calling all 2007 Fatboy owners..
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 13
From: Maryland
I'm not sure changing to a newer set of forks is the answer, if so wouldn't HD have done that instead of the notched cowbells? But maybe I'm wrong. I thought the frame is also different on the 07's compared to the 08-09's I would like to see a set of 08-09 forks on a 07. In any case good luck with the fight to get this right for us 07 FatBoy owners.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: Easton, PA
I didn't know there was a fix for the front wheel offset. I also heard that the 07 frame is a little different than the 08-09 so I can't imagine that new forks would fix the problem. I have not had a problem with tracking but i did have a wobble around 40mph. When I took it into the dealer for my 5k service they found the handlebars and engine mounts were loose and also adjusted the bearings. Because of the cold weather I haven't had the chance to ride enough to see if the wobble has gone away.
I would have never noticed the front wheel offset if I hadn't read about it on the Forum. Personally it doesn't bother me. The bike runs great.
I would have never noticed the front wheel offset if I hadn't read about it on the Forum. Personally it doesn't bother me. The bike runs great.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 117
From: ARIZONA
Lowbro, I have a few pics that Ill post up tonight. Getting my front fender repainted soon but Ill pop the blank in to illustrate the issue.
Some people are ok with this. The bike does track straight, but I know that there are many owners, myself included, that are not willing to tolerate this for the long haul. If I have to Ill take this as far as it needs to go to get an answer out of H-D.
I DO NOT want to have to go that route and I hope that H-D will want to work something out, but as stated Im getting told to pound salt.
Some people are ok with this. The bike does track straight, but I know that there are many owners, myself included, that are not willing to tolerate this for the long haul. If I have to Ill take this as far as it needs to go to get an answer out of H-D.
I DO NOT want to have to go that route and I hope that H-D will want to work something out, but as stated Im getting told to pound salt.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 117
From: ARIZONA
Here are a few pics for those that are unaware of what the 07 Fatboy front forks issue looks like.
Notice the right side of the tire (picture left) is more worn than the other side. Time will tell if the attempted repair did anything, but if it doesnt, this is not a safe design, IMO.
EDIT: These pics were taken after the repair attempt but before I recently replaced the front tire. ONce I get my front fender repainted, Ill take a pic and post that too. Thats a real.... eyesore.
Notice the right side of the tire (picture left) is more worn than the other side. Time will tell if the attempted repair did anything, but if it doesnt, this is not a safe design, IMO.
EDIT: These pics were taken after the repair attempt but before I recently replaced the front tire. ONce I get my front fender repainted, Ill take a pic and post that too. Thats a real.... eyesore.
Last edited by ebeattie; Jan 11, 2009 at 02:54 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 13
From: Maryland
wow! I just covered my FB up for the winter but now I want to look at my front tire and see if there is any obvious tire wear on one side. it's never been a problem for me, merely cosmetic, and had I not read on this forum about the issue when it was first discovered I would probably never have noticed.
ebeattie, I do want to take my front fender off to get it repainted, is it a fairly easy take off? I assume the four fork bolts and voila' ?
ebeattie, I do want to take my front fender off to get it repainted, is it a fairly easy take off? I assume the four fork bolts and voila' ?
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 127
Likes: 3
From: Australia
Lowbro, I have a few pics that Ill post up tonight. Getting my front fender repainted soon but Ill pop the blank in to illustrate the issue.
Some people are OK with this. The bike does track straight, but I know that there are many owners, myself included, that are not willing to tolerate this for the long haul. If I have to Ill take this as far as it needs to go to get an answer out of H-D.
I DO NOT want to have to go that route and I hope that H-D will want to work something out, but as stated Im getting told to pound salt.
Some people are OK with this. The bike does track straight, but I know that there are many owners, myself included, that are not willing to tolerate this for the long haul. If I have to Ill take this as far as it needs to go to get an answer out of H-D.
I DO NOT want to have to go that route and I hope that H-D will want to work something out, but as stated Im getting told to pound salt.
1. Due to the 200 rear tyre when they aligned the wheels to track centre to centre of both wheels, the front wheel was offset so as the bike would track correctly.
