My trike is sick

[Aussie Annie]

Just been told by the technician that not only have I done the head gasket, but the con rod don't move either!!!!!!
Still under warranty till May. But might have a fight with Harley Australia on my hands.
Took delivery of trike in May 2011 and shipped it immediately to the states, where we toured for three months. From day one had a bad heat issue and the back of my stiff right leg was burnt badly several times. Kept going to H-D dealers on our travels trying to find out what was wrong. I was worried that further damage may occur if I kept riding it.
Finally, on the way to Georgia with friends it blew up under me and caught fire!! Exhaust header pipe was blown open 6-7 inches. Heat had melted the clutch cable, and oil caught on fire just as I stopped. Tow truck took it to H-D Chattanooga.... who were wonderful.
Turned out I had a faulty emissions control and the wire was broken, causing flap to stay shut and heat to go back into engine. They put a U.S. exhaust system on and we finished our holiday. Have always been concerned with the long term damage caused by the heat in engine. I wrote to H-D Australia, and U.S.A. on my return.
The technician at my dealer here raised the heat issue during a phone conversation today, wondering if this is why I have this damage now??
Stay tuned........................

[bikerbillone]

Had a friend with a extreme heat issue. He finally found a HD tech that knew what was going on. A recall on fuel injectors for his model Ultra. His had one or two to few apertures for fuel supply to the cylinder.

[Rick Kay]

I hope it turns out well for you. It sucks having a sick bike. I know, I was in your place a year ago with a rod knock.

Perhaps Chattanooga HD could write a letter to HD Australia detailing their findings and the fix...maybe that would help your position?

[Bikerbozo]

I've stopped by HD in Chattanooga. They are indeed great. Good luck with the HD fight.

[FRR]

Sounds like your ride is really trying to commit suicide. Have you considered other brands?

[Mr.Wizard]

The HD dealer in Chattanooga (Thunder Creek Harley) also owns the HD dealership in Dalton Ga (Mountain Creek Harley). They used to own Killer Creek Harley in Roswell Georgia but sold it to a business partner. They then acquired Flint River Harley in Albany Georgia and Tifton Harley in Tifton Ga. The man who owns all of these is Darren.

Darren has a great customer service policy and his staff at each dealership will bend over backwards for his customers. I'll bet they will either write a full detail on your issue or even call and talk to your dealership at home to explain what happened. The two dealership can contact MoCo. They should have your motor checked out for further damage related to the fire issue.

I also would think MoCo would extend your warranty for at least another year but knowing them, don't hold your breath.

I would however get your engine and all components inspected fully before the warranty ends and at their expense. If they harp about it then you may become enemy #1 on the digital face of the internet and sue.

Hopefully it won't come to that and all will cooperate. Honey draws the most fly's.

[eagle1]

wonder if they will give you the option for the extended warrenty? leon
when you get the trike back, i'd immediately change to non-synthetic oil & do a engine brake-in, like we did in the 70's. like on a open & clear hwy. accelerate from 20 to 55 mph hard then let off of the throttle and let the bike deaccelerate by-its self to 20 mph. (no braking)
experts say
do this 10 times.& the first 20 miles is critical. no hot-rodding, no steady cruse control, ie. constantly vary the engine prm.
just goggle eng. break-in procedures.

[Carbon_One]

Sorry to hear of your problems Annie. Wishing you lots of good karma getting the trike fixed up. No fun having a sick anything ya know. Hopefully all will be well before you come back stateside.
Larry

[Aussie Annie]

All good.

Got a call from H-D Australia to confirm trike will be fixed

Is there anything in particular I should have them check after this problem ????

[Aussie Annie]

wonder if they will give you the option for the extended warrenty? leon
when you get the trike back, i'd immediately change to non-synthetic oil & do a engine brake-in, like we did in the 70's. like on a open & clear hwy. accelerate from 20 to 55 mph hard then let off of the throttle and let the bike deaccelerate by-its self to 20 mph. (no braking)
experts say
do this 10 times.& the first 20 miles is critical. no hot-rodding, no steady cruse control, ie. constantly vary the engine prm.
just goggle eng. break-in procedures.

Why change back to non-synthetic??

