Overheard at Bike Week

[Momz]

While cruiseing through the Volusia County Fairgrounds, I heard a couple of guys talking about my "Rat Rod" Valk.

One guy says to another,"that is either a Vulcan or a Victory".
I said "it's a Honda".
The first guy said that it could not be a Honda because Honda only makes 1100 and 1300 V-twin cruisers.
I guess he educated me.  

[Lyn-Del]

That'll learn you to go spouting off about stuff you know nothing about!!

I learned a long time ago that I ride a Vulcan -- and they weren't talking about my 750.

[texaninsouthfl]

At least those guys aren't supposed to know better ... I dropped by the local Honda/Kawasaki stealership a couple of days ago to pick up an oil filter and when I told the guy behind the parts counter the filter was for a 97 Valkyrie, he says, "Oh ok, thats a Kawa right?"  I was pretty proud of myself for stifling the smart ass remark that was close to coming out.

[98 T]

I've had something similar happen at the local Honda shop in Waukesha - I'm walking around looking at stuff and a sales guy asks if I need any help and asked what I ride now.  I said, "Valkyrie"... there was a long pause -" um, that's a Kawasaki, right?"   I said "no!  It's a Honda... about as old as you are, son."  Nothing more was said between us after that.   Then  out front where they park 30 or 40 bikes on display, another sales guy was walking around and saw me walk over to my Valk and asked,  "What is that?".. I said "a Valk"... he then asked,  "That has a different engine....six cylinders, right?  I didn't think Honda made anything like that."  to which I replied.. "have you ever heard of a goldwing?".....mmm and this was a HONDA dealership.  

The funniest thing was up until late last summer, they still had a neon Valkyrie sign in their front window.  I asked them about it several times  -why they had it in the front window if Honda doesn't make 'em any more... never got a good answer.. suddenly late last summer the sign was gone.  I've asked repeatedly what ever happened to it -I'd like to buy it.. no one there knows what happened to it.

Most of the young-pup sales guys that work there only think in terms of 3 kinds of bike:  sport bike, dirt bike or  v-twin cruiser and to them, there's nothing else out there.

[Hoser]

At least those guys aren't supposed to know better ... I dropped by the local Honda/Kawasaki stealership a couple of days ago to pick up an oil filter and when I told the guy behind the parts counter the filter was for a 97 Valkyrie, he says, "Oh ok, thats a Kawa right?"  I was pretty proud of myself for stifling the smart ass remark that was close to coming out.

Why stifle?  They need to know they are morons, and must be educated by those who know.    Hoser

[Momz]

I'm quite sure Carl1up educated a few fine Americans at Bike Week. 

[cookiedough]

I have been in only 3 local Honda dealers and 2 of the 3 have salesman totally oblivious to what they are selling in the first place.  I find the same thing going into my local Toyota car dealers when they have 15 so-called salesman standing around doing nothing and when I need to ask a simple question on a particular option on a vehicle, they have to go run to their sales mgr. to find the answer.
What is more important is knowing the service dept. has worked on Honda Valkyrie's before instead of a mechanic right out of tech school never before layed eyes on a Valkyrie.

[czuch]

You mean its NOT a Victory?
I claim Victory every time I get on and ride, and ride, and ride, and ride.....

[Grumpy]

I just tell them it is a new prototype Harley, then watch them scratch their heads.

[gabby]

You could also tell them that you had a Honda Accord that you kid wrecked and the motor was still good.  So you made a frame to fit the motor, found a salvage yard with some chrome wheels and found a seat that you hoped would fit.  Slammed it all together with a huge gas tank to take you a lot of miles and named it after a license tag you saw---NOHOG....

Gabby

[bigguy]

Here in Texarkana, we've got a Honda/Yamaha dealership. Half of the sales floor is dedicated to ATVs. (The busiest half I might add.)
Let's face it fellas. Us fat ole cruiser types are dying off. No one seems to be looking to a day when all the squids will grow bellies and bad knees. Then again, may be that none of them will live long enough for that to happen. In any case, I think cruisers will be gone, or at least novelty items, in another 20 years.

[Jess Tolbirt]

if asked any of you guys for an oil filter for a venture you would maybe say, for a pontiac right?
and am i supposed to say, no you dumb ass a chevy venture? yes they make em,,why must you always act like God Almighty when someone makes a mistake about who makes the Valk? why dont you ask for and oil filter for a honda valkyrie 1500.. works everytime you you wont get mad at the poor kid who has never heard of a valk..

[texaninsouthfl]

if asked any of you guys for an oil filter for a venture you would maybe say, for a pontiac right?
and am i supposed to say, no you dumb ass a chevy venture? yes they make em,,why must you always act like God Almighty when someone makes a mistake about who makes the Valk? why dont you ask for and oil filter for a honda valkyrie 1500.. works everytime you you wont get mad at the poor kid who has never heard of a valk..

