[Paladin1]

Yesterday I received an estimate from the local dealer to install Chubby 508 bars on my 02 Road King. Also, the estimate included all labor to install braided lines, new chrome switch gear and running the wires inside the bars. The estimate was for labor only since I purchased the parts from an internet dealer for 20% off, plus no sales tax (I originally planned to try it myself, then chickened out). I explained this to the service writer and they had no problem (actually kind of surprised me).

There seem to be several Harley mechanics on this site, and I'm curious as to what you might quote as a labor estimate (a $ range would be fine if easier). Alternatively, number of hours??

Today I called a local non-dealer shop which specializes in Harleys (out of the yellow pages). Their quote was about 1/3 of the dealer.

The dealer seems to do good work and I expected them to be higher, but 3 times? On the other hand, i have learned the hard way that poor service is often worth less than zero. I have the impress from previous comments herein that this is a relativlely straight forward job (to a qualified mechanic).

I've left the actual $ amounts off so as not to bias anyone.

Appreciate any input, greg

 

[HIPPO]

If you want braided throttle cables, clutch cable and brake lines in addition to the bars and chrome housings it is a lot of work and might take you the better part of a day. The bars and the wiring alone is not that big a deal.

I would probably want about 3 to 400 bucks for the labor depending on the origin of the parts if I did that sort of thing, other then for friends, in no small part because I hate braided lines other then maybe for the brakes.

If the bike has cruise control the throttle return cable better have the roll off switch in it.
Make sure you get the one piece bar clamp, as the bars fatigue break with the OEM clamps.

 

[wyodude]

Greg,

My dealer's shop rate is $60/hr.

wyo

 

[logical]

I'm not a mechanic by trade but I've done this on a Fat Boy. The softails are actually a little more work than a road king because the softail wire connectors are hidden under the tank...which has to come off.

The dealer may be OK with you buying the parts elsewhere, but trust me...you are gonna get charged more labor than a guy who bought it all from them.

I could tell you how long it took me but that really doesn't matter....I took my time on a rainy saturday and wasn't "on the clock". the point is that it is not something that takes a HD certified wrench. There isn't a lot of finesse or any special tools involved (unless you consider a T-27 torx special, which Craftsman seems too since they leave it out of their sets and force me to drive to pep boys in the middle of this job....but I digress...).

I say that if you have a lower quote, take it and run. The dealer is probably gouging a little and the indipendant probably is underestimating how much hassle the cables wil be. just be sure they understand everything you want them to install.

You didn't say, but if the controls and such are HD parts then I'd be even less concerned about who does it....less chance of fit problems with HD parts.

I'd guess it is less than 6 hours, but more than 4 for a guy who has done a few. The clutch cable is a chunk of time all by itself, same with the brake line. So $250 to $350 seems fair.

Would I pay it ?....hell no, but that's just me. The higher the labor rate, the more I take it as a challenge to do it my self. I'm not cheap...just stubborn I guess. Plus....I always see these projects as opportunities to justify buying more good tools. When I did my own 1000 mile service I figured it paid for the two new nice torque wrenches I bought. come to think of it I probably don't even save money but my workshop looks like the tool department at Sears.

 

[cox9000]

Sounds like good advise to me -- that's what I would do -- the lower price always wins out for me.
I'm not paying my dealer to do squat, unless I have no other better choice.

 

[HIPPO]

If all the parts are used it is a lot quicker to do on the little bikes. Even if you were not to take the tank off on the touring bikes, the nacelle and the exhaust on the King are time consuming. Either tank comes off in about 10 minutes.

 

[Paladin1]

Thanks for the replies, helps mme a great deal. Although I have some mechanical ability (and the right tools) I am horribley impatient and have ADD. Not good when workinng on your own bike the first time (oranyone else's, I suppose). The parts are factory parts.

Hippo, you mentioned the roll-off switch if I have cruise, which I do. Woudn't this be on the factory switch? Re: the bar clamp, do I just get a clamp off of a Dyna? Presume the cover on the king will hide the new clamp.

fwiw, the dealer quoted about $650, the local $175. I figure I can get the Bassani Badbagger slipon pipes for the difference, plus a bottle of Grey Goose for the SO.

 

[logical]

At $650 he is trying to charge $450 to do the work (which is kinda high) and $200 for the missed opportunity to gouge you on the parts. Walk away.

On the other hand, be sure the other guy knows what he is getting into...you don't want him getting 3.5 hours into it realizing he's over the time that he quoted and taking his frustration out on your switch housings.

Hippo....can't I ever be right about anything?

 

[Paladin1]

Logical, your concern was exactly one of the reasons I raised the question. Even though I specifically reminded the local guy that it was a Road King, and repeated the work, i was/am a little concerned he may have mis-priced it and when /if he realizes this, the work producr will suffer. I'm going to take the bike to the shop and make sure they see it first. thanks again for the input. greg

 

[HIPPO]

Logical, it isn't about being right, it's about getting **** taken care of.

You guys know the little bikes, and I can often be wrong on items that don't translate well, one of the reasons I never give opinions on sporties or waterboys, but trust me when I tell you I can take a bagger apart in my sleep.

The roll off switch for the cruise is an inline switch on the return cable, you can see the two little wires coming out of what looks like a rubber boot in the middle of the return cable under the right side of the tank where the cable runs next to the frame.

If you want the bike as it was you need a cable with the switch. The cruise has redundant safety features and the switch can be eliminated, but you are cutting a little into the cruise failsafe's. No big deal if you are aware of it. It could be if they don't tell you about it and you expect it to work.

If the bike didn't have cruise, the easiest way is just to buy the switch assemblies off a Dyna as they have the longest wires and you save yourself all the splicing and end up with a much cleaner job. Sometimes the wires reach as they are but it is really really tight.

 

[4nic8]

Well I too am having some work done on my 03 Vrod before I pick it up, I choose to have them do it more out of a lack of time, patience and skill for not scratching things then capabilities. Im getting new chrome mirros, Chome switches, Clutch and master cylinder kit, braided collant hose, chrome upper and lower belt guards, the sport windshield, SE air filter, SE2 Double Barrel Pipes, and the ecm. Total install charge from the dealer is 425.00

Besides only thing I want to do when I pick it up is RIDE RIDE RIDE (although I am installing the Neopods myself because Its kind of a trail and error thing as far as where they will look best.

4nic8

Sex is like pizza, even when its bad its still pretty good!