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[ltank]

I went to a local Harley dealer for Promo/Party gig they were having. They had tires on sale and installation was 1 buck. I needed a new rear tire so I let them change. This dealer says they have to test ride every bike 10 miles after service. I thought this was Bull****. Anyway I rode home 85 milles and when I got close to home and slowed down to 45 mph I heard a rattle. The tech did not reinstall the rear belt quard properly. The guard mounting ear is threaded and the 5/16" fine thread bolt screws into it. He left the ear on the outermost bracket on the swingarm not behind it like it was suppossed to be. The bolt was missing. the front bolt was still tight.
I know it did not just hop from the inside of the swingarm to the outside. It took some force to pull up the belt guard to reposition it to install a new bolt from Autozone to get me home. I was pissed. If the guard had come loose it could have dammaged the new belt ot caused a wreck. I called the Dealer and let them know how unhappy I was..and they said they would get with the tech. This should not have happened. If they cant do a simple tire change with out screwing up how can they be trusted with major performance work!

[OBB]

I'm having trouble picturing this rear belt guard. I've had my tire off a few times and never had to deal with a 5/16 bolt. Someone have a diagram or pix? Maybe I'm missing a part somewhere.

[Puzzled]

As much as this frustrates you, things happen. I'd venture to say the tech didn't do this on purpose. Voice your concerns to the service dept than move on. No one was injured, no damage was done. Life is to short.......

[ltank]

My Bike is a 2000 FXR4 CVO. Harley replaced it with the Dyna because the FXR frames were too expensive to build. Lots of manual labor not done by machine with no cast steel frame sections. Dont have a close up of it at this time. Anyway on this particular swingarm the belt guard is held on by two 5/16" fine thread bols. One in front and one in the rear.

[Puzzled]

Wasn't that one of the bikes they painted the frame to match?

[OBB]

My Bike is a 2000 FXR4 CVO. Harley replaced it with the Dyna because the FXR frames were too expensive to build. Lots of manual labor not done by machine with no cast steel frame sections. Dont have a close up of it at this time. Anyway on this particular swingarm the belt guard is held on by two 5/16" fine thread bols. One in front and one in the rear.

Oops, next time I'll look at the model of a person's bike before I stick my other foot in my mouth asking such a question.

[grc]

I'm having trouble picturing this rear belt guard. I've had my tire off a few times and never had to deal with a 5/16 bolt. Someone have a diagram or pix? Maybe I'm missing a part somewhere.

See attachment.  The front of the guard is attached to a tab on the swingarm, and the nut for the bolt is a part of that tab.  If the guard is placed inboard of that tab and nut, the bolt runs through the nut before it enters the hole in the guard, thus the guard is not actually secured.  At least I'm thinking that's what happened.  One might say it's a simple mistake anyone could make, but anyone who calls himself a mechanic should know better.

Jerry

[ltank]

Thanks for the parts layout. The bolt was not there. I did not think to inspect bike when I picked it up. Thanks

[Twolanerider]

Thanks for the parts layout. The bolt was not there. I did not think to inspect bike when I picked it up. Thanks

It shouldn't be necessary to inspect every nut and bolt of a shop's work before leaving their service department.  Even if the (very cool) old FXR is something most contemporary techs in the dealerships have never seen before it's not like the work done is especially complicated.  There's just not that many pieces involved to get confused by.  Especially when the time between disassembly and reassembly had to be brief.  Guy should remember how he just took something apart....

[oe542bob]

Kinda on the same note, a friend of mine took his bike to a dealer to have his rear tire changed. When it was all done , as he approached the bike, he noticed a slice in the sidewall. He went back into the dealer and told them. There first remark was, oh we don't cover "road use damage". Then he told them that he didn't even get on the bike yet! So they had to replace a brand new tire because someone was careless when they removed the wrapping around the tire. Just saying!

[ultrafxr]

Friend had dealer change rear tire on his ultra several years ago.  He took off the saddlebags before bringing it in.  After install he stopped for gas and noticed the 36mm box end wrench hanging on the axle nut! 

I totally agree with Twolane that one should not have to inspect every nut and bolt after a service but I have learned the hard way that unfortunately it is necessary.  That is the reason I prefer to do my own wrenching whenever possible. 

[North Georgia Hawg]

I'd lay odds that most modern techs have never even seen an FXR, much less worked on one. Same goes for Evos. They don't train techs on the old bikes anymore. Still, as has already been pointed out, any competent tech should be able to put back together what they just took apart!

This is why I never take Honey Badger to a dealer... except for a tire change? OOOPS! 

Ken

[RayG]

Which is why I have been looking for a good used tire changer.  I've already went through a damaged rear wheel that had to be changed at the dealership that damaged it.  I pretty much ride alone and the tire machine if purchased new will take a long time to pay for itself as I don't have a lot of years left riding.  I have been looking at the homemade variety on the Web that utilizes some of the No-Mar tools.  I have been advertising locally for most of the winter.  I'm sure as soon as I get one a good used one will show for up sale 1/2 mile from my house!   ]

[grc]

Current Dyna's still use a very similar rear belt guard setup, so any "tech" who has worked on a Dyna should be more than familiar with how the belt guard attaches even on an FXR.  I don't think the model of bike was the problem, the lousy workmanship was the problem.

Jerry

[dlaws01]

As much as this frustrates you, things happen. I'd venture to say the tech didn't do this on purpose. Voice your concerns to the service dept than move on. No one was injured, no damage was done. Life is to short.......

It's easy to say that "things happen" or "the tech didn't do it on purpose".  This kind of crappy service happens way more often than it should.
It's no excuse for not having another tech or maintenance supervisor give it a look over before the bike is shoved out the door.  It could have been a major safety issue like not tightening an axle nut or forgetting to install a nut on a brake caliper bracket.  Any of these things could cause someone to crash if loose parts fall into the wheel spokes.  If the dumb a$$es at the dealership maintenance can't even change a tire how are we supposed to allow them to do something that is complicated and requires skill?  I'd fire his a$$ if he worked in my shop.