Fried Clutch on 2015 FLHXS at 3,000 Miles

[Klmack]

Quote Originally Posted by Klmack View Post

So it’s Friday May 15, and I’m sitting here waiting to hear from the dealership letting me know that my bike is done. I was on a ride in San Francisco a couple of days ago and my clutch fried. 2015 FLHXS with 3,014 miles on the ODO- and the clutch is GONE! My bike is not part of the clutch master cylinder recall. When this occurred, the clutch plates were barely grabbing, and would release around 3,000 rpm, barely able to move the bike. I tried to get home but after travelling about 12 miles while ‘feathering’ the clutch, I had to pull off of the freeway because I could only go about 45 mph. Fortunately some of my HOG brothers were with me. I got the bike trailered and delivered to the dealership the next day and got the dreaded phone call: “your clutch is fried and it’s not covered under warranty as it is considered a wear and tear”. What??? A bike with 3,000 miles on it- fried clutch is ‘operator wear and tear’??? I spoke with Mother Hog and they basically said the same thing. This is my second Harley and my 8th bike overall and I have never fried a clutch, not even on dirt bikes or when I was young and stupid and shredded 3 tires a year on crotch rockets. My miles come from riding with my HOG Group so it ain’t like I’m shredding tires from the stop. To say I am pissed would be an understatement.
This is going to cost me just north of $500. Since I picked up the bike in December 2014, it never really ‘jumped’ off of the line- kinda seemed like I was starting out in 2nd gear or something and this was my first bike with a hydraulic clutch so I just assumed that this was way these operated. I am going to have the OEM clutch plates replaced with the Screamin Eagle plates so I will be interested in seeing how the clutch operates. I was going to be getting an SE high flow air cleaner and a V&H FP3 tuner this week, but I guess that is out the window for now.
Has anyone else experienced frying a clutch on a 2014 or 2015 FLHXS?

UPDATE: Friday May 15. Picked bike up today. Everything appears to be working fine. I paid $492. As I was passing my credit card, I said to the mechanic 'I still would have to say that frying the clutch on a Street Glide at 3,000 miles certainly indicates a problem, weather you guys could find it or not.' I paid the bill and boogied- I got a big ride tomorrow. Kinda disillusioned. I'm assuming since I paid the bill all is settled. I spoke with Dave at Mother Hog and got the 'not covered by warranty' story.

 

[Mojo]

That's kinda unbelievable that a clutch wouldn't be covered under factory warranty w/ 3k miles !
I don't know of anyone that fried a clutch that early . . . . only CVO engines and they were both covered!!

 

[buckshot85]

Yeah, that would piss me off. That is not normal wear. I'm surprised at the 1k service it wasn't noticed.

 

[paul65k]

Hmmmmm......I know that dealers get a lower reimbursement rate from the factory than a retail bill, I wonder if this might have had anything to do with the determination of it not being under warranty...................nah I'm sure I'm just being cynical..........Right????

 

[Spazz]

umm... Sorry for your troubles... but I would be jumping up and down on someones chest... starting with the service manager
.
I have to say something though.... having a CLOSE relationship with my dealership and their staff has got me a LONG WAY on certain issues and they know that I will keep coming back to them. They have hooked me up in more than one way... from parts, to service and warranty items...

Having this close relationship tends to lean in your favor when something like this comes up... I know a lot of folks can't and won't... but if you build a re pore, it helps a lot...

 

[buckshot85]

"The Finer Points of Shmoozing" by Spazz.
Find it at Barnes & Noble, today.
LOL
In all seriousness, I agree. Whenever I get to the dealership I make it a point to say hi and talk to the owner, my salesman and the service guys. Ya never know.

 

[Mojo]

I also have a good relationship with my selling dealer. I've actually seen them pay out of their own pocket for their customers when Harley wouldn't.

 

[Klmack]

Update May 17

Update May 17

I have a letter that I have drafted to send to HD. I guess I should cc my dealership just to keep them in the loop. The letter states that clutch plates fryin out at 3,000 miles is not 'normal' wear and tear. I am requesting that they further investigate the problem and in the meantime, reimburse me my $472 paid to HD for clutch plate replacement. This 'theme' that has been presented by the dealership and HD that it was due to incorrect operation is demeaning and insulting and has insinuated that I am a 'new rider' that doesn't know how to properly operate a clutch. That's weak and not being accountable for the problem.

 

[Mojo]

Kimack- Have you contacted the Harley Regional Zone Mgr. yourself on this? I think you might have a legal case if your bike is in factory warranty. Remember- the squeaky wheel gets the grease!

 

[pappabear]

Good luck with that.. They will have every reason why is your fault.. Even if you have been riding for a thousand years.. I had the same issue but with a different scoot.. Hope it works out for you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mojo]

Yeah pappabear- but even if they would meet him half way, its better than nothing! I've found from past experience that being polite and professional most times works wonders.

 

[Klmack]

UPDATE: I sent a letter to Harley requesting my $472 to be reimbursed to repair my clutch that burnt out at 3,000 miles. We will see what their reply is. I also sent a copy of the letter to my dealership then went to the dealership and informed the service manager in person to expect the letter. While at the dealership, I requested one of the technicians to take my bike for a test ride. When he returned, he said everything felt right and tight. I was watching as he took the bike out and he performed the clutch release just as I do- discounting the Harley mantra that the burnt out clutch was due to ‘wear and tear’. The tech then told me that he has been replacing ‘a lot’ of burnt out plates on the Rushmores. Just wondering if Harley had gotten a new supplier for this batch of piss poor clutch plates.

