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[Twolanerider]

Cause I read it on the internet...it must be true!!!  It would be interesting if nothing else...  

Yeah, I'd like to follow the arguments on that one.  Shared responsibility in liability gets thrown up so much anymore (even if just to see if it'll stick) that you'd have to expect it if you've actually written in a public forum something like:

"Sturgis is coming up.  They can't fix it.  To hell with it.  I'm riding it anyway."

[2018_FLTRXSE]

http://recallcast.com/recalls/2009/jul/10/harley-davidson-motor-company-wheels-09v267000/

[RickC]

What about if you have contacted your dealer and they won't schedule even an inspection until they get the "Recall Kits" from the MoCo?  Who would be liable then?

Smuuth,

According to what I understood from Harley-Davidson Customer Service, the "Recall Kit" contains the replacement rim and these kits will not be shipped to any dealer until the dealer has inspected a SERG and determined that the wheel needs to be replaced.

The situation that you described shouldn't happen unless the dealer is not informed of the terms of the recall. The bike must be inspected first, then the dealer can order a recall kit if -- and only if -- the wheel is one that has the R1 or R2 designation on the inside.

So, if the dealer won't inspect your bike until they receive a recall kit and you suffer a mishap due to a cracked rear wheel while waiting for them to agree to inspect, it seems to me that they might be held liable in the court of law.

Of course, there is always the option of finding another dealer to inspect the wheel. Any dealer can do this, not just the dealer where you bought your scooter.

RickC

[RickC]

The MOCO has not said the bike is unsafe to ride until inspected.... If the MOCO publicly stated the bikes are unsafe to ride until inspected... But, until they say that...

FWIW, Debbie, the rep I spoke to at H-D Customer Service advised me to limit my riding until my bike could be inspected. That is not a direct statement that the bike is unsafe to ride. However, it certainly seems to imply that there might be a problem.

RickC

[LarryB]

they are not liable if you knew about it and road anyway, if it happened and you didnt know , now thats another story. I sure am glad im not on the list, this is going to be a stinky one.

[RickC]

http://recallcast.com/recalls/2009/jul/10/harley-davidson-motor-company-wheels-09v267000/

The bulletin from NHTSA is below. Note that 1759 SERGs are being recalled (almost 20% of the 9000 being produced). According to H-D Customer Service, only 125 SERGs actually have a problem (about 1.25%). So, if these numbers are correct, only 1 out of 10 SERGs being recalled will actually need a wheel replaced.

Also, the potential consequences of a cracked wheel are stated pretty clearly.

Vehicle Make / Model: H-D / FLTRSE3
Model Year(s):  2009
 
Manufacturer: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY
Mfr's Report Date: JUL 08, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V267000  N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A  
Component: WHEELS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1759

Summary:
HARLEY DAVIDSON IS RECALLING 1,759 MY 2009 FLTRSE3 MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH BLADE REAR WHEEL ACCESSORY KITS. SOME WHEELS WITHIN THE SUBJECT POPULATION UNDERWENT A SECONDARY HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS. AS A RESULT OF THIS SECONDARY HEAT TREATMENT, THESE WHEELS MAY HAVE A CRACK.  
Consequence:

IF A CRACK IS PRESENT, IT COULD RESULT IN WHEEL FAILURE DURING USE, POSSIBLY LEADING TO A CRASH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH OF THE RIDER.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE REAR WHEEL AND INSPECT THE MANUFACTURER'S CODE. WHEELS WITH THE CODES THAT INDICATE THAT THEY UNDERWENT A SECONDARY HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS WILL BE REPLACED. WHEELS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE SUSPECT CODE WILL BE RE-INSTALLED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO http://HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

[vtyanqui]

RickC – I thought there were only 3,000 SERGs produced?

[Smuuth]

Smuuth,

According to what I understood from Harley-Davidson Customer Service, the "Recall Kit" contains the replacement rim and these kits will not be shipped to any dealer until the dealer has inspected a SERG and determined that the wheel needs to be replaced.

The situation that you described shouldn't happen unless the dealer is not informed of the terms of the recall. The bike must be inspected first, then the dealer can order a recall kit if -- and only if -- the wheel is one that has the R1 or R2 designation on the inside.

So, if the dealer won't inspect your bike until they receive a recall kit and you suffer a mishap due to a cracked rear wheel while waiting for them to agree to inspect, it seems to me that they might be held liable in the court of law.

Of course, there is always the option of finding another dealer to inspect the wheel. Any dealer can do this, not just the dealer where you bought your scooter.

RickC

Thanks, RickC
I did get an appointment to get the wheel inspected after calling 3 of the dealers in my area.  The appointment is not until Wednesday, the 22nd, but if mine is one of the problem wheels I am hoping that will give them enough time to get the replacement wheel from the factory and get me on the road to Sturgis by July 30.  Of course, the best scenario will be if mine is not one of the bad wheels.

EDIT: I just talked to Harley-Davidson customer service.  I was told the following:  The replacement wheels will be available from the factory starting next week.  Upon inspection, if a dealer finds the wheel has one of the problem codes and notifies the factory, the replacement wheel will be overnight shipped to the dealer. 

[sem_bunda]

Fortunately, mine is not on the list - no "R" lettering in my wheel.  The dealer treated me right, got me in yesterday morning and back out in the afternoon.  Am good to go to Sturgis.

[Webb]

Took mine to Alamo City Harley and they won't even inspect it until the 23rd. They said they need more paper work from Harley (what ever that means).

[aclass]

RickC – I thought there were only 3,000 SERGs produced?

Me too. 

[grc]

Took mine to Alamo City Harley and they won't even inspect it until the 23rd. They said they need more paper work from Harley (what ever that means).

Basically what that means is you took your bike to a POS do-nothing dealership.  If they want paperwork, all they have to do is log on to the Harley dealer network and print out whatever the f$%* they think they need.  If they're waiting for a piece of snail mail, invite them to join the 21st century.

Lord, I'll be happy when these no customer service azzhole dealers go broke and get out of the business.  Tomorrow wouldn't be too soon in my opinion.

Jerry

[evilapes]

I looked up my bike on the hd site and sure enough my bike was listed as being recalled for the rims. I called my dealer and told them that the recall is posted all over the harley forums, and my bike is listed on the hd site. They had no clue what I was talking about. They looked it up on the hd site and saw my bike listed. They next called the secret # then called me back. They said that there's nothing that they can do until harley gives them directions on how they are going to fix the problem, and officially sends out letters. I asked them if harley is going to be responsible if I get into an accident, they just laughed and took it as a joke. They told me that some of the rims were heated twice and may crack. They said that they'll probably have to pull the rim for some # and also check it for cracks. So now I'm riding hoping for the best and waiting to hear back from my dealer. They said probably around the 25th of July.        

[HDDOCFL]

I have one of the suspect rear wheels, dealer is taking the bike in Mon. to check it out. They already knew about it and the recall starts Mon.   Doc

[Glide-man]

I had my recall wheel looked at today by my dealer Adventure Harley. I do not have one of the 125 suspect wheels. However I was told by service dept. that if I had one, they would take a wheel off one of the  bikes they had on the floor to keep me riding.  Adventure was great during the buying experience. It's also great to know they are still tacking care of me after I signed on the dotted line.    Now where are the 125 wheels that are suspected to be bad?