See pages 228 & 229 of your Owner's Manual. Ask some of the guy's that have had their warranties voided about how forgiving HD has been lately. If you're only dealing with your local dealership, you'll likely have far greater "flexibility" on a warranty claim. But if the Mothership get's involved asking the dealer for pics or a regional dealer rep is involved....well.... things...get "less" flexible.

 

I am almost certain that your statement here is inaccurate. I've read the warranty thoroughly. I believe the situation you're describing is exactly what the Magnuson Moss act was intended to prevent -- a manufacturer cannot void a warranty if the customer used qualified replacement parts, UNLESS the manufacturer can prove that it was the replacement part that caused the failure.

Installing a component that is other than a replacement part (such as a high-performance cam that results in the final configuration being non-EPA-compliant) is grounds for voiding the warranty, yes, regardless of whether it causes a failure or not.

That's why I thought it would be interesting to see how Fueling and S&S classify their products. If they are considered direct replacement parts, then there may very well be a good case to say that Harley is not entitled to void the warranty in that case. If instead they consider their pumps to be high-performance, competition-only parts, then installation would definitely void the warranty.

 

I have an email from the moco, from last week, saying aftermarket slip ons alone won't void the warranty unless it can be proven to be the cause of the failure.

 

Thanks for pointing out the sections that have you concerned. I have read those thoroughly. Okay, now that you've highlighted the pertinent sections, let's just point out that I think my prior post is covered in all of that.

"other unapproved modifications" means -- modifications. Like installing a trailer hitch. Or race parts. That's why I say -- if S&S or Fueling declare their parts to be compliant replacement parts, then it is not a modification. If they declare their parts to be "race" or "competition" parts, then yes, it would be an unapproved modification and would void the warranty.

As for the "other limitations" section you highlighted, again, please re-read it -- it says that if an aftermarket part causes a failure of a covered part, that repair will not be covered under warranty. Which is exactly what Magnuson Moss says too; the manufacturer is not responsible for repairs if the damage is caused by a part that was made by somebody other than the manufacturer.

If you're using a manufacturer-declared qualified replacement part (or oil or grease or whatever), Harley cannot void your warranty for that. Just like they cannot void your warranty if you have your oil change done at an independent shop rather than at a Harley dealer. Now, if the independent shop screws something up, Harley doesn't have to pay for that. And if the aftermarket part causes something to break, Harley doesn't have to pay for that either. That's understood, and allowed for under M-M.

 

Correct, and compliant with the law -- so long as a) as you said, the slip-ons aren't the cause of the failure, and b) they're not "competition-only" or "race" parts. As long as they're EPA-compliant parts with an ARB certificate, they won't void the warranty.

I'm saying that it's POSSIBLE that if the Fueling or S&S pumps are declared as manufacturer replacements (and not race parts), then it's POSSIBLE that the warranty could remain intact after they're installed. Obviously Harley has the final say on this.

 

So let's play out a hypothetical. You install the Feuling or S&S oil pump. Your warranty is still intact. These aftermarket components are clearly not authorized by HD. The engine sumps and fails. There is no way on God's Green Earth that HD is going to provide you with a replacement engine that would have otherwise been covered under your intact Factory Warranty. And there's absolutely no way Feuling or S&S is going to pay for a new engine and its installation. If that scenario is ok with you than by all means, install the aftermarket oil pump.

Or how about a few other potential scenarios. A lifter fails, a valve fails, a crank or rod bearing fails, the cam fails or any failure that involves opening the engine. Trust me, if you have installed an aftermarket oil pump, just save yourself the frustration and just pay to have the repairs taken care of because there's no way HD is going to approve the warranty claim for the labor and parts to repair or replace that engine.

Don't make me the bad guy, that's just the reality that folks should fully consider if they decide to go the aftermarket route for engine internals in today's climate. Heck we're seeing guys getting their warranty voided for having a non-epa after market exhaust for crying out loud. Its ridiculous but bike owners need to have their eyes open when they make these changes while their factory warranty is still in play. If we weren't seeing the kinds of engine failures and fluid transfer issues, I would agree its a reasonable gamble. But not with these kinds of known potential catastrophic failures.

 

Everyone wants to play Lawyer and the MMA has been tossed around lately like a Hollywood Hooker. Its flat out in black in white the MoCo WILL NOT warranty aftermarket parts.

 

Sounds like you have it covered. I say its time to go ahead and pull the trigger on a replacement after-market oil pump while you're still under your factory warranty. It will be an excellent test case for everyone to follow..

 

Did it reference if the after-market slip-ons had to be epa-approved to prevent voiding the warranty?

 

We've had a great run.. Those of us for years modified our engine and Motor Company warrantied them.. I've never had a claim denied under warranty on one of my newer sleds after major change (Woods Cams, Cut out the Cat).. But yet I never dared to modify my Ford w a Bullet Proof Cooler (proven to work) for fear it would void my warranty.. It may suck, but suck it up it is what it is, and can you blame the Motor Company? Maybe we and After Market took advantage of their good faith business. As so did the Motor Company use us and After Market to make their machines better.