HD quality in question here....
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: Western KY
HD quality in question here....
Didn't want to hijack Ioncat14's thread, so I posted a new thread...sort of...
Well... my starter kicks in on its own at any given time, my brakes now make a weird noise that I never heard before, and if i am in 3,4,5,6 gear and crank on the throttle a weird *** noise comes from the primary housing it sounds like, but sounds serious as hell.
I can crank it and wind it in 1st or 2nd and it doesnt seem to do it. After that, its only if i twist that throttle pretty good while im at a higher speed.
The closest I can describe the sound is either banging on a long steel cable/wire sound, or the sound of two thin swords hitting together.
I got 6k on the bike total, with 3k coming from the last 36 days or so.
along with all that, i read the other's problems on here and I'm really beginning to think about the quality of HD.
I know all mechanical items have issues, but jeese...when it's as expensive as HD is, it hurts.
I don't even know where to begin about the sound coming from my primary. It's the weirdest sound i've heard from an engine.
I've ordered a manual from Zanotti's before I tear into it, just to be safe. I think I can do it without a manual, but want the torque specs. The manual is backordered, but I won't need it before 2 weeks as I am out of town next week.
As I said in an earlier post, I average about 80 miles a day, and my bike being down hurts....
Goddess Juice withdrawls are not a laughing matter either ..
.... makes me all kooky
Glyd, don't let your faith go. We're talking about a 10 year old bike, first year of the Twin Cam. And we don't know the maintenance record. Early Twin Cams did have problems with premature cam chain tensioner wear which could lead to oil pump failure among much worse things.
All mechanical devices will fail and/or need repair. Harleys of today are just as reliable and face the same problems as any other vehicle on the road.
All mechanical devices will fail and/or need repair. Harleys of today are just as reliable and face the same problems as any other vehicle on the road.
I can crank it and wind it in 1st or 2nd and it doesnt seem to do it. After that, its only if i twist that throttle pretty good while im at a higher speed.
The closest I can describe the sound is either banging on a long steel cable/wire sound, or the sound of two thin swords hitting together.
I got 6k on the bike total, with 3k coming from the last 36 days or so.
along with all that, i read the other's problems on here and I'm really beginning to think about the quality of HD.
I know all mechanical items have issues, but jeese...when it's as expensive as HD is, it hurts.
I don't even know where to begin about the sound coming from my primary. It's the weirdest sound i've heard from an engine.
I've ordered a manual from Zanotti's before I tear into it, just to be safe. I think I can do it without a manual, but want the torque specs. The manual is backordered, but I won't need it before 2 weeks as I am out of town next week.
As I said in an earlier post, I average about 80 miles a day, and my bike being down hurts....
Goddess Juice withdrawls are not a laughing matter either ..
.... makes me all kooky
Last edited by Glydiator; Jul 16, 2009 at 11:24 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 640
Likes: 44
From: Mancheser UK
First get it checked out, just in case, The new Harleys are renound for being more 'agricultural' and with the engine exposed your bound to hear more noise. You get tuned to your bike over time and miles, any real issues will soon beome apparent due to unfarmiliar sounds. My bike makes a wa,wa noise when slowing down, My old 77 Triumph does the same with a rebuilt gearbox. The Harley's always done it, its been cecked and there are no problems. That's the thing about Harley's their querky and individual, thats why we love them. I do about 200 -300 miles a trip, If I go to work on her its 60 miles ,she's never let me down yet despite all the odd sounds.........Dont worry just enjoy the ride, looks like you get good weather where you are, make the most of it (envy)
Reddog
Manchester UK
Reddog
Manchester UK
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 918
Likes: 3
From: England
I've had a lot of problems with my Fat Bob that I wouldn't expect from a bike costing so much. Fuel tank leaks, forks rattling and clunking due to loss of preload, lots of rust, poor finish and lots of other problems. Today I had to take it back to the dealer under warranty because some of the wiring burned out. It's only done 4500 miles.
This is my first Harley and I'm seriously thinking of getting rid of it once the warranty finishes because it's going to cost me a fortune to keep repairing it.
I'm not surprised the build quality is so poor because most of the parts appear to be made in China. I bought a 'Made in America' badge from the dealer and on the packet it said 'Made in China'.
