Switchback Regret?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,279
Likes: 56
From: Union Bridge, MD
Agreed. If I was going to buy another Dyna, and I'm not planning to because I'm happy with mine, it would be an FLD.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 239
From: northeast
Still waiting for the black Nightstick to arrive at my dealer. Was told end of next week. Another week of no riding it. He also asked for a list of after market exhausts. After hearing so much about the noise level of the Vance and Hines I settled for the Samson Legend Street Slashers in black, assuming the Nightstick does not fix the vibration problem. Of course I am not sure how loud the Samson pipes are either, but I like the look.
It is frustrating that the GM of my dealer tried to pull the "all dyna's vibrate like that" BS on me and told me what I read on the internet is immaterial. Does that mean everything on the HD website is also incorrect?
Thank God the owner of the dealership does not feel the same way. He has promised me it will be fixed, whatever has to be done. I never really wanted a performance or noisier exhaust, but it may be the best choice in the end. I wish (and hope) the owner does not have to foot the entire bill for this if I need the Samson. How unfair is that! HD has lowered themselves several notches on my respect scale.
More updates when I get my try with the Nightstick.
It is frustrating that the GM of my dealer tried to pull the "all dyna's vibrate like that" BS on me and told me what I read on the internet is immaterial. Does that mean everything on the HD website is also incorrect?
Thank God the owner of the dealership does not feel the same way. He has promised me it will be fixed, whatever has to be done. I never really wanted a performance or noisier exhaust, but it may be the best choice in the end. I wish (and hope) the owner does not have to foot the entire bill for this if I need the Samson. How unfair is that! HD has lowered themselves several notches on my respect scale.
More updates when I get my try with the Nightstick.
don't understand another week of no riding, do they have the bike there??
if so go get it back and just don't ride in that RPM range 60 in 6th will work just fine and keep you under that annoying vibe range until they try the nightstick
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 309
Likes: 35
From: Columbus NJ
I purchased my used 2013 FLD with 1900 miles on it last month. I did notice a bit of excessive vibration, but not too much. I have owned 2 Fatbobs also and they were very smooth. I read up on the FLD prior to and since this purchase and focused on the vibe issue. when I inspected my new bike, I noticed that the bolt everyone replaces with the clevis is missing! Is this another fix for the problem? No bolt at all?? There is the mount at the end of the exhaust support bracket. Is that enough to safely hold the muffler in place?
I only got my 2012 FLD a couple weeks ago, traded in my 07 Low Rider for it. I do believe it's more nimble, I like the 103 a lot. I did the $5 vibration fix last night in just a couple minutes, I think we are going to get along just fine. Why I know it's mine, just like a pocket knife, the first night, I ran my finger along the rear jug rocker gasket (where the low rider leaked once) and cut my finger pretty good. Sealed the deal. LOL
Warm regards,
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 239
From: northeast
Hi, I have read this thread back and forth, and I wonder if you can share with me specifically, what the $5 fix is for stopping the vibration? I have a 2014 Street Bob. I did change the exhaust to Vance & Hines, but it vibrates quite a bit, so that my fingers go numb and I can not see clearly out of the mirrors. From the posts, I think I am beginning to understand that there is a fix? Can somebody let me in on the how-to?
Warm regards,
Warm regards,
the fix we have is for the FLD and im not sure it would work on your fat bob
did you have the TSB performed by your dealer?
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 309
Likes: 35
From: Columbus NJ
Would you be able to tell me the flange bolt specs for that mid muffler fastening point? I went to the dealer but the parts diagram and parts list only gives a part number, no dimensions. I want to ride this weekend so I should put something in there. Thanks
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 239
From: northeast
sorry I do not know that off of the top of my head either
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Total Frustration and Disappointment in HD and My Dealer
I have not posted for a few days in the hope that I would have some good, encouraging news. Not yet.
The Nightstick exhaust , as warned, did not fix my vibration. Shock, horror and surprise. Right.
The owner who gave me his word he would make this right is now back pedaling fast. What a surprise. Hardley-Davidson (not a misspelling) customer support blew me off when I tried to open a case because the dealer has reported three times that the vibration is gone and the bike presents normal. The tech is either incompetent or a liar, or both.
I took the bike to another dealer and discovered one of the master techs from my home dealer now works there. He rode the bike and came back reinforcing EVERYTHING I was claiming was wrong. Made me feel vindicated, but who knows how much weight this will hold with HD tech support.
So I am still in limbo on my 2 month old motorcycle. I was advised by someone who knows that I already have a rock solid case for a lemon law complaint. It was also implied that HD usually loses these claims. Don't know if that is true but I may be testing it if the new dealer has no more luck with HD tech support.
I know there are many on the forums who say pay the extra money for a new exhaust and enjoy the bike. If I were not retired and on a fixed income I might consider that option. Unfortunately I am a stubborn b--ch and I will not spend a penny more to fix a design problem on this motorcycle. My association with my home dealer is likely toast. It is probably also toast with HD if they fail to resolve the issue since I am also a Rider Coach for the Riding Academy. I despise hypocrites, and I can not and will not promote or support a company who kicks customers to the road when the products they buy have built in design issues. I would rather make them buy the f'ing thing back than pay to fix it.
More when and if I have something new.
The Nightstick exhaust , as warned, did not fix my vibration. Shock, horror and surprise. Right.
