FYI about Deeke Motorsports in Fairview Heights, IL...BAD

Please pass this on regarding Deeke Motorsports in Fairview Heights. I NORMALLY go to Jerry at WFO when I look for service or motorcycle stuff (my bike is going in there next week for a Quick Shot cover and check-over). In this one instance, I went to Deeke Motorsports because the cost of gas didn't make sense to go all the way down to WFO for an $18.00 part.

I'll try to keep it short.

3 weeks ago, I bought a Pro Taper triple clamps set. I didn't know that the mounts were for 1-1/8 bars. I have 7/8 bars. Pro Taper suggested that I use their bar mount shims to keep my 7/8 bars, and referred me to Deeke Motorsports. Randy Deeke assured me that he had never had any problems, nor had he heard of any problems, from anyone using the shims. I had him order them, and I put them on when they came in.
Last week, while riding in Oklahoma, my bars slipped in the clamps and rolled back. No harm, no foul, no injury. I re-adjusted the bars and re-torqued the bar mounts. Tuesday, I went out to Euro to practice, and the bars slipped in the mounts again. This time, it was on the take-off of a finish line double, and I wound up with both ankles sprained, a bruised cheek, and a bit lip. I packed everything up and headed home, not comfortable that the mounts were holding the bars.
I immediately sent emails to Pro Taper, and Randy Deeke on Tuesday afternoon. I emailed Randy rather than going into his shop personally because I didn't want to raise concern of other customers with my issue, or undermine his parts knowledge to other customers. And, he specifically told me previously that I could contact him by email at any time because he keeps his email up all day and checks it periodically. I didn't really have a complaint with him, anyway, I was only offering my experience for his reference.
Pro Taper called me within 2 hours of receiving my email. Deeke, nothing for over a day. When I did hear back from Randy Deeke, it was rude, uncalled for, and frankly, ignorant. The attitude he put forth, coming from a shop owner, reinforces why we are all fortunate that guys like Jerry Davidson are out there, looking out for us as a rider AND a customer.
So, my apologies to Jerry and WFO for being unfaithful. I won't let the cost of gas or economics affect my decision-making again. The extra $4.00 would have been worth it for a little bit of customer service and appreciation for sharing my experience for future reference.
Below are the emails. Again, PLEASE pass this around. Shops like this don't need to be in business.

My original message to Randy Deeke:

Hey Randy,
2 things real quick:
I would NOT recommend the Pro Taper 1-1/8 to 7/8 bar inserts to anyone. They slip like crazy. Highly NOT recommended. I'm laid up for the 2nd time in a week with sprained ankles due to the inserts slipping and bars rolling on me. The same thing happened last week in Oklahoma.
2nd, what kind of price can you get me for a set of Pro Taper EVO bars in Windham bend?

Thanks,
Jerry Millas

Deeke's response:

I AM STILL HERE AT 9:10PM THURSDAY, WORKIN MY ASS OFF, AND I GET THIS CRAP FROM YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM SORRY ABOUT YOUR CRASH!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS A DANGEROUS SPORT!!!!!!!!! NO ONE PERSON EVER SAID IT WAS SAFE!!!!!!! I HAVE RACED WITH GUYS WHO HAVE DIED IN THE SAME RACE I HAVE BEEN IN---WITH THEM!!!!!!!!!! MY GOOD FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE STILL ALIVE, AND APPARENTLY WALKING!!!!!! GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!!!
TRYING TO SAVE MONEY A CRITICAL PART OF YOUR MOTORCYCLE, WHEN YOU JUMP AS FAR AND HIGH AS YOU SAY YOU DO, WHICH I KNOW YOU DON'T BECAUSE I KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO GO WHERE YOU GO, AND SEE YOU RIDE, SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALL MOTO-X GUYS ARE THE SAME!!!!!!!!!! COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN!!!!!!!!!
NOTHING IS EVER CORRECT, ALWAYS SOMETHING WRONG, AND WANT MORE WHEN THEY CAN'T EVEN RIDE THE BIKE, **STOCK** TO ITS FULLEST POTENTIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!