So, she has a 2013 Fat Boy we bought new. It doesn't get beat on or lugged or rode hard at all. It is taken care of very well. Oil changed every year, along with all the maintenance needed. It doesn't even have 5k miles on it yet. I never ride it, but took it to work the other day and it was VERY loud. Took it in and a bunch of the bottom end is wiped out. Cams, bearings, all sorts of stuff. $2k worth! The dealer said its tough to tell what started it, but things got taken out along the way. It wasn't an over night thing. Pretty much sucks bad. Just wish I knew what let go.

 

Was it all stock??

 

Did you observe her riding style, lugging?

 

She rides great, that shouldnt have been an issue. Its stock. Stage one. Pipes, ac and tune. Dynoed by dealer.

 

this is due to Harley Davidsons quality control in their parts and production lines. they try and do everything as cheaply as they can anymore. it all equals more profits for them.

 

That kind of damage sounds eerily like a winter storage issue involving condensation and/or even acid forming hydrolysis.

Conventional thinking is that you never start your engine in the winter, waiting instead for spring when you can ride for an hour or so right after startup.

 

even when it was super cold out i still start my bike once a week

 

I hate this for you. Makes me nervous since this is my first Harley.

 

Slow death means oiling to me. Low pressure or contamination.

 

That would be my guess too.