Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Here's one for you...! ARGH!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 8, 2007 | 11:52 PM
  #1  
tphillips's Avatar
tphillips
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 32
From: Houston, Texas
Default Here's one for you...! ARGH!

Had my bike at the dealer (not the one I usually frequent) to have my new touring handlebars put on. One of the cables to be replaced was the clutch cable. In doing that replacement, the tech lost some of the tranny fluid. (I run Red Line -- not Syn3.) He noticed that it wasn't what the shop used, inquired about it, had me pick up a replacement bottle of Red Line, and he was going to top it off. I gave it to him on my way by the shop, and he was going to top off the tranny the next morning.

However, another tech picks up the work order, sees the bottle of Red Line, and assumes that it is to replace the fluid in the primary (what the #$%^????). So he drains the fluid from my primary, puts in Red Line (NOT the proper application), and then I get a call that my bike is ready to come pick up. (Now all of this is revealed to me AFTER I pick up the bike, ride it for about 80 miles, and then call the dealer to remind them I want the rest of my Red Line fluid the next time I'm in the shop.) "What, rest of the fluid?" the tech says... "I put it all in the primary."

WHAT??? Imbocile..... Whatever gave him the idea that it should be changed is beyond me........

Now I'm heading back in there to have them drain the primary, put in Syn3, and top off the tranny with the Red Line as originally intended.

Sooo, here is the question: What is the chance of any permanent harm done to the clutch plates and primary components? The Red Line is a lot slicker than the Syn3 and meant more for gears... I'm thinking I walk in with a pre-typed page recounting what was done by the dealer, have the service manager sign it -- then hope I never need it for a primary/tranny/etc... replacement battle.

Thoughts on this?
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2007 | 01:39 AM
  #2  
GlennsGlide's Avatar
GlennsGlide
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Here's one for you...! ARGH!

HD is suppose to be the best motorcyle in the world ( that statement in it self is drawing a long bow ) but even if they are the best motorcycle in the world they certainly are not maintained by the best mechanics in the world.
My advice for what is worth is to document including dates, discussions and mistakes made and if posible get something signed. And also notify in writing to the MoCo what has transpired . ( send it by fax, email or registed post ).

I truly hope that no damage has been and Good Luck.
GlennsGlide
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2007 | 06:04 AM
  #3  
kurtlange's Avatar
kurtlange
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: west of the big lake
Default RE: Here's one for you...! ARGH!

ORIGINAL: tphillips


Now I'm heading back in there to have them drain the primary, put in Syn3, and top off the tranny with the Red Line as originally intended.
why??

if they can't do it right the first time, why trust them to fix it...
do it yourself.
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2007 | 06:52 AM
  #4  
kdietz's Avatar
kdietz
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Default RE: Here's one for you...! ARGH!

Probably no harm done, but the only way to get the Redline out of there is a complete disassembly and bath....don't let them just try to drain it out and then put in primary fluid

Redline Shockproof can only be totally removed in a solvent tub


 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2007 | 01:49 PM
  #5  
mrsr71's Avatar
mrsr71
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,661
Likes: 1
From: Santa Clarita
Default RE: Here's one for you...! ARGH!

I'd be calling my lawyer [sm=joke.gif]
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2007 | 05:45 PM
  #6  
Longtimegone's Avatar
Longtimegone
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
From: Citizen of the Republic of Texas, now in GA
Default RE: Here's one for you...! ARGH!

You shouldn't worry so much. The only problem you may have is some clutch slippage. After you change the fluid to a less slippery fluid, whether it is syn3 or redline mtl or hd formula+, the fluids will mix and any slippage will not stick around for long. I might suggest you go with redline mtl or the HD formula+ instead of the syn3.
 
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2007 | 05:55 PM
  #7  
ndotken's Avatar
ndotken
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Here's one for you...! ARGH!

I think the phrase "Justifiable Homicide" applies here.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bikerlaw
Dyna Glide Models
102
Aug 22, 2024 06:45 PM
m1369x
General Topics/Tech Tips
5
Feb 25, 2019 08:33 AM
big- mike
General Harley Davidson Chat
4
May 3, 2017 04:35 AM
Fusionfool
Tri Glide, RG3 & Freewheeler Models
5
Aug 1, 2014 02:50 AM
tphillips
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
10
Aug 26, 2007 08:17 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:22 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE