2018 Triglide broke down....sigh

[ultrafxr]

I have a buddy from Paducah who blew his 2018 TG tranny. He had his 1,000 miles service done at Space Coast Harley while down in Florida and they put gear oil in his tranny instead of Sny-3.

The Paducah dealer replaced the whole tranny instead of rebuilding it. He wanted them to save a sample of the gear oil so he could at least get a refund for his 1,000 miles service when he went back to Florida. They said they "forgot" to pull a sample and save it for him. One dealer taking care of another I am guessing.

Another reason I try to do all my own fluid changes.

If they charged him the $$ for Syn 3 then I can see his gripe. Otherwise I would prefer a gear specific lubricant in the tranny vs motor oil which is what Syn 3 is.

 

[Jthubbs]

Regarding the towing policy . . . I switched to AAA and added motorcycle coverage just because of that. AAA will tow you anywhere you want to go up to 100 miles at no charge. Helped me out quite a bit several years ago when I had a breakdown. Had a leaking oil cooler and two closest dealers did not have part. Third dealer who was almost 100 miles away did have it and AAA towed me there. Not sure since not checked since then but all my roadside assistance plans except AAA had mileage limits under 100 miles . . . and I had the H.O.G. Road America as well as my insurance company's plan and a couple others I can't even recall. Cancelled them all and stuck with AAA.

I'm glad to hear that you had good luck with AAA. My experience wasn't that positive. I was at a bike night about 40 miles from home. Like you I had the "Extra" coverage for the bike. My throttle cable broke and I wasn't able to travel. I had several other guys with me that night. I pulled over at a convenience store lot. and called AAA. They replied they would get someone there as soon as possible. This was around 10 PM on a Thursday night. After several calls AAA finally informed me they couldn't help me, this was well after midnight. Alas, I didn't renew my AAA membership. I've been happy with the services provided by my HOG membership.

 

[GoSlo]

I went to the dealership again this morning and asked why they aren't replacing the entire transmission and was told that Harley corporate makes that decision. If they feel it's easier (cheaper) to replace a few parts, they opt for that. The service guys said that it would actually be easier and cheaper in the long run to pull the old one (I think they called it a "cartridge") and slide in a whole new one (the block is still good) as opposed to taking it apart, replacing all the pieces, carefully checking and cleaning the entire thing and putting it back together again, which is going to take a lot more labor. Kind of reminds me of that old saying "penny wise, pound foolish". I've used this same mechanic for about 15 years now and trust him, so I guess it is what it is.

Fuzzy, I thought about asking for a loaner (my old trike is still sitting in the dealership), but when I found out I probably couldn't go, the other two people canceled rooms, so the trip is definitely off. Guess I'll just have plan another week-long trip this summer.

So in about a week from now the new parts should be in and then hopefully a day or so after that I'll get the trike back.

 

[Jack Klarich]

I went to the dealership again this morning and asked why they aren't replacing the entire transmission and was told that Harley corporate makes that decision. If they feel it's easier (cheaper) to replace a few parts, they opt for that. The service guys said that it would actually be easier and cheaper in the long run to pull the old one (I think they called it a "cartridge") and slide in a whole new one (the block is still good) as opposed to taking it apart, replacing all the pieces, carefully checking and cleaning the entire thing and putting it back together again, which is going to take a lot more labor. Kind of reminds me of that old saying "penny wise, pound foolish". I've used this same mechanic for about 15 years now and trust him, so I guess it is what it is.

Fuzzy, I thought about asking for a loaner (my old trike is still sitting in the dealership), but when I found out I probably couldn't go, the other two people canceled rooms, so the trip is definitely off. Guess I'll just have plan another week-long trip this summer.

So in about a week from now the new parts should be in and then hopefully a day or so after that I'll get the trike back.

Any idea what they will put in for lube?

Do you have a choice?

 

[GoSlo]

Any idea what they will put in for lube?

Do you have a choice?

I'm going with the Amsoil transmission fluid this time. I've used the Syn3 on most of my other bikes and didn't have any problems. I did ask about RedLine, and was told that their shop doesn't recommend it. They'll put it in for people, but don't push it at all and strictly offer Amsoil and H-D's fluids. I used RedLine on one of my other bikes and it seemed to run really well and as others have said it quiets down the clunking noise when shifting, which never bothered me in the least.

 

[Fearless]

I'm going with the Amsoil transmission fluid this time. I've used the Syn3 on most of my other bikes and didn't have any problems. I did ask about RedLine, and was told that their shop doesn't recommend it. They'll put it in for people, but don't push it at all and strictly offer Amsoil and H-D's fluids. I used RedLine on one of my other bikes and it seemed to run really well and as others have said it quiets down the clunking noise when shifting, which never bothered me in the least.

I'm running Amsoil tranny now and very pleased with it. Shifts smooth neutral is easy of course clutch adjustment is critical for that. Travel safe Fred

 

[ISP-FL]

If they charged him the $$ for Syn 3 then I can see his gripe. Otherwise I would prefer a gear specific lubricant in the tranny vs motor oil which is what Syn 3 is.

Of course they charged him for the Syn-3. They were suppose to put it in all three holes. He is a retired diesel mechanic and as soon as he smelled the tranny when it trashed he said it smelled like burned gear oil, so hard telling what kind or type of gear oil went in there.

 

[headheaded]

Nothing wrong with Redline at all. I've run it my bikes for years. Have a pal that has 115,000 miles on his trans running nothing but Redline.

As far as replacing the entire transmission ( which i think they should) HD has been stepping over dollar to pick up a dime for years. And at the customers time spent without their bikes.

 

[GoSlo]

Update: The trike is fixed and the trip is back on!!

I got a call from the service department Friday afternoon saying the parts that were supposed to take 7-10 days, got here overnight. They knew about my trip, so the mechanic who’s worked on my bikes/trikes for 15 years now, worked late Friday and came in early on Saturday to finish it up. I think he may have also been sick and tired of seeing it in his bay...

I talked to the GM this morning and asked how the parts got here so quickly. He just smiled and said he’s got connections. So I’m not sure if it was just a phone call he made or if the dealership paid for expedited shipping. Either way, it’s all put back together and now we get to head out Monday morning as planned.

I did get both the mechanic and the GM a good bottle of bourbon for their efforts. So a big shout out and thank you to Rocky Mountain H-D!!

 

[1dn5up]

Update: The trike is fixed and the trip is back on!!

I got a call from the service department Friday afternoon saying the parts that were supposed to take 7-10 days, got here overnight. They knew about my trip, so the mechanic who’s worked on my bikes/trikes for 15 years now, worked late Friday and came in early on Saturday to finish it up. I think he may have also been sick and tired of seeing it in his bay...

I talked to the GM this morning and asked how the parts got here so quickly. He just smiled and said he’s got connections. So I’m not sure if it was just a phone call he made or if the dealership paid for expedited shipping. Either way, it’s all put back together and now we get to head out Monday morning as planned.

I did get both the mechanic and the GM a good bottle of bourbon for their efforts. So a big shout out and thank you to Rocky Mountain H-D!!

See —— There is a God :clapping:

 

[Dave59]

ThumbUp Have a safe trip!!

 

[ShapeShifter]

Update: The trike is fixed and the trip is back on!!

I got a call from the service department Friday afternoon saying the parts that were supposed to take 7-10 days, got here overnight. They knew about my trip, so the mechanic who’s worked on my bikes/trikes for 15 years now, worked late Friday and came in early on Saturday to finish it up. I think he may have also been sick and tired of seeing it in his bay...

I talked to the GM this morning and asked how the parts got here so quickly. He just smiled and said he’s got connections. So I’m not sure if it was just a phone call he made or if the dealership paid for expedited shipping. Either way, it’s all put back together and now we get to head out Monday morning as planned.

I did get both the mechanic and the GM a good bottle of bourbon for their efforts. So a big shout out and thank you to Rocky Mountain H-D!!

Congratulations!! Good to hear Good News Stories about Great Dealers & Excellent Employees.:clapping:

 

[GoSlo]

And the saga continues....

