Small Problem----already

[hawk mechanic]

So, I got the new bike home yesterday. Everything is going as good as it can with it for me having a cast on my foot. Today I was down in the garage, just looking at the beast, when I noticed it. There is a broken fin on the right side of the rear head:doh It went unnoticed by all of us that looked at it until today. It looks to me like it was broke before it went to get powder coated, so it really didn't stand out. I called the dealer, and sent a few pics for him to have. They are being real good about it so far. My salesman said that he showed the service guys, and sent the pic to the man. He says that Harley has already given the O.k, and the new one is ordered. Lets just hope it comes in soon. My cast is gonna come off on Dec 23'rd. I guess I will just have to see how it plays out. Here is the pics, Hopefully you can see it.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z286/hawkmechanic/DSC02029.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z286/hawkmechanic/DSC02031-1.jpg


Joe

[XR1200Sportster]

Well, thats a sucky thing. Sounds like it will be a warranty thing. Not a big deal. Hopefully we shall see a few more golden days before the real snow comes...

[Brad]

When did you buy that? How did I miss this? What are you going to do with all of that bailing wire you used to have to carry?

[CaptEvo]

What the hell??? LOL. This guy is all quiet for weeks and Bammmm..... he shows up with a new XR. Congrats. :clap

[hawk mechanic]

Well, thats a sucky thing. Sounds like it will be a warranty thing. Not a big deal. Hopefully we shall see a few more golden days before the real snow comes...

Oh yeah, there is no question about that. They seem to be very understanding about the whole thing. Especially since it hasn't been ridden yet because of my foot.

When did you buy that? How did I miss this? What are you going to do with all of that bailing wire you used to have to carry?

I called Brian's on Friday and gave them a few bucks down, and then had it delivered yesterday. Don't worry about the bailing wire, someday I will have the Ironhead running, so it will go with that bike:smoke.

Joe

[hawk mechanic]

What the hell??? LOL. This guy is all quiet for weeks and Bammmm..... he shows up with a new XR. Congrats. :clap

Sneaky, sneaky:geek

[ParrotHead]

Congrats on the bike!

[ReddTigger]

When did you buy that? How did I miss this? What are you going to do with all of that bailing wire you used to have to carry?

When I saw the post on the portal,The first thing that came to mind was a brand new XR1200 with a broken headlight, Don't know why.. Or do I ??

Congrats on the bike!

Here Here.. Congratulations..

So whatdidja do with the evo sporty ?

[hawk mechanic]

Thanks everyone. I am really itching to ride the thing.
Well tigger, I hated to do it, but I got rid of the blue bike in the deal. She had a lot of character, but oh well, life goes on. Maybe I will have better luck with this one staying together.

Joe

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

Thanks everyone. I am really itching to ride the thing.
Well tigger, I hated to do it, but I got rid of the blue bike in the deal. She had a lot of character, but oh well, life goes on. Maybe I will have better luck with this one staying together.

Joe

It's ok man, you still got the 74 for things to fall off of.... :wonderlan

[hawk mechanic]

It's ok man, you still got the 74 for things to fall off of.... :wonderlan

That's for sure, i just need to put it back together.

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

That's for sure, i just need to put it back together.

Well now you got something to ride while you do...

Can't wait to see them both in person BTW

[hawk mechanic]

Now how the he#$ do you miss that at the factory, or dealership?:(It wont affect nothin,but son of a gun,....when you buy NEW,you dont want to see crap like that.If it were me...Iwould simply ask for some kind of rebate:) Rather than have some uncertified monkey tear it all apart,..then you could have some REAL problems.If it was somthing that was going to actually affect the motor,..I wouldnt want a motor with "0" miles on torn all apart. I seen a 2000 victory,..Brand new" that leaked oil out the side of the jug! Hows that for crapy castings.Victory was quick to remidy all its problems shortly there after,they did around 80 change ups,and from late 2003 they seem to be a good machine,...having Arlen ness aboard sure helped and made a beutiful bike. Let us know how the whole thing tirns out:)

I have thought about all of the pro-and cons for about all of the options, and I think that I am just going to have them replace the head. Like you said, I know that where it is at, it will not effect anything. But I bought a new bike, and I want a new bike, with nothing wrong with it. I really don't want them tearing my new engine apart, but if they cause anymore problems, you better believe that they will fix them. I am just going to keep my fingers crossed that it all ends up well.

