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Tried to check the transmission fluid on my new 2019 Sport Glide and found a stripped bolt from the factory. Dealer (that I will never do business with again) said "sorry, stripped bolts are not a warranty item." Used a die grinder to get the cover off, bought a new cover. It had fine scratches that Harley refused to warranty so I buffed the scratches out myself. I thought Harley meant quality but not anytmore.
Every piece they sell ornmake has fine scratches. I detail on the side and have ocd. I have come to terms that my harley will always have micromarring. Sucks about the cover.
Your problem was your initial honesty. You went in and told them you were attempting to service your own bike, versus paying them top dollar to do it for you. Whether it was there or not they automatically heard you were doing your own work and stripped it in the process. A better approach would have been you were wiping your bike down for the day with your soft cloth towel and noticed a defective bolt. The image they now see is you with a towel versus wrenching.
If that don't work don't settle, right is right, fair is fair, you paid $20k+ that means something. Some dealers are complete jerk offs and typically have a known reputation, especially if it's your local dealer and you bought the bike off their competitor or something silly. I personally would have went to a different dealer for service. If that doesn't work then what you always have the option to go above their head and straight to the district or regional service manager for area, state, etc and explain the problem. You can also contact the 800 number on the website for customer relations etc and they will follow up with that dealer on your behalf.
While yes I can see them not covering stripped out bolts or whatever since likely many are the result of the owner, but on a new bike that's different story. At the end of the day though it's all how you present and sell your issue. Just rem they need you more than you need them. And most importantly, you have to do better due diligence in looking the bike over top to bottom before it even leaves the showroom floor, had you caught it then, they have no leg to stand on. Prob a young tech f'd up and didn't want to tell his boss he screwed up so he sent it to the floor like that hoping noone noticed. A person doesnt strip a bolt without knowing, 100% impossible.
Last edited by jersey_ape; Jun 20, 2019 at 10:36 AM.
So you joined the forum because you wanted to complain about something...
The reason the dealer would not warranty a stripped bolt is because the most common reason for damaged fasteners on a new bike is the owner buggered it up.
Judging from the job you did removing the cover, I would say your skills are somewhat limited, and it makes me very skeptical of your claim that the bolt was stripped at the factory.
A grinder is not the way to remove a stuck bolt...
Oh, by the way, welcome to the forum, looking forward to many useful and helpful posts from you in the future.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jun 20, 2019 at 11:04 AM.
Have you never heard about a drill ??? you can easily drill out a bolt. How does anyone get it in their head to use a grinder to then completely destroy the cover
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