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Hey guys/gals. I've been going through my recently purchased 93 Springer checking to make sure there are no wiring or safety issues. After removing the front fender a couple weeks ago, yesterday I decided to go ahead and put it back on. It was put there for a reason after all and thinking back to my youth, I never was fond of getting a face full of water or rocks.
While re-installing the fender I noticed that something didn't look right where the caliper mounting bracket attaches to the fender at the brake reaction link. After looking at a parts diagram, I see that someone had replaced the #2 bolt in the attached diagram with a shorter hex bolt that comes nowhere close to extending past the shaft nut #9. I ordered the correct #2 bolt which should be here in a week or so.
Now for my question. Neither the fork rocker nor the front fender diagrams actually show where in relation to the fender the washers, #5 & 6 and the rubber spacer #15 actually go. I am assuming they belong on the outboard side of the fender between brake reaction link #16 and fender itself but learned a long time ago when it comes to anything safety related to not assume anything.
While your apart replace 4 both sides and 5,13,14 and 15. With new cotter pin. When the nylon and rubber washers deteriorate the fender has a tendency to get loose rivets over time. G.
Stopped by the dealer yesterday to tell them they might want to think about using someone that actually has knowledge beyond being a parts changer in regards to inspecting older trades before putting them on the sales floor. I explained that I expected to find some problems but this particular one could have caused a serious accident at some point. After talking to the service manager, I decided to mention it to the GM also. I told them both that there is an excellent independent less than two blocks from them that has and abundance of knowledge when it comes to the older stuff and they might consider using him for pre-sale or even trade in inspections. I know for a fact that the Indian Dealer in town uses him for any older Harley's they take in. The GM offered me a $50.00 in store credit for my trouble which I declined but he insisted so I accepted it. I now wish I'd gone in and talked to them prior to spending $24.00 on a NAPA starter relay that also was bad when I bought the bike.
Absolutely! Thanks and where did you get that diagram?
I found an Evo softail service manual online once, 84-99 softail service manual. It's over 600 pages, not sure of the origin, but I think I got it from the Carl Salter website. The cover looks like the picture here. I use it along with the factory manual sometimes. I was at work (shhh!) when I replied to your question so only had this pdf and not the factory manual.
I looked in the manual and it says, "Note the position of the nylon washer and rubber spacer installed inside the fender bushing. The washer and spacer may stay in the fender bracket bushing or come off with the shaft nut". That indicates to me that the rubber spacer actually goes "inside" the bushing. The rubber washer that is on the bike is too big to fit inside the bushing which leads me to believe the PO replaced it with something he found at a hardware store. I contacted my local dealer and was told that part number is obsolete and no longer available.
Can anyone that has a FX Springer take a look and see it the rubber spacer is visible on the shaft nut side of the bushing? If not, I guess I'll just head to the hardware store and find a rubber washer that will fit inside the bushing.
Thanks.
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FX Springer forks.
