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[kona76]

Greetings to All,

As this Breakdown CA 101 saga continues, I am optimistic, and ready for both positive and negative results, if any. I called my newest friends at RC Cycles of Hayward, CA earlier today and my engine was back together. Almost completed a day early and that's is great news!!

In comparison to the HD Shop in Salinas who took more than 11 working days, the down time is only 4 working days. Although I have not had a sub total for my cost yet, I am enthusiastic about the overall experience of getting back to the wind and the mountains above Santa Barbara, CA.

Now which step to take next is a real brain burner. I most definitely will go to the HD Dealer in Salinas, CA and find out why so much and so little done regarding the high price and top end work price for repair. I think they charged me for 4 SE Roller Rocker Arms and installed only 2 on the front cylinder and never touched the rear cylinder. I will also ask why they believe too much oil was added at the previous HD Dealer in West Hills, CA.

Now, I believe that when oil is pushed through at a higher more efficient rate, then the engine runs better, cooler: more better, right? And if the oil's scavenger system isn't up to the job like the Feuling Oil pump is doing, then I could see a failure possibility and oil backing up and causing grief for the tappets, push rods, rocker arms, valves and springs. If this is the "too much oil" theory that they stick to then I might believe and go on and get over it.

But they never mentioned the possibility of component failure, just "too much Oil and that's all we can guess" then I am going to persue a refund for work that lasted only 130 miles or 2 days. For over $1,600.00 I want some results to make me happy.

[kona76]

Continued.... I have finally returned home with my SE FatBoy !!!  Yahoo !!!

A trip to remember for sure. First some details....The mechanics at RC Cycle fixed and determined what the origination of the overall problem. They believe the valve springs used were correctly spec'ed out and installed properly, however they did not do enough homework or the original builders World Thunder would have found out that the tolerance of said springs were below par.
I was explained the springs move top in, bottom in, as compression goes and often will deform in shape upon high rev's. sometimes elongating, or literally bending in the middle when used in high performance applications. This variation was too much for my setup, and eventually screwed up the springs, breaking or bending in the fitting which lead to the bent push rods.

Please excuse me if my understanding is off, however I believe this is the gist of the conversation.

Now who is to blame?

HD Salinas the first repair shop costing over $1600 could have prevented the second repair by catching the error in the first place. In addition, they over charged me for installing 4 roller rocker arms instead of two. I think I was billed labor for the back cylinder too, yet no labor was done on the rear cylinder. I will update later with the final results, but while coming home I stopped in to the HD Dealers service department. It was rollin with bikers that day, BBQ and Chili cook off and HD Factory DEMO's on site. I approached the service manager, and they knew right away they had made a mistake by charging for the SE Roller Rocker Arms. We will have to see where this pans out.

So, home to LOS ANGELES finally. My SE FatBoy doesn't feel the same for a few reasons. Different sounds from the engine, had to swap out my Hog Pro rotor and PM Brakes on the rear wheel for some beyond amazing wear problems that I had no idea about (another story I am sure will surface) so I temporarily have a low end rotor and new pads, and finally the feel of the bike is different throughout the power band. What was effortless at 4500 rpm's is now requiring more effort from throttle and seems to lack the same power. It may be due to the new parts, maybe I am just trippin' cause I have not had the bike under my ass dyno for a month or more...I'll update that as well...

Bet ya can't wait.  Oh, the totals for the repairs are more than $4,000.00. The hotel and etc are still being calculated but are soaring over $6,000.00 so far with repairs...And I still have the Hog Pro guys to deal with..Man, this is costing me far more than ever anticipated.

I assume the liability and the responsibility because I made the decision to upgrade my SE FatBoy and make it a monster. Over my head again. Looks like OCD could be a healthy alternative to my performance monkey on my back.

So, that is the lowdown. I am out of pocket for all the expenses until I make a move on the players noted. Even then, the main guys, World Thunder, get off the hook because they closed doors.

