Author Topic: What have you done with your bike today? (Read 323736 times)

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #4240 on:** March 21, 2025, 07:01:38 »

Quote from: Asmith61 on March 20, 2025, 21:34:33

Thank you for that mr _diver

My wife thinks that now Harley have started a warranty issue with the rear brake, if I was to take the bike away without them doing more investigation and repair and something happened my insurance would be nul and void ?

I think your wife is right. All insurance policies have a statement that the vehicle must be maintained in a roadworthy condition
If there was an accident/they found out that the bike wasn't roadworthy, had defective brakes which are critical safety components, and you knowingly rode it anyway.
(You might be OK if it was theft related from your house though as you weren't using it)

On the courtesy bike insurance excess, last time I had one the dealership charged £10 to waive the excess so worth checking if that exists.

mr_diver · « **Reply #4241 on:** March 21, 2025, 09:28:20 »

Yes, I wouldn't take a bike with an issue with the brakes, even if I've been riding it for months with the issue without realising it.

The dealer are under an obligation to ensure they don't release an unsafe bike for use.
It's one thing to send an employee out to check if an issue has been resolved in the knowledge that there may still be an issue, as they are aware of it and can be cautious in the way they ride and check for the issue.

Your insurance company would also take a dim view... brakes are part of the MOT and likely the bike would fail an MOT - plod would likely view it also the vehicle being unsafe to be on the road.

You're going from a position of blissful ignorance of the issue - to being aware and the dealers/manufacturer having documentation saying the brakes don't work. Insurance would drop you like a stone, you may even end up on charges as the bike may be deemed unfit for use on the UK roads.

Dark-Strom · « **Reply #4242 on:** March 21, 2025, 13:22:15 »

Sorry to hear of your bike troubles Alby.
Makes you wonder if new bikes should be made to have independent MOT's, as it sounds like you've been rising an unsafe bike for nearly 2 years...
The penny pinching manufacturers can't seem to be trusted these days...

2112 · « **Reply #4243 on:** March 21, 2025, 16:50:46 »

Today, I decided to give the big Vic' an oil change. I took the liberty of puchasing some oil and an oil filter in advance, so I was good to go. It didn't take long before things went 'udders skywards' when I quickly realised the sump plug had been butchered beyond use (it's an allen, so no easy access...). I persevered and wrestled the oil filter off to see it full of treacle. Not good at all and I have no idea the last time it was changed? It was 'alledgedly' changed when I bought it, but that clearly wasn't the case. So, I've ordered a new sump plug (nut type this time) and another oil filter. The plan is to lay the bike on it's side, remove the sump plug, replace it with the new one and then change the oil. After a forty/fifty miles I'll repeat the process and change it again, just to be on the safe side. What chance the air filter's been changed when you've got to take the tank off???

Rixington43 · « **Reply #4244 on:** March 21, 2025, 16:55:27 »

A good candidate for a run through with flushing oil?
I have used the engine flush shots in the past with no ill effects but I know they're a devisive topic

Asmith61 · « **Reply #4245 on:** March 21, 2025, 17:04:45 »

Thank you all for your replies

Nicky the very nice girl on the service desk rung me lunch time, explaining the situation which is ….. the other Nightster with the same problem (obviously the problem was found before mine ) has had some work done which has not solved the problem. ….. so they are treating his bike as a ginea pig to hopefully solve the problem for both bikes. As this is a warranty issue with both our bikes there is a lot of too and throu between the dealership and Harley. They have decided to change the rear caliper

But there are out of stock

So there is going to be a delay

It is frustrating as the Harley is the only bike I can get on and ride at the moment

I will keep you all informed on this thank you

2112 · « **Reply #4246 on:** March 21, 2025, 17:54:52 »

Bugger, fingers crossed they get you sorted ASAP

2112 · « **Reply #4247 on:** March 21, 2025, 17:57:11 »

Quote from: Rixington43 on March 21, 2025, 16:55:27

A good candidate for a run through with flushing oil?

I'm just going to use the normal fully synthetic as a 'flush'. It's an expensive way to do it, but it's safe and won't affect the very tempramental wet clutches that Victory's have. My mate often uses plain cooking oil to flush out old agricultural vehicles as it's so cheap. As long as you don't work the engine hard it's fine and pulls out loads of crap with it.

mr_diver · « **Reply #4248 on:** March 22, 2025, 18:05:29 »

Decided to take the wheels off the Varadero ready for drop off on Monday.

