Thety call this Service????

[Wingster1980]

My 1999 Honda Valkyrie has been in the shop at  Freedom Powersports, Huntsville AL. for an 8-10 hour (shop manual time) job since MARCH 2017. It is now 26 JULY 2017. It just needed the low speed idle jets cleaned. I called several times, once was told nothing had been done after three weeks there. Then told that one bank of carbs were taken off, then told a separate time nothing has been done. Called on or about 6 or 7 May 2017 and Mr. Kevin Lackey (based in Dallas(?) and the owner of this and several motorcycle shops) just happened to answer. I explained it has been March 2017 since the bike was there. Frustrated about the fact no one had called or let me know the status. He said he would personally ensure that the bike would be moved to the front of the line. 8 May talked with Daniel the service manager, he said he had talked with Mr. Lackey. On May 9, called and he said it has been moved to the front of the line.  Haven’t heard since, now or who knows about the future on the status. It is now 26 July 2017.  Is this what they call “Great service?” Does anybody have any suggestions….I am  pretty easy going guy, but this is totally ridiculous.

Danny

[Chrisj CMA]

I would go get my bike from them

[rocketray]

I had worse than that at the Honda dealer in Allen Tx--it sat for some 3 months after they rebuilt the carbs-$1,200 and it backfired/crackled horribly---finally took it to Al Lambs Honda and it took an hour or so to find a a hose off the Pare valve and put some nuts and bolts on the throttle cable hook ups

[Gavin_Sons]

go get your bike and find a member near you to clean your carbs in a day. Refuse to pay them anything.

[Robert]

Go and take a look at your bike and if nothing has been done take it. I would even be tempted if apart to call a tow truck and have it towed out of there. The state must have some kind of supervisory agency also I would also contact them.

[Beardo]

Go and take a look at your bike and if nothing has been done take it. I would even be tempted if apart to call a tow truck and have it towed out of there. The state must have some kind of supervisory agency also I would also contact them.

By the sounds of this place, I'd be more worried if the HAD done any work on it. Hope they haven't touched it and get it out of there.  And don't pay a dime if they have the nerve to ask for anything. If they have worked on it, tell them they have a week to have it to you in running order or they will hear from a lawyer. Tell them you have lots of time on your hands and you are very good at writing reviews on the internet. Tell them any time anyone googles their shop, they'll see your story wherever they go. 

[Patrick]

I too suggest getting the bike as far away from that shop as possible. Then head to the nearest BBB, Chamber of Commerce and state regulatory agency [ DMV, DOT, SP] if there is one.

Your riding season is about gone, I's be %@$@( !

[signart]

If they took half the carb bank off, they do not no what they are doing. Get your bike home.

[John Schmidt]

First, the apparent lack of concern on what's being done lead them to believe it could be pushed back in priority. After dropping it off, I would have been back there within a week to see what the status was. Give them another week....maybe....then go in and pick it up without warning if nothing had been accomplished. You need to go into your profile and list your location, I'll just bet there's others not too far away that could do this for you in an afternoon. As for the current situation, get someone with a trailer and a couple buddies and go get the bike. Don't get into a pissing contest with them, just ask where it is then go roll it out, load it up and drive away. One guy I knew years ago had a brother on the local sheriff's dept., he went with him to pick up his bike after 3 wks. of nothing being done. Along with a couple friends on the force they simply walked in, asked if the bike was done(no), so just walked into the shop and rolled it out. Take charge my friend.

[Gavin_Sons]

don't be surprised if they try to charge you for storage.

[Roidfingers]

My 1999 Honda Valkyrie has been in the shop at  Freedom Powersports, Huntsville AL. for an 8-10 hour (shop manual time) job since MARCH 2017.

Danny, If you can't get it done. Let me know. I'm in Tuscaloosa. 2 1/2 hrs away. I've done all my maintenance on my Valk and some on other bikes. Be easier to tow here, since I have all the tools needed. Let me know.

[Hook#3287]

I'm lucky that I do not have to rely on a service dept to work on my Valks.

Having said that.

I would never trust a service dept with anything at all.  I'm sure there are good ones, but my girls are not going to see the inside of any.

I would trust a private mechanic more the a dealer, but, again, I'm lucky I don't need the service help.

Then told that one bank of carbs were taken off, then told a separate time nothing has been done

 This is when I would have gone and got my bike out of there.  As stated, you do not remove one bank at a time.  

[cookiedough]

Why did you let it go that long?  I schedule an appt. time and if the book says 8-10 hours,  I would expect NO less than when my scheduled service was to be done in NO more than 2-3 days after the scheduled service. 

Never heard of anyone just dropping it off and letting any dealer or anyone else just say work on it when you have time.  Why would anyone do that to anything with an engine?  I would not even do that to my old snowblower or lawnmower.  One week turnaround time or I will be picking it up unpaid as well.

