I was out on a ride last night. Go to shift and bang. I look back a **** is flying. I pull off to the side and realize that the sporket bolts has ALL sheard off. At least the wheel was freewheeling, if it locked up, it would have been ugly. Anyway, wipe out a chromed Fatboy wheel, the tire, and sprocket. Right now, no other appearant damage, other than to my wallet.

 

It sounds like somebody didn't use Locktite on them. They likely loosened up and the side load cause them to shear off.

 

Yeah, that somebody wasn,t me. I just bought this bike(02 fatboy), and unfortunatly did not go though it. Shame on me, I nut/bolt check my race bike every weekend.

 

friend at work had his 07 dyna do the same recently. Stopped for a train and started only to go no where. 2 bolts on the swingarm the rest missing . 5000 miles on the bike and just days before was in for service. Scary that this is happening. Take a minute and locktite and torque your own and then you know for sure it's done.

 

I dunno if it is true but it came from a repituable source.....

An INDY told me that if you purchase the chrome HD bolts for the rear sprocket, they are prone to shearing off. The stock ones are grade 8 bolts and to use them with the chrome covers.

 

I got 2 phone calls today about another buddie that this happened too on his softail. I believe that it is an issue with the bolt more than any thing else. As I was pulling it down last night, I'm thinking, these chrome button top bolt are probable not "grade 8".

 

I was always taught grade 5 was for shear and grade 8 was for compression. From what I understand, a grade 8 will shear, or snap, whereas a grade 5 will actually "stretch" a little before the shear.