So I'm riding in to work today, and I come down a hill downtown and start hearing this loud "CLICK... CLICK... CLICK" sound from the right rear, first though was chain or belt, but I still had power to the wheel.

Stopped the bike, looked around a bit and saw that one bolt had backed all the way out, and was slapping the swingarm causing the sound. I was still about 1/2 mile from work so I limped it there, checking every few hundred feet to make sure it wasn't getting worse.

As I pulled into parking lot, The rear wheel locked up, it had backed out more, and was actually starting to hit harder and bend. So I pulled into the closest spot and got off to look. It was completely sheared, as soon as I spun the wheel and pulled on it, it fell out.

I checked the other bolts, and they are loose, as in, the washers spin freely under them, but they won't pull out by hand. Are these bolts likely sheered within, and just hanging by a thread? Or could they just be tightened enough to get the bike home (about 15 miles).

I know a lot of people on here replace this / fix it on their own, but I have almost no experience with working on bikes, and I'm still learning. Is replacing these bolts something that can be done without removing the wheel?

Also, I know most people say to use grade 8 bolts when replacing, will this actually stop them from backing out? rather than just making them harder to sheer off completely?

 

Here's a pic of the one bolt that pulled out.

 

I'd call on friends or pay to get it towed either to a shop or home. Has the pulley ever been removed from the bike? My understanding is once installed properly the bolts don't just back out on their own.

 

It's common! How many times are you told to check fasteners?
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...ley-bolts.html

 

IT IS common, especially on 06 i think,

 

Thanks for the replies guys. Funny thing is I HAVE read the threads about this problem back when I bought the bike, and I generally check them once every week or 2, just to make sure they are tight. This gave next to no warning at all.

I'm giving my indie mech a call here in a few to see what they can do. In fact I just hand checked them for tightness this last Friday, not 5 days ago.

 

Thanks for the refresher on this common problem. Im going to start keeping a closer eye on mine and add a wrench to my road kit. Those bolts are a one time shot... Has me wondering if yours have ever reused? Just curious, I know the problem exsists even on factory assemblies

 

I had the rear tire replaced by an indie a couple months back. Not sure if they had the pulley off.

 

The bolts supposed to be one time use, I change them every time I swap rear tire. I check my pulley bolts 3 times in 8 months riding season. Trust me, they do come loose even you proper torque them with loctite.

 

Proper torque with Loctite. Or you can safety wire them on for peace of mind.
I have never had this problem or have known anyone to have this problem, so to me it is not a common problem.