| Author | Message | ||
     Dktechguy112 |
My bike is at the dealer. It started making a weird noise when i was driving it, i had it towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed it as a cam chain tensioner failure. I asked them how much it would be to check the valves while they are in the motor replacing the cam chain tensioners. The service guy says it will be the full price, $530. I said you guys will already have the motor dropped to change the cam chain tensioners, it shouldn't be that much to adjust the valves if the motor is already dropped. He said his tech has been doing this for 45 years, and he changes the cam chain tensioners without dropping the motor. I said can I talk to him, I would love to hear how he does this. He said techs can't talk to customers, but that he will talk to the tech and get back to me. Has anyone ever heard of change the cam chain tensioners with out dropping the motor, how can you get the front head off the motor without dropping the motor or removing the frame? | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
id like to know how the tech has been doing cam chain tensioners on these bikes for 45yrs lol the motor is only 4yrs old.....in all seriousness i dunno | ||
| Alex |
Depends on how one defines cam chain tensioner. Basically it uses three parts: the hydraulic unit, the plastic shoe that is kept under tension by the hydraulic unit and the guiding plastic shoe. To replace the hydraulic unit one wouldn´t have to open anything at the heads. For replacement of the tension shoe one would have to completely disassemble the top end and side covers (which almost means a complete engine strip down). Replacing the guiding shoe asks for removement of the head covers but not the heads themself. So if the mechanic talks of replacement of only the guiding shoe it is done without removing the heads. Still I´m not sure if one could get the guiding shoe out for the front cylinder as it is pretty long. Never done it on an engine in frame. Hope this helps. Alex | ||
| Milt |
Therein lies the problem with many dealers. Their techs have been working on the same bike for half a century and have no freaking idea of what a Rotax engine looks like. | ||
| J_copeland |
If the tech has been doing this since he was 18,that would make him 63+....I'd fine another dealer that will let you talk with the tech. My dealer will let me go into the service area and talk directly to the tech. | ||
| Drhodes1970 |
Yeah, 45 years of HD technology. | ||
| Avalaugh |
Honestly, ditch these Hardley dealers, go to a private co. or buy a manual and learn your bike whilst you fix it, with help on the forums and a set of tools you CAN DO IT. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
If he can find a cam chain tensioner (other than the primary drive) on a sportster motor, that would be interesting...... R | ||
| Ratbuell |
Ask them what warranty pays them for the tensioner job. Ask them what a C.O.D. valve adjust costs. Have them take valve adjust, minus warranty payout...and tell them you'll pay the difference and they still make "all" their money. | ||
| Dannybuell |
The service manager is working both ends for the same labor. +1 Ratbuell Doing what Ratbuell suggests sounds perfect. | ||
| Puzzled |
If your on a forum asking the question you did than it appears your not comfortable with the answers you have received. You now have to make the decision whether or not to go ahead and use a dealer your not comfortable with. From there you can choose another dealer or repair the motorcycle yourself. As for the answers you received to your replies at the dealership, typical. IMO this is one of the contributing factors to demise of the HD/Buell brand. |
