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It is my understanding (from talking to multiple dealers) that the only way that HD will warranty any SE stuff is when it came on the bike from the factory. Aside from that, it's up to the dealer. HD claims that putting Honda air in your tires will most likely make them explode and don't even think about using gear oil in your gearbox!
LMFAO!
see I was told quite the opposite. I was told that if you want the factory warranty to cover the SE stuff it has to be installed by a HD tech at a HD dealer and there would not be a problem.
Superrockerc, call any dealer and tell them that last year you had a SE big bore stage 1 put on your bike at a different dealer 500 miles away and, after only 3000 miles, it is making some serious noise in the top end. They will tell you to bring it in and it will not be covered under warranty. Give it a try, prove me wrong. I wish I was wrong on this one, but this does seem to be the case.
OK, I called 3 different dealers on the west coast to check my theory. 1 said flat out no, you have to take it to the dealer that did the work. 2 said that if the dealer installed the parts (SE parts only, no aftermarket) on your new bike AND included this installation on your SWR (Service Warranty Receipt) with your bikes VIN then it SHOULD be covered nationally. The warranty period (on 05 and newer bikes) is 2 years. The extended warranty (optional) will only cover the SE parts and install if it is specifically listed on the extended warranty as well. All of this must be entered into HD's computer system in order for other dealers to access this information.
In a nutshell, I am correcting myself. Basically, if you are vigilant in making sure that all the i's are dotted and the t's crossed you should be able to have a warranty on your new dealer modified bike. Just remember, the dealers are famous for trying to avoid warranty pay outs on almost anything. Granted, not all dealers are created equal. Bruce Rossmeyer's Destination Daytona is nothing short of a friggin' racket when it comes to this stuff.
Read the fine print, you have 90 days after you purchase your bike to have a dealer install "genuine HD parts and accessories", and they will be covered under your two year warranty. Simple as that. Must be the street legal versions though. No Race Tuners, that can void the whole thing. Dealers saying it won't be covered are trying to cover their asses. Any street legal HD parts installed by a dealer within 90 days of purchase are like they came with the bike.
That said... the HD bump ups are worthless... they don't make your engine any more efficient, stock your making about 2/3 a hp per cubic inch... you use HD stuff, it's pretty much the same story, only larger... go with a GMR 107" kit, or some other matched kit, that will get you where you want to be. If the warranty is really that important to you, wait 'till it's out. Buying SE stuff is a total waste of money, and what you'll really be paying for is the warranty that came with the bike all over again, because that's the only reason to go with SE...
I also second that "Screamin eagle" big bore kits are worthless. The tolerances on their parts is a crock. I run basically a square 97" Millenium cylinder kit(4" stroke and 3.938" bore), which gets rid of the old fashoined iron lined cylinders and uses an all aluminum casting with a nikasil lining, which allows for tighter tolerances due to all the parts expanding and contracting more evenly throughout the operating temp. range. And the engine itself is more efficient at keeping temps lower as well. But to keep it short, I have yet to run across a stroked "big bore" factory/dealer installed SE setup even come close to my setup in terms of BOTH power and RELIABILITY.
Sooo true! You go to HD and order your "BIG BORE KIT" (at whatever stage of upgrade) and when you get the parts, it's not a kit at all by my definition. It is a whole bunch of pieces thrown in a box. I have heard about radical differences in the front and rear cylinder bore sizes that will only be compounded with the heat of the engine. The pistons are not a matched set with the cylinders and I can't find anyone credible that has anything negative to say about the set-up you are running. As a matter of fact, when cash allows, I plan on upgrading my 96" with that set-up.
Sooo true! You go to HD and order your "BIG BORE KIT" (at whatever stage of upgrade) and when you get the parts, it's not a kit at all by my definition. It is a whole bunch of pieces thrown in a box. I have heard about radical differences in the front and rear cylinder bore sizes that will only be compounded with the heat of the engine. The pistons are not a matched set with the cylinders and I can't find anyone credible that has anything negative to say about the set-up you are running. As a matter of fact, when cash allows, I plan on upgrading my 96" with that set-up.
Do yourself a bigger favor then if cash really allows for it. DUMP the 4 3/8" crank and grab a shorter 4" crank. Reduces piston speed and side loading forces on the cylinder walls. Then fit a set of 3.938" millenium bore cylinders or if money allows, grab some Axtell or Millenium 4.125" or 4.25" cylinders and bore out your case. Having an "oversquare" engine significantly increases reliability and reduces vibration on the engine. You pick up mad horsepower with added reliability in one shot.
I blew all my money making the bike look good so now I am saving to make her go fast... maybe my christmas present. I was leaning towards the 103 but I went Big already so I have to go Big 110 on the engine...
I blew all my money making the bike look good so now I am saving to make her go fast... maybe my christmas present. I was leaning towards the 103 but I went Big already so I have to go Big 110 on the engine...
DH
...that will just make it bigger... if you really want to go fast (for a Harley) try forced induction, there are a number of decent super and turbo chargers out there. Just adding cubes doesn't do much, if you're not making at least 1hp per cubic inch you're really just adding more to lug around, performance benefits are minimal... I'm making just over 2hp per cubic inch and couldn't be happier (that's not true... it's never enough)
Last edited by Herr Monk; Aug 22, 2008 at 12:13 PM.
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