Road zepplin seat repair

[GARYD]

Well it had to happen sometime. The bladders in my Road Zepplin air seat are not holding air anymore. The compressor is still working. It's not even 2 years old. My first seat was still going strong after 10 years.
I contacted a few dealers to find out how much it would cost to repair. They had absolutely no idea how much - they didn't even know much about the seat in general. One service manager even said he didn't think they could be repaired. I told him for the money it cost it better be repairable.

Anyone have any ideas?

[trikermutha]

Does this help..


https://www.box.com/shared/xt1hoao8dk

[Bikerbozo]

Does this help..


https://www.box.com/shared/xt1hoao8dk

Hey, now that's a useful service bulletin to have. I think my old Zeppelin seat on my backup bike is starting to have problems also.

[trikermutha]

Hey, now that's a useful service bulletin to have. I think my old Zeppelin seat on my backup bike is starting to have problems also.

Yea I am glad Gary Asked or I would have not searched online for this topic...

Here is there web site..
Milsco

[rwhgme]

I am unable to see what you guys posted. We have an Air Zeppelin seat. Can you copy and paste. Or at least paraphrase?

[Blondie Gal]

Scott, see if you can pull this up:

https://www.boxcloud.com/bc/2/b981ed...37312783d416d/

[GARYD]

Thanks for that bulletin. I think it applies to the older, 3 button seat, (which I really loved). I have the new 2 button seat, but I think it would apply to mine also.

You cant get any info or help from that company. You have to bring the seat back to the dealer - preferably the one that sold it to you so you have some leverage in case thay say "I don't know how to get it fixed".
I'm going to bring along that bulletin just in case.

I just looked up when I bought the seat - not 2 but 3 years ago, so it's definately out of warranty. Can't imagine it not lasting that long - my last one lasted 10 years. Damn! another $100 (hopefully that's all), but I guess it's worth it. Glad I kept the original seat. I never throw anything away.

[rwhgme]

My iPad won't open Boxcloud...so, when the seat fails, I guess we will just sit on the fenders!

[DTR 11TG]

I am unable to see what you guys posted. We have an Air Zeppelin seat. Can you copy and paste. Or at least paraphrase?

I tried, but my limited computer skills wouldn't let me copy & paste or anything else.

It is a H-D warranty bulletin about repairing air zep seats, in or out of warranty. Maybe you can go to your local Harley dealer and ask to see Warranty Bulletin W-126C.

Unfortunately all repairs, even out of warranty, have to go thru a Harley dealer. If you click on the Milsco link in trikermutha's reply you can check out the company that builds & repairs the seats.

[trikermutha]

WARRANTY BULLETIN
®
IMPORTANT NOTE
In the interest of preserving customer safety and satisfaction, always check for outstanding recalls whenever any motorcycle is brought into your
dealership for either maintenance or service.
©2009 H-D
ROUTING SERVICE
MANAGER
SALES
MANAGER
PARTS
MANAGER
WARRANTY
PROCESS
MANAGER
LEAD TECHNICIAN
TECHNICIAN
NO.1
TECHNIIAN
NO. 2
TECHNICIAN
NO. 3
RETURN
THIS TO
INITIAL HERE
ROAD ZEPPELINTM SEAT WARRANTY
AND NON-WARRANTY REPAIR PROCEDURE
Purpose of Revision
This revision adds Part No. 51072-09 and new service items
and costs for out of warranty repairs. Also included is a
revised shipping address.
Purpose
This bulletin provides important information (both warranty
and non-warranty) on the Road Zeppelin seat (Part No.
52341-97D, 52333-97D and 51072-09).
Warranty Information
The Harley-Davidson Road Zeppelin seat is warranted to be
free from failure for a period of one year from the date of purchase.
This warranty will not apply to any failure caused by
the following:
1. Abuse, modification, or tampering.
2. If access door seal(s) have been broken.
3. If repairs were attempted by unauthorized personnel.
(For Part No. 52341-97D and 52333-97D, further information
can be found in the owners manual)
NOTE
Prior to return of seat for repair:
● If customer is concerned that seat 'doesn't work', make
sure accessory switch is on and that all electrical connections
are properly engaged.
● For -97D style seats, the compressor will engage and
run independently from the switches being pressed.
This is appropriate to the design and is not a failure with
the seat.
In Warranty Repair
1. The seat must be returned to an authorized Harley-
Davidson dealership.
2. Dealership must send seat back to:
Milsco Manufacturing Company
Attn: Road Zeppelin Service Department
650 Bannerman Ave.
Redgranite, WI 54970
(For emergency contact by the dealership only:
info@milsco.com, or 414-354-0500 Ext 3997; or directly
at 414-410-3997)
3. Seat must be accompanied by a copy of the customer’s
original purchase receipt.
4. The seat will be repaired within five (5) working days of
receipt at Milsco. If there are questions, Milsco will contact
the dealer. Subsequent communications may be
necessary and these may delay return of the product.
5. The seat will then be shipped back to dealership at no
cost.
Out of Warranty Repair Procedure
1. The seat must be returned to an authorized Harley-
Davidson dealership.
2. The dealership provides customer an estimate of repair
costs using chart below. Actual determination of necessary
repairs will be finalized between Milsco and the
customer prior to start of repair activity. All seats are
inspected and diagnosed upon receipt.
*The construction/ mechanics of the compressor and reservoir
system is different between the -97D and -09 versions.
The -97D (as well as -97 A-C) can be repaired using the
updated (-09) system. In some instances this may not be
financially viable. If original system is preferred, please state
this when returning the seat.
Table 1. Rate for Out of Warranty Repairs
Repair Cost
Initial inspection and diagnosis $60.00
Replace air bladders (seat and pillion) $95.00
Replace reservoir/compressor assembly $145.00
Replace vinyl seat and pillion cover $155.00
Replace leather seat and pillion cover $215.00
Wire assembly $50.00
Switches (grouping of two or three) $50.00
Base repairs Not serviced
3. Dealership must send seat back to:
Milsco Manufacturing Company
Attn: Road Zeppelin Service Department
650 Bannerman Ave.
Redgranite, WI 54970
(For emergency contact by the dealership only:
info@milsco.com, or 414-354-0500 Ext 3997; or directly
at 414-410-3997)
4. The seat will be repaired within ten (10) working days of
receipt at Milsco.
5. The seat will then be shipped back to the dealership. The
dealership will be billed for repairs and returned shipping
costs directly by Milsco via invoice returned with the
seat. Shipping costs from the dealership to Milsco are to
be paid by the dealership. Dealer is to make checks payable
to Milsco within 30 days.
6. Warranty for repaired items is 90 days from repair.

