Did Harley do the recall or just say they did?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 367
Likes: 351
From: Long Island NY
Did Harley do the recall or just say they did?
In November I had my local Harley dealer do a 5000 mile service and a Hydraulic clutch recall on my 2014 UL. Purchased the bike in September with 1200 miles on it and recall was never done. I asked the service guy about the recall and he confirmed they do a full flush of the system as part of it. Great! One less thing to pay for. 
Since November I have put about 7000 miles on the bike and last week had what I thought was an over heated clutch issue. I was able to limp home and since it was going to a mechanic for new tires anyway I had him flush the hydraulic clutch in addition to a few other things. This new to me mechanic was highly recommended by a few friends. I got the bike back today and mechanic said the hydraulic fluid was dirtier than he had ever seen before. His thought was maybe HD did not do the recall and said they did. I won't name the HD dealer because I really don't know if that was the case. I had decided not to go back to them anyway after paying what amounted to a $600 oil change. 
I believe car dealerships have "said" service was done but did not actually do it. I suspected Honda did that to my wife's car many years ago. Supposedly rotated tires but the same rim was in the same location, front right. I hadn't noticed that for 2 weeks and let it go. Now i'm wondering did they not do the recall or just not seal the system correctly?
I feel very lucky this did not happen a week earlier and 1400 miles from home. Add the mostly flat rear tire and I limped home about 20 miles in traffic and heat. NOT a fun day but still fortunate I did not need a tow.
Since November I have put about 7000 miles on the bike and last week had what I thought was an over heated clutch issue. I was able to limp home and since it was going to a mechanic for new tires anyway I had him flush the hydraulic clutch in addition to a few other things. This new to me mechanic was highly recommended by a few friends. I got the bike back today and mechanic said the hydraulic fluid was dirtier than he had ever seen before. His thought was maybe HD did not do the recall and said they did. I won't name the HD dealer because I really don't know if that was the case. I had decided not to go back to them anyway after paying what amounted to a $600 oil change. I believe car dealerships have "said" service was done but did not actually do it. I suspected Honda did that to my wife's car many years ago. Supposedly rotated tires but the same rim was in the same location, front right. I hadn't noticed that for 2 weeks and let it go. Now i'm wondering did they not do the recall or just not seal the system correctly? I feel very lucky this did not happen a week earlier and 1400 miles from home. Add the mostly flat rear tire and I limped home about 20 miles in traffic and heat. NOT a fun day but still fortunate I did not need a tow.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,096
Likes: 12,640
From: South Carolina
I doubt any shop would play games with a recall.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 217
From: Puyallup Wa.
I am not saying they did or did not do the work.
I am relating my experience with that clutch recall on a 14 Street Glide.
I barely got home from the dealer the clutch was acting up after I picked up bike from recall. They definitely messed with it I could see finger prints clutch Reservoir cover was put on the gasket was squished out. Fluid look like it had little pieces of debris in it. I re bleed the clutch myself everything was okay for a couple of months. Clutch started acting up again. I took it to a different shop and paid to have the clutch flushed out. The clutch was all good for a few months. Then started acting up again. I know this is long-winded and you can believe it or not but... I started searching all over the Internet try to figure out everything I can about that hydraulic clutch. I came across a thread in my search and the guy said that he probably flushed his clutch out a half a dozen times to get debris and dirty stuff out of it. I went out and I bled that clutch again and bled it over and over and over to flush it out. Finally look like no more little debris and clean I buttoned everything up. I have had zero problems with that clutch ever since. The bike is a 2014 and that has been years ago. Yes I maintaine every two years putting new fluid in but I have had no problems since repeatedly flushing that clutch fluid out many times.
I am relating my experience with that clutch recall on a 14 Street Glide.
I barely got home from the dealer the clutch was acting up after I picked up bike from recall. They definitely messed with it I could see finger prints clutch Reservoir cover was put on the gasket was squished out. Fluid look like it had little pieces of debris in it. I re bleed the clutch myself everything was okay for a couple of months. Clutch started acting up again. I took it to a different shop and paid to have the clutch flushed out. The clutch was all good for a few months. Then started acting up again. I know this is long-winded and you can believe it or not but... I started searching all over the Internet try to figure out everything I can about that hydraulic clutch. I came across a thread in my search and the guy said that he probably flushed his clutch out a half a dozen times to get debris and dirty stuff out of it. I went out and I bled that clutch again and bled it over and over and over to flush it out. Finally look like no more little debris and clean I buttoned everything up. I have had zero problems with that clutch ever since. The bike is a 2014 and that has been years ago. Yes I maintaine every two years putting new fluid in but I have had no problems since repeatedly flushing that clutch fluid out many times.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 367
Likes: 351
From: Long Island NY
I am not saying they did or did not do the work.