[therapist]

Get your bike, buy a shop manual, use the tech board for any questions. My 2001 has never been back to the dealer.  I've done my own work. Did it probably take three times as long? Sure. Did I screw up once or twice? Definitely. But she still runs great and I never had to anxiously give her to strangers to fix. I know the mechanic turn over in bike shops. Most of those kids are learning on the job.

[PhoenixRizing]

Talk to that owner again and tell him you are coming to pick your bike up and your not paying for anything and if he try's to argue with you start talking bout going to BBB. There's no since in that. And I would've never waited that long to go get it. I wait one week after that I go get it. I do most my own maintenance and if I don't know how then I have a local mechanic that I trust and have used and he is fast and accurate. And cheap. Good luck buddy

[Rams]

Don't really expect this to happen but, Big BF is currently at my place in Frankfort, KY.   Bikes are lining up from this area.   Told Bill he's welcomed to work in my shop as long as he has work and to take care of my own Valkyrie last.    You'd be welcome to bring that bike up to Frankfort and I'm sure Bill would take good care of you.

BTW, Friday, 28 July, I'm hosting a Meet & Greet in the afternoon/evening.   One never knows who you'll meet at one of these.

[Hooter]

You are more than easy going! This is why we do things ourselves or find a member here that can help. If you can't fix it get ahold of BigBF and find out when he may be in or near your area and could fix it. Id I'd even travel to have him do so. Ida been all over them like a bum on a balogna samich after a week over due. Go get the bike!

[wiggydotcom]

Danny,

You've gotten some good advice from some seasoned veterans of the VRCC. I would highly recommend you take it---and go get that bike. A few have mentioned going to the BBB if they give you any problem picking it up.
That's not bad advice but you won't get any fast response and probably no help on the case. I've been through a similar situation with a car back in the 80s.

I would see if any TV news station in your area has a consumer action person/dept--the kind where they go to bat for the consumer who's been screwed over and has no place to turn. Doing this got immediate results for me back in the day. Believe me, businesses don't want a local news crew showing up with cameras when they jobbed over a customer and the whole viewership is about to see it play out.

Good luck and please keep us posted on how this all works out.
And the advice to somehow get that bike to  BigBF is dead on. He might even be coming to a location very near you.

[art]

GET THE BIKE OUT NOW! If they give you any trouble get a lawyer. Don't take any crap from them jerks. BBB is ok but it takes too long. Summer is almost over.

[Firefighter]

Better go get before all the carbs gum up! 

[Hooter]

As soon as you "really"  confront them demanding the bike back the promises will start. Don't let them work on the bike. They have had more than their chance to do so.

[Hook#3287]

I see you left the same review on Google, that is your opening post here.

I'd go get my bike, if I were you.

[Bighead]

Go get your bike!!!!

[BigBF]

My 1999 Honda Valkyrie has been in the shop at  Freedom Powersports, Huntsville AL. for an 8-10 hour (shop manual time) job since MARCH 2017. It is now 26 JULY 2017. It just needed the low speed idle jets cleaned. I called several times, once was told nothing had been done after three weeks there. Then told that one bank of carbs were taken off, then told a separate time nothing has been done. Called on or about 6 or 7 May 2017 and Mr. Kevin Lackey (based in Dallas(?) and the owner of this and several motorcycle shops) just happened to answer. I explained it has been March 2017 since the bike was there. Frustrated about the fact no one had called or let me know the status. He said he would personally ensure that the bike would be moved to the front of the line. 8 May talked with Daniel the service manager, he said he had talked with Mr. Lackey. On May 9, called and he said it has been moved to the front of the line.  Haven’t heard since, now or who knows about the future on the status. It is now 26 July 2017.  Is this what they call “Great service?” Does anybody have any suggestions….I am  pretty easy going guy, but this is totally ridiculous.

Danny

Just go get your valk back and bring back to your place I will come down in AL in few weeks and I will finish your bike less than couple day. Only if you want me to work on.
Let me know I will add u on my list.
BigBF

[J.Mencalice]

My 1999 Honda Valkyrie has been in the shop at  Freedom Powersports, Huntsville AL. for an 8-10 hour (shop manual time) job since MARCH 2017. It is now 26 JULY 2017. It just needed the low speed idle jets cleaned. I called several times, once was told nothing had been done after three weeks there. Then told that one bank of carbs were taken off, then told a separate time nothing has been done. Called on or about 6 or 7 May 2017 and Mr. Kevin Lackey (based in Dallas(?) and the owner of this and several motorcycle shops) just happened to answer. I explained it has been March 2017 since the bike was there. Frustrated about the fact no one had called or let me know the status. He said he would personally ensure that the bike would be moved to the front of the line. 8 May talked with Daniel the service manager, he said he had talked with Mr. Lackey. On May 9, called and he said it has been moved to the front of the line.  Haven’t heard since, now or who knows about the future on the status. It is now 26 July 2017.  Is this what they call “Great service?” Does anybody have any suggestions….I am  pretty easy going guy, but this is totally ridiculous.

