Hypothetically speaking.... : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

TimberwolfZ28 · 11-01-2009, 09:40 PM

If you paid someone (whether cash, barter or trade) to build a motor, and when you tore it down 1500 miles later, you found pistons like this, what would you do?

http://www.timberwolfperformance.com...m/PA310161.JPG

The cylinders look great, and there are no pieces in the crank case whatsoever...which means at least the chunk was missing before installation. The shiny area on the left with the little divot may have surfaced later. It appears to me that maybe the skirt was swollen slightly.

My guess? The piston was dropped, and then still installed.

The motor ran great, and although a subjective observation, it didn't seem to make the power it seemed like it should have. Regardless of it's power, the cylinders don't seem damaged, so the only foul now is the breach of trust (not the first time) and the fact the pistons and cylinders were sold pending removal, with 4 others in line for the purchase. All of which backed out of the deal, of course.

So I ask... what would you do?

Coupe55 · 11-01-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimberwolfZ28

If you paid someone (whether cash, barter or trade) to build a motor, and when you tore it down 1500 miles later, you found pistons like this, what would you do?

http://www.timberwolfperformance.com...m/PA310161.JPG

The cylinders look great, and there are no pieces in the crank case whatsoever...which means at least the chunk was missing before installation. The shiny area on the left with the little divot may have surfaced later. It appears to me that maybe the skirt was swollen slightly.

My guess? The piston was dropped, and then still installed.

The motor ran great, and although a subjective observation, it didn't seem to make the power it seemed like it should have. Regardless of it's power, the cylinders don't seem damaged, so the only foul now is the breach of trust (not the first time) and the fact the pistons and cylinders were sold pending removal, with 4 others in line for the purchase. All of which backed out of the deal, of course.

So I ask... what would you do?

Just eat it! A lot of us laid out over 34 grand for New Harley's and got burned! Ain't much you can do

DBotkin · 11-01-2009, 11:32 PM

I'd ask the builder if it looked like that when he put it in. If he denies it, then you know never to deal with him again. If he admits it, then... well,, you sill know never to deal with him again.

Feels bad to get screwed. I hired a couple of guys to fix a leak in my roof, because they were doing work on a neighbor's house and were friends of the neighbor's son. Although the leak was stopped, when I finally got up and saw what they did -- well, if I'd seen it then, I would have paid them $20 and told them to get lost. Shitty, shitty work, and it's a good thing we're getting it all replaced now.

I generally don't let anyone else work on my bike, or anything else I care about. Hell, I wasn't comfortable handing my wife off to a surgeon when she needed one. I was right there for all five kids, making sure nothing got screwed up. That's MY job.

ViennaHog · 11-02-2009, 12:24 AM

Get a new pistons and get over it. Do a photo documentation and present it to the 'builder'.
Why have you taken the engine apart in the first place. You said it ran well. Something doesn't go together in this story.

TimberwolfZ28 · 11-02-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViennaHog

Get a new pistons and get over it. Do a photo documentation and present it to the 'builder'.
Why have you taken the engine apart in the first place. You said it ran well. Something doesn't go together in this story.

What could I possibly have to gain by telling you all the motor ran great if it didn't?

I tore it down because it's winter time here in Michigan. The riding season's over. I got 6 months to build this bike better badder and faster.... if you frequent the tc88 forums on this site at all you'd know I am going at least 107ci, possibly bigger. The 95" kit and tw37b cams weren't enough for me.

03GLIDE_ · 11-02-2009, 01:31 AM

I would bring it to the builders attention and ask him WTF. You have got nothing to lose. I sure would never use him again.

HiAngle · 11-02-2009, 07:17 AM

Timber-

I'd bring it up to the builder. If the guy is reputable, he'll correct the problem. With that defect, it sure looks like it was installed that way. If he doesn't correct it, well you know not to do business with him anymore. Based upon what you posted, I don't think there are any legal options for you. If there are, the cost of pursuing them may be more expensive than it's worth unless you're going to do it for principle.

Best of luck with the build!

jerry34208 · 11-02-2009, 07:35 AM

Bring the piston in. Show it to the service manager or who ever is in charge. Let him have a chance to make a deal with you. Remember that this problem did not (luckily) cost you anything directly. Try to be open minded about any offerings they have.

If they guy offers you nothing. Kindly let him know that you are disappointed and will no longer patronize this shop. Then try to just "let it go". The one who holds a grudge usually bears the most pain.

BVBOB · 11-02-2009, 09:35 AM

Have you split the cases yet? if not don't be so sure that piece or pieces of it are not still there. Hard to believe anyone would install a piston like that but also can't imagine how it could have broke during operation either.

TXCHOP · 11-02-2009, 09:57 AM

Does that chunk look deburred to anyone else?

Hard to tell in the pic though.

beaureed445 · 11-02-2009, 02:38 PM

I would do nothing....because it's a hypothetical situation, and didn't really ever happen.

hbmc · 11-02-2009, 02:52 PM

hey buddy if you got what it takes to tear it down I cannot figure why you would pay or trust someone else to put it together? I would definitely go over it with the builder and ask if you need to split the casings to find the rest of it. I think at that point --he best fess up to his putting broken parts in or he can stick to his guns and say "you better split the cases" If you do not have a piece in there after splitting you know he lied and you can always go from there.
Legal---sue in small claims Document the split of cases and the findings
Post ads on local places about his work and ethics
Remember one ahh **** ruins a 100 atta' boys
??

TimberwolfZ28 · 11-02-2009, 03:13 PM

I had never worked on a Harley motor when he did the work for me. Since then I have done a ton of reading and research. Split the cases last night. Not a spec of metal, the oil isn't shiny at all, no coated bearings, the honing crosshatch on the cylinders even looks like new.