Just finished up our trip to Arkansas and while there the volt gauge on the fairing started climbing and was staying in the red area, (high end not the low side). Rode to the dealership in Rogers to see what was going on. They stuck a tester on the charging system and it was reading the battery at 12.3, right where it should be, so they said the gauge was probably bad, but I could ride without any problems. So I rode around the rest of the week and 850 miles home and the bike rode fine...including the “new” transmission that was repaired. I take it in tomorrow so they can check it over.

So 3 out of my 4 trips with this trike have had problems and I’m not real happy right now.

Trip 1: Entire switch innards on right handle bar went out and parking brake sensor failed

Trip 2: No issues!!

Trip 3: Lost transmission

Trip 4: Volt gauge goes out and maybe more.

I realize that stuff happens and motorcycles do break down, but this is getting ridiculous.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Good to hear they got your trans fixed quickly. Sorry to hear about the gauge.

Hopefully that's the end of fixes and now it is just riding and maintenance going forward!

Kevin

 

[1dn5up]

Voltage

My gauge was reading 15v . So I checked it myself and was 14.3v . Will replace it with a digital the next time the batwing is removed. Probably be a winter project.

 

[rhino 2]

My gauge was reading 15v . So I checked it myself and was 14.3v . Will replace it with a digital the next time the batwing is removed. Probably be a winter project.

Both my T/G's 11 and 17 the gauge always said 15v....With about a total of 55k i just ignored them, Without any side effects.....Harley gauges are for amusement only and not for accuracy...........

 

[ISP-FL]

GoSlo, I probably wouldn't be real happy either. I have only had five HD's (3 used and 2 new) but very little problems over the years.

For me it wouldn't be the issue of a dealership taking care of the repairs or not taking care of them, it would be the constant worries of another breakdown while out on the road.

I certainly hope all the issues are over with your ride.

 

[Jack Klarich]

The gauge problem sucks

I never trust H D Gauges

I hope they fix it fast for you

 

[JamesP]

[h=1]“There ain't many troubles that a man caint fix

With seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six.

”: Jeff Cooper[/h]Quote needs to be updated to include a bottle (or two) of bourbon

James P.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

And the saga continues....

Just finished up our trip to Arkansas and while there the volt gauge on the fairing started climbing and was staying in the red area, (high end not the low side). Rode to the dealership in Rogers to see what was going on. They stuck a tester on the charging system and it was reading the battery at 12.3, right where it should be, so they said the gauge was probably bad, but I could ride without any problems. So I rode around the rest of the week and 850 miles home and the bike rode fine...including the “new” transmission that was repaired. I take it in tomorrow so they can check it over.

So 3 out of my 4 trips with this trike have had problems and I’m not real happy right now.

Trip 1: Entire switch innards on right handle bar went out and parking brake sensor failed

Trip 2: No issues!!

Trip 3: Lost transmission

Trip 4: Volt gauge goes out and maybe more.

I realize that stuff happens and motorcycles do break down, but this is getting ridiculous.

I feel your pain,my 17 has been in 8 times for different warranty issues,its to the point where i dont trust it. And im still not sure if the oil migration issue is fixed.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

While it was on my mind i went out and checked,yup its on the add mark. Looks like trip number 9 coming up .

 

[GoSlo]

So I brought the trike in to the dealership and the mechanic wanted to check that everything was working properly before ordering a new gauge. Found that the regulator wasn't charging correctly and that's why the gauge was acting up. They had one is stock and took me right in this morning and got it done pretty quickly. Actually, the best news of this whole episode is that because I brought it in right after the ride, they washed it and I didn't have to!! So there's a silver lining to everything if you look hard enough.

 

[trikeman]

With all the problems you’ve had, they ought to give you free wash and wax for life!!:wave4:

 

[Koolbreeze]

My gauge was reading 15v . So I checked it myself and was 14.3v . Will replace it with a digital the next time the batwing is removed. Probably be a winter project.

If I remember correctly there is an adjustment on the back of the voltage meter.

I think it is a little screw that will allow the adjustment of where the gauge reads.

Put a volt meter on it and adjust it to read correctly. I adjusted my 2007 Electra Glide; however, I have not had my 2019 batwing off to check for the adjustment screw.