RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/17/2006 5:32:55 PM
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Broken Leg Rider
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Joined: 7/24/2006
From: New Orleans
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The tire and fender are both offset 3/4". The fender had to follow the tire 
The fix is simple. Widen the trees and redesign the front axle. I hope they just do it!
It makes you wonder if something as obvious and as glaring a flaw as this could get through, what else lies hidden on the 07 Harleys? I'm hearing rumors about the transmissions, but I won't even go there.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/17/2006 6:10:05 PM
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Fastlane
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I looked at one today and I am wondering if the fork is just offset and everything else is in line because of the spacer. It looks like there is a little more room between the riser and the fork, I did not have a tape.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/17/2006 7:07:39 PM
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Pakrat
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FYI The salesman told me if you hit a bump large enough you coud actually dent or scratch the Fender since the fork is so close to the fender.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/17/2006 7:10:48 PM
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Pakrat
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Just courios as which Dealer did you purchase your bike?
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/18/2006 6:42:10 PM
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Jim Dawson
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I looked at an '07 Fatboy today and the "fix" appears to be a notch in the slider to clear the fender. Of course they notched both left and right sliders so they'd match.
I wish an '07 owner would answer the question asked earlier, when you take your hands off the bars, does the bike pull one way or the other?
Jim
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'08 Electra Glide Classic - now almost an Ultra
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/18/2006 9:04:18 PM
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dugan
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yep, stupid me took my hands off the bars (for a quick two seconds) just to see if it tracks differently....fortunately the bike stayed straight..... and I won't try it again. So I guess since the fender is offset it doesn't affect the steering. I'm not 100% sure the wheel is offset but I'm 200% sure the fender is.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/19/2006 2:58:03 PM
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Ghostwolf
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From: Omaha, NE
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I'm an 07 Fat Boy owner and yes, it tracks straight as an arrow when you take your hands off the bars. You can clearly see the fender is off-set slightly but it hasn't effected me at all in any way. HD is aware of the scraping issue and my new fender and fix was on order since I picked it up 3 weeks ago. My fender has the chip because the bike was shipped in from another dealer because I decided I didn't want to wait for their delay. I'm going to have it done at my 1000 mile service in a month or so. I have over 700 miles on it without issue and it's by far the best bike I've ever ridden. My advice is believe what you want but look real hard at whos telling it to you.
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2007 FLSTF Fat Boy
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/20/2006 4:46:40 PM
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Babs
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bikebuilderdude
Does anyone know why they offset the front wheel and fender? I think it was to fit everything in, but doesn't make sense to move the wheel off center. Thanks. 
This is a good question.. It would be lovely to see a parts# comparison of the front end from 06 or prior to 07. Or is this just something we're noticing and nitpicking now? Could it possibly be some kind of alignment change (with the new wheel) as result of going with the wider rear tire? hmmm I dunno, but just throwing it out there.
Amazing thing is, if this issue is indeed confirmed and avowed by the company, look at the benefit the forum paid in getting discussion out there for a potential issue..
I'll bet when early TC88's were seizing up due to poorly designed cam bearings or whatever it was, the forums were on fire.. or were they? I just heard about it from word of mouth and said, "Thank God mine's an 04"..
But daaaang.. Is H-D as bad a silly Chrysler or Ford or GM.. You gotta worry about one defect or another between years because they wait for customers to report them rather than proper engineering and testing.. It's not like the whole bike was redesigned or something.
Love my Toooooooyota! Sorry, on my foreign car rant again. 
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/20/2006 6:49:52 PM
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Waltman
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Nope it does not steer away. Bike rides like an arrow, smooth and straight. No chips in fender either. 985 miles and bike rides strong and with no problems. Man I love my Fat Boy, you guys should stop whining and enjoy riding more.
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Never mind the dog, beware of my Colt Python and AR15.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/21/2006 10:08:34 AM
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Ghostwolf
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Waltman: Thank you!!! And here I thought I was the only one who felt that way.
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2007 FLSTF Fat Boy
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/21/2006 7:07:45 PM
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Fatboy 69
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I would like to stop whining and ride.Buttt....my 07 Fat Boy with 1400 miles is being tore down to replace a bad oil seal between the primary and moter.It started knocking really bad when I was riding last Saturday.Checked the oil,and no oil.The dealer found 3 qts in the motor.The way my fatty was banging and clanging its hard to believe that an oil seal will make it as good as new.Dont get me wrong its the best bike I have ever rode..I love it.I cant stop riding it.The dealer offered me a Suzuki for a loaner.Yeh right!Then there is the uncontrolable shaking at 80 mph.I believe thats due to my front end points to the rightwhen im going down the road but the bike still goes straight.then there is a short in the wiring my nuetral light stays on in every gear and my speedo back light stays on when it is off,runs down my batt.Tranny bangs going into 5th gear.Maybe its because my heel to toe shifter is loose inside the casing.Had fire shooting out my exhaust,Pipes glow red at motor within a minute,pipes turned deep purple almost black within the first week.My bike is 30 days old.The dealer said it was all normal except for the wiring and the oil dissapearing into the motor.They said the knocking was due to the rods having to push through all that oil.The dealer is Minors h-d Suzuki in Cape Girardeau MO.Ill keep you posted on how it all comes out.Hope this helps.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/21/2006 8:22:50 PM
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dugan
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good googlie mooglie FatBoy.....not what Iwant to read. I only have 600 miles on my FB and have concerns about the heat, clanking in fifth gear and the offset fender but after reading your post maybe I should consider myself lucky.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/22/2006 1:23:45 AM
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mimo
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I've just returned from my Thursday regular local HOG meeting. The owner of the dealer was there. He says that nothing changed in the front fender of the '07 Fat Boy vs the '06 Screamin' Eagle Fat Boy... Hummm... does this means that the '06 SE FLSTFI has the same flaw??? Any SE owners???
