this replacement part is tricky. the previous poster is correct when he states that the engine must be pulled to the side in order to gain proper alignment. it was a trick for me too but i got-er-done. sorry to hear you damaged your down tube. these parts should be funa nd easy to install, not such a challenge at times. shame the moco cant advise on level of difficulty when installing these parts. sure would help. you're lucky you didnt strip the insert for the bolt in the head, that would have been a real mess.

 

Or maybe Harley shouldnt sell their products to unqualified yuppies. I don't know just sayin.

 

I would forget about the lawsuit, Does'nt it say something in the instructions about that if you don't have the tools and mechanical ability to perform the installation, to have a HD Tech do the work. Thats how the MOCO covers thier a$$.

 

Ok, first of all let's clarify that I'm not mechanically challenged. I've installed over $15,000 worth of Harley chrome over the years. If it's something complicated or above my pay grade, I'll pass it to a Harley tech. With that said, I always look at the instructions first. In this case, they were simple. The ISSUE here is that Harley sent an incorrect size bolt, THAT COULD NOT FIT in the manner the instructions were explained. There are others that, now, are having this problem. Remember, this is a BRAND NEW item. My problem was not only getting this bolt in, but then out. Harley screwed up. They have secondary suppliers put there parts together. NOW, they need to take fault and responsibility. I never asked for full reimbursement, but simply an admittance that they messed up (which I did kind of get). Secondly, I asked them to do the right thing in helping me out with the repair. Not only have I owned several Harley's, but have purchased over $20,000 in Harley chrome, not to mention I am a Harley stock owner. With all of that they insulted me with $100 in store credit. I own a company, too. If I made a mistake, I would gladly do everything to make it right, even if it meant loosing money. For anyone that thinks $100 is a fair compensation, I have to laugh. It is clearly a means to shut me up. An insult to my intelligence. And to anyone that takes legalities as a joke, I'm sorry but the difference between suing for a hot bike vs an incorrect sized bolt (that caused damage to a brand new 2011 mint frame), is not nearly the same. Shame on Harley. This should never have gotten this far. You screwed up, fess up and take the blame. Harley needs to get back to standing behind their products and customer satisfaction. What happen to their slogan "made in America"?

 

Oh, one more thing. I'm not a yuppie, I have a full garage of just about every tool and no, the engine doesn't move! I did come back from my local Harley dealer, yesterday, and asked the mechanic about moving the motor. He told me it wouldn't move without loosening all the engine mount bolts and then some. THAT WAS NOT IN THE INSTRUCTIONS either. Sorry for seeming so pissed. But I feel much better now, after spending yesterday morning detailing the bike. It look factory new all over again. Just took $600 and a paint shop, to get it started. I take pride in my ride!

 

Although what you say is inherently true, I would not even consider litigation. To what end? Your legal costs and time would far outweigh the substance of this issue. You have done what you needed to do...complained to Harley and fixed your bike. I doubt they are trying to insult you by offering a $100 credit. Consider it as a token that they might actually "care". I know, I know, it's Harley, but we do like their bikes don't we? So we put up with the crap and move forward. Sorry for all your trouble, but if it makes you feel any better, your experience and decision to share it here will help lots of other folks considering the replacement of the front mount. Glad your bike is back to mint. We all care about our rides, nothing wrong with that!

 

The cost and time of a lawsuit are not my first choice. I did contact Harley to help them, in warning others about this incorrectly sized bolt. I was trying to do the right thing, as I could have easily kept my mouth shut, only to find others ruining their bikes. Mine is brand new. Would like to keep it that way for a while, anyway. So legality is the last place I would want to go. But, in Florida, any claim under $5000 is considered a Small Claims case. And this would only be $175 to fight Harley. It's not the money or time here, it's the principle. I am only standing up for what I think is right!