Broken Frame Letter
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 843
Likes: 4
From: Where ever I lay my head...
Hate to be the naysayer but your letter means nothing. You agreed with the dealer to a compensation when you had the right to demand a new bike if you so chose (not that you would have gotten it but you could have at least requested it through the proper channels). You did not demand a new bike and accepted the verbal terms of a loaner and having your current bike fixed.
Given the above I am not sure what purpose the letter serves...well I know WHY you wrote it but I don't see it being useful.
Given the above I am not sure what purpose the letter serves...well I know WHY you wrote it but I don't see it being useful.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
Originally Posted by Intrepid175
The OP is wondering how he can be sure that everything is reassembled 100% perfectly.Steve R.
You can't, as evidenced by this warranty claim...or the millions of recalls around the world every year by automobile manufacturers.
Originally Posted by Intrepid175
The OP is wondering how he can be sure that everything is reassembled 100% perfectly. It's sad to say, he can't, and the MoCo can't make that kind of guaranty. If they could, he wouldn't be having the frame problem in the first place and the MoCo wouldn't even have to offer a warranty because if perfection existed, there'd be no need for one.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville, TN
You stated "reassembled"
You went on to state that MOCO couldn't guarantee that it'd be "reassembled" correctly, either.
I on the other hand, stated "assembled from the factory"
Meaning MOCO has QC programs in place at their plants, but things do get by the QC Inspectors.
"Assembled from the factory" and "reassembled at a dealership" are world's apart.
I can't help you with comprehension issues.
You'll need to figure that out yourself.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 3
As a motorcycle mechanic my self I would be more concernd about them scratching the paint. As a rule at the places ive worked everything gets an extensive test drive, rules being take it to 100mph, hard cornering and braking making shure everythings ok, any majors ride for half an hour. bring back to shop and check all important componets and fastners. After Im done the service manager goes for a 15min ride to check as well. I was told by the service manager, if you screw up its better you die rather than a customer.
Personally I would be more concernd about getting a tire change on a bike, its a simple everyday operation that a mechanic doesnt give much thought to . When you do a total rebuild your going to double and tripple check everything.
HD is doing what they should, fixing a factory defect.
A collision damaged frame you might have warrented concern and a insurance company would fix the bike if it was cheaper, if you didnt like it too bad.
If HD gives you a new bike, how many more will line up behind you. I dont think it will happen.
My advice to you is if you feel unsafe, take it to another shop when you get it back and have them check it over. The odds are it will be fine.
Like I said a tire change is riskier, they ussally let the apprentices do that.
I wish you luck and hope you are happy with the results.
Ride safe!!!
Personally I would be more concernd about getting a tire change on a bike, its a simple everyday operation that a mechanic doesnt give much thought to . When you do a total rebuild your going to double and tripple check everything.
HD is doing what they should, fixing a factory defect.
A collision damaged frame you might have warrented concern and a insurance company would fix the bike if it was cheaper, if you didnt like it too bad.
If HD gives you a new bike, how many more will line up behind you. I dont think it will happen.
My advice to you is if you feel unsafe, take it to another shop when you get it back and have them check it over. The odds are it will be fine.
Like I said a tire change is riskier, they ussally let the apprentices do that.
I wish you luck and hope you are happy with the results.
Ride safe!!!
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Kingman Arizona
So I now see there are two threads on this same topic and over 300 posts--- wow!!!!! The only other thread's with that many that I can remember are the girl threads and they have been on a lot longer
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
that's quite a situation. i'm glad it's not become something that happens to more than the one we're reading about here, but time will tell. it makes me feel good about keeping my antique 08 sg though. with the frame that has stood the test of time. i am kinda surprised that harley didn't just swap you for a new identical bike, although one without the welding issue on the frame. good luck
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island
OK, I've been following this topic (both threads) from the beginning and maybe it's just me but I think there has been a huge over reaction to this issue. So one frame out of thousands has a bad weld and the company has offered to fix it and make everything all right. What's the big deal?
Personally, I would never have gone public with this, much less got my insurance company involved unless it looked like the moco was NOT going to back up their product (which it appears that the are).
There was a problem; it's getting fixed; end of story.
Personally, I would never have gone public with this, much less got my insurance company involved unless it looked like the moco was NOT going to back up their product (which it appears that the are).
There was a problem; it's getting fixed; end of story.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From:
There is no way I would put either my wife or my 11 year old on that bike. Nor would I take it back - credit for what you paid towards a new machine should be what you get (maybe if not from just common decency then under the lemon law or something?), and the dealer should step up and send the bike back to the factory and use it as a quality control lesson to the workers.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,457
Likes: 83
From:
A very good friend of mine had his fatboy completely disassembled and reassembled on a new frame from the factory. Same vin number as the neck was cut from the "old" frame and stamped on the "new" frame.
I've ridden the bike many miles before and after. It actually feels tighter (and rattles less) since the new frame.
As long as the mechanic is competent, it'll be good as new.
I've ridden the bike many miles before and after. It actually feels tighter (and rattles less) since the new frame.
As long as the mechanic is competent, it'll be good as new.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 4
From:
Hey its your bike,do what your gut tells ya. If you have a good dealer and the MOCOs backing then some answers you already have. This guys bike might be the only one but in most cases others exist. Lets hope not! The word is out and HOPEFULLY hds eyes were opened and passing the info and such to other dealers. You sir might have saved your life,your familys and maybe more. File with the NHTSA about the frame.