Tech Tip - Warranty & Recall

Warranty and recalls seems to be a topic that has a lot of people confused.

If you are having a problem with your bike and it is still under the factory warranty period - take it to us the dealer!

• Wild Fire Harley-Davidson
• City Limits Harley-Davidson
• Illinois Harley-Davidson

Just about everything on your bike is covered by the warranty as long as it was not obviously caused by abuse or a botched repair/installation by another shop (in which case it should be returned to that shop and they should stand behind their work) with the exception of chrome or paint .

If you get a letter stating that your bike is involved in a Recall Campaign - take it to us the dealer!

Warranty and Recall issues cost you, the customer, NOTHING!

• FACTORY WARRANTY PRICE TO YOU =  $0
• RECALL PRICE TO YOU =  $0

  The duration of this limited warranty is twenty-four months, starting from the earlier of the date of initial retail purchase and delivery from an authorized Harley-Davidson, or the third anniversary of the last day of the model year of the motorcycle. Your dealer will submit an electronic Sales and Warranty Registration form to initiate your warranty.  Any unexpired portion of this warranty will be transferred to subsequent owners, upon the resale of the motorcycle during the warranty period.

Harley-Davidson warrants to its authorized dealers only, that each new street legal Genuine Motor Part or street legal Genuine Motor Accessory (including street legal Screamin’ Eagle performance parts and accessories) purchased from a Harley-Davidson dealer and installed by an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer on a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle or dealer demo motorcycle will be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service upon the following terms and conditions:

The duration of this limited parts warranty will run concurrent with the vehicle warranty.

This warranty covers only street legal Genuine Motor Parts and street legal Genuine Motor Accessories (including street legal Screamin’ Eagle performance parts and accessories) that are purchased by an authorized dealer and that are properly installed by that dealer on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, prior to delivery, of that motorcycle or on back order by that dealer at the time of delivery of a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle and properly installed by that dealer on that motorcycle within 24 months from the date that motorcycle is sold by that dealer.

Feel free to stop in or give us a call at 800.400.RIDE. We can check your motorcycle’s vin number against any outstanding recalls and give you more information regarding extending your factory warranty for up to 7 years from the point of purchase.

Tony D. & the Wild Fire Service Team

Tech Tip - Security

One of the most common problems we find with no start situations and security issues is the battery in the key fob going dead.  If you find yourself in a situation where you have your key fob on you and your security is still going off and will not let you start the motorcycle, it is very likely the battery in your fob is dead.  It is very easy to replace the battery.  But it is also important to know how to disarm your bike’s security manually.

1. Set the engine to the OFF position
2. Turn the ignition to the IGN position
3. Turn the ignition to the ACC position
4. Hold both turn switches in until confirmation (the security lamp will flash at a fast rate. The system is now ready for the PIN entry)
5. Enter the first digit of the code by repeatedly pressing the left turn signal
6. Once entered press the right turn signal 1 time
7. Enter the second digit of the code by repeatedly pressing the left turn signal
8. Once entered press the right turn signal 1 time
9. Enter the third digit of the code by repeatedly pressing the left turn signal
10. Once entered press the right turn signal 1 time
11. Enter the fourth digit of the code by repeatedly pressing the left turn signal
12. Once entered press the right turn signal 1 time
13. Enter the fifth digit of the code by repeatedly pressing the left turn signal (the security is now disarmed if entered correctly. You can now start your bike or enter a new code)
14. Once entered press the right turn signal 1 time (the security lamps will stop flashing if entered correctly)

To learn your Security code, please view your Owner’s Manual or contact our Service Department. & remember this is something that we cover in our FREE Monthly Service Seminars. The next seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, January 26th at 6pm...We look forward to seeing you there.

Tony D. & The Wild Fire Service Team

Tech Tip - EFI

The mighty Harley is slowly losing its carburetor. For those of you who haven't noticed or are stuck back in the 80's, all the current bikes coming out of Milwaukee have fuel injection installed. International environmental concerns have slowly forced the change from carburetor to electronic fuel injection. Harley purists are mourning the loss of the venerable carburetor. The purist's are crying foul and talking about the "good old days" when they would repair their bike on the side of the road.

Let's take a retrospective view of the introduction of new technology to Harley-Davidson motorcycles and what current technology is available and what the future may bring. For the last 20 years, almost every change in technology to Harleys has been met with skepticism. What were some of the improvements and changes? Here are a few items of note.

• The change from Shovelhead to EVO engines.     
• The change from points and condenser to electronic ignition.     
• The change of chain to belt drive.     
• The change from butterfly to CV (constant velocity) carburetor.          
• The change from EVO to Twin Cam engines.     
• The introduction of the V-Rod.        

All of these improvements and changes had the H-D purists of the period complaining about the changes and how the motor company had forgotten its roots and their long time customers. Much of the criticism was harsh and unfounded. No company can remain static and stay in business, so Harley has been forced to move with the times. Government regulation and increased competition from the metric manufacturers forced Harley-Davidson to update their product line. Yet Harley riders thrive on nostalgia. Eventually, the new technology takes hold and becomes the new standard. We have all heard the stories from the Old Rider reminiscing about how many times he fixed his bike on the side the road with his pocketknife and a matchbook. Yes, older Harley's were more prone to breaking than the later generations of bikes. Do we really want to go back to the days when H-D could have easily meant "hardly driveable"? The change in technology introduced by H-D over the years has continually improved the breed. Maybe the "good old days" were not as good as we remember.

There is no reason not to expect EFI improving the reliability and performance of the venerable V-Twin engine. Harley-Davidson has proven their EFI efforts by having motorcycle that is smooth running, reliable and runs the just the same if your riding in Florida or in the mountains of Colorado.    

Tony D. & The Wild Fire Service Team

Tech Tip - Exhaust

No exhaust system is the perfect match for every bike. In fact every exhaust is specifically designed to perform a certain task.  Before performing exhaust changes or modifications to increase performance, it is critical to determine what kind of performance you want.

• Are you looking to gain low-end and mid-range or maximum top-end power?
• Do you have additional engine modifications?
• Do you want aesthetics or performance? 

A poorly chosen exhaust system can yield very disappointing results. However, one that is well-matched to the engine can provide outstanding power gains. An exhaust system will not produce more power on its own. The power of an engine is determined by the fuel and air mixture. However, the combustion is heavily influenced by the exhaust system.

Pipe Design:
A mistake often made is the selection of an exhaust system with pipes that are too large in diameter for their engine's output. Bigger is not necessarily better and is often worse. In addition equal length pipes offer some benefits that are not present with unequal length pipes. longer pipes typically produce more low-to-mid range torque than shorter pipes.

• Longer pipes will increase power below the engine’s torque peak and shorter pipes tend to increase power above the torque peak.
• Large diameter pipes tend to limit low-range power and increase high range power.
• Small diameter pipes tend to increase low-range power and to some degree limit high-range power.
• "Balance" or "equalizer" chambers between the exhaust pipes tend to flatten the torque peak(s) and widen the powerband. 

There are many other contributing factors to choosing the proper exhaust for your motorcycle.  We encourage you to join our next Service Seminar on Wednesday, January 26th at 6pm where we will discuss the differences in exhaust systems and further explain how to choose one that is right for you.

Tony D. & The Wild Fire Service Team