Good Morning All. Just a heads up to check under your rear fender. I arrived at work early this morning after my 40 mile commute on my 06 FXDBI and while talking on the phone, I noticed what looked like a bicyle inner tube hanging from under the rear fender down to the brake caliper like a letter "U" about 12" long. WTF? Upon further inspection I found out that the harness under the fender had dropped and was getting chewed by the tire (fortunately the harness hadn't chewed through yet and ended up in the wheel). My turn signal wiring was sliced through on both sides - so I had no rear signals. Fortunately my brake light was still working or I would have been creamed for sure on HWY 441 with the way these a-holes love to tailgate. I called the local stealer whom I bought the bike from less than 3 months ago and explained the situation and was told matter of factly "bring it by and we'll take a look at it, don't know if it'll get done today". I remained calm and explained this appears to be a warranty issue and the bike was my only transport to get home. I hung up and went to rig the bike for the trip to the stealer. I popped out a fender plug ran a thin piece of antenna wire from my desk radio under the tube and throught the hole, pulled it tight so the tube was up against the top of the fender and not rubbing the tire and tied it off on the seat bracket, taped off my turn signals wires and off to the stealer I went with a co-worker following behind as my bumper guard. The stealer rep (not the one I talked to on the phone) that I talked to in service was equally non- chalant and said he would have to have the tech remove the fender to verify I hadn't done anything to the bike to make sure it was truly a warranty issue. He based this on his observation that I had removed the belt guard and relocated the license plate. He then advised me that it would cost me $66 labor if they didn't cover it under the warranty. I again stayed calm and let them know that I needed it by 5 fixed or not and left. This more than likely will be my last trip to the stealer. On my 1000 mile $300 1ST service they had called me that the bike was done and to come pick it up. Turns out it wasn't done and I had over an hour wait. Their response "sorry, wrong Dyna". When they changed the oil filter they didn't bother cleaning up the oil that poured out, so it was all over my frame. I'll let you know of the outcome. Sorry for the long rant. Check your harness. Zippo

[IMG]local://upfiles/8935/ACEA6F203AAA42A5B93A67F020B4E381.jpg[/IMG]

 

we had a long discussion on a topic on here a few threads back. It talked about shady *** mechanics. This episode just furthers my thoughts that most could care less and think that the damn customer is always trying to get over on the dealer when in reality the dealer never wants to give the benefit to the customer. ITS BS

 

Another reason I never ever purchase an extended warranty. You will have to jump through fire to get anything covered anyway so why purchase it.

Damn harley is gonna lose some of its customer base if this **** keeps up. I am hearing more and more stories like this all the time.

 

That is truly a shame. I guess it's time to find a personal mechanic or just do it yourself.

 

I am in the process of removing my fender right now so I will take a look at that tonight, Thanks for the heads up and sorry about your troubles! The majority of that rubber conduit is just stuck up there with double side tape I think and that can't be to secure with all the debris that gets thrown at it. Wondering if a piece of flat spring metal run between the side mount bolts and up against the top of the fender to keep that conduit and wires from dropping would be a good thing to add? I will know more tonight after i get it removed. THX mojo

 

I bought my '06 FXDCI from my local dealership (Liberty Harley Boston Heights, OH) about a month ago. When I picked it up to take it home the sales person told me that the scheduled maintanance (at least the first 1000 mile stuff) was free he also told me if I had any problems at all to call them and if they though there was a safety issue they would come and pick the bike up for free. I figured that was something that all dealers did, sounds like I was wrong. Keep in mind, I've only had my bike a month and because of travel for work and uncooperative weather I only have been able to put 300 miles on it, I have not yet had to call them on any issues or take them up on the free 1000 mile service...so I might be singing a different tune when that happens. That really sucks that your dealship treats you like that. These are fairly big ticket items and they should handle you the way a high end car dealership would handle you.

 

Sounds like they did.

 

Hey zippo, Just curious what the dealer ended up doing to fix the issue? Did they take the fender or tire off and add more weatherstrip cement? There is only one clip and that is just inside the fender close to the taillight otherwise the rubber conduit is just glued up there. I did add a piece of flat spring metal on mine between the two forward bolts since i had it off anyway to keep the wire put if the glue ever gives out like yours did. You could also add a support like this without removing the fender or tire and would only require loosening the two front bolts to slide it in place. If anyone else ever runs in to this problem i can send a pic of what i did if interested.
Anyway, I Hope you got yours taken care of and back on the road safely. THX mojo

 

Hey Mojo,

They had the bike ready for me Friday after work and told me "no charge". They gave me a receipt for $149 in labor and parts. I don't know if they pulled the wheel or not and have not had time to do an "indepth" inspection under the fender other than a quick glance to make sure the harness was up there where it should be. They did ask me if I had pulled the taillight off and I told them no(I hadn't). Hopefully sometime this week I'll get a closer look at what they did and what I need to do to make sure it doesn't drop again. I can't beleive they used glue to hold the harness on in the first place. If you don't mind, post a picture of your "fix". Thanks, Zippo

 

zippo201... You helped ALOT man... I went out and checked mine... because I relocated my turn sigs when I put my bags on... and figured my luck... it would happen to me... I'm good... Geeezzz... after lookin' at it.. sure is a crappy way to do it... I live in FL as well.. I hope the heat doesn't start tearing these things up.... THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP... Your lucky it didn't take you down...[sm=badbadbad.gif] Hmmmm... Couldn't be Leesburg area could it..??