Cass County Choppers BEWARE!

jmpancoast · Nov 11th, 2009, 07:51 AM

I recently purchased 3 degree WG polished triple trees from Cass County Choppers. I was not impressed with them at all. They must be the "Earl Scheib" of custom motorcycle shops.

Below, find copies of the communications I had with Cass County about this purchase and the related issues.

E‐mail to Cass County Choppers on October 27, 2009

Hello:

Last week, I placed an order from your website for a set of 3 degree wide glide polished triple trees for a Dyna with 49 mm fork tubes. It was stated that these would ship out Today (10/27) or tomorrow. Can you verify that they are still on schedule.

Thanks,
John Pancoast

E‐mail from Cass County Choppers on October 27, 2009

Yes so far these are still on schedule to ship today or tomorrow.
Ron Mirick

E-mail to Cass County Choppers on October 27, 2009

Thanks so much for the good service. I am really in hopes of doing the work this weekend, hence the priority shipping. In addition, thanks for pressing the stem in the lower tree.

Phone call to Cass County Choppers on October 29, 2009

Called to verify trees were shipped by October 28, 2009. They said no, they were shipped on the 29th.

Trees arrive on October 31, 2009

E‐mail to Cass County Choppers on November 01, 2009

Ron:

I purchased a set of Wide Glide 3 degree polished triple trees for a 49mm Dyna from you and received them yesterday, This morning (Sunday), I removed my old trees and started installing yours to find the stem is too long. The stock stem measures approximately 8 5/8", while yours is
approximately 8 7/8".

How can I get this corrected as soon as possible?

Thanks,
John

E‐mail from Cass County Choppers on November 02, 2009

It should be no problem once you have pressed the stem in place on the triple tree. If I remember correctly our lower triple tree is thicker where the stem presses in ,so that may be what you are seeing when you hold the two stems together. We have sold several of these and no one else has complained at all about the stem being too long. Actually some have wanted the stem to be a little longer. Have you actually tried the triple trees with the stem in place on the bike? You can have someone cut down the
stem for you or you can cut it yourself. However, it should be the correct length and no problem once you have pressed it in place in the triple tree.

Ron Mirick

Phone call to Cass County Choppers on November 02, 2009

I called them at 10:30am EST to discuss the above e‐mail and the issues I was having with the install of their triple trees. A female stated Ron was with a customer and would call me right back.

E‐mail to Cass County Choppers on November 03. 2009

Ron:

I waited yesterday for you to return my call in hopes you could help me correct this issue with your triple trees.

I tried to install the trees before I sent you the prior e-mail. The problem with the stem length is that it is too long. When the adjustment nut is threaded onto the stem, it bottoms out on the threaded area before it compresses and seats the steering head bearings in the neck's cups. The threaded area of your stem is the same length as the threaded area of the OEM stem, but because your stem is longer, the threaded area stops before it reaches the dust cover and upper steering head bearing. Your trees, using your stem, do not work on the application for which you listed them, my 2006 FXDI.
Again, what can be done to correct this as quickly as possible.

Thanks,
John

E‐mail from Cass County Choppers on November 03, 2009

John,

I was extremely busy yesterday and I am sorry I did not get back to you.
The problem you are having with the length is because you are not installing the tapered stem nut onto the stem under the top triple tree. The tapered nut is flat on one side and the other side is tapered to fit into the tapered recess in the bottom of the top triple tree. Thread the nut onto the stem with the flat towards the bearings and taper pointing to the sky. The taper is what locks the top triple tree onto thestem and also centers it on the stem. The tapered nut is scalloped for lack of a better word on the outside
edge so you can tighten it with a spanner wrench. You can also use a regular wrench if your careful. That is what preloads the neck bearings, NOT the top tree. The flat nut that goes on top of the top triple tree only locks the top tree to the tapered nut and therefore to the stem. Then the chrome cover goes over the top. That is the issue with the length. If you lost the tapered nut you can purchase one from any local motorcycle shop or we sell some we
make with a hex for around $12 I think. I will check if you want to buy ours. A local shop may be a cheaper place to get them. JP cycles also sells them.
Let me know if you still have a problem but I am sure that will take care of the issue. Hope all else goes well.

Ron Mirick

E-mail to Cass County Choppers on November 03, 2009

Ron:

I assembled the front end as you outlined. I have done several front end assemblies and am aware of the assembly procedure.and the correct orientation of the adjustment nut under the upper tree. Again, the stem is too long not allowing enough thread for the flat side of the adjustment nut to travel to touch the upper bearing, much less seat the bearings in their cups.