[eagle1]

well i think non-syn oil is not as slick as syn. oil .& you are trying to fully seat the rings. but that being said, i havent had any problems with my break-in with syn oil.with my t/g.then after the first 500, miles change back to synthetic oil. or you could ask the tech/shop manager if they will break-in the new engine before they give it back to you. if they say no they do the break-in precedure as i described. 20 times is the recomended times going from 20 mph to 55 mph very rapidly, then let the bike de-accelerate back down to 20 mph. in the first 20 miles that is CRITICAL .(i just re-read the article on eng break-in) guess earlier i said 10x. i like synthetic oil & use it on everything,mowers sprayer engines etc.
guess i'm old-school.also have you syaped out tranny oil to a gear lube? like spectro, or red line syn motorcycle gear lube. iif so you only have to change it out annually.
also change the oil filter/ drag makes a good one p/n 0712-0008. its longer than OEM filter & has a 11/16 nut on the end, to make R&R easier. juse use a 11/16 socket & a long entension. i stocket up must have 15 of them . guess i'm a nut.

[bikerbillone]

All good.

Got a call from H-D Australia to confirm trike will be fixed

Is there anything in particular I should have them check after this problem ????

Great news. Follow HDs advice if there's a break in period.

[Nana]

That's wonderful news, Annie!!! Now, get better yourself and start the break-in process on the trike!

[Rick Kay]

Hooray!!!

[Mr.Wizard]

well i think non-syn oil is not as slick as syn. oil .& you are trying to fully seat the rings. but that being said, i havent had any problems with my break-in with syn oil.with my t/g.then after the first 500, miles change back to synthetic oil. or you could ask the tech/shop manager if they will break-in the new engine before they give it back to you. if they say no they do the break-in precedure as i described. 20 times is the recomended times going from 20 mph to 55 mph very rapidly, then let the bike de-accelerate back down to 20 mph. in the first 20 miles that is CRITICAL .(i just re-read the article on eng break-in) guess earlier i said 10x. i like synthetic oil & use it on everything,mowers sprayer engines etc.
guess i'm old-school.also have you syaped out tranny oil to a gear lube? like spectro, or red line syn motorcycle gear lube. iif so you only have to change it out annually.
also change the oil filter/ drag makes a good one p/n 0712-0008. its longer than OEM filter & has a 11/16 nut on the end, to make R&R easier. juse use a 11/16 socket & a long entension. i stocket up must have 15 of them . guess i'm a nut.

Annie is way beyond this point I think... She didn't get the motor replaced or opened up with new part replacements. Of course I may have read the first post wrong.

So I went back and saw new head gasket and con rod.

Annie, are you telling us they pulled the motor apart in Chattanooga?

[Bill Reber]

Gosh from the sound of your troubles HD should give you a new ride ! But you can get a lemon on any brand !

[MontgomeryLittle]

Glad they are fixin you up and doing the right thing.

[screwball]

A suggestion, JUST a suggestion. Ignore anything you read on any board about what oil, lube, or break-in procedures you should use. DO EXACTLY what Harley says to do. Harley won't care when you say "But Screwball told me...." After it is out of warranty do what ever you want. Considering the problems you have had, consider an extended warranty. Some will tell you it is a waste of money, the second radio they put in under warranty paid for the extended coverage.

[Aussie Annie]

Annie is way beyond this point I think... She didn't get the motor replaced or opened up with new part replacements. Of course I may have read the first post wrong.

So I went back and saw new head gasket and con rod.

Annie, are you telling us they pulled the motor apart in Chattanooga?

No Wiz, They only dealt with exhaust system, and replaced the whole thing. The guys here are pulling it down and checking everything, I asked the Tech if I should be replacing anything?? He suggested to do the rings.... I said "Do it"

[Aussie Annie]

A suggestion, JUST a suggestion. Ignore anything you read on any board about what oil, lube, or break-in procedures you should use. DO EXACTLY what Harley says to do. Harley won't care when you say "But Screwball told me...." After it is out of warranty do what ever you want. Considering the problems you have had, consider an extended warranty. Some will tell you it is a waste of money, the second radio they put in under warranty paid for the extended coverage.

Yep screwball, following everything Harley says