He says that he doesn't know about any flaw what so ever... he just knows that production stopped for a period of time... Yeah right... what else would he've said...
Regards.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/22/2006 9:27:18 AM
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nutsy
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all i know is if im gonna spend 20k for a bike it better be PERFECT.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/22/2006 9:28:26 AM
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Babs
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Fatboy 69
I would like to stop whining and ride.Buttt....my 07 Fat Boy with 1400 miles is being tore down to replace a bad oil seal between the primary and moter.It started knocking really bad when I was riding last Saturday.Checked the oil,and no oil.The dealer found 3 qts in the motor.The way my fatty was banging and clanging its hard to believe that an oil seal will make it as good as new.Dont get me wrong its the best bike I have ever rode..I love it.I cant stop riding it.The dealer offered me a Suzuki for a loaner.Yeh right!Then there is the uncontrolable shaking at 80 mph.I believe thats due to my front end points to the rightwhen im going down the road but the bike still goes straight.then there is a short in the wiring my nuetral light stays on in every gear and my speedo back light stays on when it is off,runs down my batt.Tranny bangs going into 5th gear.Maybe its because my heel to toe shifter is loose inside the casing.Had fire shooting out my exhaust,Pipes glow red at motor within a minute,pipes turned deep purple almost black within the first week.My bike is 30 days old.The dealer said it was all normal except for the wiring and the oil dissapearing into the motor.They said the knocking was due to the rods having to push through all that oil.The dealer is Minors h-d Suzuki in Cape Girardeau MO.Ill keep you posted on how it all comes out.Hope this helps.
Remember they are made in the US of fine union labor.. 1 out of 10 "thrown-togethers" are typically acceptible under such environments.. Keeps those rich mean ole bad bad stockholders reaching in their deep pockets for more wage and benefit increases. So unfortunately, as the poor consumer, it's about not picking the short straw. I hope your dealer that has to deal with this demon bike can get it rideable for you.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/22/2006 9:39:07 AM
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Babs
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quote:
ORIGINAL: nutsy
all i know is if im gonna spend 20k for a bike it better be PERFECT.
Absodanglutely! 
Ya Dam^ Skippy!
Either it's perfect, or people will realize they just spend $20k on a 40's-technology tractor engine in a bike that weighs a 1/3 ton, while the rest of the bike makers giggle but scratch their heads at how the marketing has worked.
I had one leak when I bought mine.. pinched seal (of course, poor assembly).. Easily fixed by COMPLETELY tearing down the primary to get to the stupid thing.. So I ride and pray.
Good grief, I'm starting to sound like that guy with the H-D flamer site.. I'm sorry.. I really do love my fatboy (2004).. But I just fear for the company slipping from grace with little bugs making it to the public, becoming big fiasco's and getting blown out of proportion.. That's how companies die. Then people that don't even know anything about harleys will get some kind of opinion like: "oh yeah, they came out with that fatboy that was a basket-case.. sad.. just bought a Yamaha.. cool huh!" This is why Ford and GM may have to merge to survive. Perception. H-D better start scrambling to do some damage control, even if the bugs are only perceived rather than real. There are plenty of cool bikes out there to be had. Might be what Indian needs to get a startup.. some bad press.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/22/2006 12:56:49 PM
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Waltman
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Sorry to hear about your problems with your bikes, I hate when that happens to a new bike. But remember there is NO PERFECT bike or car anywhere at ANY price. That's why they come with a warranty and there are lemon laws to protect the consumer. If they made perfect machines we would not need mechanics. I've always bought new (car or bike), never used and believe me they all had problems and some had recalls.
I am taking my FB this weekend for its 1K service, so far (knock on wood) no leaks, no problems.
