Hi all,
I noticed on my way home this evening (just as Melbourne decided to turn on the rain) that the usual growl I get from my iron sounded somewhat more "airy". Putting it down to a different environment, rain, traffic etc. I didn't think much of it until I got further into the ride and heard what seemed to be something metallic vibrating around - odd I thought! First thing I did when I got home was to check the exhaust only to notice that my exhaust hader was missing its nuts! (see pic)
Obviously I'll be onto the dealer first thing in the morning as the bike has only just clocked over 1,000km (as a result I can't say I'm impressed).
My big question is - could this cause any serious damage? I'm guessing I'll need (apart from the nuts) a new gasket - but could the lack of back pressure cause serious harm to the engine?
After such a short distance its unlikely that there is any motor damage other than Harley waranty cheque book!
if the bike has only done 1,000Km, then I got a couple questions....
a) stock pipes or have you have the headers changed?
b) any wear marks on the studs?
give then fact there is so few km, Im guessing that nuts may never have been fitted in first place. Difficult to imagine both nuts coming off same time in less than 1,000Km.
There looks to be marks on the flange which might be score marks from nuts!!!. Any better pic of the studs?
I have a Dyna and rarely have to tighten flange nuts which makes me think someone left them off. Wouldn't be the first time.
Thanks for your response Uncle Ho... a) headers have been changed - V&H short shots fitted by the dealer when I purchased the bike b) hardly any wear marks on the studs from what I can see Better pic included below... I'm guessing they were fitted, but not tightened correctly as there's some marks showing on the flange, but this could have been from the stock pipes anyhow, although as you say with only 1000km on the bike (it's been a fun couple of weekends) they may have never been fitted. Dealer is picking up the bike tomorrow to get things sorted, admittedly very apologetic, but imho not an ideal pre-delivery. [edit: remembered the pic this time]
What did you order and from where? Giz details!
And damn straight they should be fixing the problem. And then giving you free servicing for a year!
My flush mount fuel cap for the 48 arrived in store today, now I just need to get there to pick it up!
Only a little order at this stage 'snoof, from HH Dandenong...
The black headlamp ring and the black acorn nuts from the 48 (for the inverted mirrors).
Next round of updates includes more fun stuff including the flush mount fuel cap, black derby covers, drag bars and a filter cover, of course I still need to decide on the dual seat so I can squeeze somebody on the back when the need arises. Tempting to see if the dealer can do some of the next changes for me while they have the bike, but I'm not sure I trust them to fit them now!
Nick in Service at HH Dandenong is very good (from my experience with him). My short shots are still on
When I bought my nightster in 2010, discovered after a ride the nut on the front wheel axle was loose and not far from falling off,could have been ugly! Only had low K's on it as well. Picked up the street bob this year and by the time i got it home one of the rear indicator/brake lights was hanging on by the wire only. Love both the bikes, but maybe HD need to look at their quality control a bit better.
I've had issues several time with header exhaust nuts coming loose. Dealer tightened at a couple of services. In the end I put locktight on them had no issues since. Had other things shake loose and good old locktight fixes it.
Just adding to this thread from last month, I had a similar issue within 300km from factory on my FXDC.
I only noticed that both nuts on the front header were missing because I hit the starter and a spark the size of venus erupted from the other side of the bike! Couldn't see any obvious cause once the smoke dissipated, so tenuosly hit the starter again, no sparks and the bike started fine. While having the closest look I'd had at all the mysterious bits in the engine bay (first Harley and not mechanically inclined) while it warmed up, I noticed the front pipe banging against the exhaust port, with both nuts missing.
Had the dealer ship it from work where I left it (damned if I was riding it like that) back to them, and they found not only both nuts needing obvious replacement, but that the spark had been caused by the starter motor's earth lead arcing on the frame as it had lost a THIRD nut in the middle of the bike's guts. They put a locknut on the earth lead, but explained that a lock nut and\or threadlock wouldn't help with the exhaust as the constant heating and cooling would render both options useless anyway.
Dealership said these things shouldn't happen on current model Harley's, but must have been missed from the factory. Only problem is I had the dealership install V&H pipes when I bought it, so was def. an oversight at that dealership. Haven't had any more issues with those nuts, but bike has been back a second time because the nut holding the main earth lead for the battery to the frame came loose while riding, resulting in the bike cutting out for a few scary seconds while doing 100kph on the motorway.
I've put it all down to trials and tribulations of Harley ownership The dealership has been really good to me since, so hold no ill feelings towards them at all.
bits get left off.... but they shouldn't!!!!
Don't want people going over the top about this photo as it's been commented to death before, but this was the result of workmanship from a HD dealer around 4 years ago..... nuff said
