Rear wheel sprocket coming loose?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Stockton California
Rear wheel sprocket coming loose?
Well I just bought my 2014 fatboy lo about 2 months ago I've only got 565 miles on it, and last night on my way home from dinner with the old lady I heard a loud clunk then what sounded like the belt flapping around. I instantly pull in the clutch throw on my hazards and coast to the side of the freeway. There was only about a bike lane width of a shoulder that went up against a a concreat devide. I had the lady jump over the devide to keep her outta the way of other cars and I started pushing the bike to attempt to get to a safer spot. Which lucky for me a highway patrol officer just happened to be passing by and he he put on his flashers and flares out I got it towed to the house and I took a look at what had happened it looks like all but one of the bolts holding the rear sprocket which the drive belt goes around snapped off.. I have no idea how that happened. Unfortunately Im away all week for work but am having it towed back to the dealer today has anyone experienced anything like this? I'm assuming my warranty will cover it. Bike seems fine besides the damage to the sprocket it self and some scratches to the actual frame of the bike. I'm just glad the wheel didn't seize and throw me and the lady..
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,501
Likes: 26
From: Sheboygan,Wi
I have never seen that first hand on a new bike. Should be under warranty. I have seen this happen a few times when a person re used the bolts, big no no. Ant time you take those out always replace with new ones. Good to see that bike did not lock up and you made it home safe.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
Glad your both OK...that could have been real bad...
I have reused my bolts multiple times and never had a problem...but mine are torqued correctly with some blue lock tight.
Hope they take care of this for you.
I have reused my bolts multiple times and never had a problem...but mine are torqued correctly with some blue lock tight.
Hope they take care of this for you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,605
Likes: 6,439
From: Honah Lee
I would say that is a disgruntled factory worker since it looks OEM. See it quite often on here for aftermarket Chrome hardware and such that is not OEM or comes out of the back shop. You are lucky to have not got hurt.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Stockton California
Yeah at the time it happened my main concern was getting off the freeway. Then was checking the bike out. It didn't really sink in until I got home how lucky I was. Me getting hurt on the bike is one thing but I had my lady with me would done some mental damage for sure if she had gotten hurt.
I talked to the dealership they did say they'd take care of it. I did recently change out the exhaust and I know that could void warranty at least that's what I read. I was debating on putting the stocks back on before taking in do you think that would be a problem? I see no way that the change in exhaust could have any kind of influence on what happened
I talked to the dealership they did say they'd take care of it. I did recently change out the exhaust and I know that could void warranty at least that's what I read. I was debating on putting the stocks back on before taking in do you think that would be a problem? I see no way that the change in exhaust could have any kind of influence on what happened
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 574
Likes: 3
From: AB Canada
Those are considered critical fasteners and should have been checked during the PDI...brutal on a new bike. Glad you're OK!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,400
Likes: 284
From: Fort Worth, TX
I have seen that happen a few times, but not on a new bike...the ones I have seen are on bikes where someone reused the old bolts, with blue loctite and proper torque. We NEVER reuse pulley bolts or brake rotor hardware for this exact reason, they are simply one time use...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 12
From: north jersey
Damn dude, that's ****ing scary. You're really lucky neither one of you got hurt.
Maybe your belt was too tight from the factory? Or the bolts weren't torqued properly.
I'm happy to hear the dealer is gonna square you away. I wouldn't worry about the exhaust.
If that dealer has half a brain they know they got off easy, cause if they would have checked that bike the correct way before they sold it to you this probably wouldn't have happened. I would have given them a piece of my mind about it.
Maybe your belt was too tight from the factory? Or the bolts weren't torqued properly.
I'm happy to hear the dealer is gonna square you away. I wouldn't worry about the exhaust.
If that dealer has half a brain they know they got off easy, cause if they would have checked that bike the correct way before they sold it to you this probably wouldn't have happened. I would have given them a piece of my mind about it.