned" customer service today.
I had exceptional service there as follows.
I stopped in and inquired about a rear tire for my '05, and was told a Dunlop 401 "Harley Davidson" branded was $90.00, plus 20.00 labor off the bike or 40.00 on the bike. I knew the tire price was good, and the labor sounded fair also.
I could have waited and got it that afternoon, but didn't have time, so we arranged for me to come back at 9 the next morning, a Saturday.
I showed up a little before 9, and a little after 9 my bike was on the lift. Dennis was very friendly, let me into the work area, and was patient with my questions while he worked.
He took off the rear muffler, and asked if I knew the "L" bracket for the muffler was broken. I said no, but sure enough, it was broken into two pieces. I said I'd go by the HD place and get them to replace it, and he said "I believe I've got one here, I'll put it on for you.
The axle did not want to come out, it was obvious it was just tight. Dennis
was apparently short a man that day, and I offered to help, which he let me do; then, his other mechanic who was there helped him get the axle out. It was really crudded up. I offered to clean it up, since he was short handed, to save him some time, and also because he'd quoted me a flat charge to change the tire, and he said, ok, and got me some sandpaper and pointed me to his workbench.
We talked while I cleaned the axle and he changed the tire and computer balanced it, and he commented that it had five oz on it from the factory and that he did not like to use more than three at the most.
I cleaned up the axle, and he put anti sieze on it, and the tire was back on in no time. He polished the mufflers and rear wheel with Mothers. I paid for the tire, and asked how much for the bracket, and he said no charge. This is knock me over with a feather time, but it gets better.
I asked him about NGK iridium plugs, and he said they were good firing plugs, and probably lasted longer than stock. I told him I had bought two from advance auto parts, and he asked if I had them with me, that if I did he'd put them in for no charge. I didn't, and he said if I was out later that day, to bring them in and he'd install them.
SO, I did come back by, and he asked if I'd gapped them, which I had not, and while he was gapping the first one, he said "I just bought you a new plug cause I broke the electrode". I looked and the electrode is VERY small diameter, and he said that happens sometimes. He said he'd have it Tuesday. I asked if he had some standard plugs, and if he did we could put a set of those in, and when we got the iridiums in, I could just keep the HD plugs as a spare.
He pulled out two HD plugs, put them in, advised me that the bike was running a little lean, particulary the front (It's stock, so we know it's lean). We went back into the store, I pulled out my billfold to pay for the plugs, and he said "no charge". I said, "well, when we get the iridiums, you can have these back for spares", and he told me to keep them, it was no big deal, and he apologized again for the problem.
This is a true story, and I know I'll go back. He sells a standard array of parts, and discounts everything either 10 or 20 percent, I don't remember which. He rides a Buell, and his son had a '05 1200C. When my axle problem was goin' on his mechanic told him "we need to check (his sons bike, I don't remember the name) and make sure it's is not like this".
Dennis looked up the price for V&H HS slip ons, and gave me a good price for them. He also had a customers XL that he'd put some long pipes on called "porkers". Too loud for me, but still a good sound.
I'll be back to get some stage one stuff, and I believe I've found a good shop.
He said he's on the internet, but I haven't looked him up yet. Take a trip by there if you're in the area, I sure had good fortune there. Of course, this is kinda the way it ought to be, and I believe the man knows that repeat customers keep you in business. He said he's been in business five years, and had started because he loved motorcycles and working on them, and decided it seemd like a good way to make a living.
It's nice to find some "good old fashioned" customer service today.