My 07 tranny failed

billbrick · #1 03-24-2007, 12:09 AM

I've been lurking on this forum since I bought my 2007 Sportster 1200 Custom in October 2006. I picked up my beautiful yellow bike after dreaming of riding the roads while deployed overseas. I'll be honest, this is my first Harley, but I've been riding for many, many years.

I've got a HUGE problem, but since I've only got 170 miles on the bike, every mile may explain what the problem might have been.

So, let me start at the beginning: I bought the bike from a large dealership who specializes in "customers for life." They delivered the bike and after a 30 min, first ride, I took each of my ladies (2 daughters and the wife) for a 15-20 minute ride. Being BRAND SPANKIN' NEW, I was very careful to vary the RPMs during the breakin period. After 4 separate 35-40 mile easy rides, I put the bike up for the winter. (The wife thought I was joking when I told her I was going to put it in the basement before the crappy weather hit.) I pulled her out in mid-March and put15 miles on her before another snow storm. NO PROBLEMS, ALL were WONDERFUL RIDES!!!!

Being associated with the military, I've got to take the MSF course to get the permit to drive on the military base. I was a little nervous since I didn't get to ride over the winter, but no biggee.

Here's the question and problem: Yesterday, I uncovered the bike to get it ready to go to the MSF course. I couldn't get the bike to switch into neutral (cold morning, I've probably done something wrong, it's my first harley, they may be a bit tempermental in the cold). The bike runs well and shifts up from 2nd through 4th, but no 1st or neutral. What? I can't miss the course, they only come every 4 weeks and are booked way in advance! So, I scoot over (3-4 miles max) (in 2nd) and ask the advanced riders and instructor if they've ever seen this... Nope!!! (Wait, it get's worse...) The course starts at 7 am, and we do our first circuit at 7:30. Easy enough, but I can't do the "one handed" weave. We break for the course to be reset up for the 2nd circuit. I only get halfway through and the bike slips into neutral. YIPPEE!!! It's finally warmed up and I can get it back down into 1st. NOPE!!! Now I have NO gears!

LUCKILY, the dealership is "service" oriented. They drove the 1 1/2 hours and picked-up my bike at noon on Thursday, 3 1/2 hours after I left a bitter message on their answering machine. BUT when I called this afternoon (Friday) to find out what the problem was, I find out its gonna take a complete replacement of my clutch... It's fried. And, get this, damage like this is not covered under warranty... I was informed that the MSF course is tough on clutches and that I must have been riding my clutch for the entire time I had the bike (plus other things that were my fault)... I called him on the BS he tried to feed me. HE gave me a number to call HD to plead my case, but at 170 miles, this has gotta be a warranty problem and he was going to recontact HD...

My kids got out of school today and immediately asked to go for a ride. I had to tell them the bike was broken...

Can any of you give me advice and assistance? What went wrong? The tranny and oil levels were full, I was careful to follow the break-in instructions, I had driven all of 5-6 miles Thursday morning when it wouldn't get into 1st or neutral...

I can't believe my first post is a complaint!

Bill
2007 Sportster 1200 Custom

Oilslick · #2 03-24-2007, 05:18 AM

Sorry to hear of your troubles Bill. A fried clutch in 170 miles seems impossible to me unless maybe it was poorly adjusted from the set up at the dealership and it has been slipping all the time. But not being able to select gears sounds like clutch drag!

Demand satisfaction from your dealer. It's only got 170 miles dammit. I think that you would have to be really determined to destroy a clutch in that time.

Let us know the outcome.

DYNA Gramps · #3 03-24-2007, 08:58 AM

I would get in touch with Harley Cust. service! That should be covered!

billbrick · #4 03-24-2007, 10:57 AM

Thanks for the sympathy and advice... I'm still upset, but at least talking here helps!

I will contact HD customer service on Monday after talking with the Service rep from the dealership. I didn't want to call on Friday as I was HOT and didn't think I would be able to "coherently discuss" my situation. I'm beginning to believe that perhaps the dealership didn't properly adjust the clutch when they set it up out of the box... BUT, I didn't have ANY problems until the last 5-7 miles (when I wasn't riding for fun and needed the bike to work well!) Does this make sense?

I've been impressed with the customer service for this dealership, but I'm waiting for the complete judgement on the place once they get back with me regarding repairing my bike.

Bill

Cigar Aggie · #5 03-24-2007, 12:06 PM

"And, get this, damage like this is not covered under warranty... I was informed that the MSF course is tough on clutches and that I must have been riding my clutch for the entire time I had the bike (plus other things that were my fault)" --- that is a total line of crap..the MSF course isn't any harder on a clutch than sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. 170 miles? While youre getting it taken care of, I'd make sure to let everyone know about the sh*tty treatment you got at the stealership....people like that deserve to lose the business to reputable folks....Good luck and keep us posted!

Edelmon · #6 03-24-2007, 02:42 PM

We were told in the Advanced Rider Class at the dealership where I bought it, that motorcycle clutches were built to handle this kind of riding (meaning the class).

Scout · #7 03-24-2007, 02:49 PM

There is no way you can fry a clutch that fast. Demand they replace it free, and if the don't go up the chain till they do. Keep us informed.

billbrick · #8 03-24-2007, 03:46 PM

Thanks for the support. The wife is happy to hear that I'm getting the same advice she gave me (just without the curse words she used on Friday

) I'm lucky, the wife loves to ride as much as I do!

I'll post the dealership service department response Monday evening. I don't want to bad mouth the place unnecessarily, but I agree that they need to be responsible and repair it for free. We'll see what they say!

The ONLY silver lining is that it's supposed to drizzle rain ALL weekend long and the wife's got inside "spring cleaning" on the agenda...

Bill

KBFXDLI · #9 03-24-2007, 07:25 PM

Your clutch IS covered under warranty as is every other part on your Harley Davidson for 2 years from date of purchase.......PERIOD......tell the stealer to suck eggs....[:@]

1200c · #10 03-25-2007, 04:39 AM

Call harley customer service and they should take care of you. There is no way this isn't covered under warranty.