Heliman's never; Excellent Alternative Provided

[kval]

Are we going to have any points deducted at an AMCA meet because that stamp appears on the underside of the seat? If Kevin Valentine reads this I hope he will give us an answer.
mike

Mike
just saw your question. the answer is NO, as long as it is on the underside where it is not really visible. remember that good reproduction is allowed

[silentgreyfello]

Mike, Your point is well taken. However, the examples you brought up were OEM parts that were on the bike as it left the factory. None left the factory with a "Heilman Saddles" patch.

[schmittm]

First, I want to make it clear that I am NOT a living testamonial to Heilman's Saddles, I merely happen to be one of their customers and i was satisfied with the product I received. I have also purchased from Worsham and Heather's Leathers and I am just as satisfied with what I got for my money from them.

I too was tempted to try to remove the Heilman logo from my seat but, as I mentioned in my last post, I decided to leave it for the reasons I stated.

My rationalization is that it is no different than other "brands" displayed on our bikes. When the Motor Company purchased parts from outside sources many of them came with plainly visible marking that identified who made it. Some examples are the MotoLamp lights and lenses, Guide lamps and lenses, Delco Remy relays, regulators and generators, and millions of pieces of hardware that are clearly stamped with the Chandler Products trademark. Every time you look at your speedometer you know it was made by Stewart Warner or Corbin, and Mesinger was proud enough of that patented #3 cushion Saddle that they tooled the information right in the top of the seat where you stick your butt.

Until I lose points because of it I'm not going to let it bother me.

jmho

mike

[Paps]

Last points say it all IMO. I agree. If I were judging. I would dock anything not representative of the original. A different name plate, stamping, or tag, not as original, is just that. Not original. Replication is to be like original. Nothing more. Nothing less. Paps

[silentgreyfello]

Would it be appropriate for my pinstriper to put his initials on the bike in a discreet spot? How about the guy that rebuilds my motor... can he attach a plaque or stamp his name in the crankcase? My painter does fine work... perhaps signing their name to the bottom of the gas tank would look good? My nickel plating could have some etching in it that says "Bob's Plating".

Maybe I am getting carried away here, but if I am paying for a service, why should I have to advertise for free for the guy that I purchased the service from? I think it is important to warn prospective customers that they may get more than they hoped for.

Here is the bottom side of the seat. Again, no problem with the quality of Heilman's work, just don't like the NASCAR look on my bikes. I since have taken a razorblade and cut their pride pad off, but the epoxy glue still remains. I am going to have this bike judged next year, so I will soon find out if I get docked points for the glue.

[schmittm]

Pride in workmanship

I'll have to admit that I had really mixed emotions about finding Heilman's name tooled on the underside of one the seats I received from him. And then I thought about it and tried to rationalize why they chose to do that, after all it certainly was not stamped on the original seat.

My take on it is simply that, if you do something right, and you are proud of what you have done, why not let everyone know that you are the one that did it. Good or bad, you are taking credit for the finished product. If its junk, the whole world will know who produced it and nobody will ever send you money to do similar work for them. If it is a work of art, and everyone that sees it thinks it meets the standard, you'll get a pat on the back and ensure that you will get repeat, and new, business.

Personally I have much greater respect for somebody that is not ashamed to sign his work. I don't consider it as commercial or as advertising, I view it as somebody that has taken pride in what he has done and he is not afraid to let anybody else know who did it.

Are we going to have any points deducted at an AMCA meet because that stamp appears on the underside of the seat? If Kevin Valentine reads this I hope he will give us an answer.

mike

[silentgreyfello]

Not sure why anyone would send a saddle to someone without making a call to see if they could make it before sending them the seat!!! Then jpbingham has the gall to get upset about it? Look in the mirror, dude!

Heilman's has done nice work for me in the past, but they put they stamp their name on the bottom of the seat, so I started using the Saddleshop and Worshiem. Have been extremely pleased with both.

[Ohio-Rider]

Well put Mike.

[schmittm]

The other side of the coin

Steve, George, Chris,

Is it OK to say something nice? I agree that this is no place to hear about a one-time complaint about a specific transaction that didn't go the way the customer thought it should. If the vendor is consistently bad about always delivering substandard products or services, and its documented, that's a different story. We need alerts about bad vendors, it helps us all.

Now I'll try to balance this particular arguement a little, I have 2 of Larry's seats and I couldn't be happier. I'm not saying that the Messinger #3 Cushion Saddle on my '31 VL is as rare as that Shaw Motorbike seat, but you have to admit that there aren't many around let alone many guys that know how to restore one. Its perfect, I'll post a picture if you like.

Craftsmen in this day and age are a rarity, most of them are specialized and focus on what they know. Asking somebody to do something that they are not familiar with is unreasonable in my opinion. You wouldn't ask a proctologist to do a tooth extraction, why ask a Harley & Indian seat maker to do a one-of-a-kind bicycle style seat?

Mr. Heilman is good at what he knows how to do, at least from what I've seen.

jmho

mike

[portagepan]

What happened to my post on here the other day? I saw it on the site, but the next time I looked, it disappeared. Hmmmmmm................
Mike

[INLINE4NUT]

GEORGE if this forums had moderators we would not have that problem! That being said Its a sad day when two people in the hobby have to get down here! there again misunderstandings can sometimes be aired and resolved by talking it out! Lets alll hope for the best!!!

[George Greer]

Chris,

I too like to know who does good...and who don't.

But this is going to become a on-line bitching contest.

George

[Chris Haynes]

Personally I feel good when I am warned about a not so good business. I also like to hear recomendations about places who do good work.

[George Greer]

Ditto...........

[Paquette]

AMEN------