Hi all, i recently purchased a 2014 night rod special brand new. Ive had it for three months now and last sunday on my ride my clutch just went on me, almost caused an accident, after ive pulled up and inspected the bike ive noticed the clutch fluid pissed out where the cable reached the clutch on the bottom right hand side. my bike was saturated in the fluid, over the exhaust, motor, frame, rims and rear tyre.. Anyways harley road side assist take my bike to a holding yard for the night being a sunday afternoon, allowing the dot 4 fluid to sink in nice and good, then drop it off at the harley dealer on monday around 12ish.

the dealer calls me and tells me that the gasket was fkd and the bolt came loose allowing all the fluid to leak out and told me they fixed it all and washed my bike. Now i ask them what about the rear tyre, the fluid that went everywhere and tell them im well aware of what dot 4 brake fluid is and how it causes cosmetic damage, eats paint and even rudder, but no rear tyre replacement, Told me that they are 100% sure my paint will be fine and bla bla bla, 

This is unacceptable. brand new bike with only 600kms on it and this happens, Is there any actions i can take to take this further, personaly i believe they should give me a new bike. in weeks, months or even years its all gonna start peeling away, in my opinion that bike is fucked, i even told them that in my owners manual it states a caution about the fluid and how damaging it is. yet they say the book is lieing if you can believe that!

Call or email head office. Explain what happened. If they don't provide a reasonable outcome then unfortunately the next step is department of fair trading. My advice is to not go off like a firecracker though, despite the fact that your ropable. Keep your cool and you'll get a result. Good luck.

Yeah, i'd just add that although it's obviously frustrating and you want a result, it's not actually the fault of the people at the dealership... Don't take it out on them unless they are purposefully being unhelpful. If you keep a lid on it, discuss your issues & concerns they will probably sort it out.

Mate, I feel for you,, after buying a new bike and this happens. As the above post recommends ,, keep your cool ,, but stand your ground !!!

To put your mind at rest a little,,, from your post , you state the clutch gave out.. oil coming out of the clutch cover, (right hand side, where the end of the clutch cable connects to. If this is the case, the oil coming out is Formula + ,,, or Syn 3 . Not Dot 4 , brake fluid ..

I would have thought the dealer would have pointed that out to you !!!

Anyway let us know how you go .

No imo the bike is not fucked it would take more than 1 night or so for the brake fluid to cause the paint to flake as Harley coat the frame and bits with 2 pak clear to provide protection. Washing the tyre with soapy water will remove the fluid of the rubber tyre. If your bike starts to corrode later which i don't think it will you can take it back under warranty then. Unfortunately shit happens that is why they give you warranty.

Yea the oil has come out from there but from the clutch cable hose that connects to it, when i was stopped on the side of the road i pulled in the clutch and it squirted straight out.

Ive spoke to harley australia and there getting back to me, doesn't sound like anythings gonna come from it. i just don't like how the dealer is trying to convince me that the dot 4 brake fluid harley uses is a new dot 4 that doesn't corrode paint etc. That i believe is bullshit, and their own owners manual states that it does.

End of the day I've just bought this bike, notg cheap as anyone knows, i don't want a cosmetically damaged bike down the road when warranty runs out and I've got peeling paint etc.

Thanks for the replies, appreciate all the help. Il keep you guys posted

What did Harley Aus. say?

Seeing as it's fucked ...I'll give ya a grand for it.... No wait , you said it was completely fucked so 500 is me best offer.

You take personal cheques?

M

 

What has dot 4 brake fluid got to do with the clutch???? Make sure you document everything so if there are problems in the future you have everything recorded....

Yep. Nightrod Special - hydraulic clutch.

Yep, Hydraulic clutch on the Night Rod ,,, I stand corrected !!!! Sorry mate I couldn't put your mind at ease a little !!!!

yeah I heard something about modern Dot 4 fluids not being corrosive myself, something about being silicone based I think, still we all try & avoid the splash just to be sure to be sure

I have heard the same they have modified modern brake fluids and they no longer damage paint.
How true it is i do not know anyone want to test this theory on a nice new paint job lol.

Generally warranty is questioned when the motorcycle has been motified. Did the bolt come lose or did the gasket fail?  Those are very different senarios with different outcomes. If you've added accessory handlebars, levers or any other related part.  If that is the case whomever installed the accessories may be responsible.  If not you should contact H-D Australia and ask that your warranty be reviewed.  Remember you catch more flys with honey so even thought you are quite upset you need to be calm when explaining things to them.  Have dates, who you spoke to at the dealer and any documentation at your fingertips when you make the call.  

harley australia never got back me like they promised yesterday they would on the same day.. go figure!
i just picked up my bike and after inspecting the work they claimed to have done such as degrease the rear tyre and all, evidence shows the rear tyre didn't even get toughed.
theres splash marks all over the rear tyre like the day it happened. Im willing to bet my life that all the did was repair the clutch gasket which failed and and gave the bike a quick wipe..
Fed nothing but lies from them, this is appalling and honestly have made me reconsider why i ever bought a harley when now i know that this kind of service is what you get.

Ive documented all this and took photos of the tyre. and if problems persist in the near future, fair trading will be my next move.

cheers for all the help

Are we allowed to know which dealer?

I'd also ask for their reply in writing & signed, eg,. stating that the Fluid won't cause issues to your paint, etc.

Later, just in case you have issues you have a signed document from the Harley dealer stating that it wouldn't cause any damage, they wouldn't have a leg to stand on if it went to fair trading, even when the warranty expired.

Trivette Alexandria Harley davidson is the dealer.

 

 

Hi

  They will tell you what ever they have too. What ever it takes to get what they want, and smile and pat you on the back like they are your best mate. Thats their job, what they do for a living, they will sell you their Granny and tell you she's a virgin. Its been that way since Jesus played full back for Jerusulum. an its not likely to change any time soon.    The only thing I can sugest is take it to NRMA or some thin like that, get a report, Go from there.    The world is a shitty place, nothin is fair, dog eat dog, at least in the market place.    Not how I like it but its TRUE.

Dug (grumpy sinical old man)