OH, and my ride is dirty too!! I mean totally dirty. I had to ride in the rain (unprepared of course) for over a hundred miles that Sunday. Froze my arse off that night and ended up at the local casino where I still won some money, but not enough to fix the $ junkie who spent over $6,000 in a month for what? Schools out!

[AUSSIE_FLSTFSE]

Kona,

Some how I missed part two but jut read it & now part three. Well you could feel nothing but pissed! I can't believe it either. But either way your original builder screwed up big time, I'm not surprised he has closed the doors if this is the sort of work he turns out. To top things off it now still doesn't feel the same or as good as it did. Man I feel for you & WTF is going on with your Hog Pro rotor? I can't believe you have spent good dollars on some quality gear & it has all turned to chit for you. I'm not too sure if the HD stealer can be found guilty for the repairs they done as they were only patching someone elses work & may not have known everything that was done & it was not there job to check the build specs. Either way it sounds like you have a fair chunk missing from your wallet & your bike is still not up to scratch! You have got some serious A$$ kicking to do!

                                                                                                                                                   
   

Cheers
Aussie

PS: Did you get the shift rod & heavy breather on?

[Taildraggerdave]

Glad the bike is home but, man, what a tragedy with the engine work.  Your explanation is pretty right on.  Valve springs are the life blood of any big cam overhaul.  You found out, very unfortunately, what happens when they fail...
One of these days, I'll make my way over and we can go for a long overdue ride.
Take care,
Dave

[EAGLE1]

Kona,
 
This is the problem with trying to upgrade an OEM motor outside the MFG, you end up with a lot of finger pointing from everyone who touched your bike and a endless barage of expenses.  You really never get what you set out for, and it ends up as a game of the weakest link. When you start swappin out chit, stuff that cant handle the latest upgrade gets broke and fixed and broke and fixed, until you get fed up, tired and penniless, and then you realize it would have been cheaper to sell your OEM motor from the start and transplant it with a bullet proof monster, built from a reputable well established Builder with a proven track record. I feel your pain Bro! been down that road, and I not going back. You have two choices right now, either stay the course and hope for the best, or cut your losses and go Hog Wild! 

Good Luck which ever way you choose Bro! 

[kona76]

Kona,
 
This is the problem with trying to upgrade an OEM motor outside the MFG, you end up with a lot of finger pointing from everyone who touched your bike and a endless barage of expenses.  You really never get what you set out for, and it ends up as a game of the weakest link. When you start swappin out chit, stuff that cant handle the latest upgrade gets broke and fixed and broke and fixed, until you get fed up, tired and penniless, and then you realize it would have been cheaper to sell your OEM motor from the start and transplant it with a bullet proof monster, built from a reputable well established Builder with a proven track record. I feel your pain Bro! been down that road, and I not going back. You have two choices right now, either stay the course and hope for the best, or cut your losses and go Hog Wild! 

Good Luck which ever way you choose Bro! 

Well said. I think taking responsibility for these expensive and negative results are, for the most part, are on my shoulders; as I am the decision maker here. So, the buck starts here and continues to end here as well. In respect to fingerpointing, I truly hate that drama. So, I am going to pay respect to the individual I spoke with today at STD development, Chatsworth, CA.

Here is a gentleman way busy, who took the time to talk with me extensively about the head work farmed out to him by World Thunder (closed formerly of Chatsworth, CA.). The STD Development name is held in high regard in my neck of the woods, and apparently throughout the West Coast as well. To be less wordy as I usually am, STD took the time to work with all interested parties and continues to remain active in finding the original problem, be it the machine work done, the components or whatever the cause of the breakdown. And kudos to the former owner of World Thunder for actively seeking part in my engines repairs and remedy.

I was doubtful that these industry people would take the time to even explain, let alone continue to assist me in my need for answers for the cause. I believe they actually are not pointing fingers as most would. Maybe I will get a break and we'll find the bottom line, fix whats wrong and move on without too much more expense.

Mike K.
Kona76