Must do checks this winter.
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 83
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From: Lowestoft, UK
Must do checks this winter.
I'm in the middle of making some mods to my 2006 Low Rider i.e. new brake calipers, stage 1, and suspension changes, however, while stripping the bike down I've been shocked at some of the things I've found on a 9 month, 4000 mile, old bike.
So far I've encountered:
front exhaust O2 plug - this is a HDI model without sensors - cross threaded.
rear O2 plug finger tight - the compression washer wasn't even crushed.
two out of four exhaust header bolts loose.
front axle clamp screw finger tight.
rear axle seized. When I finally removed it I found it had been installed without grease, and had begun to corrode.
internal corrosion in the fuse box cover, probably due to it holding water after washing when left on the jiffy stand.
When I brought this lot to the attention of my stealer, he just laughed it off as part of the Harley 'experience' - no support there then - but it doesn't say much for the MoCo's QA standards. If you've not already done so, I'd recommend you check the bike over for loose fasteners etc. In particular, remove both axles and grease them properly; another 6 months,and I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to get the rear axle out without damaging the wheel bearings, and something as simple as a puncture would have become a major headache.
I hope this serves a cautionary tale, and saves someone grief in the future.
Roll on summer!
So far I've encountered:
front exhaust O2 plug - this is a HDI model without sensors - cross threaded.
rear O2 plug finger tight - the compression washer wasn't even crushed.
two out of four exhaust header bolts loose.
front axle clamp screw finger tight.
rear axle seized. When I finally removed it I found it had been installed without grease, and had begun to corrode.
internal corrosion in the fuse box cover, probably due to it holding water after washing when left on the jiffy stand.
When I brought this lot to the attention of my stealer, he just laughed it off as part of the Harley 'experience' - no support there then - but it doesn't say much for the MoCo's QA standards. If you've not already done so, I'd recommend you check the bike over for loose fasteners etc. In particular, remove both axles and grease them properly; another 6 months,and I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to get the rear axle out without damaging the wheel bearings, and something as simple as a puncture would have become a major headache.
I hope this serves a cautionary tale, and saves someone grief in the future.
Roll on summer!
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 139
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From: Now living in Germany
RE: Must do checks this winter.
cool, thanks, i've the hdi model as well,
and have had the 02 plug coming loose as well.
seeing as i have bad puncture luck am glad to see the heads up on the axle story.
as for the front axle clamp..well...fekn hell. crazy that a dealer would pass that off as the "experience". sure enough people get excited about some silly things
..but an axle clamp. fekn hell again.
what do you plan to use for the stage 1....download, sert, pcIII...etc..??
and have had the 02 plug coming loose as well.
seeing as i have bad puncture luck am glad to see the heads up on the axle story.
as for the front axle clamp..well...fekn hell. crazy that a dealer would pass that off as the "experience". sure enough people get excited about some silly things
..but an axle clamp. fekn hell again.
what do you plan to use for the stage 1....download, sert, pcIII...etc..??
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 534
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From: Illinois
RE: Must do checks this winter.
The rear axle is the one that makes me mad. How much does a little grease or anti-sieze cost? I had to have mine beaten out and then the bearings replaced. I told all my friends that bought new bikes to get their rear wheel off and have the axles cleaned and anti-seizes as soon as possible. Out of 5 guys all said the axles were bone dry.
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 83
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From: Lowestoft, UK
RE: Must do checks this winter.
irlm1,
Winter mods are:
Stage 1 using V&H Big Shots Staggered, PC III, and TP Engineering's Scramjet air filter.
Front and rear billet calipers from Harrison Billet, UK.
Braided hoses.
Progressive fork springs.
Hagon rear shocks.
The job's coming along quite well, and I can't wait to get finished and road test it all. The only problem is, you can always find something else you want to change or improve, however, the current state of my bank account dictates that there'll be no more mods until next winter, only riding and enjoying the company of fellow bikers!
Winter mods are:
Stage 1 using V&H Big Shots Staggered, PC III, and TP Engineering's Scramjet air filter.
Front and rear billet calipers from Harrison Billet, UK.
Braided hoses.
Progressive fork springs.
Hagon rear shocks.
The job's coming along quite well, and I can't wait to get finished and road test it all. The only problem is, you can always find something else you want to change or improve, however, the current state of my bank account dictates that there'll be no more mods until next winter, only riding and enjoying the company of fellow bikers!
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 83
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From: Lowestoft, UK
RE: Must do checks this winter.
No problem.
HDI = Harley Davidson International, it's the overseas specification, which, in the case of my bike, means no O2 sensors, and spoked wheels rather than cast.
HDI = Harley Davidson International, it's the overseas specification, which, in the case of my bike, means no O2 sensors, and spoked wheels rather than cast.
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