Posted: 5/29/2007 4:41:01 PM EDT
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I havent had a street bike in years, and had been thinking heavily about buying one. So I went out, and found an 02 Fatboy that only had 3700 miles on the odom. and at the right price. I bought it from a local HD dealer. The bike is great, runs strong, and have been using it daily. Now my dilemma At highway speeds, I was sensing a wig-wag from the rear. Not ever having a HD before, I thought maybe it was normal, or just wind buffeting. The girlfriend and I spent the weekend riding, and at lower speeds, 35-50, there was no wig-wag. Only at the higher highway speeds, So I pulled into a gas station to check air pressure, the rear tire only had 12 pounds in it. Holy shit!!!! I filled it to the recommended 40lbs for 2up riding, and it was like a cadillac compared to before. This morning I go out to the garage to check the tire, and the pressure has bleed down to 20 lbs of pressure already. Upon closer inspection, I find not 1, but 2 frickin plugs in the rear. One of the plugs is damn near next to the sidewall!!! The bike is going back to the dealer tomorrow for V&H pipes and a stage one kit. I am going to insist the dealer replaces the rear for free of charge. They do not plug tires at this dealership, will only sell new. It appears to me, a safety check was never preformed on the bike. I am not even sure it is legal for him to sell me the bike with the rear tire in that condition. The girlfriends runs a car dealership, and she insists it is illegal for them to sell a car with a plugged tire, it has to be replaced. I would think that would carry over to MC dealers also. So do you think the dealer will pay, or do I not have a chance?? UPDATE!! Dropped the bike off yesterday for new V&H BSS pipes, A/C kit and SE dyno jet for the carb. I told the servcie manager in no uncertain terms, I was not happy about the 2 pluggs in the rear tire, wanted a new tire, and was not willing to pay for it. He said, of course, he would have to talk to the owner, who was not in yesterday... This morning I call the parts mgr, who is a buddy of mine, and he talked to the owner. He said it didnt appear the ownered cared, and was going to charge me the full price for the tire. So I show up about 4 this afternoon, and catch the owner by himself. He agreed to "no charge the tire", but I thnk it hinged on that I was having other work done. All in all, I am satisfied, the bikes sounds mucho better, and a slight increase in power. The ride is also tons better, and I am not fighting a under inflated tire. I have learned my lesson on that, check the tire pressure before a ride.. |
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If you do hafta buy a tire DONT BUY ONE FROM A HARLEY DEALERSHIP unless you like getting raped. Both for the tire and mounting. Find the nearest Cycle Gear and get it from them. Much cheaper and only $15 for mounting and balance(if you purchase it from them). They will usually do it while you wait. You will hafta remove the wheel from the motorcycle yourself. Heck. Shop around. Call up local shops(other than Harley)and compare prices. They will ALL be cheaper than your dealership. I recomend Metzler ME880. Good wear and great handling for a cruiser tire. |
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Generally unless theres an used vehicle warranty offered, its sold 'As-Is'. But it isnt gonna hurt if you go in and make a big stink about this. Looks like that slipped by their pre delivery 'inspection'. Generally most quality HD dealers will make good with customers even with a used one. As for it being illegal for dealers to sell vehicles with plugged tires, well thats hogwash. We used to get vehicles from the FACTORY with plugs or patches on occassion. Plugs/patches installed correctly shouldnt ever leak. Sounds like the ones on your bike were not done correctly (I have a rule when fixing bike tires, no repairs within an inch of the sidewall). More than likely the one near the sidewall is leaking. Fill the tire to 35psi and pour water (soapy works good, plain also works if its real quick) over the plugs to see which is leaking. Bet its the one near the sidewall. |
I would bet it is the sidewall one also, as it is about 3/8 of an inch away... I'm going to raise a stink in the morning with them. This bike should of been safety checked, and either it wasnt, or it slipped by |
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Greygoose: The biggest single cause of catastrophic tire failure on bikes is......... low tire pressure. The whole issue of being sold a bike in this condition is one thing. I'm sure others will reply. The real issue is this: CHECK YOUR PRESSURE REGULARLY!!!. As in every damned day you ride. Its quick, and costs nothing. Forget the damned pencil gauges too. Get a good gauge |
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Assuming you are not proficient at wrencing on a HD (just assuming) By a moto jack at Sears. By a tire online ,tax free, and <30% cheaper than most steelers. I like Metzlers on HD's personally. Match radial and bias tires acordingly (preferred). Get a buddy at the HD shop to come over on the weekend to show you how to remove the wheel asembly, and do an oil change for the lesson. Only basic tools are needed. I personally taught myself with the HD manual (best $50 you will spend.) Take the tire and rim to a local indy and have it changed for ~ $25 then reinstall. Maybe you can swap the tires on the rim on your lunch hour at the shop. If your Fatboy has spokes, have that rim(s) checked for loose spokes or an out of true rim. If you have the $$ do both tires at the same time. |
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Whatever you do get a new tire, even if the dealer balks and you need to pay out of pocket. Tire plugs on a car are one thing, if the tire fails you'll be ok. On a bike if a tire fails bad things can happen. Any leak or puncture in my two-wheelers tires and I'm going to get a new one, it's the cost of doing business on two wheels. -JTP |