| Author | Message | ||
     Canario |
So I took my bike to a H-D dealer to get a new tire. They said that if I would buy it from them, the installation was free. I can say I was quite impressed with their store, showroom... so even it was 1.5 hr from home, I did not mind putting the X-1 in a trailer and towing it there. All went great. New tire. And of course, I got the belt so tight that I could play C-minor like with a harp. They said "for insurance purposes, we cannot make it like you want". I tried to explain why, but it was in vain. Still, no problem. No hard feelings. I will set it properly at home. I got a new tire! And as I was leaving, their last comment was: "by the way, the mechanic who tested the bike said it is missing badly, he could hardly ride it". And I responded: "oh, thank you. Yes, my bike is very temperamental. The battery might be low, as I have been not riding it. Bye!" It was so cool that they even test ride it after just a rear tire change. Nice. And I loaded the bike back into the trailer. The belt was so tight, I could hardly find neutral. So since then, my "Hooligan" bike has been patiently waiting in the garage for an adjustment. I had no hurry as I have been riding the Victory Vision "Hagrid". Like 2 weeks ago I got a call from the dealer. Following up in the repair and checking if I needed anything else. Anything at all. I told them "no thank you. All is good. And thanks for the call." I thought what a great after-the-sale support. Cool. So time to adjust the belt. All good now. Set a bit near scary-lose. No overloading the wheel bearing either. Even used a fractional caliper to keep both sides equal. Happy camper. So I take the bike around the block for a quick test... Nice. But guess what? Bike is missing. Pop. Back-firing. Jerking. Hmmm... it is not throttle directly related... happening while at medium speed, but during acceleration and steady... so it is not gas, it is electric... no pattern. OK. Temperamental bike. Back to the garage. Thinking and sorting no gas vs. no spark... Ohh, look at this! The rear spark plug boot, is loose. I mean it is on the plug, but it is loose as there is no solid contact to the plug. You know, when you press the rubber boot to the plug end, you hear a "click". But the connector inside the boot is so wide, it just rests on the plug. The fix: long nose pliers, and squeezing the connector a bit so it makes a good contact. I have no idea how the boot connector got so wide, that it made no good contact. Ohh, look at this! The screw on terminal on top of the spark plug... that tiny metal piece that looks like a number 8, that screws into the top threads of the plug... I do not know how else to describe it... where the rubber boot "clicks"... so, this terminal is unscrew half way up the spark plug! Well, that is the reason the bike is misfiring. The boot connector is too wide out, and the spark plug terminal is unscrewed half way up. OK. No problem. Easy fix. Checked for seating and it kind of unscrew a bit too easily. Maybe I just did not tight it that much last year... aluminum threads, etc... Fixed. The front spark plug and its boot are both tight and secured. It is tough to get a hold of the front plug in an X-1. There is that air diffuser in the left side to cool the rear cylinder, so to reach that plug you need a W-shaped arm, to also clear that fuel filter. But that plug is tight. Perfect. So I take another test ride around the block. Still missing somehow. And I notice some dash lights are missing, not sure... Ohh, look at this! The rubber boot that connects to the oil pressure transducer, in the front bottom of the engine, under the oil filter, it is also loose. I mean, it is on the threads of the transducer, but the internal connector is set so wide apart, that it barely makes contact... like something wider got forced in. So long nose pliers, and squeeze that sucker. Wow, this bike is really temperamental. I do not ride it and stuff gets loose... Test ride around the block. Ignition, start. The oil red idiot light goes off. Good it works. So it rides better, but still, weird missing... ahh the famous kick stand switch might be culprit... Back in the garage. kick stand switch is OK. I take the seat off. All seems ok. OHHH LOOK AT THIS CRAP NOW... The two relays. Both are in place, but mysteriously equally pulled off their sockets, so they almost falling off. I mean, I look at the relays and they are there, next to the fuses. But their terminals are barely into the socket. Someone had to take both relays off, and carefully set them so they are hardly making a connection. So I pushed both into their proper position. All set. Test ride. WOW. What a nice bike! So I have been thinking about this for a few days... What at the chances of these happening on their own? One of them? Possible. Two? Maybe... but... Should I post about it? Why? I am bit mechanically oriented (c'mon, I have a Buell), and I could tinker some stuff, but... but what about a common person who might be taken advantage? I just think it is not fair. | ||
| Uncle |
Are there mechanics that would do such a thing? Unfortunately, yes. Are there Harley mechanics that don't like Buells? Sure, but probably a much smaller group. Sorry to hear that happened to you but, thanks for the info. My M2 has been doing similar things and I'm running out of things to check. | ||
| Canario |
Howdy. It's OK. Thx. Just giving some reading info to others. About your M2; think about no gas vs. no spark. When it happens, how, rpm, cold, rhythm, power... And post at the Old School forum. Also, a good local mechanic can sort it out for you. New spark plugs and tight battery terminals make big difference. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Your account sounds exactly like how EVERY trip I ever made to the Harley dealer for service ended. | ||
| Tpehak |
Please share this H-D dealer address so I will make sure I will never visit them. | ||
| 1313 |
I sure hope it's not the dealer I am fearing it is... But if it is, so be it... | ||
| Mnscrounger |
To be fair, Canario is not accusing the dealer/mechanic of anything. He also had some very nice things to say about their service personnel, and their follow up. He also clearly stated the price point was for the service he received seemed a relative bargain. He is simply listing some of the things found out of sorts when he got back on the road with the bike. It is at this point coincidental they all seemed to happen concurrent to his tire replacement. If he named the shop, and other customers report similar experiences, then it's possible that there might be a "process problem", or training deficiency, (still no accusations), and the shop would be well advised to look into them. We would be doing both them, and their potential customers a great service to let them know of multiple accounts of similar difficulties, and all parties should be mindful of their potential to happen at that shop. (for whatever reason) | ||
| Court |
Noted Thank you | ||
| Hootowl |
I have had similar experiences at car dealerships. Some people suck. Not everyone, though. | ||
| Canario |
l am not naming the dealer. It would not be right. I am not looking for anything back either. That saying of one bad apple, makes all look bad, applies here. Besides, l have gone back there 3 times, with the kids shopping clothes, and for supplies to service friend's bikes. This experience was a bit difficult to explain, but l think it should be politely shared here. Anyway, if for some odd reason you bike misses after a service, it might just be an really easy fix. Thanks for understanding. |