I am relating my experience with that clutch recall on a 14 Street Glide.
I barely got home from the dealer the clutch was acting up after I picked up bike from recall. They definitely messed with it I could see finger prints clutch Reservoir cover was put on the gasket was squished out. Fluid look like it had little pieces of debris in it. I re bleed the clutch myself everything was okay for a couple of months. Clutch started acting up again. I took it to a different shop and paid to have the clutch flushed out. The clutch was all good for a few months. Then started acting up again. I know this is long-winded and you can believe it or not but... I started searching all over the Internet try to figure out everything I can about that hydraulic clutch. I came across a thread in my search and the guy said that he probably flushed his clutch out a half a dozen times to get debris and dirty stuff out of it. I went out and I bled that clutch again and bled it over and over and over to flush it out. Finally look like no more little debris and clean I buttoned everything up. I have had zero problems with that clutch ever since. The bike is a 2014 and that has been years ago. Yes I maintaine every two years putting new fluid in but I have had no problems since repeatedly flushing that clutch fluid out many times.
I am relating my experience with that clutch recall on a 14 Street Glide.
I barely got home from the dealer the clutch was acting up after I picked up bike from recall. They definitely messed with it I could see finger prints clutch Reservoir cover was put on the gasket was squished out. Fluid look like it had little pieces of debris in it. I re bleed the clutch myself everything was okay for a couple of months. Clutch started acting up again. I took it to a different shop and paid to have the clutch flushed out. The clutch was all good for a few months. Then started acting up again. I know this is long-winded and you can believe it or not but... I started searching all over the Internet try to figure out everything I can about that hydraulic clutch. I came across a thread in my search and the guy said that he probably flushed his clutch out a half a dozen times to get debris and dirty stuff out of it. I went out and I bled that clutch again and bled it over and over and over to flush it out. Finally look like no more little debris and clean I buttoned everything up. I have had zero problems with that clutch ever since. The bike is a 2014 and that has been years ago. Yes I maintaine every two years putting new fluid in but I have had no problems since repeatedly flushing that clutch fluid out many times.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,453
Likes: 2,839
From: Oklahoma
I have the cable clutch and have no problem doing the 5000 mile check and adjustment inside the derby cover. Many with the hydraulic clutch are happy that the periodic clutch adjustment is not needed. Now I am curious about the relative ease of periodically bleeding (changing the fluid) in the hydraulic system vs the derby cover adjustment. Does the right side chrome transmission cover need to be removed and the exhaust system loosened and shifted to do that? Since the derby cover needs to be removed to change the primary lube, doesn't the hydraulic clutch require more labor intensive maintenance than the cable clutch?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 217
From: Puyallup Wa.
Exhaust needs to be at least loosen. PIA.
I recall selling point. less maintenance then that went to oh by the way change fluid at least every couple years..
when "hot" I think it feels different shifting to. I mean the kind of hot running Highway at 80 90° degrees outside. It's taking me a hand for you to like the hydraulic clutch I think I just like whatever I get used to eventually. I think if you had a choice it would be an easy choice to pick a cable.
I recall selling point. less maintenance then that went to oh by the way change fluid at least every couple years..
when "hot" I think it feels different shifting to. I mean the kind of hot running Highway at 80 90° degrees outside. It's taking me a hand for you to like the hydraulic clutch I think I just like whatever I get used to eventually. I think if you had a choice it would be an easy choice to pick a cable.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 367
Likes: 351
From: Long Island NY
Yes I second that. (cable clutch) I have put about 9500 miles on this ride since I purchased it in September. At times I STILL screw up the shift because the hydraulic clutch engages further out and I'm racing the engine waiting for it to catch 
Years of cable clutch habits will take a little longer for me to break.
Having said that I do like the hydraulic but , if I had a choice would go back to cable. I LOVE this bike and it's not a good enough reason for me to spend 30k on a new bike...........yet.
Years of cable clutch habits will take a little longer for me to break. Having said that I do like the hydraulic but , if I had a choice would go back to cable. I LOVE this bike and it's not a good enough reason for me to spend 30k on a new bike...........yet.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 217
From: Puyallup Wa.
I bought the highest temperature rated fluid at autozone said racing on it had to be good? Ha ha last time I did clutch. Few months ago I noticed the Harley premium brake fluid is higher rated than what I got at autozone. I'm getting ready to put new cams in mine and going to use the Harley premium stuff while I have exhaust off. I have been thinking long and hard what I could do with that cover so I didn't have to mess with the exhaust to get to the bleeder for the clutch. As of right now I do not have a solid idea.
