The scoot has 9,000 miles on it. I don't ride hard and it's stock.
Last Fall I noticed what sounded like an old mechanical lifter noise. I looked online and that seemed to be occurring. I stopped in the dealer, they told me it wasn't a big deal and to bring it back next Spring.
I rode a few more times before winter. Took it in 3 weeks ago, here's what they found;
Front exhaust valve burned.

Front piston connecting rod wiped out at the flywheel (that was the noise I heard).

The top of both pistons are full of baked on black deposits. The mechanic thinks the oil rings may not have properly seated.
No one I ride with noticed smoke from the exhaust and when I changed the oil, I can't say I noticed the oil was low.

Also the tranny input shaft bushings and seals were in bad shape. Fluid had just started leaking out.
It's got a week left on the factory warranty, so no worries there.

And the dealer has stepped up, so no complaints with them this time. I should have it back once all the parts come in and they finish the rebuild.
I'm curious if any others are having similar issues.
TIA

 

The reason why your top pistons are black is because of the oil breather hoses are being vented to the intake.

 

Just has jugs, pistons, rings replace on my 14 ultra with 24,500 miles.

 

Actually, I rerouted them to a catch cup.
So I guess it isn't 100% stock

 

Dang. That really sucks to hear. Threads like this one freak me out - I came to HD from BMW with my '14 Limited precisely to get away from major stuff like this.

 

It doesn't mean this will happen to yours or thousands of other ones for that matter. This crankcase breather thingy is highly over rated too IMO. The OP has one and it was immediately assumed he didn't because of carbon on the pistons.

 

Sorry to hear your riding time is being diminished, but glad the dealer is stepping up. This thread makes me uneasy; I've had numerous problems with my '14 and only a couple months of warranty left. Thinking about ESP.

 

Indeed!, could not have said it better.

 

This sounds like it could be a heat problem ...high heat will break down the oil ...when the oil breaks down ...parts start too fail ...
i remember when i rode our new 14 street glide home ...about 70 miles...has to stop twice ...cause i thought the thing was going to come apart ...
dropped all the oils just as soon has i got home ...refilled w/ what we use ...never heard or felt that kind of heat again ...
we are in the deep south and it gets stupid hot here in the summer time ...

Could possible be a low oil flow also ...might have them check/replace the pump and cam plate ...
good luck !!!

 

Make that X3 ... I'm not even standing in line to get on the catch can train, I think it's bs no matter what pics are thrown all over the internet. Every car/bike/truck manufacturer out there have been venting crankcase vapors into your intake probably as long as I've been alive with no ill effects. Does Aunt Sally's bone-stock Honda Civic with over 200,000 miles on the clock that still runs perfect have a catch can? ...no. What will make you ill is the awful stench from venting it to the atmosphere. I have an old GS 1100 that I bought years ago with a 4-1, carbs jetted with ind. filters and crankcase/breather hose just dangling on top of valve cover without any kind of filter or catch can ... runs like a raped ape, but STINKS to high heaven since the vapors are no longer being burned. Also embarrassing to ride because it looks good/sounds good for what it is, BUT you roll up on a light and people look at you like ... How can he ride that smokey/stinky pos? lol. Is that the picture you want to paint when you're out on your pristine Harley? ... no thanks, that's one more reason why my GS has been collecting dust now.

OP says he doesn't ride hard ... not pointing fingers and too many other unknowns here, but his (no offense) easy riding style may have contributed to this from day one ... especially if the bike was broken in that way "by the book" and never ridden hard ... that right there can cause incomplete ring seal. Every engine NEEDS to be flogged once in a while and there's no better time to do it (and the ONLY time) than when it's brand-new, 0 miles right off the showroom if you want good ring seal. Once the engine is broke-in, it's too late ... all the flogging in the world won't seal the rings, you missed the bus Gus. If you don't believe what I'm preaching, check out MotoMan's break-in procedure ... http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm . Study up on this and put it to use when you get your bike back ... once it's up to operating temp first. I would insist to your dealer that YOU be the one to take the maiden voyage so you can break it in right because you know the bike better than them anyhow.

There is a wealth of info and pics there, very interesting read if you haven't checked it out yet. The funny thing is ... I had already been using his method long before I came across his write-up only a few years ago. I have always followed the old saying "If you want it to run like a p u s s y, drive it like one" and I certainly don't want mine to run like that, so I run it hard at least a couple times every ride. He speaks the truth and it really does work ... every brand-new vehicle I have owned has always ran great, nothing broke and never burned any oil in between changes. Nothing wrong with riding easy, but you have to let'r rip once in a while. Our engines are like us in a way, if you don't exercise all those parts from time to time, they go to hell like your's did.

Sorry for the long story and no disrespect to you 01XLH ... I just hate to see a new bike that someone slaved for with such low miles with troubles like this. You should be out enjoying it today instead of being depressed it's in the shop. Keep us posted and remember to LET'R RIP this time around!