I'm thinking of buying a Chinese bike next. That way I'll save some money by cutting out the middle man.
This is my first Harley and I'm seriously thinking of getting rid of it once the warranty finishes because it's going to cost me a fortune to keep repairing it.
I'm not surprised the build quality is so poor because most of the parts appear to be made in China. I bought a 'Made in America' badge from the dealer and on the packet it said 'Made in China'.
I'm thinking of buying a Chinese bike next. That way I'll save some money by cutting out the middle man.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Why would you equate hearing all kinds of problems on a forum with serious quality issues throughout the product line? It's a known fact that complaints are aired much more frequently than good news. People come here when they have a problem or want to offer help to someone else, of course you would get a skewed opinion if this is all you read.
If you only have 6k on your bike, get it in for warranty.
Only problems I have had (knock on wood) was with the spoke wheels and I replaced them and no more problems. Only other issues I have had have been due to my own doing.
If you only have 6k on your bike, get it in for warranty.
Only problems I have had (knock on wood) was with the spoke wheels and I replaced them and no more problems. Only other issues I have had have been due to my own doing.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
i have a 09' FXDC and i have the same noise when i "get in the throttle" in every gear. mine has 3300 miles. but i agree with reddog it still keeps going.
talking about quality i work at an autoplant. ive seen a lot of crap roll off the line. most "car" companies only care about numbers rolling out the door and how cheap it can be made, what can be made out of plastic instead of metal, how thin can it be made to save on plastic etc.
i'm amazed at how many parts on my harley are made out of metal compared to jap bikes i've owned over the years.
another thing is the stock paint on harleys, they dont have whats known as the orange peel effect. which takes more time before the bike can be produced, which means it cost more to make.
i know on mine there was alot of attention paid to the little details.
talking about quality i work at an autoplant. ive seen a lot of crap roll off the line. most "car" companies only care about numbers rolling out the door and how cheap it can be made, what can be made out of plastic instead of metal, how thin can it be made to save on plastic etc.
i'm amazed at how many parts on my harley are made out of metal compared to jap bikes i've owned over the years.
another thing is the stock paint on harleys, they dont have whats known as the orange peel effect. which takes more time before the bike can be produced, which means it cost more to make.
i know on mine there was alot of attention paid to the little details.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 2
From: Southwest OHIO
nothing mechanical is free of problems... if you have issues when you roll on the throttle, im wondering if its not because your in too low of a gear to be rolling on it (******* it). you will notice a big difference if you in the correct gear and roll hard on the throttle versus too low of a gear... kinda hard to tell without a tach, but you could be ******* it. without hearing the bike myself thats my first thought what it could be. its also hard to pinpoint exactly where a sound it coming from b/c the whole motor, trans, etc are under you...
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: Western KY
I've heard the knockin/luggin sounds that it makes when I'm in too low of a gear...it's WAY different than any of that.
Is it possible for these clutches to make sounds without feeling any slipping?
As far as i know the clutches have never been adjusted, unless it was done at the 1k service.
I bought the bike with 3k on it, and it never made these sounds til recently.
There is no warranty left on this bike.
Personally I love this bike and don't want to get rid of it, but if things keep going wrong....I won't buy another Harley.
I mean ****... electrical, engine, brakes... wtf.
If it was trivial stuff like rust or decals or paint peeling it would be different.
But i just keep seeing and reading all the issues everyone is having....
I paid more money for a harley... not for the name, but for the bike. I should get a good quality product... not just a name.
I wanna ride not sweat in my garage and spend more and more money.
sorry to be a fuddy dud, but i'm pissed right now.
I can't ride without being afraid the brakes are gonna fail or the engines gonna lock up doing 70....
and that would certainly interfere with the partaking of Goddess Juice....
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
Am I missing something here? You only have 6k miles, it is under warranty, take it to the dealer and let them fix the issues... What am I missing? Free repair or sweating in the garage, seems simple to me.
I doubt anyone will be able to help you without actually hearing the problem, but why would you not just take it to the dealer instead on complaining here?
I doubt anyone will be able to help you without actually hearing the problem, but why would you not just take it to the dealer instead on complaining here?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 4
From: Eastern NE
My 07 has been out of warranty since last December. Fortunately, I haven't had "all the issues everyone has" according to Glydiator. I haven't even met a rider with all those issues yet.