Jim, there will sadly always be customers wanting to blame everyone but them self for self inflicted problems
I feel for you trying your best to always do the right thing
As most of you here know, I supply Lehman replacement parts for those owners that are trying to keep their trusty steeds on the road. I get a lot of calls from people that have just purchased their used trikes and were told they were Lehmans. In most cases they were told that by the seller and ended having a MotorTrike or some other model that I don’t deal with. Most of them need some kind of repair item. I ask them to describe or send a picture to me before we continue a conversation. My recent run-in with someone in need really got me flustered. He was referred to me by another dealer for driveline related parts. He identified his trike as a Lehman Monarch II and needed the driveshaft assembly.
I make a lot of parts because many of these parts have been discontinued by the manufacturer and I build driveshafts and exhaust parts specifically. Lehman’s history on changes is pretty slim, they didn’t start an IRS suspension until late 2012 in a last ditch effort to save themselves and using a Champion variant on both the straight axle and IRS at that point.
I sent this customer the parts HE requested and upon receiving them he phoned me and said they wouldn’t work. I asked if he was sure it had a Lehman rear axle and he affirmed that he did. His main issue was that I made parts that he could have made himself once he looked at them. He then claimed that the u-joint would not fit the yoke of the rear axle. Lehman had been using the same u-joint for 30+ years on their shaft-drive conversions so I knew something was strange here.
As it turned out, he purchased a wrecked bike and he was blaming little-ol-me for what was or was not in the original trike. He also used my idea to fabricate his own driveshaft to fit his CHAMPION REAR AXLE ! He is sending the parts back for a refund and I will never deal with him again in this life.
Jim Murphy
EX-Lehman & Champion Dealer Owner Operator
Iron Butt Rider 2001
WHEN HELP IS OFFERED, A SIMPLE "THANK YOU" IS APPRECIATED.
Jim, there will sadly always be customers wanting to blame everyone but them self for self inflicted problems
I feel for you trying your best to always do the right thing
Nuff Said," Were Burnin Daylight, Lets Ride"(Sober 37 years)
Current ride : 2021 FREEWHEELER M8, oldest ride 1960 FL
Jim, it stinks to have to deal with a customer like that for sure...
Keep up the good work doing your best to keep folk's Lehman trikes rolling down the road putting smiles on their faces. I am sure they appreciate your hard work!
"I don't need a map. I still have a road in front of me!"
Well that sucks, some people are aholes and sadly will always be. Sure takes a set to lie about the the needed part, furnish false information, some helpful person fabricates the part, then lying recipient returns the parts and wants his money back. That just ain't right.
I can relate. Was owned by a equipment rental and outdoor power equipment repair and service operation. Both thankless tasks. People tore up equipment trying to do things it was never designed to do (it was always the equipments fault), and for power equipment - 'What do you mean it will cost $$$$ to repair my cheap ass Walmart mower that I've misused and abused?' (even if they remembered to put the manufacturer supplied oil in the engine before starting it).
Me thinks you are the “Lehman”
Unfortunately there will always be people like that and it sounds like you have it handled in the best way.The triking world is better for having people like you in it.
Do not argue with an idiot.He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Its dog eat dog world and i'm wearing milkbone underwear.
1989 GL1500 Goldwing (SOLD)
2006 GL1800 CSC
Jim, I think all of us here on TT appreciate your honesty and integrity in dealing with those who contact you looking for help. You are a tremendous asset to this forum but there will always be that certain someone who is a total a$$ because it really is their fault.
2021 CVO TriGlide - Sunset Orange & Black
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave in a well-preserved body, but to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting...Holy Sh!t What a ride!
Obviously they don’t belong to TT. John Q kiss it!
2012 Triglide Piaggio MP3 500 to get groceries 1991 FLHS as back up
"Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it !"
Tiffany, Olive, Daisy, “The Three Musketeers” together again.
Obviously !!!
Thanks for the kind words all.
There is a segment of society that is always trying to get over on someone to get ahead, or so they think.
I spend a lot of time talking to trike owners about their problems and hopefully can get them pointed in the right direction.
Joining or just viewing Trike Talk being the first suggestion for information from actual riders that have had similar issues and solutions.
Not a 'salesman' trying to unload a problem onto someone else.
Jim Murphy
EX-Lehman & Champion Dealer Owner Operator
Iron Butt Rider 2001
WHEN HELP IS OFFERED, A SIMPLE "THANK YOU" IS APPRECIATED.
Now if he needs something that he can't fab he's in trouble.Years ago i turned wrenches on bikes on the side for extra cash but it got to be a hassle because of folks like this.The up side you now have one less knuckle to deal with.