Fork Lock
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 842
Likes: 47
From: New Hartford CT
Fork Lock
My fork lock is no longer working. The switch locks in place, but the forks can be turned. I hear a slight click when doing this, as if the locking mechanism is hitting, but not extending far enough to lock. Is the fork lock an integral part of the switch (i.e. do I have to replace the whole switch) or is it a separate part that attaches to or works with the switch? The bike is an 89 FLHTCU.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 2,572
From: NC USA
The switch, which is no longer avaliable 
is part of the mechanism, but seldom the problem...
There are no good photos of that mechanism anywhere. Wish I'd taken some last time I was in there on mine..
If you pull the dash off, there is a plate with some sort of warning on it... can't remember what it says but under that you can see the pin that drops into the hole to lock the fork. There is at least one nylon bushing (like on the clutch cable at the lever) and they do wear. Also that drop pin will get "sticky" and it's a spring load mechanism that pushes it down. So, get into that and spray something on it will help.
I generally lock mine regularly, even if I don't actually lock the switch, just to keep it working. And sometimes I turn forks to lock, turn the switch to "fork lock" position and hit the top of the ign switch with the palm of my hand to jar it down into place.
Whatever you do, you'll have to fix it yourself - all those parts are obsolete.
Here's what I could get from the parts book hope it is of some help. #22 is the shield you need to take off. #2 I think is what hooks to the switch and #23 is actually what see-saws to drop the lock pin. Possible that bushing #21 is still avaliable OEM# 45426-79
is part of the mechanism, but seldom the problem...There are no good photos of that mechanism anywhere. Wish I'd taken some last time I was in there on mine..
If you pull the dash off, there is a plate with some sort of warning on it... can't remember what it says but under that you can see the pin that drops into the hole to lock the fork. There is at least one nylon bushing (like on the clutch cable at the lever) and they do wear. Also that drop pin will get "sticky" and it's a spring load mechanism that pushes it down. So, get into that and spray something on it will help.
I generally lock mine regularly, even if I don't actually lock the switch, just to keep it working. And sometimes I turn forks to lock, turn the switch to "fork lock" position and hit the top of the ign switch with the palm of my hand to jar it down into place.
Whatever you do, you'll have to fix it yourself - all those parts are obsolete.
Here's what I could get from the parts book hope it is of some help. #22 is the shield you need to take off. #2 I think is what hooks to the switch and #23 is actually what see-saws to drop the lock pin. Possible that bushing #21 is still avaliable OEM# 45426-79
Last edited by t150vej; Sep 10, 2009 at 01:43 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
Yeah, like t150vej sez. I've had to go into mine twice. Once I had to make a new pin. I have a lathe, so all problems look like problems in roundness anyway. Another time I had to glue the plastic sleeve down with a drop of super glue.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 640
Likes: 13
From: Hickory, NC area
My bike was repo'd at some point in it's life so the switch, part of the inner fairing, and the lock are all a mess. When I pulled the radio I was able to get down to the fork lock and I thought there was an adjustment screw in there. Mine was bent all up, no doubt from the leverage devise they used to break through the lock and thus tearing up my inner fairing.
I've quit trying to repair it like new and just carry a big lock to throw in the front rotor. Good luck.
I've quit trying to repair it like new and just carry a big lock to throw in the front rotor. Good luck.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
It's not much help, but you might like to know that International versions for export had an additional steering lock in the side of the steering head, because the ignition steering lock didn't meet some sort of regulation. So when my 1990 steering lock packed up I disabled it and now use the 'side' lock. Plus a disc lock and....
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 842
Likes: 47
From: New Hartford CT
Locks
I have a disc lock, but I don't use it all the time. It's just too much of a PIA to put it on and take it off every time I park the bike. I do use it in situations where the bike will be parked out of sight for any length of time.
But the fork lock I use every time I park, or at least I did until it stopped working a few weeks ago. I know it's not going to stop a determined thief (neither will the disc lock for that matter), but it will slow down anybody that suddenly takes a notion to hop on the bike and roll it away. I gotta fix it.
But the fork lock I use every time I park, or at least I did until it stopped working a few weeks ago. I know it's not going to stop a determined thief (neither will the disc lock for that matter), but it will slow down anybody that suddenly takes a notion to hop on the bike and roll it away. I gotta fix it.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,673
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From:
there is an adjusting screw. i just had to adjust it on my 85. it only took about 1 full turn to get it to work again. if you have a manual just follow the instructions on how to get at the switch.
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