Joe

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

I have thought about all of the pro-and cons for about all of the options, and I think that I am just going to have them replace the head. Like you said, I know that where it is at, it will not effect anything. But I bought a new bike, and I want a new bike, with nothing wrong with it. I really don't want them tearing my new engine apart, but if they cause anymore problems, you better believe that they will fix them. I am just going to keep my fingers crossed that it all ends up well.

Joe

I'd be REAL tempted to ask them for a replacement head and put it on the shelf....

i.e. just ride it like it is, and IF something else happens down the road that makes you want to tear into it, then you (or they) could install it then.

Related story - back in 1996 I took delivery of my brand new FLHRI and by the end of the week I had about 1k miles on it, AND IT WAS SEEPING AT THE BASE GASKETS - I mean a real gradual wetness, no drips.

I brought it back, showed it to them, and they called Harley to authorize the warranty work. When the authorization came through I told em I wasn't gonna do it now, cause I thought it was INSANE for them to tear into a brand new motor. I told them to clear it with HArley that I was just gonna ride it, but I was gonna bring it back in the next year or so when there were some miles on it.

I think it was about a year and a half later and about 40k miles on it when I brought it back to them and they did the warranty repair finally. And while they were in there they actually did some warranty head work - I think they replaced some valves) - oh, and I had them install the color matched rocker box spacers and finally do the stage I at that point.

[hawk mechanic]

thas not a bad idea kev.

[Midas]

If you can, try and get in to the dealer while the top of the motor is off and get some pics. Especially of the cylinder head (oil cooling, etc)!! :geek:geek

[hawk mechanic]

If you can, try and get in to the dealer while the top of the motor is off and get some pics. Especially of the cylinder head (oil cooling, etc)!! :geek:geek

I will see what i can do:smoke

[Furyus]

I'd be REAL tempted to ask them for a replacement head and put it on the shelf....

In my service department we would need turn the bad head in immediately, tagged and documented. Couldn't give someone a head without installing it, too, or else we'd end up paying for it. The factory is pretty strict these days.

furyus

[Gary7]

I almost think I'd demand a new bike. Who the hell wants to buy a new XR and then have to have the engine torn down over a damn cosmetic issue? That's crazy. I'd tell 'em to give me a new XR or my money back.

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

In my service department we would need turn the bad head in immediately, tagged and documented. Couldn't give someone a head without installing it, too, or else we'd end up paying for it. The factory is pretty strict these days.

furyus

I'm sure that's the policy, but if you get the local Harley rep to eyeball it and confirm/document the damage there's ALWAYS a way around it. I mean, it's a brand spankin' new bike and an owner has a right not to have the motor opened right now if he doesn't want too... or at least it's highly arguable.

[Midas]

I'm sure that's the policy, but if you get the local Harley rep to eyeball it and confirm/document the damage there's ALWAYS a way around it. I mean, it's a brand spankin' new bike and an owner has a right not to have the motor opened right now if he doesn't want too... or at least it's highly arguable.

I dont see the problem, its not as though its a complete rip down. Not really a big deal to take one of the heads off, at the end of the day its only intake manifold and the rocker box off and pop off she comes.
If it were my bike i wouldn't have an issue other than i would want to do it myself.

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

I dont see the problem, its not as though its a complete rip down. Not really a big deal to take one of the heads off, at the end of the day its only intake manifold and the rocker box off and pop off she comes.
If it were my bike i wouldn't have an issue other than i would want to do it myself.

True, it's not as bad as a jug... but still...

[Gary7]

True, it's not as bad as a jug... but still...

