M8 Engine
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,672
Likes: 11,459
From: State of Confusion
try this, send them a letter..add C/O Warranty Manager..President, heck pick an important name..explain your dilemma and how disappointed you are after spending ~$50,000 and don't have confidence in the prescribed resolution, etc....you could even put the URL of this thread in the letter for them to read if they are so inclined...worth a shot, nothing to lose
"If you have questions or concerns regarding the performance of your motorcycle or the application of the limited warranty described here, or are not satisfied with the service you are receiving from an authorized Harley-Davidson dealership, do the following:
Contact the selling and/or servicing dealership and speak to the sales and/or service manager.
If your concern cannot be addressed to your satisfaction by the dealership, contact the Harley-Davidson Customer Support Center by mailing your concern to the following address.
In the U.S., state warranty laws, often referred to as lemon laws, may provide you with certain rights not specifically mentioned here. To the extent allowed by your state, Harley-Davidson requests that you first send written notification of any defect or warranty non-conformity that you have experienced with your motorcycle to Harley-Davidson. Harley-Davidson appreciates the opportunity to investigate your concerns and restore your satisfaction in your motorcycle by making the necessary repairs consistent with the terms of Harley-Davidson's limited warranty. Harley-Davidson requests that you send your complaint to the Harley-Davidson Customer Support Center.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company Attention: Harley-Davidson Customer Support Center P.O. Box 653 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201"
"If you have questions or concerns regarding the performance of your motorcycle or the application of the limited warranty described here, or are not satisfied with the service you are receiving from an authorized Harley-Davidson dealership, do the following:
Contact the selling and/or servicing dealership and speak to the sales and/or service manager.
If your concern cannot be addressed to your satisfaction by the dealership, contact the Harley-Davidson Customer Support Center by mailing your concern to the following address.
In the U.S., state warranty laws, often referred to as lemon laws, may provide you with certain rights not specifically mentioned here. To the extent allowed by your state, Harley-Davidson requests that you first send written notification of any defect or warranty non-conformity that you have experienced with your motorcycle to Harley-Davidson. Harley-Davidson appreciates the opportunity to investigate your concerns and restore your satisfaction in your motorcycle by making the necessary repairs consistent with the terms of Harley-Davidson's limited warranty. Harley-Davidson requests that you send your complaint to the Harley-Davidson Customer Support Center.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company Attention: Harley-Davidson Customer Support Center P.O. Box 653 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201"
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 894
Likes: 224
From: Lynden, WA
I'd have them order a long block from HD, I wouldn't accept a rebuild because whatever the tech decides can be reused will be reused. Tell 'em you want a long block and a loaner bike. Sorry that happened to you, I'm a tech. and its a difficult job. Not defending the guy, sounds like he didn't test ride it, which he should of done. Such a small mistake like leaving a rag behind or a bolt out can cause thousands of dollars in damage. I would insist on a completely new long block if I were you though.
Last edited by Kyle Moore; Apr 14, 2018 at 11:33 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 716
From: Pennsyleffinvania
Very sorry for your misery. Everybody is different, no right or wrong, but I'll tell you what I'd be doing.
I would be negotiating the trade in of your new CVO on a bone stock non CVO model. No Stage 1-4 bs, no "upgrade" exhaust, intake, tune, nothing. 100% factory stock. I suspect that salesmanship and marketing played a part in you deciding on the S4 to begin with.
Are you going to lose some $$ on this deal? Yes! But like it or not, fair or unfair, you've already lost a big chunk of $$. Reliability, piece of mind, longevity, and potential legal fees, can all be equated to some amount of money.
I'd be sitting down with the owner, or sales manager, and hammering out a deal for a new bike, and put this nightmare behind you. 100% stock. And I'd have my "pissed" face on during the entire negotiations.
But that's just me, because I'd never trust a "repair", especially from this shop.
I would be negotiating the trade in of your new CVO on a bone stock non CVO model. No Stage 1-4 bs, no "upgrade" exhaust, intake, tune, nothing. 100% factory stock. I suspect that salesmanship and marketing played a part in you deciding on the S4 to begin with.
Are you going to lose some $$ on this deal? Yes! But like it or not, fair or unfair, you've already lost a big chunk of $$. Reliability, piece of mind, longevity, and potential legal fees, can all be equated to some amount of money.
I'd be sitting down with the owner, or sales manager, and hammering out a deal for a new bike, and put this nightmare behind you. 100% stock. And I'd have my "pissed" face on during the entire negotiations.
But that's just me, because I'd never trust a "repair", especially from this shop.
Very sorry for your misery. Everybody is different, no right or wrong, but I'll tell you what I'd be doing.