John

E-mail from Cass County Choppers on November 03, 2009

John,

What bike/frame you are working on? What year? Are you using standard bearings? Did you replace the bearings with something different? Did you install different races? Did you include all the washers, spacers, etc when you reassembled it?

We have sold many of these and I have not had one person complain that the stem is too long. I have had people complain about the stem being a little short though. You could always put a spacer under the lower tree or under the tapered nut to get the correct spacing. There are 2 different tapered nuts with different thicknesses. You could try that also.

I am sorry but I am guessing that something is not assembled correctly. Not doubting you or suggesting that you do not know what your doing but we all make mistakes once in awhile. Hope this helps.

Ron Mirick

E-mail to Cass County Choppers on November 03, 2009

Ron:

The parts order in the assembly:

Chrome stem nut cover
Stem/Steering head nut
Hardened stem/steering head washer
Top clamp
Adjustment nut (with tapered side up - flat side down
Dust shield washer
Upper steering head bearing
Upper bearing cup
Lower bearing cup
Lower steering head bearing
Dirt shield washer
Lower clamp with stem pressed in

I am working on a 2006 FXDI Dyna Super Glide. Everything in the 29 degree neck is factory. No raked cups or bearing have been installed. These are the original bearing ands cups installed at the factory. No modifications have been made to the frame or neck. A thicker tapered adjustment nut will not help because the threads do not run down the stem enough to screw it so it contacts and compresses the dust shield and upper head bearing. Regardless of what thickness adjustment nut is used, there is too much length between the top of the lower tree and the lowest point which the adjustment nut will thread on the stem. This measurement is greater than the measurement from the bottom of the lower bearing to the top of the upper bearing when seated in the races installed in the neck. In order to be correct, the stem needs to have the capability for this measurement to be less, not greater.

John

E-mail from Cass County Choppers on November 03, 2009

John,

Use a spacer then. The frame you have must not be to the specs of a2006-2009 Dyna.

Ron Mirick

E-mail to Cass County Choppers on November 03, 2009

Ron:

That is a ridiculous response. All Dynas from 06 and up have the same frame necks except the Wide Glide. The product you sold me is not right for these applications, I will make a spacer and make due using a part I paid over $300 for and is not what I ordered.

Your customer service is terrible. First, you were late shipping my order. Secondly, your company said they would press the stem in prior to shipping and it wasn't done. Third, and most prevalent, I had an issue with the product you sold and you offered nothing to correct the issue except to make excuses and blame my ability to assemble the parts. Nothing you have
suggested makes the parts you sold fit as I was led to believe they would.
I look forward to sharing my experience with you on the different forums of which I am a member. I feel I will be doing perspective customers of your products a favor advising them of the money, time, and efforts I wasted dealing with Cass County Choppers.

E-mail from Cass County Choppers on November 04, 2009

John,

I can only assume you have something wrong with your frame or you have a different model year or something like that. Since I have sold 127 of these triple tree sets and I have had no complaints on installation problems at all.
I cannot diagnose a problem in which I have never had any experience with. I do not know what you have done or what has been done to the frame you are working on. You could have a bike that was produced with a 2005 frame but built in 2006, I simply do not know.

The parts were shipped on time, you got them at the exact time you wanted them this last weekend. You said you were installing them on Sunday right?
The products are RIGHT for the application we sell them for. You have some other issue going on. We have sold way too many of these for them not to be correct. Our record speaks for itself. And by the way you paid less than $300 and the closest competitor to us is over twice that amount.

Ron Mirick

This was my last correspondence with them.

glider · Nov 11th, 2009, 10:36 AM

John

Send them a link to this thread

Then post it in the "dealers you wouldn't recommend too."

Dealers You Wouldn't Recommend. - Harley Davidson Community

RichardS · Nov 11th, 2009, 10:40 AM

INCREDIBLE! Be sure to share this link with them and let them know the forum you belong to has over 20,000 members who will now be TWENTY THOUSAND LOST OPPORTUNITIES.

jmpancoast · Nov 11th, 2009, 11:05 AM

I will be sharing this with them. I am hoping to get some more feedback which may help Cass County realize the need to exercise some customer service skills.

Also, I will post this is the "Dealers You Wouldn't Recommend" thread, strategically in a week or so. I want this information to show up at the top when there are Google searches for "Cass County Choppers".

Thank you guys for yoru feedback!