The "still" part comes in when you consider you'll still be relieving the pressure on the gasket where the jug mates to the case, and then retorquing it. I think doing that is going to increase the chance of getting weeping there at some point.

This whole situation just sucks. I'd tell 'em to get me another bike, or my money back.

[Nightster1]

Congrats on the bike. Sorry to hear about the fin.

[hawk mechanic]

So, I just dropped off the bike today at the dealer. At this point, I just want them to make the bike right. The service writer put it in a slot to get work started Monday. Hopefully they will put it at the top of the priority list, and I can ride it home on Tuesday after I get this damn cast off of my foot:tour I guess all I can do now is wait. Oh yeah, and since I was up there, I was looking around the floor. Guess what they have......................another XR. My salesman said that it came in yesterday. Any takers?

Joe

[Gary7]

So, I just dropped off the bike today at the dealer. At this point, I just want them to make the bike right. The service writer put it in a slot to get work started Monday. Hopefully they will put it at the top of the priority list, and I can ride it home on Tuesday after I get this damn cast off of my foot:tour I guess all I can do now is wait. Oh yeah, and since I was up there, I was looking around the floor. Guess what they have......................another XR. My salesman said that it came in yesterday. Any takers?

Joe

The taker should be you. You should have told them to give you that bike in exchange for yours with the defect.

[jarhead08]

You might check on this!!!! I know a guy who had this happen. He got it replaced for free and got to keep the head. Might be worth it to keep it for future rebuilding?????

[hawk mechanic]

So, I got the bike back on Wednesday. When it cam down to it, I just wanted it back in MY garage. I am just going to keep a close eye on everything. If I don't see any problems with it, oh well.

Joe

[vecchio lupo]

I need to go to the shed and check things over, thanks.

Since you guys seem to know alot (lol) about sportsters, and this is my first, is there a problem with removing the drive belt guards. I know they don't weigh anything, but they cover some of that swingarm up. It looks to me that the purpose is to keep clothing out of the sprockets. Whats the accepted school of thought on that procedure?

[Midas]

I need to go to the shed and check things over, thanks.

Since you guys seem to know alot (lol) about sportsters, and this is my first, is there a problem with removing the drive belt guards. I know they don't weigh anything, but they cover some of that swingarm up. It looks to me that the purpose is to keep clothing out of the sprockets. Whats the accepted school of thought on that procedure?

Your choice really, they are mainly there to stop crap getting on the belt, your worst enemy there is a stone popping a hole in your belt. ;)

[Dallara]

~


Your choice really, they are mainly there to stop crap getting on the belt, your worst enemy there is a stone popping a hole in your belt. ;)



Glad this came up, as I have been meaning to ask about it for a long time...

Just how many out there have experienced the dreaded "stone ruining the belt and pulleys" story??? :confused:

I have heard stories upon horror stories of somebody had a friend of a friend of a fifth-removed cousin's friend who had a rock blow the belt off the bike and shatter the pulley, etc., etc., etc., or something similar... Yet I have NEVER actually met, spoken to, or even seen someone post on a forum where they actually had it happen to them and their own bike.

Anybody here have a rock or the like get into their belt and/or pulleys. or even seen the true results of such an occurrence?

Thanks!

Dallara



~

[Furyus]

Anybody here have a rock or the like get into their belt and/or pulleys. or even seen the true results of such an occurrence?

Yes. I've seen several damaged belts and pebbles that get lodged in pulleys, requiring replacement lest they damage a new belt. Can be expensive. I won't bother removing mine from my XR, but had intended on taking the chance with my FXD for aesthetic reasons.

furyus

[mrlowlight]

I've had three belt drive Harleys, two of them big twins and did a belt on both of them from small rocks...both had the lower guards removed but the top one in place. I switched to a chain on the later BT...I still intend to remove the guards on my current bike.....hopefully less small rocks here in Italy lol.

[cybrdyke]

Mrlowlight, If you are ever looking for some riding buddies, find the guys at the Treviso Hog Chapter. Great bunch. They throw good parties too.

