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I have never had a problem nor anyone I know. The factory one will go out at the absolute worst time, usually BFE and you better have zips or whatever to rig it up.
I had one of the factory joints go out on me...in BFE, of course...but I had zip ties that allowed me to limp home. Replaced them both with joints from Ace Hardware. 60K+ miles on 'em so far. No maintenance, no problems. The other original one was OK, so I tossed it in the saddlebag and I keep it there in case I, or someone else on the road, needs it.
I use a drop of 3-in-1 oil when I do my monthly checks. Works well on the little squeaky detent ball on the passenger pegs and many other little spots also.
Every once in a while a put a drop or two of gear oil on the joint and wrap a paper towel around it for the night. No mess and the joint has slick action.
I've never been able to figure out how zip ties are used for a temporary fix when the factory link falls apart.
I've used the duct tape to hold the whole thing together till I got home.
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Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
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Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
