HD Clutch Recall 2018...Over 200,000 Affected!

[Jack Klarich]

If any one remembers Brian Bosworth (Seattle Seahawks) he once gave an interview that when he worked in a general motors manufacturing plant, he would tie a metal nut on fishing line and hang it in side a door panel. The nut would make noise and "drive" owners crazy trying to locate it. Now mentally picture what disgruntled employees can do to a $40,000 harley.

I had a customer complain of a rattle on his car door

After taking the inside panel off we found a beer bottle tied in with some fish line

[Tucci]

Disgruntled employees are like a virus, i live one hour from the york plant and have several friends employed there. Harley called for 118 layoffs starting june 2017. Quite a few husband/wife employees, & other family members. Trikes are assembled in York, you do the math.

[rhino 2]

When they shut the Schaefer Brewery where i lived in Brooklyn, The workers left work on Friday .And when they came into work Monday...They weren't even allowed in the gate...

They got their severance pay at the gate, And told they can come back for their personal belongings next Monday...My Uncle was in charge of security....By then the company could take the walls down and remove and ship the Copper kettles to Japan without them being sabotaged...

[Tucci]

HD needs to come to realize the market can no longer bear the prices of bikes, trikes, clothing, accessories etc. I received an e mail yesterday from hd with jackets in the $600.00 range! I hope I'm wrong but it looks like the late 70's are here again. Upper echelon grabbing what they can and the workers are collateral damage. We don't have Reagan to bail them out.

[Jack Klarich]

We should get a Moderator to merge the 2 Clutch threads

[MDO]

We should get a Moderator to merge the 2 Clutch threads

I just started 1 in the FW forum to make sure that everyone got the info. If your trike is doing it, it could be serious/potentially dangerous.

[Free Bird]

I just started 1 in the FW forum to make sure that everyone got the info. If your trike is doing it, it could be serious/potentially dangerous.

Maybe it will stop like the political ads after the Nov 6th election

[MDO]

Maybe it will stop like the political ads after the Nov 6th election

I wish, but then the 2020 presidential ads will start.

As you well know Free Bird , we get it double here being on the border with Illinois.

The IL. ads are worse, they play rough over there.

[Free Bird]

I wish, but then the 2020 presidential ads will start.

As you well know Free Bird , we get it double here being on the border with Illinois.

The IL. ads are worse, they play rough over there.

[MDO]

Disgruntled employees are like a virus, i live one hour from the york plant and have several friends employed there. Harley called for 118 layoffs starting june 2017. Quite a few husband/wife employees, & other family members. Trikes are assembled in York, you do the math.

I don't agree. I bought my 17 Freewheeler in California the end of last June. Myself, my middle son & 2 friends, (all Harleys) rode 1,000 miles in 3 days, then after the 1st. service, I rode back to STL.

3,250 miles in 10 days & it ran like a top. I'm almost to 7,000 miles & it just keeps getting better with no problems, less a couple stray codes that clear. The fit & finish was also top notch.

As far as the CVO's, they sell everyone the make. In my area, the trikes fly off the floor & we have 5 HD dealerships in a 40 mile area. You do the math.

[NC Triker]

My local dealer said all of the first kits that come in will go to their inventory on the showroom floor because they can't let a bike go out the door with an outstanding recall.

[Tucci]

Top notch - put on external crankcase breathers so as not to continually gum up engine , wait in line for clutch parts that due to defects in manufacturing has caused documented crashes, replacement of reverse motors at exorbitant prices, I see your point.😀

[Old Road Dog]

Wah! Just keep an eye on the MC level.The clutch wont fail suddenly.Youll notice the symptoms.More of a concern is where that fluid is goin?Ifn it migrates to the primary or somehow to the trans-oh boy.Brake fluid, gear oil, formula plus,syn3- not a happy marriage.

[Tucci]

I totally agree with you. I'm sure you've known or know some persons who never should own any type of vehicle. I ride with a triglider who paid over $42,000 with customizing and the last two times we've ridden he has at least 5 DTC's. I've offered to read the codes but he shrugs and says "that's why I have the extended warranty" How many times has your significant other checked the oil level, or any fluid level. People wait for the idiot lights to inform them of problems .

[Moegy]

It would be interesting to hear how many, if any, have checked the clutch lever reservoir and found the fluid down. I have about 7,000 on my FW since I bought new in May. So far not one problem. I’ll start monitoring the clutch fluid.

[MDO]

It would be interesting to hear how many, if any, have checked the clutch lever reservoir and found the fluid down. I have about 7,000 on my FW since I bought new in May. So far not one problem. I’ll start monitoring the clutch fluid.

I have & on the day I heard about the recall. If your riding it before you get the fix, you should. My clutch fluid level was good, with no sight of fluid loss.

I'm scheduled for 11/14/2018. Its forcast to be 35° that morning, so it should be a fun ride in!

I have also flushed the front brake circuit. I plan on doing the rear master cylinder over the winter.

[Sully]

I have & on the day I heard about the recall. If your riding it before you get the fix, you should.

I'm scheduled for 11/14/2018. Its forcast to be 35° that morning, so it should be a fun ride in!

I have also flushed the front brake circuit. I plan on doing the rear master cylinder over the winter.

Have you asked the Dealer to come and pick it up from your home ? My Dealer gets mine on each service with no charge. They should, it's a Safety Recall.

Good luck on your repair.

[MDO]

Have you asked the Dealer to come and pick it up from your home ? My Dealer gets mine on each service with no charge. They should, it's a Safety Recall.

Good luck on your repair.

Thanks. I service it myself & the recall is supposed to take about an hour. I'll just drink coffee & look around.

They have a pick up service & I hope I never need it.

[Jack Klarich]

Wah! Just keep an eye on the MC level.The clutch wont fail suddenly.Youll notice the symptoms.More of a concern is where that fluid is goin?Ifn it migrates to the primary or somehow to the trans-oh boy.Brake fluid, gear oil, formula plus,syn3- not a happy marriage.

Not quite true

Any clutch can fail with out warning

The HD hydraulic clutch is a classic example, when it gets TOO hot it can fail without warning, once cooled down SOME come back to life, tho I would not trust it

IMO, if Harley did not cover up the slave cylinder ( with a cheap chromed cover) and move the exhaust a bit more many of these slave cylinders would be working better and longer JMHO

[MDO]

Not quite true

Any clutch can fail with out warning

The HD hydraulic clutch is a classic example, when it gets TOO hot it can fail without warning, once cooled down SOME come back to life, tho I would not trust it

IMO, if Harley did not cover up the slave cylinder ( with a cheap chromed cover) and move the exhaust a bit more many of these slave cylinders would be working better and longer JMHO

JACK, that aftermarket AIM slave cylinder is starting to look better!