I would be negotiating the trade in of your new CVO on a bone stock non CVO model. No Stage 1-4 bs, no "upgrade" exhaust, intake, tune, nothing. 100% factory stock. I suspect that salesmanship and marketing played a part in you deciding on the S4 to begin with.
Are you going to lose some $$ on this deal? Yes! But like it or not, fair or unfair, you've already lost a big chunk of $$. Reliability, piece of mind, longevity, and potential legal fees, can all be equated to some amount of money.
I'd be sitting down with the owner, or sales manager, and hammering out a deal for a new bike, and put this nightmare behind you. 100% stock. And I'd have my "pissed" face on during the entire negotiations.
But that's just me, because I'd never trust a "repair", especially from this shop.
I would be negotiating the trade in of your new CVO on a bone stock non CVO model. No Stage 1-4 bs, no "upgrade" exhaust, intake, tune, nothing. 100% factory stock. I suspect that salesmanship and marketing played a part in you deciding on the S4 to begin with.
Are you going to lose some $$ on this deal? Yes! But like it or not, fair or unfair, you've already lost a big chunk of $$. Reliability, piece of mind, longevity, and potential legal fees, can all be equated to some amount of money.
I'd be sitting down with the owner, or sales manager, and hammering out a deal for a new bike, and put this nightmare behind you. 100% stock. And I'd have my "pissed" face on during the entire negotiations.
But that's just me, because I'd never trust a "repair", especially from this shop.
So dont do anything that is going to cost you money! Its their mistake, let them pay for it. You still have two years of warranty left, if it craters after this you will be able to take it to a different shop for repair. If you can get them to give you an extended warranty you will have seven years.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
Why should he trade down because of their mistake? Like I said before, youve already had them almost totally rebuild your motor so splitting the cases is the only thing that they didnt do. If you dont trust them to do it, tell them you want them to get another shop to do the work. Just remember people make mistakes and learn from them. I would insist on a new crank, you cant be sure some of the rag didnt work its way into the bearings, new oil pump, oil cooler, tank pan, and oil lines. If it was me I would insist that they use Cometics gaskets under the piston oil jets. The stock ones have a two sided tape on them that can deteriorate and cause the jets to leak which leads to sumping.
So dont do anything that is going to cost you money! Its their mistake, let them pay for it. You still have two years of warranty left, if it craters after this you will be able to take it to a different shop for repair. If you can get them to give you an extended warranty you will have seven years.
So dont do anything that is going to cost you money! Its their mistake, let them pay for it. You still have two years of warranty left, if it craters after this you will be able to take it to a different shop for repair. If you can get them to give you an extended warranty you will have seven years.
Good Times
I don't a court would side in your favor to get a new engine, not when they are offering the re-build. I would expect a court would give then the chance to fix it. I would take the rebuild and have them stand behind their work with an extended warranty. If they mess up the rebuild you'll know well before the warranty has expired. Of they bouggt you a new engine would you get a refund on the stage kit they installed or have then put it in?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 716
From: Pennsyleffinvania
Why should he trade down because of their mistake? Like I said before, youve already had them almost totally rebuild your motor so splitting the cases is the only thing that they didnt do. If you dont trust them to do it, tell them you want them to get another shop to do the work. Just remember people make mistakes and learn from them. I would insist on a new crank, you cant be sure some of the rag didnt work its way into the bearings, new oil pump, oil cooler, tank pan, and oil lines. If it was me I would insist that they use Cometics gaskets under the piston oil jets. The stock ones have a two sided tape on them that can deteriorate and cause the jets to leak which leads to sumping.
So dont do anything that is going to cost you money! Its their mistake, let them pay for it. You still have two years of warranty left, if it craters after this you will be able to take it to a different shop for repair. If you can get them to give you an extended warranty you will have seven years.
So dont do anything that is going to cost you money! Its their mistake, let them pay for it. You still have two years of warranty left, if it craters after this you will be able to take it to a different shop for repair. If you can get them to give you an extended warranty you will have seven years.
$toneCold, I agree with everything you are saying, and I wish I had your knowledge and skill, but I don't. Since I don't, I trust the competency of very few to cost effectively repair a substantially screwed engine. My lack of trust translates to having a machine that I don't feel I can rely on. Confidence in a bike is something that costs me a lot of money. If I don't have that confidence the bike is near worthless to me. Hence, I'm only expressing my feelings. If I had you as a neighbor, I'd be all in. On my own, I know in the long run, starting fresh might be the cheapest way to go.
But really, I would just let the dealer fix it. Like I said, if it doesnt stay together you can take it to a different dealer, then you could push for a new motor.