Go back and get that in writing. The early 250s had a crappy C.T. design and supposedly the later design is better-I put a manual in my '02. That said anything can happen to mass produced items. Pieces can be flawed, broken spring, machining chip etc. If the dealer was reputable he'd take the time (2 bolts) to try a new one or at least take it out for inspection. If it heals itself then you have a miracle bike.
