Quote:
As far as the quality of individual bearings, produced by an outside source, failing in some individual models (and it was only a few 1999 and 2000 models which were affected by these bad bearings) that isn't a Harley Davidson QC issue; it's a matter of the supplier of the bearings not delivering quality parts.
Dan
If a supplier is using inferior parts, no matter whom the supplier is or end user is, it is up to the end user to determine quality control. I work in aviation, aviation manufacturers have items that are made to 'specs' of the mfg, as does HD, or any other MC mfg. that being said, I have to inspect that part prior to installing it to ensure it meets that spec. I cannot simply throw the part on, and after it fails and kills 300 people on a flight, just say, "oh well, they made it, not us, too bad, we're not to blame". That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. the end user, read: MFG, is ultimately responsible for EVERY part that ends up on that item.
I know that several HD's are having Cam bearing, and Cam tensioner problems, and most dealers are not repairing it under warranty. And most cases I have seen and heard are happening between 40K and 60K. While I am not saying other MC manufactures are not having their own issues with model bikes, and I know there are XXX amount of HD's on the road with No problems at all, I do not believe that just 'Biker wannabies", with a HD stuff, are the only ones complaining.HD is in a unique position to act pretty much any way they like on an issue because nothing is hurting their sales, their HD clothes line brings in more $$ than the bikes do!
I ride with a group every Sunday. There are 10 core riders, of that, All ride HD's except for myself and another, who rides a small Vulcan. I also have a 883 Sportster, which, BTW, has been trouble free with 6K on it. I always ride my 1983 GS1100 Suzuki. 3 of the HD's have failed, one with stator, one with cam chain tensioner, one with some other kind of cam problem that happened at Sturgis. that bike was traded for a new one at Rapid City. In seven years, the Suzuki has failed once, and the other bikes failed as I just described. Would I buy another HD? yes, I would, would I buy another Suzuki? yes, I would. the point being every mfg has a problem, but also every MFG is responsible for its end product quality as well. Now before you spank my monkey over this, I am talking about people who do not abuse their bikes, and service them on a regular basis, most with HD fluids, and a couple with Mobile one/amsoil.