If you are a regular guy looking for machine shop / head work services, beware- this place does not…read moregive a hoot about you and has a very low level of ethics. Below is my experience if you'd like to read up on what I went through. And believe me, I am a patient and non-demanding person. The only thing I did wrong here was choose to use them.
They are supposed to be one of the best places to have Harley head machining and porting work done, right? Maybe so- great reputation in that regard. But, I'll never know.
I brought my heads there about a month ago and asked if they could do three simple things:
1. check valve to valve clearance
2. unshroud the valves
3. enlarge the chamber to hit my target CC once I figured that out
I also said I'd pay cash and they have my permission to do whatever is needed, no rush. Ideal customer right?
They said sure no problem- I said it would be a week or so until I had the numbers spec'd out so they could do the headwork, again no problem. I left the heads there with them.
[Week 1]
So I call a week later and talk to John Okeefe, I told him I have the correct numbers and info to have the heads done, explained what I needed (items #1,2,3 above) - he told me he'd also need the camshaft specs. I said I'd email him the info and told him to "do his thing" per his best judgment given the camshaft specs, type of bike, and intended riding. He told me "ok".
I sent the info via email right after the call, and then called the next day to check if what I sent was ok. I was told yes all good.
[Week 2]
I waited a week, and then called to check in . Spoke with John and he told me he was going to do the work on the weekend and they would be ready by the following tues / wed.
I passed this info on to my mechanic so he could plan things out time-wise with my bike at the shop.
[Week 3]
So I called this morning (Wednesday, the 'ready' date), and checked status with John. John told me "oh I forgot- I'm glad you called so I can now remember to do them". wtf. ok, hey it happens right? So I ask him how long he says "maybe I can do it today - but really busy". So I said I'd check with him next week. He says "ok". So I take it that all other jobs are more important than mine, even though I've been waiting.
I called my mechanic and told him what's up- no ETA on heads. He said he'd call over there to Branch and see what he can do. I then get a text message from him a bit later telling me to go and pick up the heads / no go. I'm like wtf but I go down there (50 mile drive).
I get to Branch and John's not there but some guy "Charlie" is. I said I was there to pick up my heads. He fished around for them (they were stuffed on the back of a desk in a box under a bunch of other "apparently more important" customer boxes.)
He slaps my heads down on the desk counter and that's it. No comments, no 'hey thanks but sorry about that', nothing. I picked them up ready to leave and I said simply, "how about an apology for wasting my time".
Man the dude turned a shade of red and got all ape-crazy attitude on me- Then has the nerve to tell me "I never told them what I needed done to the heads, so that is why they are not done". From what I can gather, John LIED about it and said he had no idea what was supposed to be done to my heads. And he knew full well what to do, and even gave me a delivery day (today).
So this guy Charlie is thinking there is no work to be done because his own guy lied about it, my heads probably would have sat there until the cows come home, and I'm getting attitude from them for complaining. The work order attached to the heads was void of any work info as discussed and confirmed with John twice, and written in an email. In fact, the email I sent with the work instructions was conveniently missing- The only email attached was one that had cam specs and some other tech info John told me would be needed.
In short, absolutely worst experience I have ever had with a specialized service provider. I mean the guy John totally blows it and then lies about it to cover his a$$, the service guy is an ego-centric peacock, and they have ZERO regard for anyone's time or hassle.
If you deal with them, walk into it with a big expectation that you may have some problems. I have since found out today that this is not new behavior for this place so I'm probably just one of many "little guys" who have come in seeking top quality work and ended up grabbing ankle.
