Back in the shop

Jun 24, 2011
530
22
South Bend, IN
Name
Jim
Got my trike back from the indy shop 2wks ago and had to take it back in today. Had the motor completely rebuilt and now it's knocking again. Was going to go to Brandt's in Walbash to put some more miles on and it was knocking and had to turn around and head home. I've had it with this thing!! How much money do you put in something before you get rid of it. Either way you lose!! Jim
 
I know you invested a ton of money into it, But there comes a time when you have to cut and run..... Aggravation will shorten your life, And even if they fix it this time, Every time you go out for a ride and hear a noise you'll be doing a white knuckle flight, Thinking here we go again...Wish I could give you better advice.....:Shrug:
 
That sucks, Jim. I thought you'd finally found a shop that knew what was going on, and problems would be behind you. Sorry for your continued troubles.
 
They better warrantee their work! When I picked it up I asked about a warrantee & he said just bring it back. This has been the bike from hell & back. I wouldn't wish this crap on anybody. You're stuck between a rock and a hard place! I'm just hoping it's something simple. To answer your question John, it was modified Big time. Now I have an S&S crank & rods in it,new cams S&S push rods, jugs bored .005 over &.005 over 10:5/1SE pistons,SE oil pump,SE 100+ heads (ported & polished). Everything new except the cases & heads. Same stuff I had before except the S&S stuff.

One good thing is the relief spring they put in the oil pump. Now when the motor is hot I am running about 25lbs of pressure. Before it would show close to 0. Yea rhino my blood pressure is high as a kite. I was so pissed Sunday I wasn't paying attention & almost re-ended a car that was turning in front of me! I'm still going to be afraid to just take off across country anymore. Sorry for the book guys. I'll let you know what I find out. Jim
 
They better warrantee their work! When I picked it up I asked about a warrantee & he said just bring it back. This has been the bike from hell & back. I wouldn't wish this crap on anybody. You're stuck between a rock and a hard place! I'm just hoping it's something simple. To answer your question John, it was modified Big time. Now I have an S&S crank & rods in it,new cams S&S push rods, jugs bored .005 over &.005 over 10:5/1SE pistons,SE oil pump,SE 100+ heads (ported & polished). Everything new except the cases & heads. Same stuff I had before except the S&S stuff.

One good thing is the relief spring they put in the oil pump. Now when the motor is hot I am running about 25lbs of pressure. Before it would show close to 0. Yea rhino my blood pressure is high as a kite. I was so pissed Sunday I wasn't paying attention & almost re-ended a car that was turning in front of me! I'm still going to be afraid to just take off across country anymore. Sorry for the book guys. I'll let you know what I find out. Jim

Keep us here at TRIKE TALK.com informed....hoping this sorts out to the point You won't think twice about hitting the road to anywhere, and doesn't cost anymore out of Your pocket to reach this point.....ThumbUp
 
ouch!!!!

sorry about your luck. been there and don't miss that feeling . fought passed it.

(with a good deal of money and hope) My trike finally got straight. Thought I was going to lose my mind for a while. I had too much invested to stop and no real end in sight.

Turned it over to a good dealership and told them to fix it ! (4 rivers h.d. in paducha, ky) cost a little ,but runs like a champ.

hang in there
 
I can't help but wonder if Mr. "just bring it back" has found the problem with your bike. I'm assuming you paid him a lot of money for the work you have described before and I would hope that he would realize he has a vested interest in finding the problem. I would also hope that he would realize the quicker he finds & fixes the problem, whatever the cause, the better it will be for him & his business.

Not that it helps with your trike problems, but it seems your problems are being followed by a lot of people. Yesterday I was talking to a couple on a new & highly modified Tri Glide, they were on a shake-down/road trip & taking a 'hide from the rain break' at a local Walmart. While talking about all the work that their TG has had done, the man brought up YOUR problems, he has been following your comments & hoping he has better luck, he also said that he knows of the shop that did your last work. He was also surprised that the problem was not looked at quickly, but I said it may be that you haven't been able to update us. The couple said that while they are not members of TT they read the comments almost every day and are hoping your trike is looked at & fixed soon and that if Mr. "just bring it back" doesn't treat you right they will tell ALL the bike people they talk to and it does seem that they do get around.:)

Please keep us updated Jim, you have a lot on your side.
 