Strapped it to the garage roof from the engine bars for stability, strapped the centre stand just in case.

Rear wheel out no issues, bearings all good - rear sprockets quite worn, which I suspected was the case - chain was also fairly stiff - well it hasn't gone anywhere since December.

Front wheel came out fine, bearings all good too.
then I lower the front forks down onto my old enduro bike stand. - nice and stable to be left for a few days and yes I supported the callipers which will also get a clean before going back on.

But with the chain & sprocket wear, it looks like I'm off to M&P's on Monday after dropping off my daughter to school and the tyres to the garage.
(better not get those two mixed up, Charlotte will work well in a garage, but I'm not sure how well the tyre change will go at junior school)

garage Is getting a bit full - needs a good sort out.

TLPower · « **Reply #4249 on:** March 23, 2025, 11:18:13 »

Oh feckity, feck!

You garage will send Graingerblaze wild!

Brockett · « **Reply #4250 on:** March 23, 2025, 12:27:01 »

Ianmc · « **Reply #4251 on:** March 23, 2025, 14:22:51 »

Replaced both front and rear brake pads with EBC HH pads to replace the original Suzuki pads made from old bathroom tiles.

2112 · « **Reply #4252 on:** March 25, 2025, 16:08:33 »

Today, I had a bit potter about in the garage with the Victory. It's got a few issues, most of which I'm aware of and the odd new ones I keep finding. Today's horror was the discovery that the right hand side footboard was only held in place with one bolt - not the four that should be present ! Thankfully, the design is such it sort of locks into place so there was no movement, but far from satisfactory. A quick scratch about in my stainless steel bolt box found three suitable replacements and all was good again. The left hand side was all present and correct. I'm begining to think it's last MOT may have been carried out over the phone...

The Doctor 46 · « **Reply #4253 on:** March 25, 2025, 18:09:11 »

Today I went for a short, fast ride on the bike then changed the oil and filter. I then went for another longer fast ride then stopped to look for leaks (I knew there wouldn't be any). Then another ride for shopping and home again. The whole thing took all day so I'm going to have to go out for a nice ride tomorrow to test the oil

.

Brockett · « **Reply #4254 on:** March 25, 2025, 18:38:08 »

Took the Enfield for a trundle to test the camera fixings and all good they did not fall off. A 30 mile jaunt on local minor roads was enough to remind me just how uncomfortable the saddle is. Tomorrow is Guzzi time.

2112 · « **Reply #4255 on:** March 26, 2025, 17:01:39 »

Today, the tranny was in at Newcastle Honda for it's first annual service. I was booked in for a 'while you wait' appointment at 14:00, so I thought I might as well get it throughly warmend up so I had a run over to Kielder, down to Chollerford for a cuppa and a slice of ham & egg pie, along Hadrians Wall for a bit then over to Alston and then back to Newcastle for bang on 14:00. A great run out and a good test of my Viridian Cruise control. It's a bit clunky and has a +/- of about 3 mph, but far better than the one Honda didn't fit...

The service, basically and oil change and a kick of the tyres, cost a rather salty £225. Still, it keeps the warranty valid for another year I suppose. The manager then asked to buy my Transalp off me... Thanks, but no thanks. While I was in a couple put a deposit down on a new Goldwing which are £32,000 !!!

Asmith61 · « **Reply #4256 on:** March 26, 2025, 17:14:25 »

Looking good 2112

Sounded like a decent run out of course it needed to be throughly warmed up

2112 · « **Reply #4257 on:** March 26, 2025, 18:40:19 »

Cheers, you've got to do your bit to help the oil drain! I ended up doing 180 miles, the 'new' seat is super comfy

Froglodyte · « **Reply #4258 on:** March 26, 2025, 22:33:48 »

Went for a run out with my mates today. Got to the rendezvous point to find I'd lost my rear facing camera (which was mounted on the top box). Must have fallen off somewhere en route. Bugger! If anyone finds a DJI Action3 somewhere between Chesterfield and Swarkstone, it's mine!

2112 · « **Reply #4259 on:** March 27, 2025, 11:17:41 »

Today, the tranny got some much needed soapy love after yesterdays shenanigans. As attractive as the gold wheels may be, they are pigs to keep clean...