I have a situation that I just wanted to get some others input on. I will try to sum this up the best I can. I traded in my softail to a dealer in Michigan last year, That is another story all together. I decided to go with a street glide. The dealer had made a bunch of broken promises on getting one as soon as they could. This being after they tried charging me over $4000 over MSRP. Them stated "covid pricing". Among the many excuses finally towards the end of August it came in. I was told that they had located one at one of their dealers on the east coast. So I picked up the bike and started doing upgrades on it. I live in Ohio and our winters suck so I put it up for storage a little early to have some engine work done before the 60 day mark.

I had them put the new stage 4 kit in it. I had them add the smart tuner among a list of other items. I had this work performed at a dealer in Ohio closer to me where I have all my service work done. They are awesome and have no complaints at all with them. So they perform all the engine work and other add-ons to it and I receive a phone call one day. I was told they ran into an issue putting the tune in the ecm. They had to get Harley Tech support involved and found out this is a Cal bike. I was extremely upset with this to say the least. So I had to send in my registration to show that I am not a California resident. Harley was able to release a tune for it. I am not able to run the smart tuner or apply maps like if this was a 49 state compliant bike. Even though the kit was a 49 state kit. So I called the selling dealer and explained to them what was going on. Their first instinct was to get more money from my to trade the bike in. LOL. Then they said they had no way of knowing it was a California bike and the bike came from the east coast. So today I would from the VIR that the unit was ordered as a Cal bike and direct shipped from Harley to the selling dealers location and was ordered 4 weeks after I told them I wanted it. So obviously there have been nothing but lies from that dealer.

I have spoke with Harley corp with customer care and a few other departments. There is really nothing more they can do at this point. I get that part. However now I am limited on what all I can do to this bike. I know all about the aftermarket options that I am sure will take place.

My question is, Has anyone experienced this before and if so what all avenues did you pursue for any type of remedy or ramifications? I can not blame Harley for any of this as they only make the bikes to how they are ordered, and I have no issues with my service dealer as there is only so much they can do in regards to emissions. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

I’m a carb guy and may be way off base with this question, but can you swap out the ECM for a 49 state one? I have no idea what an ECM costs but it could be a solution. Best of luck

 

 

I thought the only difference was the goofy charcoal canister for the CA bikes? Seems that the ECM wouldn't know whether it was in California or Kansas. Maybe it has to do with the fact that you used HD parts & tuner?

 

Ops post edited by uklauren?

 

Lawyer

 

As this is your first post, welcome to the forum. Ride the bike and enjoy!

 

A Michigan dealer sold you a "California bike" without your knowledge. The fact that it's a CA bike detracts from your enjoyment of the bike and makes it worth less money in the midwest market. Tell the selling dealer to make it right or you'll lawyer-up and see them in court. If that fails, sell the bike and be done with Harley Davidson forever.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Your only recourse is to go after HD with lawyers at this point. You did not special order a CA bike so they sold you something you did not order and they and their dealership are on the hook for it. Tell them you want a full refund plus expenses or a new replacement bike at the same price. Other than that you're screwed as the VIN is the issue as it's stored in the ECM, BCM , Instruments and EHCU. They must match or your going to get error codes.