HD4ME! · Nov 11th, 2009, 11:21 AM

John this sad but due to the times we live in some folks just don't get it. Sometimes the spoken word is much better than the written. You tried to call him but he was too busy, probably helping a potential customer and forgetting about you after the sale.

Tis sad, thanks for sharing and good luck. Let us know how it works out for you.

jmpancoast · Nov 11th, 2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD4ME!

John this sad but due to the times we live in some folks just don't get it. Sometimes the spoken word is much better than the written. You tried to call him but he was too busy, probably helping a potential customer and forgetting about you after the sale.

Tis sad, thanks for sharing and good luck. Let us know how it works out for you.

I've made the decision not to try and deal with Cass County anymore regarding this.

I used an extra wheel spacer I had and shaved the thickness down to 1/2". This worked well to take up the slack created by the extra length of the stem. The fork stops are still not right and the fork lock will not work, but I will correct these issues during my Winter down time.

Here are a couple pics of the new front end.

HDDon · Nov 11th, 2009, 06:15 PM

John, another case of customer NO service. Thanks for sharing and making sure that anyone doing business with Cass County Choppers is forwarned. Nice work making the best of a bad situation!!!

CatWoman · Nov 12th, 2009, 03:01 AM

Hello? Hello? Can anyone hear me?!?

How frustrating!!!!

I guess, despite the economy, Cass County Choppers is doing so well they don't need to offer good customer service.

Perhaps, they just don't know who they are dealing with...20,000 strong and growing!!!!

CatWoman

HDDon · Nov 12th, 2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatWoman

Hello? Hello? Can anyone hear me?!?

How frustrating!!!!

I guess, despite the economy, Cass County Choppers is doing so well they don't need to offer good customer service.

Perhaps, they just don't know who they are dealing with...20,000 strong and growing!!!!

CatWoman

Come on forum, with 20,000 strong why aren't more of you irate with Cass County Choppers? This is an issue that hits home with all of us who have been treated less than fair. Thru our forum we can send a message to all of the Dealers and Indis that we can and do have a say in what type of service we will and will not accept.

glider · Nov 12th, 2009, 10:45 AM

Don is right here. I will never use Cass County Choppers for anything. To me customer relations and dealing with a problem is primary in any business if you want to stay in business.

This post should appear in a google search for anyone looking to research Cass County Choppers and hopefully they will look elsewhere when they see the way John was treated.

