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[ultrarider123]

RUSHMORE!   is that one word or two....

[KenK]

Well...at least it has the new brake system to stop ya.......   oh wait.. there may be a recall on that too 

[sadunbar]

I put my clutch line inside a heat insulation sleeve 3 or 4 years ago after having my clutch go away in 100 degree stop and go traffic, climbing the mountains into Estes Park, Colorado...  Not a problem since.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hose-Insulation-Heat-Sleeve-5-8-x-50-Nascar-Arca-Hot-Rod-Rat-Rod-/261171356590?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ccf06a3ae&vxp=mtr

[CVO Aqua-Glider]

Darn, here I am wantign a recall on the the puking / leaking, and they recall for something I've read one person having an issue with.  God, I hate letting the dealer put hands on my ride.

[grc]

Perhaps Harley could extend the coolant line to the clutch line, thus creating a water cooled clutch system.  Then they could recall the entire thing all at the same time.

Seriously, why is this such a big deal now, but they totally ignored the issue when it affected the '09 and later CVO Touring models with the 2-1-2 exhaust system?  It was a safety related defect back then as well, but once again most Harley owners had to fix it themselves or just live with it.  This is exactly why I rant about such stuff around here.

Jerry

[limited1432]

JUST got a RECALL Email Last Night From Harley on the Master Cylinder for the Clutch

[limited1432]

I was in the dealer the first 1000 mile and was having clutch problems.....the dealer had no recall at the time and bled the air from master cylinder for the clutch....now I have 3500 miles on the bike have not had a problem....Back to the Dealer for the check up

[Hdolfje]

It's a safety recall. The dealer called me and asked me not to ride anymore!

Recall Notice: 0153NANRCL:2014 TOURING HYD CLT M/CYL
We strongly urge you to take your motorcycle to your dealer to have the appropriate service performed as soon as possible. Should you choose to ride your motorcycle prior to this service, we urge you to be aware of this condition. Some product campaigns may have expired and you may have to pay for the service. Please see your local Harley-Davidson dealer for further details.

[porthole]

I wonder why they never recalled the CVO's that had the same problem back in '05 through '09, or even admitted it was a problem for that matter.  Must have sold one of the affected bikes to a high powered lawyer this time; maybe one who has contacts at NHTSA.

Jerry

Jerry, I don't recall anything with the clutch, what was the issue?

[porthole]

I doubt it. NHTSA is shut down right now along with most of Washington.   

From Harry's press release:

Although the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is closed as a result of the partial
government shutdown, Harley-Davidson is proceeding with these voluntary recalls consistent with NHTSA’s
process.

[porthole]

Some product campains may have expired and you may have to pay for the service. Please see your local Harley-Davidson dealer for further details"

I find this interesting.

When I worked as a new car tech we were always told by the factory reps (Chrysler) that "recalls were forever"

[sadunbar]

Jerry, I don't recall anything with the clutch, what was the issue?

Overheating the clutch fluid (boiling the fluid), introducing air into the system and rendering the clutch useless until the air was bled from the system and the fluid replaced.

[porthole]

Overheating the clutch fluid (boiling the fluid), introducing air into the system and rendering the clutch useless until the air was bled from the system and the fluid replaced.

OK, never had that issue. Although, the D&D Fat Cats I had sure did their part to heat up the clutch line. Enough so that the protective cover was ruined.

[Tru-Blu]

Admittedly, some of this stuff is hard to read.  I'll do my best to try and explain.

My first cycle was a 2002 Honda VTX 1800C that I bought off my uncle (he bought it new).  He put 18k miles on the bike without a single issue before he sold it to me.  I owned it for 5 years before trading it in on my 13 SERK that I bought last month.  In the 5 years that I owned it, I never had any issue with it.  Now, I wouldn't really consider the 1800C to be a touring bike, but it had hard bags and a windshield.  Thing is - it was liquid-cooled, had dual ABS linked brakes, and a hydraulic clutch.  Many of these features are considered "new" for Harley in the last few years.  I guess that surprises me a little bit.  

The 1800 was an American-made bike - but not by an American company.  I know that Harley has never really considered Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki to be competition, and as a result, has been able to do (or not do) whatever they want.  If they didn't perceive a big need to introduce a new feature, then they didn't do it.  Mechanics rule #1 - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Sales translation - if bikes keep selling like hotcakes the way they are, don't substantially change them.

I feel Harley nailed two things that the others really haven't yet - style and culture.  The others have tried, and have gained some ground but they still are behind the MoCo in these areas.  I think it's because of the styling that HD has and the culture they've helped create that owners are willing to deal with a higher number of issues than other manufacturers.  Now, I'm not saying that Harley's have a ton of problems or that the other manufacturers DON'T have their share of issues.  People will tend to complain about issues they've dealt within instead of singing the praises of something that they don't have any issues with.

So, getting back to me - while I loved my VTX in how it rode, performed, and had no issues with it, it did not have the styling that I really wanted.  It didn't have the culture behind it that I've wanted to be a part of.  That may sound stupid, but I'm just being honest and maybe I'm labeling myself as a fool for such.  It's just a little tough to swallow that I will have paid 4 times for that from what I paid for the VTX - and a higher chance of more issues.  Will that change my decision or will I get rid of the bike - no way.  I'm in it for life.  But I feel it's interesting to see the real reasons that can drive us to make "big" decisions like this if we're willing to be honest with ourselves.

Tru

[sadunbar]

OK, never had that issue. Although, the D&D Fat Cats I had sure did their part to heat up the clutch line. Enough so that the protective cover was ruined.

I was running the Fat Cat when I boiled my clutch fluid a few years back...