Buyers Beware - Consumer Alert!

Rudy19r · Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 5:08 pm Post subject: Buyers Beware - Consumer Alert!

Be careful before purchasing any bikes from Mark Harris of Bullhead City, AZ. I recently bought a 1979 Honda CR250 that was supposed to be 'Fully Restored'. Not quite.
When I took delivery, I have to admit, the bike LOOKED beautiful. Mark told me he had taken taken it on a test ride prior to delivery, and then admitted that it had the wrong throttle cable that would have to be either fixed or replaced.
At first, I thought the throttle issue was going to be only a minor inconvenience. That turned into a $40 new (Custom made) cable. After installing the cable, I brought the bike to a local MX Vet track in order to break it in. I didn't make it a full lap. The cable was only part of the problem, the throttle assembly was shot as well. There was not a stop, it simply went from full throttle in one direction to full throttle rotating the other direction. (I literally had to ride with one hand on the clutch and one on the kill switch in order to make it back to the truck!)
At this point, I decided to cut my losses for the day and bring it to my personal mechanic who builds my race bikes. I asked him to replace the throttle cable and assembly, as well as the handle bars (which were bent, incidentally)
When I went back to the shop to pick up the bike and kicked it over, we realized it wasn't idling anywhere close to normal. My mechanic then pulled the carb and discovered a considerable amount of DIRT IN THE FLOAT BOWL. After some furthur adjustment to the carb,we re-fired the bike. My mechanic then said that the main bearing in the lower end sounded strange. He pulled the timing cover off and saw that the MAIN BEARING IN THE LOWER END WAS COMPLETELY WORN OUT. (Had I managed to ride the bike for any time at all, there is no doubt we would have lost the entire lower end!) Luckily, this was discovered while in the shop, rather than on the track. (His 'test ride' should have revealed this.) I now have to pay my mechanic to fix the problems that, frankly shouldn't exist.
So at this point, I have a bike that Mr. Harris claimed was ready to ride, that's spent more time in my mechanic's garage than in mine.
Again, the bike looks great, but I bought it to ride, not to look at.
Incidentally, I e-mailed Mark, with these same details, expressing my displeasure with the bike he sold me, and requested a partial refund. He never returned my message. (This from someone who claims to stand behind his work.)
I would think twice before purchasing a bike from this guy. (Or make sure you CLOSELY inspect any bike prior to purchasing.

BUYER BEWARE!

Rudy19r · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 11:33 am Post subject:

An update:
The engine on the CR250 purchased from Mark Harris of Bullhead City, AZ required an entire rebuild (to the tune of $1000). Mr. Harris claimed the bike was a "Complete Restoration", but then denied saying so (even though I have it in writing.) He later said that he had only done a top end rebuild, although there was a chunk missing from the cylinder. My mechanic said most internal parts were only hand tightened. Mr. Harris also claimed he was going to "Dial in" the carb prior to delivery. Upon inspection, the float bowl contained a considerable amount of dirt.
Mr. Harris' idea of restitution? He offered me $1500 to take the bike back since I "blew it up." I didn't get the opportunity to ride it long enough to blow it up. It was un-rideable.

This man does great cosmetic work. Just don't plan on being able to ride anything you buy from him.

MR.CHocko · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 12:04 pm Post subject:

It is not appropriate to say anything negative about someone especially if it is a first post. Save that stuff for the other forums. Because personally there are three sides to every story. It is just that you are wasteing space telling everyone your sad story. Now if you need help with your bike or looking for parts then we will help you. Otherwise share you warning about Mr. Harris elsewhere.

Rudy19r · Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 11:51 am Post subject:

The description of this particular forum reads: "Have a good or bad experience with a vendor? This is the place for everything market related."
OK, a positive comment: He's a pretty good painter. If you are buying a bike to park in your showroom and don't intend to ride it, he's your guy. However, if you want to ride it, well...good luck.

dkrager · Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 5:32 pm Post subject:

Rudy,

You do realize you are talking about a 32 year old bike? "Fully Restored" does not mean fresh out of the crate. In most cases the term is used as a loose description for a frame up resto which doesnâ€™t always mean the engine has been completely rebuilt.

The dude told you it needed a cable straight up and yes, VJM parts can be expensive. Now what I am wondering is if you installed the cable correctly? From the way you described the behavior it sure doesnâ€™t sound right. And then on top of that how on gods green earth did you make it all the way out to the track and never even once test it for proper operation? Whether it needed a throttle assy or not is irrelevant. YOU were responsible for insuring the proper operation of that throttle PRIOR to taking it to the track.

Ok and then there is this.

Rudy19r · Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 10:16 pm Post subject:

Dave and MrCHoko,
If you want to have a forum that is supposedly available to share market feedback good or bad, then don't jump all over someone who is offering a fair warning to consumers who may find themselves in my predicament. However, if you want an, "aww shucks were all buddy-buddy" forum, then change the forum description.

In regards to my experience and know how, as someone who has trophies dating back to 1971 (and raced as recently as yesterday...expert mind you,) I think I know my way around routine maintenance and proper throttle technique.

Now, if you want to defend this guy, then please...by all means...buy a bike from him. I'm sure you'll be elated.

Have a nice day.

dkrager · Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 10:36 pm Post subject:

Rudy,

I just call it like I see it and I donâ€™t know this guy from Adam. Be advised that getting on your soapbox in an open forum is a double edged sword. It can work against you just as easily as it can work for you.

Regards,

Dave

MR.CHocko · Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 1:43 am Post subject:

I don't need to buy a bike from him, because I always have bikes coming to my door. You never over rev a 30 year old motorcycle or older motorcycle. Not to mention there is a difference between a restoration for show and restoration for racing. Not many people know the difference. Please don't ask me if I know the man, because I don't and neither do I want to. I just don't like it when people seem to think they need to use the internet to have their little wars.