Somthing that has been on my mind for a long time now..In my opinion you have forgotten about the people who stuck with MOCO in the dark years, The late 70's and up through the 80's..I was there buying bikes and parts during these tough times for HD.

And now the thanks I/We get when walking into a dealership having to walk past piggy banks, coffee cups, lighters, and a ton of other junk with the MOCO name on it. Just to talk to some kid in the parts department whom can only speak EVO, REVO, or TC.. It sucks trying to get parts for a 20 or 30+ year old bike, where it used to be easy. I can remember going to the dealership in Ft. Smith, Ar. in the 80's and feeling welcome and knowing that I could pick up a gasket kit for a 66' pan without having to explain what a pan is, or having to wait a week to order or watching a service person stumbling through parts books, waiting on others while looking, just in general trying to pry his head from his ass.

I'm not angry at all about how HD has evolved into a major player in the motorcycle market, but i was damn sure there when it wasn't along with alot of other people with the same empty feeling now. I was forced not to use HD dealerships for buying parts and even motorcycles. I buy elsewhere now and It's not that I don't want to do buisness with the MOCO directly It's just alot easier If I go elsewhere and let the "Wealthy" grace your showroom floors and parts department and as you can tell from my tone they can have it...

Bottom line.. I guess is Im most likley a dying breed of biker whom stood by HD for a long time, and will be there in in another 30+ years riding doing my own wrenching (thanks to my Pop and the AMF days I learned to become a real good wrench). If Willie Davidson happens to read this (long Shot There!!)
Thanks for your hard work in bringing the MOCO back from the dark years, and moving forward with the finest motorcycles in the world. But just try to remember people like me who were right there with you, during those trying times. And refused to give up on HD when a hell of alot of others did.....

Forever in the wind!
Kevin R.
Springdale, Ar.

Well said Sprink
:clap

Well said Sprink
:clap
Ditto!! :)

Damn right Sprink!

Loco
So. Cal.

but what would you have MOCO do differently now? I can certainly appreciate how you feel, but I'm not sure how the company could make you happy?

but what would you have MOCO do differently now? I can certainly appreciate how you feel, but I'm not sure how the company could make you happy?


Don't be so fast to obsolete parts.

Continue to carry parts for older bikes (even if only via special order).

Continue to educate (Harley PHD training) the parts guys on older models too.

Let's face it customer loyalty and LONG term ownership are 2 of Harleys greatest strengths. To not continue to support it is a spit in the face to those owners.

Yah, I can see that now...Obviously I fall into to the new regime of Harley owners but I sure wish I had the knowledge of all the old timers.

but what would you have MOCO do differently now? I can certainly appreciate how you feel, but I'm not sure how the company could make you happy?


They could make me happy by NOT referring to my bike as "obsolete". Yeh thats what I was told when I tried to get a part.

RC,

the only way to get the knowledge of the old timers is to ask them, wrench on an oldie, or RTFM.
Sprink hit most all the problems,
KevM hit the high points.

The dealers need to hire more folks that actually ride too.

Louisville HD needs a good sporty person.

I agree with your points, but you must think of a dealer as a buissness.
If you have a dealership, and you only have "X" amount of room and "X" amount of money to invest in that inventory, would you stock parts for a 1966 anything, or a 2006?
You will sell far more 2006 parts then the 1966, and that is why they have to order it in.

We here in Portland have gone through the growing years, in 1990, we had three dealers, concrete floors, and little floorspace for doo dads. They were into selling bikes, not trinkets.
Then things changed, destonation came to town, bought out Beaverton harley, and built a new dealership in Tigard, we call it the Normstroms, as it was like being in a Normstroms department store. Bike were moved to the front window area, parts all the way to the back, and in the center was a waistland of doo dads and junk.
Carpet on the floors, except were the bikes were, that got all tiled.
I asked why they went with this floorplan, and I was told Harley-Davidson provided the plans, and they have like 10 to choice from. But this is what Harley wants, and so the other two dealers followed suit, and now we have small(Columbia)Medium(Paradice)and a Lager(Latus) Department store style dealers.
For the longest time, I would not go into Paradice(When Destination owned them) out of protest. Since Mike Bouight it away from DHS, I now go there quite a bit because there all the same now.

