NHTSA Complaint #707398 — 1993 HARLEY-DAVIDSON HARLEY DAVIDSON

I LOST THE REAR CYLINDER LIFTER AT VERY LOW SPEED IN DEADWOOD ,SD DURING STURGIS BIKE WEEK. THE LOSS OF THE LIFTER CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. I HAD IT ORIGINALLY REPAIRED AT THE HD DEALER IN RAPID CITY SD. AFTER THE REPAIR, METAL SHAVINGS FROM THE LIFTER CLOGGED THE OIL PUMP 340 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. THE HD DEALER IN CHEYENE WY REPLACED THE OIL PUMP. AFTER ANOTHER 123 MILES, I ONCE AGAIN LOST OIL PRESSURE AND WAS FORCED TO RENT A TRUCK TO BRING MY FXSTC BACK TO MY HOME. ATLANTA HD LOOKED AT THE UNIT AND TOLD ME I HAD TO COMPLETELY REBUILD THE UNIT. THE BIKE WAS IN THEIR SHOP FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS. SOME MACHINE WORK HAD TO BE SENT TO HD IN MIL. WI TO BE DONE. THE BILL AT RAPID CITY WAS $466.53, CHEYENE WAS 452.97, OIL PUMP WAS $210.97, ATL HD CHARGED ME $3749.88. I DID GET RAPID CITY TO REIMBURSE ME FOR SOME OF THE DAMAGES. I READ ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIFTERS IN THE MAY '99 ISSUE OF HD'S THUNDER PRESS, PG 66. I HAD PREVIOUSLY ASKED THE DEALERS IF THIS WAS A FACTORY PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT, BUT IT SEEMS THAT MIGHT NOT BE THE CASE. I HAVE ALL PAPERWORK NECESSARY IF REQUIRED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. RESPECTFULLY, HENRY SINDLINGER. *AK