Nov 11th, 2009, 07:51 AM	#1
jmpancoast Contributor$ Ride: 06 FXDI Join Date: Nov 22nd, 2008 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 215 My Mood:	Cass County Choppers BEWARE! I recently purchased 3 degree WG polished triple trees from Cass County Choppers. I was not impressed with them at all. They must be the "Earl Scheib" of custom motorcycle shops. Below, find copies of the communications I had with Cass County about this purchase and the related issues. E‐mail to Cass County Choppers on October 27, 2009 Hello: Last week, I placed an order from your website for a set of 3 degree wide glide polished triple trees for a Dyna with 49 mm fork tubes. It was stated that these would ship out Today (10/27) or tomorrow. Can you verify that they are still on schedule. Thanks, John Pancoast E‐mail from Cass County Choppers on October 27, 2009 Yes so far these are still on schedule to ship today or tomorrow. Ron Mirick E-mail to Cass County Choppers on October 27, 2009 Thanks so much for the good service. I am really in hopes of doing the work this weekend, hence the priority shipping. In addition, thanks for pressing the stem in the lower tree. Phone call to Cass County Choppers on October 29, 2009 Called to verify trees were shipped by October 28, 2009. They said no, they were shipped on the 29th. Trees arrive on October 31, 2009 E‐mail to Cass County Choppers on November 01, 2009 Ron: I purchased a set of Wide Glide 3 degree polished triple trees for a 49mm Dyna from you and received them yesterday, This morning (Sunday), I removed my old trees and started installing yours to find the stem is too long. The stock stem measures approximately 8 5/8", while yours is approximately 8 7/8". How can I get this corrected as soon as possible? Thanks, John E‐mail from Cass County Choppers on November 02, 2009 It should be no problem once you have pressed the stem in place on the triple tree. If I remember correctly our lower triple tree is thicker where the stem presses in ,so that may be what you are seeing when you hold the two stems together. We have sold several of these and no one else has complained at all about the stem being too long. Actually some have wanted the stem to be a little longer. Have you actually tried the triple trees with the stem in place on the bike? You can have someone cut down the stem for you or you can cut it yourself. However, it should be the correct length and no problem once you have pressed it in place in the triple tree. Ron Mirick Phone call to Cass County Choppers on November 02, 2009 I called them at 10:30am EST to discuss the above e‐mail and the issues I was having with the install of their triple trees. A female stated Ron was with a customer and would call me right back. E‐mail to Cass County Choppers on November 03. 2009 Ron: I waited yesterday for you to return my call in hopes you could help me correct this issue with your triple trees. I tried to install the trees before I sent you the prior e-mail. The problem with the stem length is that it is too long. When the adjustment nut is threaded onto the stem, it bottoms out on the threaded area before it compresses and seats the steering head bearings in the neck's cups. The threaded area of your stem is the same length as the threaded area of the OEM stem, but because your stem is longer, the threaded area stops before it reaches the dust cover and upper steering head bearing. Your trees, using your stem, do not work on the application for which you listed them, my 2006 FXDI. Again, what can be done to correct this as quickly as possible. Thanks, John E‐mail from Cass County Choppers on November 03, 2009 John, I was extremely busy yesterday and I am sorry I did not get back to you. The problem you are having with the length is because you are not installing the tapered stem nut onto the stem under the top triple tree. The tapered nut is flat on one side and the other side is tapered to fit into the tapered recess in the bottom of the top triple tree. Thread the nut onto the stem with the flat towards the bearings and taper pointing to the sky. The taper is what locks the top triple tree onto thestem and also centers it on the stem. The tapered nut is scalloped for lack of a better word on the outside edge so you can tighten it with a spanner wrench. You can also use a regular wrench if your careful. That is what preloads the neck bearings, NOT the top tree. The flat nut that goes on top of the top triple tree only locks the top tree to the tapered nut and therefore to the stem. Then the chrome cover goes over the top. That is the issue with the length. If you lost the tapered nut you can purchase one from any local motorcycle shop or we sell some we make with a hex for around $12 I think. I will check if you want to buy ours. A local shop may be a cheaper place to get them. JP cycles also sells them. Let me know if you still have a problem but I am sure that will take care of the issue. Hope all else goes well. Ron Mirick E-mail to Cass County Choppers on November 03, 2009 Ron: I assembled the front end as you outlined. I have done several front end assemblies and am aware of the assembly procedure.and the correct orientation of the adjustment nut under the upper tree. Again, the stem is too long not allowing enough thread for the flat side of the adjustment nut to travel to touch the upper bearing, much less seat the bearings in their cups. John E-mail from Cass County Choppers on November 03, 2009 John, What bike/frame you are working on? What year? Are you using standard bearings? Did you replace the bearings with something different? Did you install different races? Did you include all the washers, spacers, etc when you reassembled it? We have sold many of these and I have not had one person complain that the stem is too long. I have had people complain about the stem being a little short though. You could always put a spacer under the lower tree or under the tapered nut to get the correct spacing. There are 2 different tapered nuts with different thicknesses. You could try that also. I am sorry but I am guessing that something is not assembled correctly. Not doubting you or suggesting that you do not know what your doing but we all make mistakes once in awhile. Hope this helps. Ron Mirick E-mail to Cass County Choppers on November 03, 2009 Ron: The parts order in the assembly: Chrome stem nut cover Stem/Steering head nut Hardened stem/steering head washer Top clamp Adjustment nut (with tapered side up - flat side down Dust shield washer Upper steering head bearing Upper bearing cup Lower bearing cup Lower steering head bearing Dirt shield washer Lower clamp with stem pressed in I am working on a 2006 FXDI Dyna Super Glide. Everything in the 29 degree neck is factory. No raked cups or bearing have been installed. These are the original bearing ands cups installed at the factory. No modifications have been made to the frame or neck. A thicker tapered adjustment nut will not help because the threads do not run down the stem enough to screw it so it contacts and compresses the dust shield and upper head bearing. Regardless of what thickness adjustment nut is used, there is too much length between the top of the lower tree and the lowest point which the adjustment nut will thread on the stem. This measurement is greater than the measurement from the bottom of the lower bearing to the top of the upper bearing when seated in the races installed in the neck. In order to be correct, the stem needs to have the capability for this measurement to be less, not greater. John E-mail from Cass County Choppers on November 03, 2009 John, Use a spacer then. The frame you have must not be to the specs of a2006-2009 Dyna. Ron Mirick E-mail to Cass County Choppers on November 03, 2009 Ron: That is a ridiculous response. All Dynas from 06 and up have the same frame necks except the Wide Glide. The product you sold me is not right for these applications, I will make a spacer and make due using a part I paid over $300 for and is not what I ordered. Your customer service is terrible. First, you were late shipping my order. Secondly, your company said they would press the stem in prior to shipping and it wasn't done. Third, and most prevalent, I had an issue with the product you sold and you offered nothing to correct the issue except to make excuses and blame my ability to assemble the parts. Nothing you have suggested makes the parts you sold fit as I was led to believe they would. I look forward to sharing my experience with you on the different forums of which I am a member. I feel I will be doing perspective customers of your products a favor advising them of the money, time, and efforts I wasted dealing with Cass County Choppers. E-mail from Cass County Choppers on November 04, 2009 John, I can only assume you have something wrong with your frame or you have a different model year or something like that. Since I have sold 127 of these triple tree sets and I have had no complaints on installation problems at all. I cannot diagnose a problem in which I have never had any experience with. I do not know what you have done or what has been done to the frame you are working on. You could have a bike that was produced with a 2005 frame but built in 2006, I simply do not know. The parts were shipped on time, you got them at the exact time you wanted them this last weekend. You said you were installing them on Sunday right? The products are RIGHT for the application we sell them for. You have some other issue going on. We have sold way too many of these for them not to be correct. Our record speaks for itself. And by the way you paid less than $300 and the closest competitor to us is over twice that amount. Ron Mirick This was my last correspondence with them.

