Fork tube unscrewed?
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 28
From: Kokomo, IN
Fork tube unscrewed?
In chasing down an oil leak from the front end, I removed the nacelle and found this:
There is not any thread damage to the tube or the top plug. The assembly will tighten up smoothly. I am just wondering how this happened and any precautions to prevent this from reoccurring. Anyone seen this before?
There is not any thread damage to the tube or the top plug. The assembly will tighten up smoothly. I am just wondering how this happened and any precautions to prevent this from reoccurring. Anyone seen this before?
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 6
From: N.C.
Replace the o-ring and any component up there that looks damaged.
Screw the fork tube plug in tight (It does not have to be break neck tight just good and snug) Make sure the pinch bolt is not stripped or broken (That can cause this, and allows the tube to turn).
I would take the bottom fork oil drain plug out and flush it several times with some sort of cheapo hydraulic oil, put drain plug in, and then install the correct amount of oil in the tube as called for by Harley (11.5 ounces usually). That should fix it. I bet someone just finger tightened it last if the pinch bolt is good. And that is why it came lose.
Screw the fork tube plug in tight (It does not have to be break neck tight just good and snug) Make sure the pinch bolt is not stripped or broken (That can cause this, and allows the tube to turn).
I would take the bottom fork oil drain plug out and flush it several times with some sort of cheapo hydraulic oil, put drain plug in, and then install the correct amount of oil in the tube as called for by Harley (11.5 ounces usually). That should fix it. I bet someone just finger tightened it last if the pinch bolt is good. And that is why it came lose.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 28
From: Kokomo, IN
Yea, it made a heck of a noise when I pulled in. And I found the problem. The lower fork leg brace bolt is missing from that side. I didn't notice the fact that the leg fell out on it's own, but when I went to remove the other side, duhhh. The nacelle hides everything and that's how I missed it.
Good news is that this repair is only going to cost me a bolt, fork oil, and lotsa NeverDull and cocktails in the garage tonight cleaning all this chrome while it's off. She'll be fixed and all purty.
Good news is that this repair is only going to cost me a bolt, fork oil, and lotsa NeverDull and cocktails in the garage tonight cleaning all this chrome while it's off. She'll be fixed and all purty.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 6
From: N.C.
Yea, it made a heck of a noise when I pulled in. And I found the problem. The lower fork leg brace bolt is missing from that side. I didn't notice the fact that the leg fell out on it's own, but when I went to remove the other side, duhhh. The nacelle hides everything and that's how I missed it.
Good news is that this repair is only going to cost me a bolt, fork oil, and lotsa NeverDull and cocktails in the garage tonight cleaning all this chrome while it's off. She'll be fixed and all purty.
Good news is that this repair is only going to cost me a bolt, fork oil, and lotsa NeverDull and cocktails in the garage tonight cleaning all this chrome while it's off. She'll be fixed and all purty.
Don't forget to replace the o-ring.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 28
From: Kokomo, IN
It's a 2000 FatBoy with 43,000 miles on it. I'll give the MoCo the benefit of the doubt on this one. And the O ring is replaced, had one handy...Thanks Rocky for all your helpful advice.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 28
From: Kokomo, IN
Rockyriver, good idea on the flush. I had already purchased the fork oil and a good cleaning before putting the new stuff in is a great suggestion.
Luv the help on this board.
Luv the help on this board.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
I know of three different Fatboys that have had a clamp bolt break.
Mine was one, last summer my buddy had his unscrew itself on the way to the OKC hog rally sure enough we found a broken clamp bolt. We repaired it in a hotel parking lot. Fun time!
Mine was one, last summer my buddy had his unscrew itself on the way to the OKC hog rally sure enough we found a broken clamp bolt. We repaired it in a hotel parking lot. Fun time!
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