Help, losing faith in Harley

[Fish]

I'm new to Harley ownership and so far i have to say it's been a very unrewarding experience.

I bought a '56 Nightrain in February from a custom shop. The bike was standard except for a staging kit and a few cosmetic tweaks.
The bike started cutting out on me on a closed throttle, once almost spitting me off on a slow corner. It has been back to the vending dealer three times and they have experienced the problem but were unable to fix it;
the fueller was changed for a brand new unit and the bike still cut out, so the fuel module was removed and the bike STILL cut out, so it has been reverted back to standard and transfered to a Harley dealership for attention as the bike is still under warranty. The Harley dealership have had it a week and when I called today they said there was nothing wrong with the bike and they couldn't find a problem.

I have to say, having spent approx. £12500 incl. insurance etc and have had the bike less than the bike shop(s) has had it since February. I have missed several rallies and have (as yet) not been to my local HDRCGB meeting as I have no Harley to go on.

I was wondering has anyone else experienced anything like this cutting out problem? What did it turn out to be?

What do you think the chances are of getting my money back (bearing in mind I have added a few bits to the bike myself)?

Can I have a replacement Harley from the dealers until they've fixed it?

[Ming the Merciless]

Hi Bud,

Any machine has the capacity to be unreliable, but IMO it's not an inherent trait of any Harley made in the last 25 years. You have done the right thing by returning it to the main dealer. Even though you did not actually buy it from them, I would expect that they would resolve it to your satisfaction.

A fuel injected bike relies on a large number of sensors and other electronics, which means that diagnostics can take a while. If the fault is intermittent, you are going to have to persevere until it replicates itself again I'm afraid.

Originally Posted by Fish

Can I have a replacement Harley from the dealers until they've fixed it?

I would not expect most dealers to cough up a replacement bike while yours is being repaired, so I wouldn't hold your breath.

I am really sorry to hear about your first impressions. They are not truly representative of what you can expect from HD ownership, but that is of little consolation to you. My own experience of 2 new Softails (owned 5 years each) was that a brake light pressure switch failed once... and that's it! I sincerely hope your experience improves - good luck!

Pete

[Fish]

Thanks Pete.
Working in the auto trade myself I understand things can take time where intermittent. I hope when they do solve it, it's sorted for good as I 'use' my bikes alot, I have no car of my own (and don't want one either! ).
Just a bit down in the mouth about the whole scenario really, it's not like it's a cheap bike.

BUT, I have been on the phone and the custom shop are chasing Harley on the repairs, and the owner of the Harley dealership will lend me a bike.

[Roger]

It sounds like the EFI mapping is out and it's under-fueling on shut-off. You say the fuel module was removed, were the pipes/air filter put back as standard 'cos if not I would say it'll be running very weak.

[spinlondon]

Sounds like the Stage 1 hasn't been done properly. You need to have either the ECM flashed to re-program it for Stage 1, or get an after market module that's adjustable.

[Hobbit]

sounds just like my sportster - HD are working a process of elimination - its had stage 1, new injectors, these have helped on the rough running but its still back firing next is an ECU re map with a SERT

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Roger

It sounds like the EFI mapping is out and it's under-fueling on shut-off. You say the fuel module was removed, were the pipes/air filter put back as standard 'cos if not I would say it'll be running very weak.

Yep, original pipes and intake back on (off came my lovely black big radius pipes and hypercharger ). Still cutting out.
When I rang the Harley dealer they could not have sounded less interested, when I asked had they ridden it there was a long pause and an excuse about there being nothing wrong with it. All the time my tax and insurance areticking away (3 months wasted now!!!)

[the_monster]

not being funny but as you bought off a custom shop, why are you expecting the dealer to bend over backwards to help ? there are lot of people out there who claim to be experts but in reality border on the damn right dangerous (that applies to both factory dealers and the custom fraternity)

at the end of the day, regardless of where you bought the bike you have a wide range of legal rights - potentially an expensive option but then again in the long run ....

[skags]

Hi Fish, i have an 06 Night Train and have Big Radius pipes and a Stage 1 kit. Personally have never had a problem with it. Hope you get your prob sorted quickly and for good mate as in my humble opinion the best Harley ever made. Keep the faith and stick with it mate, will come good in the end

[Fish]

Originally Posted by skags

Hi Fish, i have an 06 Night Train and have Big Radius pipes and a Stage 1 kit. Personally have never had a problem with it. Hope you get your prob sorted quickly and for good mate as in my humble opinion the best Harley ever made. Keep the faith and stick with it mate, will come good in the end

Thanks mate, good to hear it.