Problems with my Sportster.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 67
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From: Leesburg FL
Problems with my Sportster.
As some of you may remember about a month ago I was talking about buying a Superlow or Iron 2011 model, and then I found a 2005 Sportster for a good price from Gator Harley here in FL. I was told the only issue with the bike was the choke being broken, and they were cool about that and fixed it before I left. I don't know anything about bikes so its my fault for not going in there with more knowledge. Anyway I was told the bike was good to go with no problems at all. Well I'm in the military and one of the things my command asked me to do was to have a T-Clocks inspection done on my bike by someone qualified. So I took my bike to Gator Harley's service dept and they hit me with a list of stuff wrong with my bike.
Here is the list the tech there gave me.
Both tires 2/32, scalloped throttle & clutch cables need lube, handlebar switch wires routed incorrectly - wrong bars, pinched wires, too large service loop.
Basically my bike is there right now getting serviced and tires on it.
Plus they called me yesterday to let me know I also needed new brakes lol. I've put less than 300 miles on the bike.
Had I known it needed a service, tires or anything else I would have just put up the extra couple grand for a new bike. I talked to the sales manager and he told me that he checked the tires before I bought the bike and they were fine, and he says he is going to work with me on everything, but its putting a bad taste in my mouth about the place and makes me want to just get rid of the bike and buy one somewhere else. I'll keep everyone posted on how the dealership handles this. Without their help it's going to cost me at least 700 bucks just for the tires and service, who knows what I'll end up paying to get the bars and wiring, and service loop corrected.
Here is the list the tech there gave me.
Both tires 2/32, scalloped throttle & clutch cables need lube, handlebar switch wires routed incorrectly - wrong bars, pinched wires, too large service loop.
Basically my bike is there right now getting serviced and tires on it.
Plus they called me yesterday to let me know I also needed new brakes lol. I've put less than 300 miles on the bike.
Had I known it needed a service, tires or anything else I would have just put up the extra couple grand for a new bike. I talked to the sales manager and he told me that he checked the tires before I bought the bike and they were fine, and he says he is going to work with me on everything, but its putting a bad taste in my mouth about the place and makes me want to just get rid of the bike and buy one somewhere else. I'll keep everyone posted on how the dealership handles this. Without their help it's going to cost me at least 700 bucks just for the tires and service, who knows what I'll end up paying to get the bars and wiring, and service loop corrected.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 358
Likes: 6
From: Hometown Small Town Georgia
wrong bars? Gues that would be a matter of taste....If you are in the military, talk to someone on base..maybe your CO...because I feel they maybe giving it to you..and IM sure you told them you didnt know much about bikes....no worries I think a lot of people do that.....Anyway...have your CO talk to them, or maybe your CO can point you in the right direction....The Military doesnt like we people try to give it to anyone serving...
How do I know this...When my brother was serving he took his car to have serviced...and the prices kept going up..he told his CO, and they had some people check it out to see what the issue was...the garage told them there was a mistake...he got his car serviced....for the right price...not the overflated your tire are upside down price...
How do I know this...When my brother was serving he took his car to have serviced...and the prices kept going up..he told his CO, and they had some people check it out to see what the issue was...the garage told them there was a mistake...he got his car serviced....for the right price...not the overflated your tire are upside down price...
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Take a quick look online at the local Better Business Bureau site to see if similar complaints have been recorded. Selling and releasing a bike with tires like that is a safety hazard and they may be forced to do something about that.
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
How many Miles on the bike ??
7 to 10k miles,,,prolly needs a back tire,,
10 to 12k prolly needs Both,,,and brakes..
If the First owner was hard on the brakes they may need replacing at 7 to 10k
I'll be changing both tires by 10,000 miles no matter how much tread Is left.
An 08' bike has 07' tires.
IMO any tire over 4 years old needs to go no matter the tread condition.
End of this summer Mine are commin off.
FYI Get a HD factory service book,,,check clutch adjustment,,
Only do this exactly like the book says,,,
7 to 10k miles,,,prolly needs a back tire,,
10 to 12k prolly needs Both,,,and brakes..
If the First owner was hard on the brakes they may need replacing at 7 to 10k
I'll be changing both tires by 10,000 miles no matter how much tread Is left.
An 08' bike has 07' tires.
IMO any tire over 4 years old needs to go no matter the tread condition.
End of this summer Mine are commin off.
FYI Get a HD factory service book,,,check clutch adjustment,,
Only do this exactly like the book says,,,
Last edited by Osco; Feb 27, 2011 at 03:06 PM.
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
HD service book,,,,, $60
a few special tools $80...
I've done my $350 5k service myself for $140...
I will do my 10k service for free + parts..........
HD wanted $120 to service my forks and add a little preload.
Did It myself for $40 an that Included fluid and a very Large socket to help
me control spring pressure,,,was easy.
a few special tools $80...
I've done my $350 5k service myself for $140...
I will do my 10k service for free + parts..........
HD wanted $120 to service my forks and add a little preload.
Did It myself for $40 an that Included fluid and a very Large socket to help
me control spring pressure,,,was easy.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
Ive been in that same boat. Bought my bike used at the bginning of 2009. Its an 08. Everything was good to go. Came in a couple hundred later and theyre telling me I have a tear in my throttle cable and my tires are dangerously bald. Im sitting there looking at my bike and saying well, Im looking right at the damn tires and the tread is hardly worn. Im looking right at my throttle cables with METAL housing and it sure as hell dont look "torn." No damage on it whatsoever. I said yeah....Ill just be taking my bike back home now.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 274
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
I was able to get a hold of "Fix My Hog" DVD. Man are they straight forward and simple. They tell you what tools to use and walk you through step-by-step on how to do the services. Pretty simple actually.
Tires....yea I can see going to the dealer for that. Pretty much the other stuff you listed....you can do yourself with a little knowledge.
If you get the "Fix My Hog" videos and the manual, you be surprised.
Besides, if you've did the work, than you know what's been done to it. Stay on this website and you'll hear some of the horror stories. My horror story is with Abra Auto body and my truck. Won't be going there again.
~Joe
Tires....yea I can see going to the dealer for that. Pretty much the other stuff you listed....you can do yourself with a little knowledge.
If you get the "Fix My Hog" videos and the manual, you be surprised.
Besides, if you've did the work, than you know what's been done to it. Stay on this website and you'll hear some of the horror stories. My horror story is with Abra Auto body and my truck. Won't be going there again.
~Joe
Last edited by Bo Joe; Feb 27, 2011 at 10:23 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 67
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From: Leesburg FL
The thread was just too far gone I guess, I haven't got the bike yet, I was going to pick it up yesterday but I wanted to talked to the sales manager face to face but he wasn't in, so today I'm going to go talk to him and get the bike. I'm tempted to just get rid of it and get a 2011 Iron, its pretty frustrating.