Last fall I noticed a small dent where the back of the seat attaches to the fender. I brought it back to the stealer to see about getting the fender replaced. Dealer refused to help and HD corporate said that if the damage couldn't be seen with the factory seat on they were not going to replace the fender. I mentioned it was visible with a solo seat on the bike and was told sorry but that is not HD's problem. There is a technical bulletin M1273 out on this. I called corporate twice. The second call was to a supervisor and I was told too bad. I sent aletter the CEO and I received a call stating that my letter was received and they still would not make it right.

As far as I'm concerned this is the last new Harley I bought. I will do my best to get my fluids, filters and parts from other places when possible.

Sorry to rant but I'm a little Pissed off. I spent $20k on a bike and due to poor engineering I have a dented fender that HD will not fix.

 

I don't blame you for letting off a little steam, I wouldn't be happy either.

 

One of my side covers have what almost looked like a paint line and during the first service, I mentioned it and got exactly the same response you did.

Now mind you, it is not visible but does that make it right? No. I do however feel your pain brother. Guess one really has to go over a bike before buying it. New or old.

 

Wow. You'd would think the dealer would jump in and pick up the slack. I mean what H__L a $500.00 fender (dealer cost 1/2 of this?) to make you a happy chrome buying son of a gun. Nuts. Post a picture of the fender damage and the letter from HD, maybe that will wake someone up!

 

Personally, I think if you buy a bike that comes standard with a two-up seat on it and you want to change to a solo, it is your responsibilty to make sure you take whatever precautions are necessary to prevent the two-up seat from inflicting any damage that may be visible when the solo seat is installed.

Now if the dent/scratch/whatever was there when it was new, then that's a different story.

Way too many people blaming HD for their own personal negligence in my opinion.

With all the complaints you read about Harley on this forum, why do any of you even buy them?

I love both of mine. And if they have some little glitch I'll simply fix it myself rather than bad mouth the company of the motorcycles I love.

 

While I don't disagree with this, I'm surprised that the dealer didn't take care of it. Try another dealer.

 

yep x2

 

Sorry, and no offense, but the bike should be designed so what happened would not be possible. It is an engineering or manufacturing flaw. Case closed.

 

Could you REALLY ride anything else?

I didn't think so. LOL

Just mod it till it's broke. My motto anyways. lol

 

Since Harley acknowleged the defect that caused this in a service bulletin it would seem that they should fix it no matter how hard it is to see it. The dealer could have reported it as visible too. Harley has to take their word on things like that. I'd be disappointed too.