Check your valve stems!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 374
Likes: 5
From: Overland Park, Ks
Check your valve stems!
So I take my new CVO SG into the dealer for an oil change. On the way there I noticed a slight wobble around 75mph. I slowed down for the rest of the ride there. I told the service manager/service writer that I was going on a 4000 mile ride to Key West this Friday and needed an oil change and on my way there I noticed a wobble and to please check the tire pressures and go over the bike. He assured me they would. Last night I put the bike on the jack and started to give it a good pre-trip inspection. Checked the tire pressure in the front it read 34lbs. I thought well they got it close and added air. The rear read 30lbs...WTF! Go to put air in and the valve stem was loose and blowing air out as I appiled pressure with the air chuck!!! I can't believe that a guy pulls into a dealer with a safety concern and the tech just blows it off!
I have been riding for over 40 years and feel stupid that I have become so laxed in checking my tires. I need to stick to a pre-ride checklist as I did when I used to fly. I'm ashamed to admit the bike has just over 1400 miles on it and the valve stem was more than likely loose from the factory.
It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks when he isn't smart enough to remember the old ones. Remember, complacency is a killer. It wont happen to me again. Ride safe.
I have been riding for over 40 years and feel stupid that I have become so laxed in checking my tires. I need to stick to a pre-ride checklist as I did when I used to fly. I'm ashamed to admit the bike has just over 1400 miles on it and the valve stem was more than likely loose from the factory.
It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks when he isn't smart enough to remember the old ones. Remember, complacency is a killer. It wont happen to me again. Ride safe.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 4
From: South Carolina
Did they fix the valve stem???
I know about the pre flight checks... becomes part of your DNA. I catch myself always walking up on the side stand side, around the back checking tires etc around the right checking fluids, the front checking lights and windshield and around to side stand...thinking dang the only thing different is filing a flight plan and a log book,,DOH!!!
I know about the pre flight checks... becomes part of your DNA. I catch myself always walking up on the side stand side, around the back checking tires etc around the right checking fluids, the front checking lights and windshield and around to side stand...thinking dang the only thing different is filing a flight plan and a log book,,DOH!!!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 374
Likes: 5
From: Overland Park, Ks
You should have called your Dealer and asked the Service Manager if your tires had been checked in the process of finding the wobble.
Good comments about the pre-ride inspections. I tend to be **** about tires and tire pressures because I have been the victim of a flat and want to avoid that at all costs! But I know there are other things that should be checked too. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
The topic does nothing to strengthen the case for taking your bike to a dealership....further reinforcing my resolve to learn to do everything myself..F____ idiot dealership.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,002
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
Goes to show, no one cares about you or your bike as much as you do.
Glad you found the problem, and took care of things before your trip.
In a related manner, I just had my tires replaced. While it was in, the "tech" recommended a rear brake job. I inquired about the price, and it was almost $100. I politely declined, and picked up the bike, as they told me I had about 1/16" left.
For $125, I picked up some Lyndall Z+ pads (3 pair, one for each caliper), and installed them myself. When I pulled the rear brakes, I had nearly double what I was told initially.
My dealer really only sees my bike for the jobs I can't do myself.
Glad you found the problem, and took care of things before your trip.
In a related manner, I just had my tires replaced. While it was in, the "tech" recommended a rear brake job. I inquired about the price, and it was almost $100. I politely declined, and picked up the bike, as they told me I had about 1/16" left.
For $125, I picked up some Lyndall Z+ pads (3 pair, one for each caliper), and installed them myself. When I pulled the rear brakes, I had nearly double what I was told initially.
My dealer really only sees my bike for the jobs I can't do myself.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 87,515
From: Western South Dakota
Maybe the tech got rushed into something else?
Things happen folks, things happen.
After all we're human and we all make mistakes..
The dealer ship should have something that the techs have to be signed off on by the tech I would think. If the tech signed off on something that he did not check then pull him on the carpet, otherwise do not be so quick to judge.
Things happen folks, things happen.
After all we're human and we all make mistakes..
The dealer ship should have something that the techs have to be signed off on by the tech I would think. If the tech signed off on something that he did not check then pull him on the carpet, otherwise do not be so quick to judge.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,002
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
Maybe the tech got rushed into something else?
Things happen folks, things happen.
After all we're human and we all make mistakes..
The dealer ship should have something that the techs have to be signed off on by the tech I would think. If the tech signed off on something that he did not check then pull him on the carpet, otherwise do not be so quick to judge.
Things happen folks, things happen.
After all we're human and we all make mistakes..
The dealer ship should have something that the techs have to be signed off on by the tech I would think. If the tech signed off on something that he did not check then pull him on the carpet, otherwise do not be so quick to judge.
Nobody is crucifying anyone, but really, if I bring my bike to a dealer, and specifically ask them to do something and they don't...someone is getting an earful...