Speaking of acting like God Almighty... one could argue that we have here a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

So since you're telling me it's an unreasonable expectation for me to think a parts technician at a Honda Motorcycle Dealership should at the very least know the basic model names of motorcycles made by the company in the relatively recent past,  I guess in the future you would suggest I provide not only the year, brand, model and engine size, but also the part number? That's a good idea... and while I'm at it, I'll give him directions on how to find his ass with both hands.   

Oh, and for the record, it didn't make me "mad"... I just found it funny.

[Moonshot_1]

if asked any of you guys for an oil filter for a venture you would maybe say, for a pontiac right?
and am i supposed to say, no you dumb ass a chevy venture? yes they make em,,why must you always act like God Almighty when someone makes a mistake about who makes the Valk? why dont you ask for and oil filter for a honda valkyrie 1500.. works everytime you you wont get mad at the poor kid who has never heard of a valk..

What makes you think it's an act?

[scoot]

if asked any of you guys for an oil filter for a venture you would maybe say, for a pontiac right?
and am i supposed to say, no you dumb ass a chevy venture? yes they make em,,why must you always act like God Almighty when someone makes a mistake about who makes the Valk? why dont you ask for and oil filter for a honda valkyrie 1500.. works everytime you you wont get mad at the poor kid who has never heard of a valk..

  I would agree with you, Jess. These bikes haven't been built for close to a decade now. A lot of people don't stay at any one job for more than 5 yrs. average. Most these guys working in these dealerships weren't even driving when the last Valkyrie rolled off the line.
 Sorry, I can't blame the dealership for not being able to find good capable help that know the entire line of products they sold for the last 20 years. It isn't feasible that every employee would be trained with that type of knowledge.

[Jess Tolbirt]

if asked any of you guys for an oil filter for a venture you would maybe say, for a pontiac right?
and am i supposed to say, no you dumb ass a chevy venture? yes they make em,,why must you always act like God Almighty when someone makes a mistake about who makes the Valk? why dont you ask for and oil filter for a honda valkyrie 1500.. works everytime you you wont get mad at the poor kid who has never heard of a valk..

Speaking of acting like God Almighty... one could argue that we have here a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

So since you're telling me it's an unreasonable expectation for me to think a parts technician at a Honda Motorcycle Dealership should at the very least know the basic model names of motorcycles made by the company in the relatively recent past,  I guess in the future you would suggest I provide not only the year, brand, model and engine size, but also the part number? That's a good idea... and while I'm at it, I'll give him directions on how to find his ass with both hands.   

Oh, and for the record, it didn't make me "mad"... I just found it funny.

well you do know how to go to HDL and look at the parts fich right? so why not give him the part number,, then you are sure to get the part you ordered...provided they still make the part...
took this kinda personal HUH? i must have pushed a button...

now the part about the pot calling the kettle black,,what the hell you talking about?
i have never had a problem getting the correct part from honda..but yes i did have some ask whats a valkyrie? and I enlightened them and now they are the wiser for it...and i never once gave anyone that stupid , what are you stupid? look either,,,

[rainman]

I've had something similar happen at the local Honda shop in Waukesha - I'm walking around looking at stuff and a sales guy asks if I need any help and asked what I ride now.  I said, "Valkyrie"... there was a long pause -" um, that's a Kawasaki, right?"   I said "no!  It's a Honda... about as old as you are, son."  Nothing more was said between us after that.   Then  out front where they park 30 or 40 bikes on display, another sales guy was walking around and saw me walk over to my Valk and asked,  "What is that?".. I said "a Valk"... he then asked,  "That has a different engine....six cylinders, right?  I didn't think Honda made anything like that."  to which I replied.. "have you ever heard of a goldwing?".....mmm and this was a HONDA dealership.  

The funniest thing was up until late last summer, they still had a neon Valkyrie sign in their front window.  I asked them about it several times  -why they had it in the front window if Honda doesn't make 'em any more... never got a good answer.. suddenly late last summer the sign was gone.  I've asked repeatedly what ever happened to it -I'd like to buy it.. no one there knows what happened to it.

Most of the young-pup sales guys that work there only think in terms of 3 kinds of bike:  sport bike, dirt bike or  v-twin cruiser and to them, there's nothing else out there.

That is the very reason I do my own work I won’t even let them check the air in the tires.  Will working on the bike I might have to through a few wrenches but I will get the job done. Not saying I know everything but I know more than the kids working in the shop and this board has most of the fixes and the how to, to most of the problems  

[Jess Tolbirt]

o yea,
walk into any parts house and ask any one under the age of lets say 21 for a water pump for a 1923 walker,,,

[fon1961]

i don't take my bike to a honda dealer.  the mechanic that usually works on it is a young kid that appears to be interested in bikes of all kinds and also seems to take a lot of pride in his work.  when he serviced my final drive he took before and after pictures of the parts with his iphone lol.  thought that was pretty cool.

