My Fat Bob is falling apart all of a sudden
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 293
Likes: 27
From: Beaumont Ca
My Fat Bob is falling apart all of a sudden
Not really, but all of a sudden im starting to have issues.
Bought the bike new in March of 2015 (its a 14). I have just over 7k miles on it now, mainly ride it to/from work (about 50 miles or so round trip).
I keep up on the maintenance do it myself per the manual. More or less its been trouble free for this last year.
Til about a week ago. I got off of the freeway on my way home from work, and my head pipe cracked right after the cat...
So i remembered seeing a guy selling Rinehart exhaust systems brand new for 400 bucks in the boxes. Picked up a flat black 2 into 1 system.
sounds great btw! I need a tune though, lost quite a bit of power
Then last night once i got home from work i noticed i had oil all over the left side of my bike. It looks like a fork seal blew. Ive had a knocking in the front end of this thing since new, and took it to two different dealers. Both of them no problem found it.
Now the seal blows? I wonder if its related. I didnt hit any pot holes or anything. No wheelies either...
But this is what it looked like. Thumbs up to Pomona Valley HD. Called them 20 minutes before they closed and they are sending a truck out today to pick it up and said they should have it fixed by Friday.
Grr... i wanted to take this to Arizona this weekend :-(
Bought the bike new in March of 2015 (its a 14). I have just over 7k miles on it now, mainly ride it to/from work (about 50 miles or so round trip).
I keep up on the maintenance do it myself per the manual. More or less its been trouble free for this last year.
Til about a week ago. I got off of the freeway on my way home from work, and my head pipe cracked right after the cat...
So i remembered seeing a guy selling Rinehart exhaust systems brand new for 400 bucks in the boxes. Picked up a flat black 2 into 1 system.
sounds great btw! I need a tune though, lost quite a bit of power
Then last night once i got home from work i noticed i had oil all over the left side of my bike. It looks like a fork seal blew. Ive had a knocking in the front end of this thing since new, and took it to two different dealers. Both of them no problem found it.
Now the seal blows? I wonder if its related. I didnt hit any pot holes or anything. No wheelies either...
But this is what it looked like. Thumbs up to Pomona Valley HD. Called them 20 minutes before they closed and they are sending a truck out today to pick it up and said they should have it fixed by Friday.
Grr... i wanted to take this to Arizona this weekend :-(
Last edited by steves86ta; May 4, 2016 at 02:02 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,757
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
Yea... first off ignore the 'maintenance schedule'; these beasties require constant attention. This from an old Shovelhead guy; you will be forever going through this bike. It's the nature of the beast; it's an HD. Back in the day an HD was an enthusiasts motorcycle; twin cam engines and fuel injection didn't change that, you always need to be on top of everything going on with the bike or she will leave you drop dead stranded... it's a love/hate thing 
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 293
Likes: 27
From: Beaumont Ca
Yea... first off ignore the 'maintenance schedule'; these beasties require constant attention. This from an old Shovelhead guy; you will be forever going through this bike. It's the nature of the beast; it's an HD. Back in the day an HD was an enthusiasts motorcycle; twin cam engines and fuel injection didn't change that, you always need to be on top of everything going on with the bike or she will leave you drop dead stranded... it's a love/hate thing
But I would like to know what to maintain/keep an eye on to prevent the issues I had?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,907
Likes: 8,757
From: Galt's Gulch - MI
This is the feel of the bike. I've found anything under any amount of stress or tension will break, it's just a question of when. For example the exhaust; if your vehicle/engine alignment is off and your front isolator is also making a bit of contact with the front engine bracket that exhaust isn't going to last long. So you're in to alignment of the vehicle/engine and perhaps shims on the isolator to keep those engine vibes under control and not trash everything tied to the engine/primary/transmission.
The fork seal is a, wow, lovely, thanks, moment. You can sometimes see indications of a leak on the fork tube but there again, you've got to be looking for it. When things like a fork seal let go you've got to be ready with the lift, tools, and the willingness to grab the SM and make her your bike. HD's are a harsh mistress at times but the willingness to simply look over the bike after a ride and see if any changes are happening will save you from most of the grief...