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Never mind the dog, beware of my Colt Python and AR15.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/22/2006 3:23:48 PM
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Fatboy 69
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I am just overwehlmd I guess, I really think its a good machine,but thats my luck.If there was one bad one I could pick it out.I got some news today,Ill put it in a message so others can check it out.Maybe Minors H-D read this forum and realized they were close to being on the H-D forum shit list..Hah..Hah.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/22/2006 3:41:47 PM
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Ghostwolf
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Aside from what will now forever be known as the "front fender fiasco" which is not a serious problem, I think 2007 Softail and Dyna owners may have gotten off easy. Here is a link to a page where a guy goes on for pages about his wifes 2007 Road King and it's issues. He mentions the heat issue I've heard before but it sounds like the touring line may have had a numb-nut working on the assembly line wiring headlamps.
http://www.coolclimbing.com/2007harleydavidsonroadkingclassi.htm
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~GhostWolf~
2007 FLSTF Fat Boy
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/22/2006 5:38:59 PM
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pittguy
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It just blows my mind all the issues new 07 owners have been having with bikes that are basicly improved items from older yrs.The QA is really been bad so far.How can a fender that is offset ever get out w/o someone questioning this?Yes the touring line is getting it real bad,Im one of those people.C/S has never been worse on getting things resolved.Everything on the trannys/primarys has been kept mum.Dealers wont stick their necks out to upset the factory.Hard to go lemon law rte if nothing was replaced to try to cure our noises.I have contacted every consumer advocate on these issues as well as the big bike magazines.Harleys sales are being affected by this,the net is the best way to stay up w/this and Harley isnt liking it one bit.Dont kid yourself ,they watch these sites.New bikes shouldnt have these problems if the factory did their jobs.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/23/2006 8:03:13 AM
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Heritage07
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quote:
ORIGINAL: pittguy
It just blows my mind all the issues new 07 owners have been having with bikes that are basicly improved items from older yrs.The QA is really been bad so far.How can a fender that is offset ever get out w/o someone questioning this?Yes the touring line is getting it real bad,Im one of those people.C/S has never been worse on getting things resolved.Everything on the trannys/primarys has been kept mum.Dealers wont stick their necks out to upset the factory.Hard to go lemon law rte if nothing was replaced to try to cure our noises.I have contacted every consumer advocate on these issues as well as the big bike magazines.Harleys sales are being affected by this,the net is the best way to stay up w/this and Harley isnt liking it one bit.Dont kid yourself ,they watch these sites.New bikes shouldnt have these problems if the factory did their jobs.
Went to my dealer last night and told the owner about the fender problem. He immediately jumped on a 07 Fat Boy and purposely bottomed out the front shocks multiple times. I have to say even though the fender is offset about 1/4" away it never moved any closer nor scrapped anything? He tried to tell me that the reason for the offset had to do with the new 200 mm tires that are on the bike this year?
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07 Heritage Classic
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/23/2006 8:08:06 AM
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Jerry L
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Just saw an 07 Fatboy at the dealer's yesterday. I made a point to look at the front fender. I'll be dang if it isn't offcenter, just as reported. I was surprised that the LH lower fork leg actually had a lot longer fender mounting boss than the RH side. So the lower legs must be different this year as well. I was wanting to buy a new fatboy and put on a Heritage front fender, bet that fork boss would make it difficult, if not inpossible.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/23/2006 8:39:45 PM
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Jerry L
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Went to another dealership today and saw a 2006 SE Fatboy. Looked at the front fender on the 06, completely centered. The lower fork fender bosses are equal in length as they have always been. Makes ya wonder what the heck they wanted to change it for.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/24/2006 3:16:08 PM
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Jerry L
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Boy, does that look hokey! Someone really dropped the ball on this one at HD.
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RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw? - 9/25/2006 10:59:58 AM
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Babs
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quote:
ORIGINAL: XARAN
Was back at the dealer today and they explained that the wheels are alined with each otyher , so the new 07 Fatboys handle and track correctly , but the wheels are not centered on the bike. In order to align the front wheel withthe new larger back it had to be moved to the right, that is why the fork slider issue has come up .
Here is a picture (got from another site) that shows the "fix" for the slider hitting the fender. They basicly cut back / notched the inner slider.
Thumbnail Image
As I suspected..
All this pain and suffering resulted from sticking a 200mm fat rear tire on the back of a bike with the entire drivetrain on the left side. In order to have a fat rear tire on what would have otherwise been a perfectly fine bike.. Wonder if the Vics with the 250's have these kinds of issues? sorry, cheap jab.
But still, I'd say this defect is as much the fault of trying to satisfy the market where guys want fat tires to be cool on their stock scoots. That's what customs are for! So in trying to stay up with the Jone's, H-D compromised with a drivetrain that isn't designed for a fat rear tire. It simply isn't setup for that.. Final drive and primary are both on the same side, so there's a bunch of stuff crammed on the left side. So the moco simply moved the tire to the right.. well howbout that.. Ain't that some engineering.. As if the bike isn't already enough off-balance from all the primary and drive hardware stacked up on the left side... Same reason Big Dog and a lot of the other custom companies broke down and went to right side drive trannies.
So now, on a completely bone stock bike, you don't get a choice.. Now you got a 200mm tire on a poorly designed platform mounted completely on the left side.. Notice the skinny forks. You don't have the choice of riding a 150 or 180 stock and worry free or the option to screw up your own scoot by attempting a fat tire kit of somekind. All in attempt to attract the youger buyers because the VRods aren't selling and the custom and metric market is kicking their butts with the younger buyers.
Choice is a very big word... I liked it better when you could buy a stock bike with tried and true track record, or a custom, for all the fancy junk.
< Message edited by Babs -- 9/25/2006 11:05:32 AM >
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