[trikermutha]

I copied and pasted the PDF above for those who could not open..

[trikermutha]

Thanks for that bulletin. I think it applies to the older, 3 button seat, (which I really loved). I have the new 2 button seat, but I think it would apply to mine also.

You cant get any info or help from that company. You have to bring the seat back to the dealer - preferably the one that sold it to you so you have some leverage in case thay say "I don't know how to get it fixed".
I'm going to bring along that bulletin just in case.

I just looked up when I bought the seat - not 2 but 3 years ago, so it's definately out of warranty. Can't imagine it not lasting that long - my last one lasted 10 years. Damn! another $100 (hopefully that's all), but I guess it's worth it. Glad I kept the original seat. I never throw anything away.

documents dated 2009..but I do believe they will repair all the zeppelin seats

[rwhgme]

Thank you! I guess when our seat fails, I will be in the market for a new one!

[GARYD]

At $600/$700 per seat, I hope you (me included) do not just toss it away, but bring it to your dealer and (begrudgingly) pay up to get it fixed. Hopefully mine will "only" cost $95 not sure if the dealer will add their costs to it -my bet is they will, but I'm not going to toss a perfectly good seat away. Even if I don't fix it, it is still a good seat without the bladders - more comfortable then the stock seat.

[TheBobs]

Gary, sorry to hear you are having troubles with your RZ. Good luck with the service bulletin!

[GARYD]

I dropped the seat off at my dealer last night.

They were going to check to see if it would be covered under EXP

I doubt it.

Probably need to bring my heart medicine when I go back to pick it up.

[GARYD]

Took it to the dealer (has to be sent back by the mfg). It's $95 for a new bladder, but what pisses me off the most is the $60 assesment charge. I already know the problem - the bladders need replacing - that's it. The pump is fine.
Doesn't matter, I still have to pay the assessment charge and it doesn't come out of the repair cost - I've seen rackets before, but this one takes the cake. If it wasn't an expensive seat, I'd tell 'em to go to hell. Then it only has a 90 day warranty - I guess they don't think their repairs are very good - original warranty was a year - don't they use the same parts and labor?

I told the service manager it's like me bringing in my bike for new tires and him telling me he has to assess the tires first before he can replace them = STUPID!!!!

This assessment crap really angers me.

[trikermutha]

Hey look at it this way your seat will be fixed..

do they do both bladders or just one?? I fiqure it they are opening up the seat anyway why not do both?

[GARYD]

I only need the front ones replaced, but they will replace all the bladders (front and rear)no matter what.

You would think that they would apply the assessment fee to the repair cost if you have them repair it.

[trikermutha]

I only need the front ones replaced, but they will replace all the bladders (front and rear)no matter what.

You would think that they would apply the assessment fee to the repair cost if you have them repair it.

yea I hear ya..But atleast you will have that expensive seat fixed for awhile