The owner who gave me his word he would make this right is now back pedaling fast. What a surprise. Hardley-Davidson (not a misspelling) customer support blew me off when I tried to open a case because the dealer has reported three times that the vibration is gone and the bike presents normal. The tech is either incompetent or a liar, or both.
I took the bike to another dealer and discovered one of the master techs from my home dealer now works there. He rode the bike and came back reinforcing EVERYTHING I was claiming was wrong. Made me feel vindicated, but who knows how much weight this will hold with HD tech support.
So I am still in limbo on my 2 month old motorcycle. I was advised by someone who knows that I already have a rock solid case for a lemon law complaint. It was also implied that HD usually loses these claims. Don't know if that is true but I may be testing it if the new dealer has no more luck with HD tech support.
I know there are many on the forums who say pay the extra money for a new exhaust and enjoy the bike. If I were not retired and on a fixed income I might consider that option. Unfortunately I am a stubborn b--ch and I will not spend a penny more to fix a design problem on this motorcycle. My association with my home dealer is likely toast. It is probably also toast with HD if they fail to resolve the issue since I am also a Rider Coach for the Riding Academy. I despise hypocrites, and I can not and will not promote or support a company who kicks customers to the road when the products they buy have built in design issues. I would rather make them buy the f'ing thing back than pay to fix it.
More when and if I have something new.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 239
From: northeast
I have not posted for a few days in the hope that I would have some good, encouraging news. Not yet.
The Nightstick exhaust , as warned, did not fix my vibration. Shock, horror and surprise. Right.
The owner who gave me his word he would make this right is now back pedaling fast. What a surprise. Hardley-Davidson (not a misspelling) customer support blew me off when I tried to open a case because the dealer has reported three times that the vibration is gone and the bike presents normal. The tech is either incompetent or a liar, or both.
I took the bike to another dealer and discovered one of the master techs from my home dealer now works there. He rode the bike and came back reinforcing EVERYTHING I was claiming was wrong. Made me feel vindicated, but who knows how much weight this will hold with HD tech support.
So I am still in limbo on my 2 month old motorcycle. I was advised by someone who knows that I already have a rock solid case for a lemon law complaint. It was also implied that HD usually loses these claims. Don't know if that is true but I may be testing it if the new dealer has no more luck with HD tech support.
I know there are many on the forums who say pay the extra money for a new exhaust and enjoy the bike. If I were not retired and on a fixed income I might consider that option. Unfortunately I am a stubborn b--ch and I will not spend a penny more to fix a design problem on this motorcycle. My association with my home dealer is likely toast. It is probably also toast with HD if they fail to resolve the issue since I am also a Rider Coach for the Riding Academy. I despise hypocrites, and I can not and will not promote or support a company who kicks customers to the road when the products they buy have built in design issues. I would rather make them buy the f'ing thing back than pay to fix it.
More when and if I have something new.
The Nightstick exhaust , as warned, did not fix my vibration. Shock, horror and surprise. Right.
The owner who gave me his word he would make this right is now back pedaling fast. What a surprise. Hardley-Davidson (not a misspelling) customer support blew me off when I tried to open a case because the dealer has reported three times that the vibration is gone and the bike presents normal. The tech is either incompetent or a liar, or both.
I took the bike to another dealer and discovered one of the master techs from my home dealer now works there. He rode the bike and came back reinforcing EVERYTHING I was claiming was wrong. Made me feel vindicated, but who knows how much weight this will hold with HD tech support.
So I am still in limbo on my 2 month old motorcycle. I was advised by someone who knows that I already have a rock solid case for a lemon law complaint. It was also implied that HD usually loses these claims. Don't know if that is true but I may be testing it if the new dealer has no more luck with HD tech support.
I know there are many on the forums who say pay the extra money for a new exhaust and enjoy the bike. If I were not retired and on a fixed income I might consider that option. Unfortunately I am a stubborn b--ch and I will not spend a penny more to fix a design problem on this motorcycle. My association with my home dealer is likely toast. It is probably also toast with HD if they fail to resolve the issue since I am also a Rider Coach for the Riding Academy. I despise hypocrites, and I can not and will not promote or support a company who kicks customers to the road when the products they buy have built in design issues. I would rather make them buy the f'ing thing back than pay to fix it.
More when and if I have something new.
that fact that you are rider coach for riding academy I wouldn't even bring up as personally that holds no water with me and I am sure many others are like minded.. in other words you can bad mouth the brand all you want but people are still going to buy what they want to buy and the bad mouthing may get you personally some complaints filed against you..
now that we have that out of the way..
file your lemon law case and do it as soon as possible, there is plenty of evidence not only here but all over the web that this bike vibrates excessively and WAY beyond so called " dyna normal ", i'm not sure what you will get BUT there was a guy on the owners board last year that ended up with a new softail.. he got back what he paid for the switchback plus he had to pony up the difference in price BUT he was happy
with that being said
some of us don't mind spending the money whether it is the $5 fix or $$$ for a full system ( most people swap out their pipes for one reason or another anyway) because the bike does so much more from the factory than anything else in their line up .. AND again as I pointed out earlier, your vibrations moved when you did clevis pin mod and this tells me that it wasn't right, it was too loose and when it is too loose the vibrations will move down in the RPM range instead of going away