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Oil Leak

My HD experience - 2007 Sportster

Mon, 12/22/2008 - 08:00 — david

Hi. I found your webpage today and wanted to relate what happened to me. I bought a new 2007 HD 883 sportster(the standard model). After riding it for around 4 months, I really wanted more power. As I was told when I bought it, there is a HD factory 1200 kit, and that was installed by an HD dealer(I already had HD SE mufflers on the bike). I was also told that the HD warranty would continue on the bike as it was all factory. What I am going to show you here is the letter I sent to HD after the bike had been gone for 4 months in a 8 month period. I did post this letter onto a few HD specific sites on the web in the hopes of warning other folks what can, and indeed did happen to me. In those posts I said that YMMV, obviously this does not happen to all people, sorry if I ruffled some feathers by posting, etc. Obviously some folks called this a 'troll' and that the entire episode was either fabricated by me, mishandled by me (could be that one, I have never had to deal with this before with any vehicle, so how am I supposed to know the 'correct' things to do), etc. In any event it happened as the letter I sent to HD states, and is entirely accurate. I just wanted you to know what I had done up to now, so that if you choose to post this story, you are not surprised(and I do hope you will share this). Here is the letter:

Harley Davidson Customer Service
3700 W. Juneau Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53208
414-343-4056

To whom it may concern,

2007 Ultra with the 110" SE kit - total P.O.S.

Mon, 09/15/2008 - 08:00 — rich

Don't know where to start. I've had problems with the bike from the day it left Biggs Harley-Davidson[1] shop in San Marcos, CA. Dealer's kept the bike without doing work or calling to say the parts are on back-order, shoddy work, trying to add parts to the bill that weren't in the estimate, etc. In 15 months, the bike has been in the shop 100 days. Leaking head gaskets 6,000 miles after they finally got around to installing the 110" kit (which took three months to arrive), etc. Then, with only 17,000 miles, it literally blew up - lost all oil pressure followed by lots of metal-to-metal noise.

Nothing but trouble. I feel that the Harley engineers are using crayons to begin with, then the dealer compounds the problem by being incompetent. I am pursuing the dealer hard with all means at my disposal with a campaign to let the world know how they treat their customers. I hope to someday be able to say: "I had a hand in putting them out of business." Sad that I have to resort to that, but I don't like being screwed with. I've owned about 50 motorcycles. This is my first Harley and I've never encountered anything like this - EVER. So far, I have posted my letters to the dealer and the logs of my encounters at the following web site:

http://www.kingtrips.net/projects/biggs-letters-emails.htm

I have also sent a copy to the dealer and to Harley corporate. Still waiting to hear their reaction. For all looking to buy a touring bike, go with the BMW K1200LT. A friend has one. Of course, after 120,000 miles, it does need a valve job.

Thanks for your time,

Re: Harley Missing Gasket

Tue, 08/19/2008 - 08:00 — jerry

Hi Clayton- On your blog, I posted an oil leak on my '08 FLSTSB. It turns out that a primary cover gasket was left off at the factory, gulp.... makes me a little nervous about the assembly folks up there in York, PA. To be fair, the gasket was installed and there have been no other troubles. Otherwise, I'm really enjoying the bike and with gasoline prices what they are, I'm riding the bike as much as possible.

Jerry Gibson
Houston, TX

2008 FLSTSB

Wed, 03/26/2008 - 08:00 — jerry

Hey Clayton- Great website, love all the info. I just got a 2008 FLSTSB, and guess what! at 159 miles, oil leaks on my driveway coming from my outer primary cover! The bike goes to HD in 2 days to have it repaired. I bought the big warranty package which I plan on using for even the slightest suggestion of oil leak. Otherwise, the bike is fun, smooth, and comfortable. We'll see how it all comes out in the end! Cheers, Jerry

My 1994 FXDWG

Sat, 11/10/2007 - 08:00 — matt

Hey Clayton, Came across your site and have enjoyed the responses. I currently ride a 1994 Harley FXDWG that I bought almost 5 years ago with 13,000 miles which now has about 37,000 on it and is completely stock (As I write this, it is November 2007). I've ridden her from LA to San Francisco and back (Actually about 100 miles north of SF for a total of 500 miles one way in a day). Three times from LA to St. George, Utah in one day (400 miles one way and usually in the middle of summer at 100+ degrees) Once to Yosemite from LA - and many, many shorter rides with no problems.

Here is a true story for you!

Wed, 09/19/2007 - 08:00 — kit

I have figured out today and had a lot of fun laughing and acting up about it today! The best way to enjoy a Harley is to shine it up, and park it in the garage. Go get you a lawn chair and a brewster and sit and admire your bike......just do not try to ride it!! Kit

HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES
A COMMON SENSE LOOK
IT IS A SHAME-REALLY IS

I have rode motorcycles all my life, I am now 53 years old and in the market for a new machine. I have had every make of motorcycle made I suppose, including three Harleys.

2003 Road King

Thu, 06/14/2007 - 08:00 — TMUvcbL

Hey I have a 2003 Road King, 30,000 miles and it has just now developed an oil leak. the best I can tell is it leaks where the primary and the transmission connect. I have only ridden it about 300 miles this year. I can recall a hard shift at a gas station right before the leak appeared. any guesses? estimates of cost? am afraid to take it to dealer sick and tired of giving them money. Had back saddle bag brace bracket break last year and bought two new tires for 1,300 dollar service repair bill, I about puked and swore I would find an alternative to using them again.

Need to clarify something

Mon, 09/18/2006 - 08:00 — tony

To make this short, I had a problem with the oil level on my '05 Heritage. I have seen some remarks on the site referring to this i.e.: "How can this guy let this go on for so long" and "What did he think, it was going to fix it itself". Here's the answer: This was my 1st Harley, (I've had many other bikes), thinking the Techs at Harley (at this point) knew more about this engine than I. The first time I noticed this problem I brought it to the attention of the Harley Techs. Yes there answer at that point was to let's keep a close eye on this and take it from there.

Update to my previous submission

Mon, 07/03/2006 - 08:00 — tony

Just wanted to make an update to my previous remarks. Recap: '05 Heritage was using excess oil and plugs were fouling out. Brought the bike in for service. Bike was in for a week. Gulfcoast Harley replaced the valve guide seals and the 2 plugs. I'll see how it goes from here. By the way there was no charge for this being it was a defect in the seals. One other thing here, all the hex bolts and well for that fact ALL the exposed bolts on the bike have Chrome Toppers to dress the bike up more.

'05 Heritage Softail

Thu, 06/22/2006 - 08:00 — tony

Love the site. Some interesting stories.... I have a 2005 Heritage Softail Classic and over the past year or so I have been losing a quart of oil every 2 to 3 months (depending on how much I ride) and plugs going bad. I've been hearing stories that the '05 Heritage has a problem with the valves causing this problem. While speaking to one of the parts guys at Gulf Coast Harley here in Florida he had mentioned this to me also, confirming what I had heard.

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