I was reading a list of tips on the web site that provides the online service manuals. One of them says to "VERIFY EVERYTHING THE DEALER TELLS YOU by posting on the Road Star XXXXXX Forum". What the heck, isn't anyone competent anymore? We can't even trust the dealerships to do things the right way anymore? I have been a mechanic my whole life and about 99% of the mechanics I talk to out there, whether it be cars or whatever, don't know squat. They remove and replace parts after the computer tells them which one to change, that's about it. Pretty sad when the dealership falls below the competence level of the regular wrench bender. Don't get me wrong, there are some good mechanics out there but it has been my experience that a given shop will have one or two good mechanics, depending on the size of the shop, and the rest are what I would call parts changers.

Guess the difference is the money versus the devotion to a mechanical conveyance. Some dealers are in it to separate as much $$ from you as they can. The wrenches are directed to follow corporate policy not to care about the client (a job is a job). Doing your own work ensures the best quality because it's YOUR butt that's gonna pay, literally! In today's world competence is an archaic term. My 2 cts.

Greyphart

There are good dealers out there just like bad. sometimes you have to sift through them. I have a good service dealer here. He doesnt cut any slack on parts or new bikes, but he has a very good service department. It would be nice to find both, but I will take the good service department anytime.

I am an ASE master technician, a certified aircraft mechanic and have wrenched for 40+ years and raced for about ten and I agree 100% with you. 90% of the mechs I've met I wouldn't let fix my grandkids bicycle. It is truly a shame that most "mechanics" just care about the money and not what they are supposed to be doing, "verify everything"----jack

Part of the problem though, lies in the fact that we have become a "throw away" society. The kids are being taught in mechanics schools now days that you diagnose and replace. Most parts are usually electronic or manufactured in such a way as to make them a throw away and replace item. Anybody remember taking apart the holly double pumper and trying to get them little tiny steel bearings and springs back into them? Now it's just hook it up to the computer and replace the injector. Or sensor "A" is bad because of moisture so screw it out and screw in a new one. How many mechanics that have graduated in the last 10 years could actually figure out or diagnose a problem without hooking up the computer to the vehicle? That doesn't mean that they are a bad mechanic, just learned a different method to keep up with today's world.

chief802 wrote:
Part of the problem though, lies in the fact that we have become a "throw away" society. The kids are being taught in mechanics schools now days that you diagnose and replace. Most parts are usually electronic or manufactured in such a way as to make them a throw away and replace item. Anybody remember taking apart the holly double pumper and trying to get them little tiny steel bearings and springs back into them? Now it's just hook it up to the computer and replace the injector. Or sensor "A" is bad because of moisture so screw it out and screw in a new one. How many mechanics that have graduated in the last 10 years could actually figure out or diagnose a problem without hooking up the computer to the vehicle? That doesn't mean that they are a bad mechanic, just learned a different method to keep up with today's world.

I agree with you to some extent, but the problem comes when you have an ongoing problem you are trying to figure out and the mechanic does not have an understanding of the system enough to be able to give you answers. They rely on computers, no troubleshooting skills necessary.

jaxdwg wrote:
I am an ASE master technician, a certified aircraft mechanic and have wrenched for 40+ years and raced for about ten and I agree 100% with you. 90% of the mechs I've met I wouldn't let fix my grandkids bicycle. It is truly a shame that most "mechanics" just care about the money and not what they are supposed to be doing, "verify everything"----jack

I am an aircraft mechanic too. These days, I manage two corporate aircraft from my home office. Sweet gig.

BINGO! Road_Hawg. I couldn't agree more. When the computer tells them to change out sensor "A" and they do, but the problem is still there, they don't know what to do next. The mentality is that 'the computer said to do this and I did, so it should work now.'

There is no substitute for experience! You can teach them by the book all you want but you cant replace experience with youth.

Also the word "Pride" comes to mind. Old school mech's and some gifted young guys actually take pride in their work.

I've been in the contracting buisness for 25yrs and see absolute CRAP workmanship all the time.

I do struggle at times but take pride in doing all my own work on my bike. Thanks to great sites like this one!

this is not just limited to dealerships. its been a personal rant of mine here lately that every time you go into damn near ANY store, the person working there is 9 times out of 10 no older than 20 and only knows how to operate a register. NO longer do ever find someone who knows their product inside and out and how it stacks against the competition.

CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS!!!!!