I can't help but wonder if Mr. "just bring it back" has found the problem with your bike. I'm assuming you paid him a lot of money for the work you have described before and I would hope that he would realize he has a vested interest in finding the problem. I would also hope that he would realize the quicker he finds & fixes the problem, whatever the cause, the better it will be for him & his business.

Not that it helps with your trike problems, but it seems your problems are being followed by a lot of people. Yesterday I was talking to a couple on a new & highly modified Tri Glide, they were on a shake-down/road trip & taking a 'hide from the rain break' at a local Walmart. While talking about all the work that their TG has had done, the man brought up YOUR problems, he has been following your comments & hoping he has better luck, he also said that he knows of the shop that did your last work. He was also surprised that the problem was not looked at quickly, but I said it may be that you haven't been able to update us. The couple said that while they are not members of TT they read the comments almost every day and are hoping your trike is looked at & fixed soon and that if Mr. "just bring it back" doesn't treat you right they will tell ALL the bike people they talk to and it does seem that they do get around.:)

Please keep us updated Jim, you have a lot on your side.

TRIKE TALK.com has a really large following of "Lurkers" as well as a Large Membership...Got a Trike (or even a motorcycle), It's the Place to be.....ThumbUp...and I too hope this gets resolved really soon.....:10:
 
On my last post I said I have 25lbs of oil pressure when hot. Well I meant 25lbs at idle when hot. That is really good. Now back to the bike. Picked it up today. They put 2 new lifters in the front. That's what I told them I thought it was. I just happened to go there to see if they did anything to it since I hadn't heard from them. They couldn't figure out exactly what it was. So I took it for a ride and it seems to be ok at this point. They said it still sounds noisey put that's the way mine sounds with all the stuff in it. We are driving down to Indianapolis Saturday for the Miracle Ride and get to ride around the Indy 500 track. So i'll let you know how it goes. 92Fxsts, don't know which shop that guy was talking about but this last one is Gerencers Motor Sports. The Harley dealership was Hoosiers. Gerencers didn't charge me for the work done.Hoosiers is the ones that screwed it up from the get go. Thanks everyone and I pray this is the last time for a while I have to sink more money in it. Next time i'll try to get rid of it. Thanks everyone!!!! Jim Colson
 
Man I really hate it for you I've been reading about your troubles over the last few months . I like you would wish that on no one , no matter what they do at this point it will be hard to ever trust it even if it runs perfect , just the fear of something happening .


Most of us ride for pleasure not necessity and I truly hate your going through all this . Maybe the problem will be found and fixed , I hope so. GOOD LUCK !!!!
 
Glad to hear that your trike is back on the road, sure hope for your & your trikes sake that this will be the last of the problems.
I wasn't sure of any shop names, but the other triker seemed to know more than I remembered and said he has been following your comments for a while. I think he said they where from Valparaiso & knew or knew of most of the harley wrenches up in the area along the lake. He didn't seem to be ready to bad mouth anyone, just wanted to hear that everyone stood behind the work & got you back on the road, QUICKER. :wave4:
 
On my last post I said I have 25lbs of oil pressure when hot. Well I meant 25lbs at idle when hot. That is really good. Now back to the bike. Picked it up today. They put 2 new lifters in the front. That's what I told them I thought it was. I just happened to go there to see if they did anything to it since I hadn't heard from them. They couldn't figure out exactly what it was. So I took it for a ride and it seems to be ok at this point. They said it still sounds noisey put that's the way mine sounds with all the stuff in it. We are driving down to Indianapolis Saturday for the Miracle Ride and get to ride around the Indy 500 track. So i'll let you know how it goes. 92Fxsts, don't know which shop that guy was talking about but this last one is Gerencers Motor Sports. The Harley dealership was Hoosiers. Gerencers didn't charge me for the work done.Hoosiers is the ones that screwed it up from the get go. Thanks everyone and I pray this is the last time for a while I have to sink more money in it. Next time i'll try to get rid of it. Thanks everyone!!!! Jim Colson

Lifters can almost drive a person to drink:), I just replaced the lifters in the 120 I built for my 06 Ultra. I had one lifter that would clack something awful until the engine run for awhile. I decided I'd give S&S premium lifters a try, I even did something I thought I would never do, install adjustable pushrods. I still have one lifter that clacks until it pumps up, doesn't make me happy, but don't feel like taking it apart again.