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

~


Just how many out there have experienced the dreaded "stone ruining the belt and pulleys" story??? :confused:

Yet I have NEVER actually met, spoken to, or even seen someone post on a forum where they actually had it happen to them and their own bike.


Maybe that's cause you don't like to read entire forums - like the section where the threads on drive belts on this one. :p ;)

[Screw Loose Dan]

Anybody here have a rock or the like get into their belt and/or pulleys. or even seen the true results of such an occurrence?


Yes! I realize this isn't an XR story but it's fitting I think. On my Alaska trip a couple summers ago, I broke off from the group while in Alaska (not worth getting into why, but you can read my blog (http://drcstang.blogspot.com/) if you are really interested). As I headed back into Canada from Alaska, I ran across on of my buddies bikes (Brooklyn's), looked like this:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Eo15o0z1z4I/Rpsh4ADX2KI/AAAAAAAACPU/JTdn2S6XDR0/s800/IMG_2203.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/drcstang/Alaska20070714TokToWhitehorse#5087697450015643810)

If you look closely, you'll notice that the sign in the back says, "Snag Creek". He wasn't running a lower belt gaurd, and there was plenty of gravel roads on the trip. There was significant drama, time, and money involved in getting it repaired as I recall.

[mrlowlight]

Mrlowlight, If you are ever looking for some riding buddies, find the guys at the Treviso Hog Chapter. Great bunch. They throw good parties too.

hey thanks for the heads up, I''l check em out :D.

[Midas]

Belt driven HD's since 1988 and not a single problem.

[vecchio lupo]

I may leave them in place, they don't get in the way of anything. Perhaps the engineers who designed them know more than me.

[cybrdyke]

Belt driven HD's since 1988 and not a single problem.

Me either. Geez, hope I'm not "due".

[hawk mechanic]

Yes, yes, more problems. I was in the garage with a friend today looking at the bike, and what do I see.................A hole without a bolt in it:frownthre
The head that was replaced has a missing bolt. This is why I was so angry with the original problem. Replacing the head opened a while new can or worms. If the tech didn't torque this bolt, how about the rest? I e-mailed my salesman, and BCC'd the General Manager of the dealer. I will not just accept it this time. They will hook me up some how this time. Here are some pics of the problem.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb78/redbeard07/CopyofDSC02259.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb78/redbeard07/CopyofDSC02258.jpg

Joe

[Urrell]

I think I remember seeing this before on a XR1200. Is it a blind hole?

On carb bikes it is used to fix the enricher and horn bracket.

[boohoo]

I think I remember seeing this before on a XR1200. Is it a blind hole?

On carb bikes it is used to fix the enricher and horn bracket.

this is what should be there
http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/DSCF2321_800x600_.JPG

[Gary7]

Not really a problem. That bolt does not secure anything on the XR. On the XL EFI models with the horn mounted there, those bolts hold the horn bracket. Otherwise, they are just screwed in the hole to fill the hole.

[hawk mechanic]

I realized that it didn't do anything after looking at it a little more in depth. The point still remains that there is a bolt that is not there. I may have over-reacted a little bit, but I still think that it is still worthy of noting. I will see what the people at the dealer have to say.

Joe

[Moved On / My Own Choice]

Yeah, I understand how that will shake your confidence in the tech's work...

[Todd31de]

I realized that it didn't do anything after looking at it a little more in depth. The point still remains that there is a bolt that is not there. I may have over-reacted a little bit, but I still think that it is still worthy of noting. I will see what the people at the dealer have to say.

Joe

I don't think you over-reacted at all. A lot of people understand the mechanics of these machines but many do not. That is why they have a service dept. We aren't required to understand the engineering principles and how to service these bikes that's their job and they charge a good bit for it.

Sorry I don't mean to rant but I have had my run ins with service writers and some techs expecting me to know certain details about my vehicle.

[Furyus]

I don't think you over-reacted at all. A lot of people understand the mechanics of these machines but many do not. That is why they have a service dept. We aren't required to understand the engineering principles and how to service these bikes that's their job and they charge a good bit for it.

