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WTF, Neck bearing Adjustment not a warranty problem??

11K views 33 replies 23 participants last post by  dirtbag 
#1 ·
Ok, so I take my 2012 RGC to the local dealership for yet another neck bearing adjustment. They adjusted it at my 1K mile service and now at 2200 miles I was getting the wobble again at 40-45 mph on decel and 60-65 mph with the cruise on. So I called the dealer and explained the problem and they made me an appointment first thing this morning to correct the problem. The service writer wrote it up and I noticed it had a cost but when I said it was a warranty issue he said ok. Well either he wasn't listening to me or didn't grasp the concept that I wasn't gonna pay to have this done but sure as shit when the service was done they tried to charge me $85 to "adjust" my neck bearing. I was PI$$ED to say the least. They said that this was a "routine maintenance" and not a warranty issue. Hell maybe if the bike had 10-20K miles it would have been routine but not twice in 2200 miles. I refused to pay the cost and the service manager said he would contact Harley and see if they would cover it and if not he would eat the cost. That was said right before he not so politely said there is your bike, I will put the door up and you can get it out of here. He was pissed, I was pissed and I think I am done dealing with this dealership. Anyhow now I am gonna email Harley themselves because this is a warranty issue and they need to take care of the cost period. Hell even when I made the appointment the service guys said "Harley changed the neck bearing torque adjustments and they are loosening up really quick now. Not sure why they did that." Sorry for the rant, just tired of paying $20K for a bike and then getting the run around on shit.
 
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#22 ·
The service clown at the dealer said it was included in the first service. I said bullshit and pointed out the above. I have an ESP. I'm then told that all RG's do it. WTF?? He tries to tell me it's because of the fairing geometery and is in no way a warranty issue. Fricken' Clown :mad:
 
#25 · (Edited)
Exactly. The money you pay to baby these bikes and when the $8 Chinese bearings fail, its $200 out of your pocket. They warn you about aftermarket closing your warranty, yet they recommend Screamin Eagle. They want to sway you from using AMSOil, but then the following week, they're pushing it. When you inform them of an issue that isn't right they tell you its normal, yet 6,000 miles later they tell you you should have done something about it.

I still feel my bike is a great bike and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I see no reason to buy another new Harley. Great bike, poor dealership practices. If anything fails, I can replace it with something better, possibly non-OEM. I find it embarrassing that I ride with knuckles, irons, pans, shovels, evos, who build their own bikes and here we are with TwinCams getting bent over by the moco.
 
#6 ·
Is there a way to tell if everything is checked or adjusted at the 1K? I just had 2 bikes, an RGU and a RGC that we paid to have the 1k performed by the Harley shop in Stillwater. They sure got it done fast.
 
#8 ·
Had a buddy that was due for his 1000 mile service. I told him I could do it for him for the cost of fluids and a filter. He balked, said he wanted it done "Professionally".

I show him the list of what is done from my manual, including the torque of critical fasteners. Then, with his permission, I loosen and torque one of his subframe bolts to 20 ft/lbs. He pays the exorbitant cost for the service, and then brings his "professionally serviced" bike over.

Anyone wanna guess whether or not the subframe bolt was torqued correctly????
 
#14 ·
#16 ·
If it's not a warranty issue, and they performed the service at 1k, then it shouldn't be out of adjustment at 2k, so the OP still shouldn't have to pay. $85 every 1k is a bit much.
 
#17 ·
That is total BS. I bought my bike new 9-8-2010. When my warranty runs out, I will not extend it. This may not be my last Harley. But it will be my last "new one". In the future, I will buy a low mileage used bike. And save thousands on the head end.
 
#19 ·
It sounds very much like a dealership problem. My dealer didn't hesitate to check my bike out and tighten up the neck between the 1000 and 5000 mile intervals. They also noticed my rotors were warped when I took it in for the 10,000 and replaced those under warranty - making the brakes much, much better.
Find a better dealer - some do have pride in their service departments and realize that their reputation makes or doesn't make a lot of service $$$$ since bikers do talk to each other.
 
#20 ·
i make it a point to walk out into the shop shop each time i visit a dealership.

seems they are always full of kids with more nuts and bolts and their faces noses ears and mouth than on my bike

that is why i take my bike to middle aged indy that owes his own shop pays his insurance and builds his own reputation
 
#21 ·
I do not believe it was checked at the 1000 mile, and we all know it was and is a warranty issue, as required maintenance on the bearing is no where near the current mileage....

Real issue is why that alleged manager is so incompetent - I don't think I would go back either..........
 
#24 ·
I actually had it checked at the 1K mile service because it was wobbling so bad. All was well for about another 1K miles, that is why I took it in today. If I had known it wasn't a warranty issue I would have just done it myself and I told them that. I usually have the dealer do the 1K mile service and then I do everything from then on. There is another dealer about the same distance from me and I guess if need be they will have my business from now on.
 
#28 ·
What dealership is messin you around?
It is River City Harley in New Haven, IN. I bought my 06 EG from them and they were great the entire 5+ yrs I had it. I tried to buy the RG from them but the sales guy would not match the deal like their claim "we will not be under sold" says. I later found out that they fired him for doing those such things. So I don't know if it has to do with the fact I bought the bike somewhere else or its just the fact the service manager is an ASS.
 
#27 ·
I'm curious which dealership also.....

I've been happy with HD Atlanta where I purchased and have the bike maintained, however I ran into the same issue (and posted about it) a while back. When I got the bill and it was on there one of the other guys immediately understood and took it off the bill.

I do have the service manual and I know I probably could do most, if not all, of the work myself. I work so much I really have it done at the dealership for convenience as much as (don't laugh) knowing that it's done right.
 
#29 ·
When I took my bike in for the 1K, they checked the steering head and adjusted it. After returning from my trip with 4300 on the clock, I was getting a clunk. Went to my normal dealership, and they adjusted it for free under warranty.
 
#31 ·
I am diggin this sight! So what we are saying is that the front end wobble I am experiencing is because the locking nuts on my neck are loose ???? Would that also explain my front tire wearing funny. I bought 2012 RGC 3 months ago and have 6500 miles on it. They tried to tell me my tire pressure was low and I would have to buy a new tire??? WTF.
 
#33 ·
no, there is a 'star' nut on the steering head that loads the bearings. that has to be adjusted so that you have 1-2 swings when doing a fallaway test. you have to loosen the stem nut, and two of the pinchbolts on the forks, tighten the star nut, then torque the steering head nut, then recheck the fallaway.

some wobble can be attributed to low tire pressure in the front tire. it can also be from cupping, bad wheel bearings, etc.. so if you have any wobble, then it's best to check all those things.

with 6500 miles on the clock, i wouldn't think it would be bearings, or cupping. but tire pressure, and steering head torque would be the likely culprits.
 
#32 ·
Well I called the MOCO today and made a complaint so if it does it again in another 1K miles they would have it documented. (warranty is up in a month or so) The CS rep told me the service bulletin I gave her was for 2009 only models. I said well forward this to you service department so they can look at it a little more in depth and see how many problems people have had. She said no problem will do. I doubt it will do any good but I wanted it on file with the MOCO just in case I have to have it done again.
 
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