My point is that Harley was the driving force to get the "Old school biker dealers" image out of the dealers.
They have gone after the Yuppy money, and they want all the dealers to have this look as to not scare off the yuppies.

Sure it has helped there bottom line, but that don't meen it was right.

I agree with your points, but you must think of a dealer as a buissness.
If you have a dealership, and you only have "X" amount of room and "X" amount of money to invest in that inventory, would you stock parts for a 1966 anything, or a 2006?
You will sell far more 2006 parts then the 1966, and that is why they have to order it in.


Of COURSE, which is why I said to at least have them available through special order. But I THINK the current trend is for Harley corporate to obsolete the part and for the dealer staff to just say "sorry, you're SOL"

If you watch closely when you order a part that's "obsolete" they refer to the good ol' V Twin catalogue. We know all about them, don't we?
Also, I think it's interesting how the BIGGEST selling point Harley stresses is the fact that their bikes hold their value. Just try to trade in something 10 or 20 years old and see just how worthless they think it is.

I agree with your points, but you must think of a dealer as a buissness.
If you have a dealership, and you only have "X" amount of room and "X" amount of money to invest in that inventory, would you stock parts for a 1966 anything, or a 2006?
You will sell far more 2006 parts then the 1966, and that is why they have to order it in.

We here in Portland have gone through the growing years, in 1990, we had three dealers, concrete floors, and little floorspace for doo dads. They were into selling bikes, not trinkets.
Then things changed, destonation came to town, bought out Beaverton harley, and built a new dealership in Tigard, we call it the Normstroms, as it was like being in a Normstroms department store. Bike were moved to the front window area, parts all the way to the back, and in the center was a waistland of doo dads and junk.
Carpet on the floors, except were the bikes were, that got all tiled.
I asked why they went with this floorplan, and I was told Harley-Davidson provided the plans, and they have like 10 to choice from. But this is what Harley wants, and so the other two dealers followed suit, and now we have small(Columbia)Medium(Paradice)and a Lager(Latus) Department store style dealers.
For the longest time, I would not go into Paradice(When Destination owned them) out of protest. Since Mike Bouight it away from DHS, I now go there quite a bit because there all the same now.

My point is that Harley was the driving force to get the "Old school biker dealers" image out of the dealers.
They have gone after the Yuppy money, and they want all the dealers to have this look as to not scare off the yuppies.

Sure it has helped there bottom line, but that don't meen it was right.


I respect what you are saying Jeffy. But I think you fail to see deeper into the point that I was making....

kev R.

I can't imagine having to get anything for an older bike. Hell, the other day I went to get a 45 pilot for my stage I and the friggin' pimple behind the counter had to pull out the big book to look it up! Maybe I should've went to the lady at the service counter and asked her if they had any. :frownthre
Sorry for the partial thread hijack there...the MoCo needs to walk the talk though.

I'm still restoring a 68 XLCH I bought as a MAJOR basket case 10 years ago. 10 years ago the parts people at an H-D dealership didn't know what an XLCH was but to their credit they fumbled around in trying to help. I left with no parts at all. Great suppliers of NOS parts and advice advertise in Walneck's etc; Sportster Specialties and Old Dude have treated me well. As I now want a daily rider I am planning on a new 1200R with the XLCH going back to the barn for resto- 18" rear etc as a retirement project. Pray for my cash flow. Matt

By the way: they will be sold as a pair when I drool more than I already do. 20 years max. :) Matt

I see your point, you hung in there when it wasnt a fashion statement. The counter guy was the old mechanic who had bad knees and went to the counter to finish out his career.

As far as them keeping parts, I was told years ago that auto dealers only need to keep a reasonable supply I think it was for 12yrs from time made. I stop using the chevy dealers in the late 80s due to many of the reasons you wrote. Guys at the counter didnt know crap about 396 engines or any the other parts I needed.

Turn the clock ahead to the present, Things are much better now for anyone with older bikes and cars. The internet is the place to get info on anything, this site is a prime example. New Nich companys start up and provide great service and knowlege for small markets. The only problem is if your riding your old scoot and break down, your not going to get same day service from anyone.

Damm i have tried to replay to this 4 times and keep deleting it.... I don't know where to start. I'm with you though.

