Harley-Davidson management seems to be doing it's damnedest to throw away any customer goodwill still out there, in their never ending quest to maximize profits through use of cheap parts and cheap engineering. Crank pinion shafts wobbling more than a drunk on Saturday night? No problem, just change the spec. Brake rotors warp if you look at them cockeyed? No problem, just change the spec. Paint job looks like something done in a back yard garage? No problem, just change the spec to "must be visible from at least 10 feet from bike". Powder coat peels from engine cases? No problem, use this brush touch-up paint. Lifters bleed down overnight and rattle for 20 seconds before pumping back up? No problem, that's in spec too.
It appears that the MoCo needs another takeover by an employee group or a group of enthusiasts, just like back in the AMF days. Current management obviously is short term, hooray for me, typical Harvard Business School types looking to pad their own nest at the long term expense of the customers, shareholders, and employee's. After this latest little exercise in H-D stupidity and cheapness, is there still any question in anyone's mind why I refuse to buy another bike from these asses?
Jerry