What a racket! I had a 10 year career in auto repair so I'm no stranger to expensive tools. The only thing I didn't get from the tool dealers was a kiss when I left
But I'm tellin ya - these H-D service tools make a Snap-on dealer look like a skid row slut in comparison!
Ennyway, my 01 RC started marking it's territory with trans lube. After a few clean-ups and test drives and contortions with a mirror, I discovered the shifter seal leaking. I decided since the chaincase had to come off I am going to replace every damn deal under it.
Well as some of you probably know, there's a few nice tools that make this job a little easier. I go into not one, but two H-D dealers and get the glassy-eyed stare when I ask about tools. One guy pushed an aftermarket catalog over and said he could order what I needed if it was in the book. So I bought my Big Bag of Gaskets and Seals and headed home. I figure the dealers want me buying a share of their service business instead of tools. Besides that, I think I was the only customer in there buying parts not made of chrome or leather.
Next I figure I can find my tools on the Internet. There's a few automotive specialty tools I've picked up from online vendors so I figure they ought to have scooter tools too. There I go thinking again
. If I bought the stuff to do this job I would be in for close to $400 and that was no real discount from the dealer who is basically pocketing 40% of the sale for the service of placing a GD phone call for me and being there when the UPS guy shows up next week
. All that money for a few seal drivers, pulley holders, and a fancy bolt grip puller/press for the mainshaft bearing race.
So far I have just about recouped (again) the entire cost of my angle grinder and MIG welder by making my own tools. The prices on both the H-D OEM tools (which don't seem to exist by the way) and aftermarket equivalents are not just high, they are outrageous! My total investment so far has been a $20 socket and $10 worth of pipe and hardware from the Ace up the street. A puller/press KIT that does a similar job as the "H-D mainshaft bearing race tool" for automotive power steering pulleys goes for $60 and does 80% of the pumps that exist. The H-D tool sells for $160. The only thing missing is the parts guy wearing a mask and holding a gun while you are robbed.
* whew * I feel better now
thanks for reading my rant