Sorry I don't mean to rant but I have had my run ins with service writers and some techs expecting me to know certain details about my vehicle.

I work in a H-D service department. I wouldn't blame a customer for being upset in this situation. I think I'm good enough to get them calmed down pretty quickly, but that would involve admitting a mistake was made immediately (the techs are human).

This kind of stuff happens in every shop, from H-D to Ferrari to Kenmore to Boeing. Unavoidable with the human element. The real difference is how these incidents are handled once discovered.

If this happened in my shop (If! Ha!), I'd listen to the customer rant, I'd admit we had made a mistake and apologize, I'd reassure the customer that this did not damage his bike (in this case) and I'd ask for the opportunity to re-earn his trust.

That said, every situation is different and every person reacts differently for a variety of reasons. I love my job, but some days I get beat up pretty good.

furyus

[Urrell]

I work in a H-D service department. I wouldn't blame a customer for being upset in this situation. I think I'm good enough to get them calmed down pretty quickly, but that would involve admitting a mistake was made immediately (the techs are human).

This kind of stuff happens in every shop, from H-D to Ferrari to Kenmore to Boeing. Unavoidable with the human element. The real difference is how these incidents are handled once discovered.

If this happened in my shop (If! Ha!), I'd listen to the customer rant, I'd admit we had made a mistake and apologize, I'd reassure the customer that this did not damage his bike (in this case) and I'd ask for the opportunity to re-earn his trust.

That said, every situation is different and every person reacts differently for a variety of reasons. I love my job, but some days I get beat up pretty good.

furyus

Perhaps Father Christmas is not a myth after all :smoke

Sorry I had to do that.

It would be great if all service departments had people who reacted like you.

[shotgun46]

Yes, yes, more problems. I was in the garage with a friend today looking at the bike, and what do I see.................A hole without a bolt in it:frownthre
The head that was replaced has a missing bolt. This is why I was so angry with the original problem. Replacing the head opened a while new can or worms. If the tech didn't torque this bolt, how about the rest? I e-mailed my salesman, and BCC'd the General Manager of the dealer. I will not just accept it this time. They will hook me up some how this time. Here are some pics of the problem.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb78/redbeard07/CopyofDSC02259.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb78/redbeard07/CopyofDSC02258.jpg

Joe

So Whats the out come with the missing bolt !

[hawk mechanic]

So Whats the out come with the missing bolt !

When I called yesterday, it was his day off(my salesman that it). I should be hearing from him soon enough. If not, I will see him when I go to the dealer today with a guy from work to pick up the other XR that is sitting on the showroom floor.

Joe

[hawk mechanic]

This kind of stuff happens in every shop, from H-D to Ferrari to Kenmore to Boeing. Unavoidable with the human element. The real difference is how these incidents are handled once discovered.

I understand what you are saying, but I build helicopters for a living. I know all about this kind of stuff. I know that I make sure everything that I put my name on is done right. What is my biggest problem that I have, is that this is a new bike. I shouldn't be having these problems. I should not have to worry about a bolt coming out that was not torqued. Now, how do I know that every other bolt was torqued? In the typical situation, I trust that everything is right until proven wrong. In this situation, I was proven wrong. I just hope that everything works out for the best.

Joe

[Midas]

I should not have to worry about a bolt coming out that was not torqued.
I dont think that has been the issue here, the new head wouldn't have come with that bolt. The tech that fitted the head has just forgotten to remove it from the old head and fit it to the new one, thats how i see it anyway.

[hawk mechanic]

I looked over the bike good after I got it back. I am pretty sure that there was not a hole without a bolt in it.

Joe

[Midas]

I looked over the bike good after I got it back. I am pretty sure that there was not a hole without a bolt in it.

Joe
You didnt notice the broken fin when you first picked the bike up :D

[hawk mechanic]

You didnt notice the broken fin when you first picked the bike up :D

I was to awe-struck with the beautiful machine as a whole, and I missed that at the time:smoke