Saturday morning thinking

[Rollin Thunder]

Ok if Rhino can do it. So can I lol. I was thinking out loud with a friend of mine last night at the Tiki Bar at our Resort. You know how Home Depot puts on HOW TO school. To show us how to do things. WHY ! Cant Harley Dealers do the same sort of thing ? Say once a month the dealer will put on a show, school, call it what ever. But show us ways to take off a rear tire. Or how to change cables, replace your brakes. Things like that would help us all out. Even for a Newbie how to change oil & filter. I bet even some the lady's would get some interest out of that. A little presentation to start it off and have free coffee . What's the HARM ???

 

[cavie]

Ok if Rhino can do it. So can I lol. I was thinking out loud with a friend of mine last night at the Tiki Bar at our Resort. You know how Home Depot puts on HOW TO school. To show us how to do things. WHY ! Can Harley Dealers do the same sort of thing ? Say once a month the dealer will put on a show, school, call it what ever. But show us ways to take off a rear tire. Or how to change cables, replace your brakes. Things like that would help us all out. Even for a Newbie how to change oil & filter. I bet even some the lady's would get some interest out of that. A little presentation to start it off and have free coffee . What's the HARM ???

Harm???? Didn't think that thru did you. He is not just selling parts. He is selling Service. HD is not. Do you really think they are gonna teach you how do something that they charge $80.00 per hour or more???

 

[Rollin Thunder]

Harm???? Didn't think that thru did you. He is not just selling parts. He is selling Service. HD is not. Do you really think they are gonna teach you how do something that they charge $80.00 per hour or more???

NO I thought it thru. . But I thought it would be a cool thing for dealers to do for the riders. I know it most likely will never happen. I worked at a HD shop for a while back a few years. I get it that its a business to make $$. BUT there's always HOPE

 

[jaxbobg]

Actually, there a lot of bike clubs that hold tech days several times a year - for all models. I've been to BMW and Honda tech days, where members actually do oil & filter changes, tire changes, brake pad replacement and other maintenance that the average wrencher can do in his own garage at home.

Try googling web sites for bike clubs near your area and check schedules. These are very educational because the guys & gals doing the work are riders just like you who aren't out to sell products or service.

 

[rhino 2]

Not to insult anyone... But I don't think a Dealer would want a bunch of Nimrods hanging around their lot trying to do self repairs.. What could possibly go wrong...:xszpv:
Like jaxbobg said..Go the Bike Club route.... ThumbUp Or better yet start one your self..

 

[HarleyPap57]

Ok if Rhino can do it. So can I lol. I was thinking out loud with a friend of mine last night at the Tiki Bar at our Resort. You know how Home Depot puts on HOW TO school. To show us how to do things. WHY ! Can Harley Dealers do the same sort of thing ? Say once a month the dealer will put on a show, school, call it what ever. But show us ways to take off a rear tire. Or how to change cables, replace your brakes. Things like that would help us all out. Even for a Newbie how to change oil & filter. I bet even some the lady's would get some interest out of that. A little presentation to start it off and have free coffee . What's the HARM ???

I'd like to see the dealers have a Saturday or Sunday Class on the Info Center / Radios. Even getting a copy of the 2015 HD booklet I'm still not up to speed with half the things you can do. :Coffee:

 

[lboos]

Their are all kinds of good videos on the internet, I look at them to refresh my mem. before I do any preventive maint. on both my Harleys, that plus your maint. manual you can do things that can save you a lot of money plus the time it takes to take it to the dealer, If I can see someone else do it, I can do it. but, I like doing minor maint. on them.

 

[Sully]

Yep, theres a Utube video for everything. ThumbUp

 

[jaxbobg]

I've done a lot of home garage maintenance by watching online videos.

Here are a few places you might start with:

FixMyHog channel on YouTube and www.fixmyhog.com

After a few searches on the web you should find what you're looking for. Good luck, have fun, buy extra beer.

 

[dirtdobber]

Thunder creek in Chattanooga does it. It is done by one of the tech's.
Not sure of how they do the schedule, always on a Saturday. Each time it's different. If it is quick stuff they cover a lot of things.
They cover tools they use while they do it.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

I've been ridin Harley's for over 30 yrs. I've learned a lot about working on them myself. I had them down to the frame and motor sitting on a steel milk crate. Then put it back together and ride it. Once you get into it a few times its easier & easier. What I was try to say was it would be cool if a HD dealer did that. Just to help out New Riders and lady's that are just getting into Harley's. I've been in some dealers during the week and sometimes during the week. And NOTHING is going on with them at all. So what would it hurt !ThumbUp

- - - Updated - - -

I used to belong to a Chevelle club back in Minnesota. We had monthly meetings where we had a guess or a member come in and show us how to's . WE had different shops show up or have a meeting at their place. Then they would put on a class. Anything from a bodyshop, Engine builders, anything to do with Chevelle's. I learned a lot in the 10 yrs I was with the club. ThumbUp

 

[Pegasus1300]

I think this would be a really great idea and if it's done right it should make the dealer money.
New riders would have a better understanding of their machine and what things they want to do and what things the want the dealer to do.
Accessory installation and use could be explained,generating desire for that item.
Veteran riders might get a few tips and/or reminders.
All would be in the store where they could spend their money on new accessories,parts, maintenance items they now know they need, or schedule work they now know they need but don't want to do themselves.

Just because you show somebody what is needed and how it's done doesn't mean they are going to do it themselves. Now that they know what is involved they may now understand the cost. Education is always good and when service or purchase time comes you are going to remember who took the time to educate you.

 

[Ozarkryder]

I have done almost all of my own repairs over the years on '71 iron Sporty I had and now my 1990 FLHS. (It's not really yours unless you wrench on it.) Without fuel injection, throttle-by-wire, and a lot of electronics it is a simple machine to work on.
A friend works at a HD dealership in the area, and he was saying that even though I am a long time Harley person, the MoFoCo considers me a bad customer: I haven't bought a new (or newer used) Harley in 25 years, I don't constantly buy HD paraphernalia like floor mats, socks or doggie rainsuits, I own a service manual and parts book and do my own maintenance. In short, I am not part of the Harley money stream.

 

[sparky1597]

My dealer does this every February. They go through the 1K service, plus what to look for when doing it. They also have nice to know sessions, what bad and good filters, tires, brakes look like. It's pretty neat. Of course they show off their product line, and sell something! Oh, usually have cookies, coffee, juice and milk!

 

[5x40]

Our local dealer has a free "Service Seminar" every month on a Saturday.
This month it was on the Boom Radio etc...last month it was on the
Infotainment center...sometimes it tech related, service related, or mechanical related...always informative and always free...