Well, as the title of this thread states, today while giving my bike it’s first real “bath” in it’s first 740 miles (it’s only two weeks old remember) I found what was making the initial “squeaking” of the bike.
“Squeaking” you say? Yes. When I first picked up the Bike I noticed (more like heard) a squeaking sound when I would go over bumps or dips in the road. Mentioned this to my Dealer (note I did not say Stealer, continue reading to find out why) and they said they would check it out on the 1000 mile maintenance service.
So, forward to this last Sunday, when I rode in the Fire Rescue ride (84 miles non-stop through many bumps and dips) I made a mental note to myself that the “squeaking” had completely disappeared.
Today I gave the bike a good wash (Been riding too much to wash her up till today) and noticed when wiping the swing arm that there was scrapped paint, that when touched with a finger revealed a groove about the depth of a washer.
Called up my dealer and they told me to bring it in to take a look, and if any parts need to be replaced, they would do it next Wednesday while my bike was in for it’s scheduled 1000 mile service (yes, I will have 1000 miles plus by next week).
After inspecting the bike the dealer admitted that when they installed the saddle bag guards, that they forgot a washer that caused a hex screw to scrape against the swing arm, digging into metal of the swing arm till enough metal was removed that the bolt no longer was “gouging” into the swing arm and the reason why the “squeaking” was present, and then “mysteriously” disappeared.
Now my dealer told me, since they messed up, they will replace the swing arm free of charge (no sh1t, they f^cking better!) but also gave me the choice if I wanted to pay their dealer cost/difference between the black swing arm and a chrome swing arm (around $350.00).
OK, enough of the narrative, what the hell am I trying to say? I am trying to communicate that I am getting a chrome swing arm installed on my Fatboy for $350.00 because the service technician while installing the Saddle Bag guards forgot a washer. The Dealer fesses up and is trying to make the best of the situation without any grief. My Dealer is Rockville Harley in case anyone is curious. I am very happy about how my dealer is going to resolve this.
Not all Dealers are Stealers

“Squeaking” you say? Yes. When I first picked up the Bike I noticed (more like heard) a squeaking sound when I would go over bumps or dips in the road. Mentioned this to my Dealer (note I did not say Stealer, continue reading to find out why) and they said they would check it out on the 1000 mile maintenance service.
So, forward to this last Sunday, when I rode in the Fire Rescue ride (84 miles non-stop through many bumps and dips) I made a mental note to myself that the “squeaking” had completely disappeared.
Today I gave the bike a good wash (Been riding too much to wash her up till today) and noticed when wiping the swing arm that there was scrapped paint, that when touched with a finger revealed a groove about the depth of a washer.
Called up my dealer and they told me to bring it in to take a look, and if any parts need to be replaced, they would do it next Wednesday while my bike was in for it’s scheduled 1000 mile service (yes, I will have 1000 miles plus by next week).
After inspecting the bike the dealer admitted that when they installed the saddle bag guards, that they forgot a washer that caused a hex screw to scrape against the swing arm, digging into metal of the swing arm till enough metal was removed that the bolt no longer was “gouging” into the swing arm and the reason why the “squeaking” was present, and then “mysteriously” disappeared.
Now my dealer told me, since they messed up, they will replace the swing arm free of charge (no sh1t, they f^cking better!) but also gave me the choice if I wanted to pay their dealer cost/difference between the black swing arm and a chrome swing arm (around $350.00).
OK, enough of the narrative, what the hell am I trying to say? I am trying to communicate that I am getting a chrome swing arm installed on my Fatboy for $350.00 because the service technician while installing the Saddle Bag guards forgot a washer. The Dealer fesses up and is trying to make the best of the situation without any grief. My Dealer is Rockville Harley in case anyone is curious. I am very happy about how my dealer is going to resolve this.
Not all Dealers are Stealers