Forum

[Harris4627]

Hi there... New to this site, and I have a question for all of you riders out there. I have a 2013 B5 Bullet with 2100 miles on it. Literally a brand new bike that I bought back in july of 2013. I was riding the other day and felt the bike jerk real hard... Upon inspection, I realized that my rear sprocket is completely stripped, all but 4 teeth. I called the dealership, because surely this is under warranty, and they informed me that it is not covered under warranty because a sprocket is considered a wearable part... I understand that, but it has less than 2200 miles on it and its completely stripped!! Am I just completely misunderstanding the problem, or are they correct? I've talked to some of my other motorcycle friends, and they ALL say that there is not a chance in hell that the sprocket should have stripped like that on a 500cc bike with that low of miles on it. PLEASE HELP fellow Enfield riders. I need some sort of direction before I go yell at the dealership for trying to take advantage of me.,.. Thanks in advance! Also, they are trying to charge me for a completely new sprocket and chain assembly, ($175 USD) and 2 hours of labor ($150 USD)

[Norm]

Harris, chain was too tight, who adjusted it, if it was the dealer don't let him put you off

[Michael]

Hi Harris, as Norm says it sounds like your chain was too tight or not lubricated. Not sure you would have a claim on warranty there unless you can prove the sprocket was defective or if the dealer recently adjusted the chain. As for costs... easy to change a sprocket on the bike, so you could skip labour charge. Chain and sprocket should set you back 80 quid, so around 140 USD I think.

[Harris4627]

Thanks guys... The chain was adjusted at the dealership when I took it in to my 500 mile break in service. So it sounds like its on them. I lubricate the chain every time I wash the bike. Thanks for the response so far.

[Norm]

Even an unlubricated chain at 2100 miles wouldn't pull the teeth off, it is only 2100 miles. If it has this damage I would also want to look at the gearbox sprocket as well. I have seen a UCE with 5500ks on it with damaged chain and sprockets but that was because the useless nylon swing arm bushes had collapsed

[Alan R]

Hi guys----------- this is AWFUL !! And in America, home of "Customer Satisfaction" etc.....Yes, your chain and sprocket should last MUCH longer than that..even by crappy Indian standards it should !!.............. Just one question for you though}--- Have you done ANY non-approved mods. to the bike in any way, shape or form ??.....because the dealer will try and use these to wriggle-out of their involvement if you have...Just be prepared for this attitude from them when next you go there...You might ask them for a hard-copy print-out of the FULL TERMS of the Warranty including a definitive list of ALL items that are covered ??.....I'm not familiar with this particular sprocket set-up....Is it separate from the brake drum or cast-in as per the old Classic models ???............

[Harris4627]

Alan, Norm, thanks so much for the feedback... I've thought exactly the same things that you have both said. I'm glad I'm not alone on this. The bike has zero mods. Except for the exhaust mod that the dealership did for me. I plan on calling them tomorrow and seeing what they say after I refuse to pay the damages. I'll keep everyone posted! Mega thanks again.

[Alan R]

Hi matey !!----------- I'm not familiar with American Consumer Trading Laws but surely the phrase " Fit for purpose" must factor in here somewhere ??......... By anyone's thinking a brand new car, bike, washing machine, camera, whatever, must have some sort of legally recognised "Reasonably expected life span" ??...........Maybe a call at your nearest Legal Advice Centre etc would help prepare you for a possible battle ahead ??------------------GOOD LUCK with this one... I wonder what HARLEY DAVIDSON's response would be to this happening to one of their brand new machines ??

[Michael]

I find that I have to adjust my chain a bit more regularly than 1500 miles, but it is because it stretches which woudln't strip a sprocket. As for an unlubricated chain pulling sprocket teeth; if it is so unlubricated that links lock together, that effectively shortens the chain and can happen quite quickly in salty road conditions Norm. I 'lost' a chain on a previous bike within 3-400 miles that way - thankfully the sprocket was fine though, but it was in danger.




Harris, I hope you get a warranty payout - sounds like you should. But I think it might be tricky trying to convince the dealership it was their fault or, perhaps the original part(s) was defective? I have to say that my original dealer was very good at paying out on warranty - even things that were debatable were still paid out. EG a rusty front wheel. Rusted and pitted within months and only a couple of 1000 miles, and the dealership could have suggested that I didn't maintain it well, but they didn't do that. They paid out and I got a replacement which is still goo almost 20000 miles later. Hopefully your dealer is of the same ilk

[another Allan]

A rear chain that was so tight that it stripped the rear sprocket has quite likely overstressed the wheel bearings and gearbox output shaft bearing, so I would get these areas checked too.