The fork seal is a, wow, lovely, thanks, moment. You can sometimes see indications of a leak on the fork tube but there again, you've got to be looking for it. When things like a fork seal let go you've got to be ready with the lift, tools, and the willingness to grab the SM and make her your bike. HD's are a harsh mistress at times but the willingness to simply look over the bike after a ride and see if any changes are happening will save you from most of the grief...
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 293
Likes: 27
From: Beaumont Ca
This is the feel of the bike. I've found anything under any amount of stress or tension will break, it's just a question of when. For example the exhaust; if your vehicle/engine alignment is off and your front isolator is also making a bit of contact with the front engine bracket that exhaust isn't going to last long. So you're in to alignment of the vehicle/engine and perhaps shims on the isolator to keep those engine vibes under control and not trash everything tied to the engine/primary/transmission.
The fork seal is a, wow, lovely, thanks, moment. You can sometimes see indications of a leak on the fork tube but there again, you've got to be looking for it. When things like a fork seal let go you've got to be ready with the lift, tools, and the willingness to grab the SM and make her your bike. HD's are a harsh mistress at times but the willingness to simply look over the bike after a ride and see if any changes are happening will save you from most of the grief...
The fork seal is a, wow, lovely, thanks, moment. You can sometimes see indications of a leak on the fork tube but there again, you've got to be looking for it. When things like a fork seal let go you've got to be ready with the lift, tools, and the willingness to grab the SM and make her your bike. HD's are a harsh mistress at times but the willingness to simply look over the bike after a ride and see if any changes are happening will save you from most of the grief...
Actually now that you mention it, it does seem to have some pretty harsh vibrations. Any info on the "isolator" or engine alignment?
i mean hell its only got 7k miles on it but anythign to check?
thanks
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 73
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From: huntsville ON
Not sure what to think reading this, I have been riding motorcycles all my life and have owned everything but a harley until 2013 I purchased one brand new and now 30,000 miles latter I have yet to have anything needing to be repaired. It has been driven hard and aggressive 3500rpm most of the time. It has out performed all the japanese bikes I have owned. My Harley Davidson has been the most reliable motorcycle I have owned.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 293
Likes: 27
From: Beaumont Ca
Not sure what to think reading this, I have been riding motorcycles all my life and have owned everything but a harley until 2013 I purchased one brand new and now 30,000 miles latter I have yet to have anything needing to be repaired. It has been driven hard and aggressive 3500rpm most of the time. It has out performed all the japanese bikes I have owned. My Harley Davidson has been the most reliable motorcycle I have owned.
Other than the "knocking" sound i had looked at ive had no issues til recently.
After doing a bit of research, im thinking maybe the Motor mount vibration issue could have caused the exhaust to let go. Also my bike does seem to have quite a bit of vibration especially past 3500-4000 rpm. Sometimes lower than that.
Not every time, but sometimes itll vibrate just enough in the footpegs that my feet will actually start to itch.
With that said, i have also owned other "road bikes". Including a GSXR750 and a Boulevard. While they were both more "refined" and smoother, def faster. I like the Harley the most. Seems to be of a higher quality just a little more "raw".
I hope im explaining that right
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Not sure what to think reading this, I have been riding motorcycles all my life and have owned everything but a harley until 2013 I purchased one brand new and now 30,000 miles latter I have yet to have anything needing to be repaired. It has been driven hard and aggressive 3500rpm most of the time. It has out performed all the japanese bikes I have owned. My Harley Davidson has been the most reliable motorcycle I have owned.
I sometimes wonder if that's why I never any of the inherent issues with my Thunderheader's structural integrity, even though it was heat wrapped.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 293
Likes: 27
From: Beaumont Ca
Following this thread for my own education but I had the same thought. I never had an issue with my FXDB...mechanical, electrical, structural, or otherwise, but I was also pretty obsessive about everything I maintained or replaced being aligned properly before it was torqued.
I sometimes wonder if that's why I never any of the inherent issues with my Thunderheader's structural integrity, even though it was heat wrapped.
I sometimes wonder if that's why I never any of the inherent issues with my Thunderheader's structural integrity, even though it was heat wrapped.
I called the dealer right now and asked them to check it while they have it. They said they would be glad to.
ill keep this post updated