[kwalker]

Just purchased an 07 Heritage. Expirienced some of the same problems everyone else has (heat issues, tranny noise etc.) I seem to be expieriencing another one I cant seem to find answers to. At about 300 miles, the bike developed an exhaust leak. Took it back to the dealer, he said all it needed was the exhaust tightened. Road it for another 100 miles and I began to notice what sounded like another exhaust leak. Not as loud as the first, but more or less a "ticking" noise coming from the rear jug area. It seems to be a little louder under acceleration. I took it back to the dealer....he looks, scratches his head, says he can hear the same noise as me, but it is definitely not an exhaust leak. Suggested I ride the hell out of it. To me, thats not acceptable, so I have another appointment with another dealer for a second opinion. Here are my questions...

1. The rear jug is running noticeably hotter than the front jug. The dealer says that is normal.....is it? Would an exhaust leak make the bike run leaner and thus the rear jug run hotter?

2. Is there anyway I can check for an exhaust leak around the header pipe?


3. Is it possible to do any damage to the engine if I ride it with a small exhaust leak? I cant get an appointment witht the other dealer for about a week.

I still have an 04 Fatboy sitting in the garage. I am beginning to think I may have made a mistake in purchasing this 07. I love how it runs and rides, but the little issues will drive me nuts. For those complaining about the tranny noise in 5th gear, I solved it by putting Amsoil 75w 140 Severe Gear Oil in the tranny. No problems since. Anyway......any advice would be appreciated.

[chucktx]

Originally Posted by kwalker

Just purchased an 07 Heritage. Expirienced some of the same problems everyone else has (heat issues, tranny noise etc.) I seem to be expieriencing another one I cant seem to find answers to. At about 300 miles, the bike developed an exhaust leak. Took it back to the dealer, he said all it needed was the exhaust tightened. Road it for another 100 miles and I began to notice what sounded like another exhaust leak. Not as loud as the first, but more or less a "ticking" noise coming from the rear jug area. It seems to be a little louder under acceleration. I took it back to the dealer....he looks, scratches his head, says he can hear the same noise as me, but it is definitely not an exhaust leak. Suggested I ride the hell out of it. To me, thats not acceptable, so I have another appointment with another dealer for a second opinion. Here are my questions...

1. The rear jug is running noticeably hotter than the front jug. The dealer says that is normal.....is it? Would an exhaust leak make the bike run leaner and thus the rear jug run hotter?

2. Is there anyway I can check for an exhaust leak around the header bike?


3. Is it possible to do any damage to the engine if I ride it with a small exhaust leak? I cant get an appointment witht the other dealer for about a week.

I still have an 04 Fatboy sitting in the garage. I am beginning to think I may have made a mistake in purchasing this 07. I love how it runs and rides, but the little issues will drive me nuts. For those complaining about the tranny noise in 5th gear, I solved it by putting Amsoil 75w 140 Severe Gear Oil in the tranny. No problems since. Anyway......any advice would be appreciated.

1....yes the rear jug will run hotter, that is normal, and yes an exhaust leak can let the temps get higher,

2...yes, start the engine, take a spraybottle of soapywater and spray the exhaust area....bubbles will indicate a leak

3...yes

i wish there was a place to complain to about dealerships that dont care about the customer service after the sale.....maybe speak to the owner??

[kwalker]

Thanks Chucktx....

Just went out, took the heat shield off, fired her up, sprayed soapy water around the header pipe at the head......leaking big time.....bubbles all over. I am so pissed off right now, I am glad the dealer is closed on Sunday <grin>. I will be talking to the owner as soon as they open in the morning. OK....one last question. All in all, I have ridden this thing with the leak for about 300 to 400 miles. Probably abput 25 miles when it was leaking bad (to the dealer) but probably several hundred miles with the small leak at the head. Coulsd I have damaged the engine in anyway and if so, what would be the symptoms of the damage if any?????

Thanks for all the advice, this forum is absolutely a must.

[chucktx]

i wouldnt think 400 miles would do any damage.....the engine really isnt broke in yet, so i am assuming you are in the process of doing that. easy riding, up and down with the rpms, ect.....get it fixed and ride it....have fun and keep us posted on how the owner treats you.....

[kenfuzed]

I wouldn't worry too much about any real damage at this point unless you've been severely overheating.

When you take it back ask the dealer to replace the exhaust gaskets with the Screamin' Eagle versions. They seal much better than the stock gaskets IMO. At this point I would not let them talk you into anything like "we'll just tighten them". Chances are they are tweaked already and maybe even burned from the ongoing leaks. New gaskets aren't expensive and replacing them only takes a short time per head.

Better yet, tell the dealer to hand over a set of SE gaskets and do it yourself. It's actually quite simple and a perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with your new ride.

[Red Rider]

I second the lack of damage at this point. Usually it is only a real problem when it is really friggin cold, then you risk cracking heads. Hurts performance/MPG more in regular riding weather.

[skull2007]

a few ways i can think to get back at those cocky no account stealers is:
[list]
find a good independent
buy a manaul
and this forum

this is just to name a few. good luck with the owner. doubt you will get far. but good luck

[chucktx]

i dont think skull thinks to much of dealers!!!!! lol

[voodoochild]

That makes 2 of us!!

[mwelych]

Besides, there's more than enough "RUBS" out there armed with credit cards that'll ride to the dealer and have them work on their bike. I do my own work most of the time, and have a buddy who helps me woth the major stuff (he's MMI trained).

[voodoochild]

Good friend to have Mwelch!!

[kwalker]

Well called the owner of the dealership today.....he told me to bring it in immediately. I did.....the service manager said "let me listen to it". I said..."you already have 3 times.....it has an exhaust leak...fix it". He fires it up and says..."come into the back and listen to another 07....they all sound like that". Now keep in mind.....this is the friggin service manager. I told him I didn't give a damn if they all sounded like that...that only meant they all had a leak. To pacify him.....I went in the back. There were no 07's, so when we came back out front, we passed by this 300 lb biker mechanic with 400 tattos. The service mangaer tells the mechanic to come out front and listen to a bike. The mechanic goes out front, fires up my bike, and says....."damn, that thing has an exhaust leak, I can fix it in 1/2 hour". The look on the service managers face was priceless. I rode off 1/2 later happy.

For what it's worth, I do most of the minor work on my own bike also....this was a matter of principal plus the bike is still under warranty. I am not sure a independent shop would fix a warranty issue without charge, so thats why I took it back to the dealer. Anyway.....thanks for all the help.

[chucktx]

good goin!!! glad ya got it fixed.. the only indy dealers that will do warranty work are those that have been to the harley schools, passed their tests, and keep their liscense current. we have one of those in my area....altho i dont go there. glad you stuck to your guns on the principal. the service "manager" was probably flippin burgers last week......

[voodoochild]

Good for you! Glad you got her fixed......now go ride!

[hotroadking]

Exhaust leaks are common on bikes where the exhaust has just been changed, it happens over time too.

In the future take a 1/4 drive with some long extensions and a 1/2 socket to tighten them up when you're doing some cleaning, not that they will always be loose but it happens, and it's worth checking.

Softails B motors are nice, love mine, love the bike, don't let a bad SM reflect on all dealers work ethic, there are a lot more out there that are good, same with indy shops, there are those that are worse, good, and indifferent.

deal is to find someone you trust, apparently the wrench you ran into with the tat's is worth it.