Nov 11th, 2009, 10:36 AM	#2
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,053 My Mood:	re: Cass County Choppers John Send them a link to this thread Then post it in the "dealers you wouldn't recommend too." Dealers You Wouldn't Recommend. - Harley Davidson Community __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Nov 11th, 2009, 10:40 AM	#3
RichardS Moderators Ride: 2003 Ultra Glide Join Date: Oct 3rd, 2008 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,094 My Mood:	re: Cass County Choppers INCREDIBLE! Be sure to share this link with them and let them know the forum you belong to has over 20,000 members who will now be TWENTY THOUSAND LOST OPPORTUNITIES. __________________ *Did the '60's really happen or was that a dream?*

Nov 11th, 2009, 11:05 AM	#4
jmpancoast Contributor$ Ride: 06 FXDI Join Date: Nov 22nd, 2008 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 215 My Mood:	re: Cass County Choppers I will be sharing this with them. I am hoping to get some more feedback which may help Cass County realize the need to exercise some customer service skills. Also, I will post this is the "Dealers You Wouldn't Recommend" thread, strategically in a week or so. I want this information to show up at the top when there are Google searches for "Cass County Choppers". Thank you guys for yoru feedback!

Nov 11th, 2009, 11:21 AM	#5
HD4ME! Play The Throttle Ride: 08 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Join Date: May 14th, 2009 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 188 My Mood:	re: Cass County Choppers John this sad but due to the times we live in some folks just don't get it. Sometimes the spoken word is much better than the written. You tried to call him but he was too busy, probably helping a potential customer and forgetting about you after the sale. Tis sad, thanks for sharing and good luck. Let us know how it works out for you. Last edited by HD4ME!; Nov 11th, 2009 at 11:22 AM. Reason: Spelling

Nov 11th, 2009, 06:15 PM	#7
HDDon Contributor$ Ride: 2005 FLTRI Join Date: Aug 28th, 2009 Location: Suwannee, Fl Posts: 273 My Mood:	re: Cass County Choppers BEWARE! John, another case of customer NO service. Thanks for sharing and making sure that anyone doing business with Cass County Choppers is forwarned. Nice work making the best of a bad situation!!!

Nov 12th, 2009, 03:01 AM	#8
CatWoman Contributor$ Ride: 1989 FLHTC Ultra Classic Join Date: Aug 13th, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 174 My Mood:	re: Cass County Choppers BEWARE! Hello? Hello? Can anyone hear me?!? How frustrating!!!! I guess, despite the economy, Cass County Choppers is doing so well they don't need to offer good customer service. Perhaps, they just don't know who they are dealing with...20,000 strong and growing!!!! CatWoman Last edited by CatWoman; Nov 12th, 2009 at 03:02 AM. Reason: Spelling

Nov 12th, 2009, 10:45 AM	#10
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 21,053 My Mood:	re: Cass County Choppers BEWARE! Don is right here. I will never use Cass County Choppers for anything. To me customer relations and dealing with a problem is primary in any business if you want to stay in business. This post should appear in a google search for anyone looking to research Cass County Choppers and hopefully they will look elsewhere when they see the way John was treated. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Cass County Choppers BEWARE!

Harley Davidson Product Review