[Jess Tolbirt]

i don't take my bike to a honda dealer.  the mechanic that usually works on it is a young kid that appears to be interested in bikes of all kinds and also seems to take a lot of pride in his work.  when he serviced my final drive he took before and after pictures of the parts with his iphone lol.  thought that was pretty cool.

you found a very special person that takes pride in his work and will go the extra mile to make sure its done right,,make sure you give him a little tip sometime,,,5 bucs goes a long way,,,

[fon1961]

i don't take my bike to a honda dealer.  the mechanic that usually works on it is a young kid that appears to be interested in bikes of all kinds and also seems to take a lot of pride in his work.  when he serviced my final drive he took before and after pictures of the parts with his iphone lol.  thought that was pretty cool.

you found a very special person that takes pride in his work and will go the extra mile to make sure its done right,,make sure you give him a little tip sometime,,,5 bucs goes a long way,,,

jess, you're absolutely right.

[scoot]

When I go to my local Chrysler dealer looking for parts for this


I often get this look 

[texaninsouthfl]

When I go to my local Chrysler dealer looking for parts for this


I often get this look 

That's a Kawasaki isn't it? 

[art]

Just tell them its a SST XB70 the first biggest baddest bomber ever made an you want a oil filter for it

[Hoser]

if asked any of you guys for an oil filter for a venture you would maybe say, for a pontiac right?
and am i supposed to say, no you dumb ass a chevy venture? yes they make em,,why must you always act like God Almighty when someone makes a mistake about who makes the Valk? why dont you ask for and oil filter for a honda valkyrie 1500.. works everytime you you wont get mad at the poor kid who has never heard of a valk..

If you asked me for a filter for a Venture I would give you one for a Chevy, if you asked for a filter for a Ventura, I would give you one for a Pontiac.     Hoser

[Jess Tolbirt]

if asked any of you guys for an oil filter for a venture you would maybe say, for a pontiac right?
and am i supposed to say, no you dumb ass a chevy venture? yes they make em,,why must you always act like God Almighty when someone makes a mistake about who makes the Valk? why dont you ask for and oil filter for a honda valkyrie 1500.. works everytime you you wont get mad at the poor kid who has never heard of a valk..

If you asked me for a filter for a Venture I would give you one for a Chevy, if you asked for a filter for a Ventura, I would give you one for a Pontiac.     Hoser

hmmm i may have to eat a little crow here,, i thought my old pontiac was a venture but could have been a ventura,,, i will look it up...

[Jess Tolbirt]

dam its hard for me to be a smart ass when i am wrong,,,

[Dogg]

Yes, Pontiac ventura...lol.  You guys wanna complain about parts guys not knowing what a valk is? My Honda dealership knows exactly what they are. The owners son runs parts and has been around and at least sat on every product Honda has ever made. Nice kid. But my Honda dealership will NOT work on any Valkyrie because nobody in the shop knows what to do with them. They don't even work on the old carb gold wings either. Young kids, schooled on fuel injection. Have no idea what a carb does or how it works. Needless to say, my vales are only allowed in the parking lot as long as nobody at the dealership has to touch it. Heck, bud Horner( the owner) asked me not to bring the fat ass because it created to much drama amongst the techs there. So, I by parts online...

[Jess Tolbirt]

yea Dogg but look at what you got,, that thing will cause a commotion any where you go..sure looks like fun tho..

[MAD6Gun]

 A buddy of mine called me this weekend. Needed some advise on a miss in a car he was working on. While we were talking he told me he got his 71 Pontiac T/A 455 HO out. Said it was not running right and thought it might be the points. Called Autozone and asked for a set of points for a 71 Pontiac 455. The "kid" on the line said " you want what for a what". Than askes "where are they located". Kieth says "In the distributer"  "in the what". He called another parts store,got the same responses. HUH... He finaly got a set from NAPA. Now I understand that cars have not use points since 1974 but it has to make you laugh.......

[Lyn-Del]

A week ago I could have told you the name to ask for them (points) under.  I found them at a local O'Reilly for a friend's 71 Ford LTD.  I think they called them contacts?  But they did have them in stock, both a cheap set and one they said had a lifetime warranty.

I did have to explain it to the young man several times before the light went on in his head.

The friend picked them up the same day.

[Hoser]

if asked any of you guys for an oil filter for a venture you would maybe say, for a pontiac right?
and am i supposed to say, no you dumb ass a chevy venture? yes they make em,,why must you always act like God Almighty when someone makes a mistake about who makes the Valk? why dont you ask for and oil filter for a honda valkyrie 1500.. works everytime you you wont get mad at the poor kid who has never heard of a valk..

If you asked me for a filter for a Venture I would give you one for a Chevy, if you asked for a filter for a Ventura, I would give you one for a Pontiac.     Hoser

hmmm i may have to eat a little crow here,, i thought my old pontiac was a venture but could have been a ventura,,, i will look it up...

Don't worry, it don't taste too bad, kinda like chicken,  I've tasted it a couple times.  Hoser