Tuner Beware!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,012
Likes: 11,013
From: San Diego, CA
after I built the bike, I sent it out and had it dyno tuned as I do with all my builds. A month later I brought it to my local dealer to have a new speedometer installed under warranty. As with any warranty work they had to plug it in to their computer and because of the after market tune, my power train warranty was voided and even more importantly, my Vin Number was flagged
(non-compliant).
Once this happens it can NOT be reversed.
Although this was an expensive lesson, I’m grateful it happened to my bike, not a customer.
Yeah, been common knowledge and discussed on every HD forum I visit ... over, and over, and over... since the introduction of the M8 and the EPA consent decree...
Sorry you had to learn such an expensive lesson, but I really don't know how you missed it....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3,421
Likes: 726
From: Tiffin,Oh
It’s not the damn warranty I’m worried about, hell, I through that out the window as soon as I get a new bike home. It’s a flagged vin number that ruined the bike. Once it’s flagged, it’s flagged, non compliant with the EPA. There will come a time when this motorcycle will not be able to be registered, especially here in California..
if your worried about your damn warranty, leave your bike stock!
Of the dozen bikes I’ve owned and built over the years, this was my FIRST experience in a HD service department. It won’t happen again!
if your worried about your damn warranty, leave your bike stock!
Of the dozen bikes I’ve owned and built over the years, this was my FIRST experience in a HD service department. It won’t happen again!
Perhaps you'd hafta sell it to an American nieghbor? I certainly hope your not a gun enthusiast also? Move!
Surprised , living there, ya didn't realize this would happen? Sux
Last edited by Superdog3:16; Nov 9, 2019 at 03:40 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 223
From: Northern California
Well, it’s my bad, I should have known better.
I was fully aware of the warranty issue, not flagging my Vin with the EPA.
I guess I better stay off my bike and spend more time on here.
I traded this bike in on a new Heritage and the dealer is sending this bike out to auction.
And screw Harley Davidson, I’m going to build this Heritage as I have every bike I’ve ever built.
My one mistake was bring that bike back to the dealer in the first place, I should have paid for the speedo and installed it myself. I even ordered the ****ing thing.
Lesson learned, water under the bridge.....
I was fully aware of the warranty issue, not flagging my Vin with the EPA.
I guess I better stay off my bike and spend more time on here.
I traded this bike in on a new Heritage and the dealer is sending this bike out to auction.
And screw Harley Davidson, I’m going to build this Heritage as I have every bike I’ve ever built.
My one mistake was bring that bike back to the dealer in the first place, I should have paid for the speedo and installed it myself. I even ordered the ****ing thing.
Lesson learned, water under the bridge.....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3,421
Likes: 726
From: Tiffin,Oh
Yep. Sux.. I'll be looking forward to your heritage. Didn't you have a Breakout too? That's what I got. I'd love to have that FB, super sharp. I really dig my fxbr, love to spend a bunch of money getting a tank counsel on it somehow though. That's where I dig the FB. I got a thread on here asking members to share any aftermarket for the new softies as they emerge. Not alot out there yet, unless ya wanna spend crazy money.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 779
Likes: 326
From: Simi Valley, CA
Well I hope that is not the case. I just had some work done on my 2017 Softail Slim. It has a V&H FP3 tuner plugged in. In fact, they moved it when they did some wiring.
I guess I'll find out soon when I try and register it. I'm in So Cal.
I always thought it was a warranty killer, I didn't think they were the EPA police. I don't think they have any duty to proactively report anything to the government.
I guess I'll find out soon when I try and register it. I'm in So Cal.
I always thought it was a warranty killer, I didn't think they were the EPA police. I don't think they have any duty to proactively report anything to the government.
Last edited by JakeC7R; Nov 9, 2019 at 09:02 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 826
From: Toronto Canada
Well I hope that is not the case. I just had some work done on my 2017 Softail Slim. It has a V&H FP3 tuner plugged in. In fact, they moved it when they did some wiring.
I guess I'll find out soon when I try and register it. I'm in So Cal.
I always thought it was a warranty killer, I didn't think they were the EPA police. I don't think they have any duty to proactively report anything to the government.
I guess I'll find out soon when I try and register it. I'm in So Cal.
I always thought it was a warranty killer, I didn't think they were the EPA police. I don't think they have any duty to proactively report anything to the government.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 779
Likes: 326
From: Simi Valley, CA
Thanks for that, no I thought it was a warranty issue and I am not interested in any warranty work. OK, well they didn't plug it in for any engine work, only adding accessories. A phone charger hardwired to battery. Obviously they saw the tuner. So hopefully no issue.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,460
Likes: 3,554
From: Idaho
Ok, as you now know, we all know this. 
However, to be clear, using the "outlaw" tuner does NOT void your entire warranty, it only voids the powertrain warranty. Here's the part where you may be confused: The powertrain warranty on your bike was voided because you used a tuner other than the SE Pro Street Tuner, not because your bike is not EPA compliant. It is absolutely possible for a good tech to use a different tuner module and keep the bike EPA compliant if that's what you tell him to do. And the cam isn't too hot, and you leave the cats in.
However, you did say something I've never heard before. Grew up riding in California, but I don't live there anymore. Are you sure that if the MoCo flags your VIN that you can't re-register it in California?
the DMV couldn't possibly know that your VIN is flagged in Milwaukee, because they don't have access to the MoCo's internal records.
Rather than losing your shorts at an auction, why don't you just put it on CycleTrader or the like, and sell it to a buyer in a different state? Assuming the California thing is correct, obviously.
Or do what any of us would do, and keep it and enjoy it.
However, to be clear, using the "outlaw" tuner does NOT void your entire warranty, it only voids the powertrain warranty. Here's the part where you may be confused: The powertrain warranty on your bike was voided because you used a tuner other than the SE Pro Street Tuner, not because your bike is not EPA compliant. It is absolutely possible for a good tech to use a different tuner module and keep the bike EPA compliant if that's what you tell him to do. And the cam isn't too hot, and you leave the cats in. However, you did say something I've never heard before. Grew up riding in California, but I don't live there anymore. Are you sure that if the MoCo flags your VIN that you can't re-register it in California?
the DMV couldn't possibly know that your VIN is flagged in Milwaukee, because they don't have access to the MoCo's internal records.
Rather than losing your shorts at an auction, why don't you just put it on CycleTrader or the like, and sell it to a buyer in a different state? Assuming the California thing is correct, obviously.
Or do what any of us would do, and keep it and enjoy it.