 

[TRDutch]

After owning 8 Harleys I can vouch for the relationship tact.
It works.
Im sorry you are getting shafted on this issue especially after not feeling right about it on delivery,a lesson for all newbees
I had a Switchback that had a front brake bleed out issue (pulled to the grip and they said normal)
I called the bull S flag and said nope till they replaced the faulty master cylinder
Then I proceeded to sample the front brake lever on every single FLD that I came across (New in showroom/out on the road) and published my findings on the web for others who thought and were told its normal
(2 out of 3 pulled to the grip)
We gotta look out for each other here
Side note my Buddies 2011 came out of the Crate with a fried clutch but being winter He didnt discover it till his maiden voyage at Daytona Bike Week
Thank Goodness we knew people at Rossmeyer's and while we browsed the tents it was replaced under waranty.
This is where the Haters get their Ammo!

 

[TRDutch]

one other thing that burns me is most pay for "setup" and then again for 1000 miles
I have had issues missed on both of these and I was too excited about my new bike till the novelty subsided and I got down to riding it and finding problems
Its to the point where we need to take an experienced Harley Guy with us on delivery day and have them go over the bike with a fine tooth comb like when Dad would take his mechanic to the used car dealer to check things out

 

[Klmack]

I hear you TRDutch. Maybe it's a trust issue or maybe it's because I know that when I'm in my garage and I torque a nut or bolt down, I can confirm that it's been done. I also use threadlock on my torqued bolts. One cold day in January while admiring my BMW (Black Magic Woman- denim Black FLHXS), I removed, applied threadlock, and replaced every screw on my saddlebag and Tour-Pak latches and hinges- that's how OCD I am brother! If something is 'off' on any of my vehicles, I repair/replace immediately. Only thing is, on a motorcycle, it could mean riding or crashing.

I'm hoping for a reasonable outcome from Mother HOG.

 

[1Grumpyguy]

What a load of s$&t ! 3000k the tranny should be just broken in... Not broken! HD sure spends a lot of time trying to get out of making things right for their customers... If it wasn't for the good dealerships that really care about HD owners, the following would be dwindling. Moco doesn't make it easy. Ie: "Death Wobble, crappy cam tensioners, cheapening flywheel and crank. As for the dealers ... They sell enough $40 t-shirts to help offset the cost of helping a bro out when it's the right thing to do! That being said... I've been riding HD's for over 30 years and I wouldn't ride anything else

 

[HD15SGS]

Hate to see stuff like this happen to anyone and hope things get worked out for you! I do wonder, did you happen to keep the fried plates?

 

[Klmack]

UPDATE--- Got a call yesterday from Jamie of HD Corporate. Told me he received my letter and that HD has given me a $500 in-store credit. Now a lot could be said about that and what I said was... Thank You. Just wanted to know that HD would back its product. He also gave me a service number and told me that if anything happens with the replacement clutch, to give the dealer that number for a replacement. Good to know. Told Jamie I would look him up while in Sturgis. However... on 4 occasions now (2 yesterday), I heard a quick 'screeching' noise from my clutch at take off from the line. I am monitoring and listening carefully now. The old adage 'Ride it like you stole it' for me seems to be... 'ride it carefully and cautiously and listen for any odd sounds and drips, leaks, or seeps.' Putting A LOT of money into this investment with the expectation that its going to carry me where I want to go - and back!

 

[Spazz]

Glad that MOCO is standing up... somewhat... keep us posted

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[BluesBelly]

I'm

UPDATE--- Got a call yesterday from Jamie of HD Corporate. Told me he received my letter and that HD has given me a $500 in-store credit. Now a lot could be said about that and what I said was... Thank You. Just wanted to know that HD would back its product. He also gave me a service number and told me that if anything happens with the replacement clutch, to give the dealer that number for a replacement. Good to know. Told Jamie I would look him up while in Sturgis. However... on 4 occasions now (2 yesterday), I heard a quick 'screeching' noise from my clutch at take off from the line. I am monitoring and listening carefully now. The old adage 'Ride it like you stole it' for me seems to be... 'ride it carefully and cautiously and listen for any odd sounds and drips, leaks, or seeps.' Putting A LOT of money into this investment with the expectation that its going to carry me where I want to go - and back!

It's good to hear you received some type of reimbursement and satisfaction. This of course comes with a trade off that is in favor of Mother Hog. Unless you buy regular maintenance items such as tires, oil, filter, and such or use toward labor, you may be tempted to buy additional accessories that may have not been on your shopping list. If that is the case HD is selling you $500 of retail product that has been marked up from their cost at least 50%. In short their actual cost for the $500 credit is $250.
It's all better than a poke in the eye with a stick though.
You should not hear the screeching sound from the clutch. Makes me wonder if the clutch spring is weak.
Hopefully the new replacement clutch parts put you on the road for along time with no troubles.

Klmack,
Please note that I'm not trying to put a negative spin on this. Just an observation. Seems like your going through a lot of Unnecessary BS

Blues