Sub'd, I hope it all works out for you.

 

It is still kind of under warranty but kind of not Im being told. Yes been going on for over 30 months and still knocks. I cant post video as its at the dealership. The dealership can hear it as plain as I can but its HD Canada where the issue lies. They say the rear cylinder needs to be opened up but they will not do it unless I sign stating that if everything is within their spec when its measured then I am financially responsible for this. Dealership had engine apart in December Im not sure what makes them think anything is going to change from then til now. It has been at dealership there is fricking 6ft of snow on the ground.

 

Wondering if anything else has happened regarding your issue?

I had some warranty work done for a leaking fork seal. Dealership fixed it and about 100 miles later, tube was pissing fluid out the seal again from the top in the same spot. When they repaired it the first time, the tech noted seals were in upside down, so he replaced both (only the left one was leaking). They called telling me bike was done, torn seal was replaced (again) and a burr inside the tube was removed. The burr caused the seal to tear.
When I arrived to pick up the bike they handed me a bill, I think it was about $190. I mentioned that it should be warranty work and they told me my warranty was expired by a couple months. I reiterated that this was same problem, that was obviously not properly diagnosed and fixed the first time and therefore,it should be covered under warranty. Additionally, I asked if they guaranteed their work and they said yes, for one year. My position on this was that it should be covered by either the original factory warranty under which the first repair was done or under the dealership's one year warranty. The dealership's position was that repair work is only warranteed if the customer pays for it, not if it is already warranty work which is free. The debate with the dealership ranged from the factory warranty not being free as it was included in the original price of my scoot, to that when the original torn seal was replaced, it was obvious that the tech didn't bother to check the tube to find out why the seal on a bike with only a couple hundred miles was torn, upside down or not.

In the end, I left with my bike even though they said I couldn't have it until I paid the bill. They threatened to call the cops and I welcomed the threat. I advised them this is a civil matter and the police have no authority to act unless the law is broken. I also advised the dealership that they have no authority to hold my bike pending payment of a disputed bill. That in some circumstances constituted theft, by preventing the lawful owner from having their property. I mentioned that threatening to keep my bike and forcing me to pay their ransom/bill might actually constitute extortion. At that point I welcomed them calling the police to which they declined.

I went home with my bike, contacted the MoCo and opened a case with them. Within hours, I was advised that the bill was taken care of.

Now I'm not a lawyer, but I DID STAY AT A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS LAST NIGHT! Lol, only kidding. I'm very well versed in the law and have represented myself in some legal battles in the past. As for the criminal aspect, I am a police officer so most of what I mentioned was accurate, albeit extreme and most likely not practical in the real world, but accurate nonetheless.

Long story short, (I know, too late for that now... Lol!) contact the MoCo. The reps who handle this stuff are usually great! They don't want unhappy. Customers, especially when their dealership or service department is in the wrong. In the grand scheme of things, that don't maintain their reputation nor does it make the money.

Good luck! If you think I may be able to assist in any way, PM me and I'll do whatever I can to help.

 

Oh. I agree, but I think your comfort fallback is the Jap bike, which is why you say you are going back. If you really just thought it was this particular HD, wouldn't you be willing to try another Harley? I'm not criticizing you in any way, but I just think at this point there is NO Harley, including if they fix yours, that will make you happy at this point. These bikes are noisy, rapping, and clattering. It is either a noise or a song, depending on your point of view. I think your decision is a good one.. for you.

 

Harley's sing their own song. I love the sound, having ridden Jap bikes my whole life until my assignment to the motor unit and I had my first brand new Harley. In motor school, I rode the Kawasaki, the BMW and the Electra Glide police bikes. The best one overall was the Kawasaki. The best one for performance was the BMW, but the one I chose, was the Harley. Why, because it's a Harley and it has nostalgic value, it works well and is one well balanced, singer of a beautiful song.

That being said, I've heard some that sing beautifully and others that sound like crap. You can't convince yourself to fall in love with the sound of a faulty machine, nor should he be expected to. The dealership wouldn't have done any work if they didn't hear the problem to begin with so...

Just my two cents and after spending $21k plus, I'd want it made right.

As for not being happy with anything at this point, you might be right, but it isn't without reason...

Don't go back to a Jap bike, don't give up on HD!

 

Im not giving up on my Harley......I love my glide just hate the sound of it right now and if I turn the radio up really loud I cant hear it (reason I put the Amp in her). I have my glide all personalized (not blinged but all chromed out). I am just beyond frustrated with HD right now. The dealership can hear exactly what I am hearing and I feel with this going to Deeley I am just getting the run around. Thankfully I wasn't going to Daytona this winter cuz I still don't have my bike back and no time frame for it coming back soon. If they can fix my bike and it is not knocking like a monkey hitting a piece of wood I will love my bike again. I love my bike hate the engine noise- fix it problem fixed. Im not asking a lot I just want my $25k worth damn it!!!!!!!!!

 

I hear ya and feel your pain!

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

so now the bike is going in to have the rear cylinder opened and measured (this was done in December and due to it sitting since then too much snow) Im not sure what will change. They did take clause out of work order saying that they wouldn't be responsible for cost. This is their idea so their dime as far as I m concerned. So we will see should know by end of week.

 

Holy crap on a cracker!

Ah hell, it's something and if it doesn't fix anything, you can say you've done everything they've asked! When you contact the MoCo, or an attorney to consult for a breech of contract, etc...

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

I had a very similar problem on my 09FLHT 96ci, it progressively got worse over time, 2 Dealerships couldn't figure it out, sent a Harley Rep from Milwaukie down, he wasn't much help either, but did agree there was a very unusual noise in the engine.

I've been an ASE Certified Master Auto Tech for 30yrs and I know an engine knock when I hear one, I told them it wasn't in the bottom end but in the front cylinder, 1st Dealership tore it apart, tech said it was in specs, put it back together, knock was still there.

So I took my bike home, ordered a 103ci big bore Stage 4 kit and did the work myself, when I was finished and fired it up, the knock was gone! This got me to thinking so I measured the piston, cylinder and wrist-pin and the wrist-pin hole on the front piston that came out, lo and behold the wrist-pin hole in the piston was egg shaped and way out of spec, took it to the 1st Dealership that tore it apart and showed them and their so called tech what was wrong, tech said he didn't know to check that as he'd never seen one bad!

I've seen many engines with knocking wrist-pins, even when I worked for a GM Dealership. I'm not saying this is your problem, but it sure is worth having their tech check it out.

Hope you get things sorted out and are on the road soon!