2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
Novice
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
Aside from what will now forever be known as the "front fender fiasco" which is not a serious problem, I think 2007 Softail and Dyna owners may have gotten off easy. Here is a link to a page where a guy goes on for pages about his wifes 2007 Road King and it's issues. He mentions the heat issue I've heard before but it sounds like the touring line may have had a numb-nut working on the assembly line wiring headlamps.
http://www.coolclimbing.com/2007harl...kingclassi.htm
http://www.coolclimbing.com/2007harl...kingclassi.htm
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 4
From:
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
It just blows my mind all the issues new 07 owners have been having with bikes that are basicly improved items from older yrs.The QA is really been bad so far.How can a fender that is offset ever get out w/o someone questioning this?Yes the touring line is getting it real bad,Im one of those people.C/S has never been worse on getting things resolved.Everything on the trannys/primarys has been kept mum.Dealers wont stick their necks out to upset the factory.Hard to go lemon law rte if nothing was replaced to try to cure our noises.I have contacted every consumer advocate on these issues as well as the big bike magazines.Harleys sales are being affected by this,the net is the best way to stay up w/this and Harley isnt liking it one bit.Dont kid yourself ,they watch these sites.New bikes shouldnt have these problems if the factory did their jobs.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 88
From: NJ
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
ORIGINAL: pittguy
It just blows my mind all the issues new 07 owners have been having with bikes that are basicly improved items from older yrs.The QA is really been bad so far.How can a fender that is offset ever get out w/o someone questioning this?Yes the touring line is getting it real bad,Im one of those people.C/S has never been worse on getting things resolved.Everything on the trannys/primarys has been kept mum.Dealers wont stick their necks out to upset the factory.Hard to go lemon law rte if nothing was replaced to try to cure our noises.I have contacted every consumer advocate on these issues as well as the big bike magazines.Harleys sales are being affected by this,the net is the best way to stay up w/this and Harley isnt liking it one bit.Dont kid yourself ,they watch these sites.New bikes shouldnt have these problems if the factory did their jobs.
It just blows my mind all the issues new 07 owners have been having with bikes that are basicly improved items from older yrs.The QA is really been bad so far.How can a fender that is offset ever get out w/o someone questioning this?Yes the touring line is getting it real bad,Im one of those people.C/S has never been worse on getting things resolved.Everything on the trannys/primarys has been kept mum.Dealers wont stick their necks out to upset the factory.Hard to go lemon law rte if nothing was replaced to try to cure our noises.I have contacted every consumer advocate on these issues as well as the big bike magazines.Harleys sales are being affected by this,the net is the best way to stay up w/this and Harley isnt liking it one bit.Dont kid yourself ,they watch these sites.New bikes shouldnt have these problems if the factory did their jobs.
Went to my dealer last night and told the owner about the fender problem. He immediately jumped on a 07 Fat Boy and purposely bottomed out the front shocks multiple times. I have to say even though the fender is offset about 1/4" away it never moved any closer nor scrapped anything? He tried to tell me that the reason for the offset had to do with the new 200 mm tires that are on the bike this year?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 301
From: moved to Florida!
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
Just saw an 07 Fatboy at the dealer's yesterday. I made a point to look at the front fender. I'll be dang if it isn't offcenter, just as reported. I was surprised that the LH lower fork leg actually had a lot longer fender mounting boss than the RH side. So the lower legs must be different this year as well. I was wanting to buy a new fatboy and put on a Heritage front fender, bet that fork boss would make it difficult, if not inpossible.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 301
From: moved to Florida!
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
Went to another dealership today and saw a 2006 SE Fatboy. Looked at the front fender on the 06, completely centered. The lower fork fender bosses are equal in length as they have always been. Makes ya wonder what the heck they wanted to change it for.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 41
From: So Cal
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
Was back at the dealer today and they explained that the wheels are alined with each other , so the new 07 Fatboys handle and track correctly , but the wheels are not centered on the bike. In order to align the front wheel with the new larger back it had to be moved to the right, that is why the fork slider issue has come up .
Here is a picture (got from another site) that shows the "fix" for the slider hitting the fender. They basicly cut back / notched the inner part of the upper slider.