Once mine as run for a few minutes I quiets right down, it is however more mechanical sounding than a bone stock engine.
 
JColson, I have been reading about your troubles and hopefully the fix. You know it doesn't matter what you ride when you have something that isn't right it will make you pull your hair out. I hope for your sake everything is now setting on full speed ahead !
 
Nobody needs those kinds of headaches when you put a lot of money into a machine, no matter what brand it is. It's very frustrating a easy to tell the rep to shove it and find a different brand. You have a lot more staying power then me, I would have given up a long time ago.
 
Went to the Miracle Ride in Indy Saturday & rode the trike around the Indy 500 track Sunday. The bike ran good & didn't use oil for a change. Yeppe!! The motor is still loud but it's done that from day 1. I turn the radio up loud to help drown out the noise. It always sounds like it's going to blow up. If there is a next time i'll just do a Stage 1 with a tuner & exhaust. Maybe a lower compression cam.
 
Went to the Miracle Ride in Indy Saturday & rode the trike around the Indy 500 track Sunday. The bike ran good & didn't use oil for a change. Yeppe!! The motor is still loud but it's done that from day 1. I turn the radio up loud to help drown out the noise. It always sounds like it's going to blow up. If there is a next time i'll just do a Stage 1 with a tuner & exhaust. Maybe a lower compression cam.

ThumbUpThumbUp.............:pepper:
 
I have a set of those premium s&s limited bleed lifters with 40 miles on them . after the court case is done( now the end of july) they are up for grabs.
 
Went to the Miracle Ride in Indy Saturday & rode the trike around the Indy 500 track Sunday. The bike ran good & didn't use oil for a change. Yeppe!! The motor is still loud but it's done that from day 1. I turn the radio up loud to help drown out the noise. It always sounds like it's going to blow up. If there is a next time i'll just do a Stage 1 with a tuner & exhaust. Maybe a lower compression cam.

Hope this is the end to Your woes.....ThumbUp
 
It's just a mechanical noise(valve train). I have the Super Tuner. The only time it's quiet is between 2000-2500rpm. It's always been loud. I get tired of listening to it. It's not the rods cause I just put an S&S crank kit in. I almost have 1000mi. on it now. I'll just have to wait and see how it goes. Hopefully no more headaches or it's being sold or traded. Thought about just selling it and not ride anymore, but that probably won't happen. I like to get in the wind too much. Jim
 
It's just a mechanical noise(valve train). I have the Super Tuner. The only time it's quiet is between 2000-2500rpm. It's always been loud. I get tired of listening to it. It's not the rods cause I just put an S&S crank kit in. I almost have 1000mi. on it now. I'll just have to wait and see how it goes. Hopefully no more headaches or it's being sold or traded. Thought about just selling it and not ride anymore, but that probably won't happen. I like to get in the wind too much. Jim

Some cams are just a little noisier than others, my 120 has quite the mechanical sounds with the bigger cams and the roller rockers. I'll bet your noise is a little quieter when the engine and oil is cold, then it picks up more noise as everything warms up.
 
Some cams are just a little noisier than others, my 120 has quite the mechanical sounds with the bigger cams and the roller rockers. I'll bet your noise is a little quieter when the engine and oil is cold, then it picks up more noise as everything warms up.

Yep....."normal".....;)
 
Yep that's right Mike. it's quiet when cold then soon as it warms up it's noisey as hell. They told me a guy had the 259e cam in his bike and was really noisy. They put a different cam in and it was quiet.
 
Yep that's right Mike. it's quiet when cold then soon as it warms up it's noisey as hell. They told me a guy had the 259e cam in his bike and was really noisy. They put a different cam in and it was quiet.

The way I've always looked at it is. if its normal noise its not a big deal. When I 1st fired the 120 in my 06 Ultra with the bigger cams and roller rockers I almost crapped at the added valve train noise. Since then I've grown accustom to new noises.
 
Yep that's right Mike. it's quiet when cold then soon as it warms up it's noisey as hell. They told me a guy had the 259e cam in his bike and was really noisy. They put a different cam in and it was quiet.

I have the 259E cam in my motor, but have not noticed any more mechanical noise. The open filter air breather does make more sucking noise than it did before the stage 4 change over. My BOB {Babe On Back} is not happy about the stronger deeper louder exhaust concussion She feels back there now. She has started wearing ear plugs.
 

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