They could make me happy by NOT referring to my bike as "obsolete". Yeh thats what I was told when I tried to get a part.

Well obviously you should upgrade to a new modern model if yours is obsolete. Just kidding. I'd love to have an old Harley. When the time comes that I'm able to get one I hope I'm able to get my hands on the parts I need.

I know that Harley keeps their old manufacturing equipment so they are still able to make new old parts. It just takes time.

Damm i have tried to replay to this 4 times and keep deleting it.... I don't know where to start. I'm with you though.

I know that you have legitimate heartburn with the MOCO Rob..

If you guys have problems getting parts allready back there in the States then you should have a look here in Europe. I restored a XLCH 1973 model (see gallery) and try explaining here what it is. (oh it's a harley). Second, parts...? parts? They never heard of the bike let alone being able to order anything. It took me a Custom-builder to go through all mags together and order the right stuff.

Yes via the net, and most of it came out of the states. The whole gasket set for example....impossible to get it in europe. The younger guys at the dealers don't even know what it is, if you say XLCH, or Ironhead for that matter.

Anyway, I sold her in the end (after she was done and riding again).

EXACTLY RIGHT DUDE !!

If It Would Quit Raining I would Not Be On Here Aggrivating The Heck Out Of All Of You LOLOLOLOL HA HA HA........

CAUTION! DON'T FEED THE YUPPIES lol

A few years ago, I gave some airplane photo books to the neighbour's son. One was about WWI planes, one WWII and the other modern fighters. He was about 11 at the time, and he handed the WWI book back to me, saying "I don't like those kinds of planes." He immediately cracked open the book on modern fighters. I guess he said it because the book was full of slow, dorky biplanes... uncool machinery. I said to him, "Well you know, if they had never built these (holding up the WWI book) they never could have built those (pointing to the modern planes)." He answered, "I never thought of it that way", then took the WWI book back from me.

For me, the beauty is not with just dealing with people who know what I know, and believe what I believe. I don't own a Harley, and never have. I wanted one in the late '80s for awhile, but then the feeling passed. I've had a couple of Japanese standards since, but now I'm swinging back toward a HD... which is why I'm on this board, doing my research. (By the way, could someone tell me what a BT is, because I have no idea. Thanks.) My dream machine is a Mert Lawwill bottom with a Sportster top... Mert's frame, swingarm, engine mods, tires, suspension, brakes – with an XL1200L tank, seat and bobbed rear fender. Wolf in sheep's clothing kind of thing.

I wouldn't blame any parts guy for not knowing a thing from more than 10 years ago. His/her job is to do what's asked of them by the dealer. To him, it's most likely just a job. The dealer may be a gearhead himself, but love isn't edible. I'd assume 90% of the business in parts is for bikes 10 years of age or less. It's nice when one comes across an employee who knows what a panhead is, has heard of an XA, or knows what Evel Knievel rode. If not, that's fine too. I kinda see dealers now simply as another internet source... just one that happens to be close by. If they don't have it, they can get it. If they can't get it, I'll find somebody else who can.

There's a company here in Toronto about to start production of bike kits for a mid '30s Crocker. EVERYTHING, every piece, is interchangeable with an original Crocker. It's unbelieveable that anyone could afford to do that... well, would have been unbelieveable pre- computers/CNC machining, etc. I think those walking encyclopedias of parts personnel are gone into the realm of myth. There's too much today to keep up with all of it. The learning and accessibility curves are so freakin' steep now because of the internet, it's like an imagination wonderland. I'm seeing so much as being possible, I'm having a hard time keeping up with my mind's desire to build a 100 different looking bikes. Hard to blame any shop or dealership for not being able to keep up with that. My thoughts anyway.

:censor I agree w/669Sprink . I took my 98 in for speed-o sensor, and while I was looking at handle bars. I ask a young man for help. Asked what I had oh you mean the old sporty in the back wanted to slap that little punk. Haven"t been back !

Like everyone has said, keep parts around for the ironheads and at least have one guy that knows how to work on them. My dealer said that they will not even mess with them. Seems like you really have to be dedicated to own one.

Mobilus BT= Big Twin the "other" H-D models

Mobilus BT= Big Twin the "other" H-D models
Thank you kind sir!