2. This allowed the front fender to hit the fork sliders when suspension was at its maximum stretch.
3. Then they cut out the fork sliders so as to avoid the fender being damaged. Great fix Harley. If anything rubs just cut a groove to remove the problem.
I ordered a 2008 and picked it up in May after seeing they had fixed the front wheel centering. However your bike should still track correctly if a laser was used to centre both wheels and spacers used to align both. If they had not remedied this very shoddy setup I would never had bought one. Certainly not a collectors item to me, just a case of making a quick buck and we will fix it later if we get complaints??
Shame HD.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
When I first saw this in 2007 I could not believe a company could take such a "fix". I made enquiries and found out the following.
1. Due to the 200 rear tyre when they aligned the wheels to track centre to centre of both wheels, the front wheel was offset so as the bike would track correctly.
2. This allowed the front fender to hit the fork sliders when suspension was at its maximum stretch.
3. Then they cut out the fork sliders so as to avoid the fender being damaged. Great fix Harley. If anything rubs just cut a groove to remove the problem.
I ordered a 2008 and picked it up in May after seeing they had fixed the front wheel centering. However your bike should still track correctly if a laser was used to centre both wheels and spacers used to align both. If they had not remedied this very shoddy setup I would never had bought one. Certainly not a collectors item to me, just a case of making a quick buck and we will fix it later if we get complaints??
Shame HD.
1. Due to the 200 rear tyre when they aligned the wheels to track centre to centre of both wheels, the front wheel was offset so as the bike would track correctly.
2. This allowed the front fender to hit the fork sliders when suspension was at its maximum stretch.
3. Then they cut out the fork sliders so as to avoid the fender being damaged. Great fix Harley. If anything rubs just cut a groove to remove the problem.
I ordered a 2008 and picked it up in May after seeing they had fixed the front wheel centering. However your bike should still track correctly if a laser was used to centre both wheels and spacers used to align both. If they had not remedied this very shoddy setup I would never had bought one. Certainly not a collectors item to me, just a case of making a quick buck and we will fix it later if we get complaints??
Shame HD.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/
Last edited by tk353; Mar 2, 2010 at 11:17 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 117
From: ARIZONA
Dugan, the fornt fender is very easy to take off. Have a hex driver that fits, a box wrench to hold the nut while you remove the bolt and its out. Try to have someone there to catch the fender when you take the last bolt out though, she'll want to fall out REAL fast.
I did file a report with the nhtsa tk, I suppose it was looked at, but no calls since.
They did replace the wheel bearing when they made an attempts, at least it was reported that was on the repair order. However my fender still sits off to the side.... So I guess I didnt get a new axle or lowers. My front tire that Im put on a week ago is ALREADY showing signs of wearing on the right!
Honestly Im at the point that I realize that Ill probably have to either fight like a bastard to get SOME sort of resolution, but it doesnt seem like they are doing anything drastic, just enough to clean up the symptoms a bit. You put an 08 next to my 07 and ask a potential buyer which one they want and I guarentee you theyll pick the 08.
So, I might just suck it up and trade for an 09 and let the dealer take the issue of selling this 07.
Caveat Emptor means "Let the buyer beware" in latin. You never would think that a company that is so esteemed as H-D is would just let this crap slide.
I did file a report with the nhtsa tk, I suppose it was looked at, but no calls since.
They did replace the wheel bearing when they made an attempts, at least it was reported that was on the repair order. However my fender still sits off to the side.... So I guess I didnt get a new axle or lowers. My front tire that Im put on a week ago is ALREADY showing signs of wearing on the right!
Honestly Im at the point that I realize that Ill probably have to either fight like a bastard to get SOME sort of resolution, but it doesnt seem like they are doing anything drastic, just enough to clean up the symptoms a bit. You put an 08 next to my 07 and ask a potential buyer which one they want and I guarentee you theyll pick the 08.
So, I might just suck it up and trade for an 09 and let the dealer take the issue of selling this 07.
Caveat Emptor means "Let the buyer beware" in latin. You never would think that a company that is so esteemed as H-D is would just let this crap slide.