Danny

Just go get your valk back and bring back to your place I will come down in AL in few weeks and I will finish your bike less than couple day. Only if you want me to work on.
Let me know I will add u on my list.
BigBF

As my dad used to say: "You, sir, are a scholar and a gentleman" for making such an offer to the original poster.  Mr. Wingster, you'd better jump on that train tout suite and schedule your Valk with Mr. BF as summer's daylight is fading and riding time is closing out.

[Dave Ritsema]

[/quote]

Just go get your valk back and bring back to your place I will come down in AL in few weeks and I will finish your bike less than couple day. Only if you want me to work on.
Let me know I will add u on my list.
BigBF
[/quote]
As my dad used to say: "You, sir, are a scholar and a gentleman" for making such an offer to the original poster.  Mr. Wingster, you'd better jump on that train tout suite and schedule your Valk with Mr. BF as summer's daylight is fading and riding time is closing out.
[/quote]

You won't find a better Valkyrie service expert anywhere and he is offering to make a house call. You better get all over this!

[ridingron]

I would talk to a lawyer to verify where you stand legally. Follow the lawyers advice on how to get the bike back ASAP. My advice is do it with as little advance notice as possible. Do not give them a second chance to "make it right". Do not accept any gifts, coupons, or credit vouchers.

You may have to spend some money to get the bike back. If you do, it will be money well spent. If it's worth the trouble, take them to small claims court to get the money back.

[wiggydotcom]

Just an observation, but it's been 3 days since the original post and it's been nothing but the sound of crickets by the original poster. He's gotten some pretty good advice too.
To each their own, but if I was the OP, I'd at least be doing a reply/update of sorts instead of just ignoring everyone, but that's just how I roll.

[Beardo]

Just an observation, but it's been 3 days since the original post and it's been nothing but the sound of crickets by the original poster. He's gotten some pretty good advice too.
To each their own, but if I was the OP, I'd at least be doing a reply/update of sorts instead of just ignoring everyone, but that's just how I roll.

Maybe we'll hear back in about 3 months?

He's had one of the top Valk mechanics in the world offer to come to his door and get it perfect, hope he doesn't snooze on it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Looks like he hasn't been back on here since he posted. He doesn't know that BigBF is offering help. Hopefully he is getting it worked out.

[wiggydotcom]

I agree with both of you and the offer of BigBf is what mainly prompted my reply. He's got a chance to get his bike right. Hope he doesn't lose that opportunity. That's where the two way communication comes in.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I agree with both of you and the offer of BigBf is what mainly prompted my reply. He's got a chance to get his bike right. Hope he doesn't lose that opportunity. That's where the two way communication comes in.

I agree Russ. If he's going to post looking for advice, he ought to at least come back and listen to it.

[BigBF]

Looks like he hasn't been back on here since he posted. He doesn't know that BigBF is offering help. Hopefully he is getting it worked out.

Yep. If anyone post and they should expect some answer. I hate when they post and forgot...

[six2go #152]

I looked at the OP's profile and his email was listed. I just sent him an email to let him know of the responses and BIG BF's offer to get it right. Told him he should check back here to see what advice had been given.
His name is Danny Herron in case anybody knows him.

[Hooter]

Happens on the tech board all the time. Post a problem,  guys give solutions, and you hear nothing after the initial post weather a solution fixed a problem or not. Or, if it ever got fixed at all? Annoying to say the least.

[..]

Happens on the tech board all the time. Post a problem,  guys give solutions, and you hear nothing after the initial post weather a solution fixed a problem or not. Or, if it ever got fixed at all? Annoying to say the least.

 

Bloody rude of them.

[six2go #152]

I looked at the OP's profile and his email was listed. I just sent him an email to let him know of the responses and BIG BF's offer to get it right. Told him he should check back here to see what advice had been given.
His name is Danny Herron in case anybody knows him.

Received an email back from Danny. He thanked me profusely, but obviously he never came back. Anyway, he said that he had worked out an agreement with that dealer on parts & labor and should be getting his Valk back next week. Not exactly what I would have done, but I don't know his situation either. By the tone of his email, he seems to be a good guy.

[Hooter]

Thanks six...not what I woulda done either but if he is happy and they hold up to their agreement thats all that matters.  He obviously is toooo nice a guy!

[ridingron]

May hear from him when he gets his "fixed" bike back.

[wiggydotcom]

six2go,

Thank YOU for the followup. At least the rest of us know he's worked out a solution/deal with the dealer. Hope the bike gets fixed. I wouldn't want to pay until taking it for a thorough test ride.