[IMG]local://upfiles/474/6A1332CA48BD4F0D9E7A107483067C93.jpg[/IMG]
Here is a picture (got from another site) that shows the "fix" for the slider hitting the fender. They basicly cut back / notched the inner part of the upper slider.
[IMG]local://upfiles/474/6A1332CA48BD4F0D9E7A107483067C93.jpg[/IMG]
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 3
From: NC
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
ORIGINAL: XARAN
Was back at the dealer today and they explained that the wheels are alined with each otyher , so the new 07 Fatboys handle and track correctly , but the wheels are not centered on the bike. In order to align the front wheel withthe new larger back it had to be moved to the right, that is why the fork slider issue has come up .
Here is a picture (got from another site) that shows the "fix" for the slider hitting the fender. They basicly cut back / notched the inner slider.
[IMG]local://upfiles/474/6A1332CA48BD4F0D9E7A107483067C93.jpg[/IMG]
Was back at the dealer today and they explained that the wheels are alined with each otyher , so the new 07 Fatboys handle and track correctly , but the wheels are not centered on the bike. In order to align the front wheel withthe new larger back it had to be moved to the right, that is why the fork slider issue has come up .
Here is a picture (got from another site) that shows the "fix" for the slider hitting the fender. They basicly cut back / notched the inner slider.
[IMG]local://upfiles/474/6A1332CA48BD4F0D9E7A107483067C93.jpg[/IMG]
All this pain and suffering resulted from sticking a 200mm fat rear tire on the back of a bike with the entire drivetrain on the left side. In order to have a fat rear tire on what would have otherwise been a perfectly fine bike.. Wonder if the Vics with the 250's have these kinds of issues? sorry, cheap jab.
But still, I'd say this defect is as much the fault of trying to satisfy the market where guys want fat tires to be cool on their stock scoots. That's what customs are for! So in trying to stay up with the Jone's, H-D compromised with a drivetrain that isn't designed for a fat rear tire. It simply isn't setup for that.. Final drive and primary are both on the same side, so there's a bunch of stuff crammed on the left side. So the moco simply moved the tire to the right.. well howbout that.. Ain't that some engineering.. As if the bike isn't already enough off-balance from all the primary and drive hardware stacked up on the left side... Same reason Big Dog and a lot of the other custom companies broke down and went to right side drive trannies.
So now, on a completely bone stock bike, you don't get a choice.. Now you got a 200mm tire on a poorly designed platform mounted completely on the left side.. Notice the skinny forks. You don't have the choice of riding a 150 or 180 stock and worry free or the option to screw up your own scoot by attempting a fat tire kit of somekind. All in attempt to attract the youger buyers because the VRods aren't selling and the custom and metric market is kicking their butts with the younger buyers.
Choice is a very big word... I liked it better when you could buy a stock bike with tried and true track record, or a custom, for all the fancy junk.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 887
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
Given the addition of a fat rear tire on a previously ballanced frame, tire and engine combo. No, we won't redesign the case and frame to house an internal sprocket offset. Too much trouble. Lets just move the wheels to the side!! While we are at it why not increase the front tire diameter like they want without thinking too hard about it? Sure. What cost saving ideas [:'(]
If both tires are off center (all I could confirm is that the front is off center) then the bike will forever ride at a slight angle. Thus, the tires will not wear evenly. Also if your balllance is right and you are sitting straight up, the bike must veer. Or, get used to sitting off center to compensate.
GARBAGE. Smells bad and makes me want to puke.
If both tires are off center (all I could confirm is that the front is off center) then the bike will forever ride at a slight angle. Thus, the tires will not wear evenly. Also if your balllance is right and you are sitting straight up, the bike must veer. Or, get used to sitting off center to compensate.
GARBAGE. Smells bad and makes me want to puke.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
Was at a local HD dealer last week getting some goodies and the wife asked me if I wanted a new bike . Told her even if I was to trade straight across - no money deal ( must be dreaming , I know ) I would stick to my 04 Deuce ! That was before I read this thread and hear of all the stupid design flaws HD is coming out with as improvements . All this commotion over a 200mm tire , think anyone wanting a FB would be wise to pick up a remaining 2006 and avoid the problems , looks like motor/tranny will be an issue also . Glad I'm happy with my Deuce ! Good Luck to all the 2007 FB riders .