Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Fork unscrewing itself??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 04:40 PM
  #1  
rsarno's Avatar
rsarno
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 790
Likes: 4
From: Internet
Default Fork unscrewing itself??

My buddy is working on my 04 FLSTCI .. basically I got oil coming out of the fork, he figured it was a blown seal (rare at 14k miles, but possible i guess) so took it all apart to get at it.

Bike jacked up, wheel off .. the right (sitting on bike, right side) fork began sliding to the floor. He realized it had unscrewed itself within the tripple.

He is very experienced and hasn't heard of anything like this, and tonight will try to put it all back together to make sure nothing is damaged ..

But i was wondering if anyone had ever come across this, and what might cause it? Anything else i should be aware of to have him check?

Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 05:14 PM
  #2  
bill in okc's Avatar
bill in okc
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Default

I had an odd problem on my '08 FXSTB. I took the forks apart for new seals, springs and to repaint the lowers (the previous owner had painted them and the paint was chipped). The screw on the bottom of the right fork leg was loose, it was basically kept from falling out by the axle and a lot of the oil in that side had already leaked out. I'm sure having that screw tight also cured a clunking noise I had heard when going over bumps.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 06:28 PM
  #3  
wils5150's Avatar
wils5150
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 430
Likes: 5
From: Massachusetts
Default

happened on my bike and a buddys bike. the pinch bolt broke on mine. his was just loose so ya it happens
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 09:03 PM
  #4  
oct1949's Avatar
oct1949
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Default

Pinch bolts loose or broken.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 09:29 PM
  #5  
rsarno's Avatar
rsarno
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 790
Likes: 4
From: Internet
Default

Okay we got into it tonight and here is the deal .. try to figure this one out lol

The pinch bolt on the right leg was snapped completely in half!

Ok its a head scratcher how this thing could snap, but whatever .. he happened to have a bolt that would work so we push forward. Get the fender in place, slide the second leg up. We put the second pinch bolt in and begin tightening .. it snaps! Now both bolts snapped!!

He didnt have a second bolt so tomorrow going to hit Home Depot and buy 2 grade-8's to replace the factory grade-6 (i think thats what they were, they had 3 dashes?)

Its hard enough to believe 1 of these hardened bolts snapped .. but both?? what the frig lol
 
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2011 | 06:44 AM
  #6  
In Memoriam Citoriplus's Avatar
In Memoriam Citoriplus
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Default

Originally Posted by rsarno
Its hard enough to believe 1 of these hardened bolts snapped .. but both?? what the frig lol
Its strange, but not completely unheard of, especially when your threading a steel bolt into an aluminum piece like that.
Just be glad you can get the old pieces ones out, that's not a nice area to have to get a bolt shank out of.
Before you put the new bolt in make sure its not too long and the internal threads in the tree are really, really, really clean.
Any old lube or locking compound in there is going to make the bolt bind up before it gets tight and you could easily break another one, even if it is a grade 8.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DynaRobert82
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
2
Mar 10, 2015 04:39 PM
karlkcfi
Dyna Glide Models
5
Apr 6, 2012 08:08 AM
bmcgc
Touring Models
4
Nov 21, 2010 08:38 AM
vladt
Dyna Glide Models
7
May 25, 2010 04:22 AM
03 Softail
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
3
Apr 24, 2006 12:37 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:54 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE