Hi All,

Picked up a new Vivid Black 08' Street Glide, absolutly love the bike (more than words can tell). The first 1000 miles were like a dream, untill..... I got caught in traffic last weekend heading down to the Rock Hall (Cleveland 80-85degs) to see Ted Nugent. Been in traffic for about 5-10min max and the the overheating managment started to kick in. Keep in mind this is prior to the 1k service (approx 1050miles on the bike Sat - going in Thursday this week for service). Ok, no problem, only have half a block to go before Im moving and then parking. I have read enough on this problem to be aware of it but have had several harley's and other bikes in the past, never experienced it....and dont want to again :-) But here is when the real issue begins. I started to roll about 20 feet before coming to another stop, and the bike didn't!. The clutch would not disinguage (sp?). The Bike stared to Buck hard, Im practicly standing on the rear brake with the front brakes hard as well and the bike wanted to take off. I shut it off right away when I got it under control before running into someone or dropping it. This all happened within a 1min of the overheat managment system. The bike sat and cooled off untill the show was over, needless to say my mind was on the bike and not the good time everyone else was having. With the bike cool, everything was fine except the clutch lever would not spring back, only about 2/3rds of the way. Still the bike ran great for the 15min ride home. Took it in today, two days early hoping they might be able to get to it early before the weekend just incase something is f'ed up. I explained to the service advisor what had happened. I asked if anyone else has had this problem, he told me "Only under owner abuse". Needless to say, I didnt abuse anything. I let it go to see what will play out. I work in the Auto industry, in service and know how the game is played...more than most.

So, with my run on story stortened and told. I come to this forum for some piece of mind. Is the bike going to be ok? Is my clutch f'ed up or just way out of adjustment? What really happened?

Thanks,
MrCleanhead
(pics when I get the bike back)

 

Wow... Ill be watching this thread..please update after talking to service.

 

OK guys, picked up my bike today. First off the bike runs great and the clutch feels right, and I missed it teriibly since we are having great weather right now.

Now on to the dealer experience. First, no one called me to let me know the bike was done. I gave them a 3hr notice before I came to pick it up and it was buried in the back. So now Im assuming it was done yesterday since I dropped it off Tuesday for todays appointment. So as I waited for my bike I asked the service advisor what the tech though of my clutch/overheating problem, just replied "it was way out of adjustment". Not really satisfied with that answer and knowing Im not going to get anything more, I will take it to another dealer this weekend for a second opinion and inspection. So I pay my bill and head outside to wait for the bike. The porter comes out with the bike and parks it, gets off and quickly and heads back inside (10-15min before closing time). I tell him thanks and I notice the bike creaping forward off the kickstand....I drop my smoke and grab the bike just before the point of no return. I look back and there is no one to be seen. Come on now, can this experience get worse? Yes, looked at my hands once I got the bike up and the were oil'y. What the heck, the whole bike was covered in oil/grease. The mirrors, seat, bags, fairing, grips, everything. At this point I dont care anymore, I want to get on and leave. Grabed a rag of thier shelf, cleaned the mirrors, grips and seat and off I went.

I just spent 2hrs cleaning it, and I had oil dripping on my driveway from the oil change. Double checked that everything was tight and it seems ok.

I know I have read a lot about harley dealers and poor service, but this was insane. Harley hasnt lost a customer but this dealer has.

 

Sorry about your experience. One thing I have to ask is that you said the first 1000 miles were a dream then you had some problems.....did you have a 1k service prior to the problems? I know that one of the first things done with the fluids is a clutch adjustment because new cables will stretch. If the lever wasn't springing back to the end of the perch that is a tell tale sign that at the very least the adjustment at the cable adjuster is out of adjustment, if not at the basket too. Do some searches on the forum about how to cure the high idle issue, etc.

 

Who is the dealer - What city?

UD

 

Your clutch cable is junk!!!! They stretch all to hell......my 08 did the same thing and they adjusted all the play out of the cable untill there was not any left and then it did it again....(lever wouldnt go all the way out or disengage)..I replaced my cable with a harley braided and the problem is gone!!! Do yourself a favor and replace it now.....

 

That is what I want to know also.

Are you a west, east, or southsider? I am on the west-side in Fairview Park.

 

This sounds awfully familiar. I went thru the same nightmare on my last bike at the local HD dealer. From the details that you gave, I could practicly guarantee it is the same place. I have some issues with my 08 sg, 1001 miles today. I think I will skip the dealer and service it myself.

 

Holy Sh!>. If my bike had almost dropped before my eyes I might have lost my mind. What a joke dealership. Glad you got it back before more bad things happened.

 

Had a different issue with my 08 EGC. The chain sproket on one of the cams cracked and spun on the shaft. The rear injector stuck in the on position. Had 1123 miles on OD when this happened. Dealer kept the bike for 6+ wks. They replaced the piston,rings, cams, crank sensor, needle bearings and, many gasket & seals.

I was on the first leg of the first (& probably last) road trip with the wife on back. :-(


REALBOB