Dealer rant

[burple05]

Anybody have a Good, reliable, trustworthy, Honda dealership they actually use?  I know ya'll have heard this crap before but I just gotta vent.  Took my front wheel off to have Avon tire mounted that I bought from the Dealership because they charge you $25 more dollars to mount it if you don't.   Now keep in mind I already don't trust this dealer to work on my bike because last time I let them mount and install both tires, they completely left out the rear thrust washer.  I found this out when I removed rear wheel to make sure drive line and rear was serviced correctly on next tire change.  I"m sure that didn't help with wear on my gears at all.  Anyway I'm thinking how can they screw up mounting a tire.  I go to pick it up, check the valve stem that I had marked with a Sharpie pen because I don't trust them.  Sure enough they didn't change it.  Not only that I see a cut on it, reach down and lightly push on it and air pressure just blows out big time.  I'm pissed.  I holler at the mechanic dude and show him He's like oh, the young kid did that, did they charge you for it?  I look, no don't you guys always change the valve stems.  Usually on these 90's was his reply.  I'll put a new one in it for you real quick.  So he dose, I go back inside to vent to the parts guy who I know well.  He's not happy about it.  I want to talk to the "young kid who is trying to kill Me and my Wife.  He's out to lunch of course.  Anyway take wheel home install it I go to reinstall the black plastic valve stem holder and it won't go on because they put some 15 cent Chinese piece of crap valve stem in their that is longer and won't allow the holder to engage on the wheel.  WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I just thought I was pissed before.  So now I gotta remove my wheel again and take it someplace that can install a correct valve stem.  Do I take it back to Local Honda?  Have a sit down with service manager, owner, whoever,  and discuss why they don't use Genuine Honda parts, leave out thrust washers, attempt to kill my wife and I?   I gotta get the stuff to change my own tires.  Any suggestions on that?  That's it, yeah I'm still pissed.

Peace,  Ron.

[signart]

Go to tech section on this forum and search metal valve stems. There will be posts informing where to purchase. You can change the stem on the wheel without removing form the forks, using a "C" clamp and a couple blocks of wood, also in tech section.

[Jess from VA]

Ron, you should buy a 90 degree metal stem and get rid of the correct (or incorrect) rubber one forever.

You don't need the stem keeper elbow with a metal stem.

Same on the rear when you are back there, so order two metal stems.


PS, the dealer should know the OE rubber stem uses that elbow to be safe from flexion cracks at the wheel, so using a rubber one that won't fit the elbow is no good (of course).  Maybe they have a metal stem.

-----------------------

40 years ago, my dad bought two Honda 360 in-line twins for he and mom to ride.  A few weeks later he took them back to the dealer to have them add the OE luggage racks in back.  He was back asking about it a week later, and wandered back to the service bay door, and saw "the young kid" using a hammer to beat on the racks to make them fit.  He ran back there and took the hammer away from the young kid and told him to stop.  Of course the service manager ran over and told him he wasn't allowed back there, and my dad handed him the hammer and said if there were any hammer marks on his bikes, he would come back with his own hammer and fix everyone's deficient attitudes.

The "young kid with the hammer" in bike shops seems to be an ongoing issue.  

[old2soon]

    O K couple things here. Yer Still on O E M valve stems? NOT good. Metal valve stems. The shop I use is 230ish miles from van b. You should have an after market harly shop in your area. Talk to the local guys in yer area see Who they go to for tire work on M/Cs. Or learn to change tires yerself so then you KNOW who and where to place them blame.  Unless you can stay and observe the work-doubtful due to insurance regs-or the guy doing the tire work is yer best friend find a Reputable after market M/C shop with Good reviews. The after market harly shop I use the owner Is a Rider and as long as I stay outa the way I Do observe the dismount and remount process. And the last time I wuz there it were $25.00 a wheel off the bike. Too many things to go Wrong if the proper reinstall sequence is Not followed correctly. Be my azz in the saddle when I twist her tail and wanna go Really Fast!  RIDE SAFE.

[Sorcerer]

Look for the Show Chrome 90* metal valve stems. Make sure you ask/ look for Honda specific sizing.

[Sorcerer]

At the risk of getting my hand slapped, Wing Stuff would be a good place to start.

[old2soon]

At the risk of getting my hand slapped, Wing Stuff would be a good place to start.

      NOT from Me. A good supplier needs to be shared here. Tween this board and my own experiences I've learned who to deal with and more importantly who Not to deal with.  Thanx fer the info!  RIDE SAFE.

[h13man]

I use the "tombstone" support regardless of the stem material as I have a supply of them I bought cheap from Ebay. Never know availability of metal stems with on the road breakdown/repair services. Had a stem go bad after tire replacement. My shop had to go outside shop to get a 90 degree stem made of rubber at this time. They fixed the mishap free of charge. I seen the mounting lug for tombstone and hence I found out why it was there. I informed them as to what was probably the cause and later left them with couple as we had a great relationship but they are no longer in business.  On a note our local Lafayette,IN Indian/Polaris dealer kicked out Triumph and replaced them with Honda. This ought to be interesting as I've had made inquiries at the parts counter before without much success/care.

[Willow]

Patchboy is whom I use. 

Link to Patchboy 90 degree Valve Stem

Right next to it they have a 45 degree stem if you don't like the 90.

Friends don't let friends ride on OEM stems.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Anybody have a Good, reliable, trustworthy, Honda dealership they actually use?  I know ya'll have heard this crap before but I just gotta vent.  Took my front wheel off to have Avon tire mounted that I bought from the Dealership because they charge you $25 more dollars to mount it if you don't.   Now keep in mind I already don't trust this dealer to work on my bike because last time I let them mount and install both tires, they completely left out the rear thrust washer.  I found this out when I removed rear wheel to make sure drive line and rear was serviced correctly on next tire change.  I"m sure that didn't help with wear on my gears at all.  Anyway I'm thinking how can they screw up mounting a tire.  I go to pick it up, check the valve stem that I had marked with a Sharpie pen because I don't trust them.  Sure enough they didn't change it.  Not only that I see a cut on it, reach down and lightly push on it and air pressure just blows out big time.  I'm pissed.  I holler at the mechanic dude and show him He's like oh, the young kid did that, did they charge you for it?  I look, no don't you guys always change the valve stems.  Usually on these 90's was his reply.  I'll put a new one in it for you real quick.  So he dose, I go back inside to vent to the parts guy who I know well.  He's not happy about it.  I want to talk to the "young kid who is trying to kill Me and my Wife.  He's out to lunch of course.  Anyway take wheel home install it I go to reinstall the black plastic valve stem holder and it won't go on because they put some 15 cent Chinese piece of crap valve stem in their that is longer and won't allow the holder to engage on the wheel.  WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I just thought I was pissed before.  So now I gotta remove my wheel again and take it someplace that can install a correct valve stem.  Do I take it back to Local Honda?  Have a sit down with service manager, owner, whoever,  and discuss why they don't use Genuine Honda parts, leave out thrust washers, attempt to kill my wife and I?   I gotta get the stuff to change my own tires.  Any suggestions on that?  That's it, yeah I'm still pissed.

Peace,  Ron.

I hate to pile on your misery. But, I would NEVER return to dealer that had left out the thrust washer. (Metal stems are the only way to go)

[..]

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/tires-and-wheels/myers-90%C2%B0-tubeless-chrome-valve-stem-p

[da prez]

Send me your address and I will send you a pair. I usually have a dozen in my stock.

                       da prez

[Ramie]

I use my local dealer but always supply my own tires and valve stems, last time they charged me $39 to change the tire, balance it, dispose of the old tire and replace the valve stem.

[cookiedough]

yah,  most cycle dealers if not buying tires there will upcharge you another 20-30 bucks more to mount a new cycle tire.  Same way for any car repair work they add say 20-50 bucks more onto the labor charge for a simple say 2 hours labor is all.

there has to be a tire shop somewhere near 100 miles or less away to do it for 35-40 bucks per tire if you bring in the old tire on your rim, I would hope, shop around and start making phone calls.    I have not found any local under 30 bucks per tire though even a smaller,skinnier scooter tire.

[F6Dave]

I'm surprised one of the online motorcycle tire dealers hasn't tried selling tires the way Tire Rack does, and offer to ship them to a 'preferred dealer' who will mount them for a reasonable price.  Surely a lot of dealers would sign up to get customers in the door, and the mounting service would give the online seller a competitive advantage.

[old2soon]

I use my local dealer but always supply my own tires and valve stems, last time they charged me $39 to change the tire, balance it, dispose of the old tire and replace the valve stem.

          You just made me rekemember-part of that installation fee IS for disposal. And the shop I use here in The Ozarks lets me Know should the price of tire dismount/install go up he tells me the WHY of the price going up. Gittin rid of trash Ain't Cheap!  RIDE SAFE.

[h13man]

Motorcycle Superstore used to have a Preferred Installer program but it seems no more.

On a note they have Bridgestone, Avon, and Michelin up to date rebate info. for this spring.

[gordonv]

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/tires-and-wheels/myers-90%C2%B0-tubeless-chrome-valve-stem-p

Only $2 right now, and I know you need it now, but they have sales with free shipping, I think about 3-4 times a year.

I also bought a couple of straight stubby ones for the front wheel, but I haven't looked for fitment yet. I don't like the push on tire gauges or inflaters, and prefer screw on ones, so there is no pressure on the stem. I broke my 1st stem support checking my Shadow air pressure.

Also, after 2 rear tire flates, I ride with an aftermarket TPMS gauge on my handle bars.