Harley problem
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 277
Likes: 17
From: kansas
Harley problem
Purchased, an 08 sportster, found that the factory had a problem with the 06s with the back of the front fender hitting the alt. plate area when hitting a bump. I talked with several people on line who had the same problem and it was a recall on some. When I talked to the dealer I was told it was a factory problem when I called the factory I was given a big blow off. Its all factory unmodified and its a design problem. No one wants to look at it and the dealer wants 75 dollars to look at it and tell me what I already know. Rocker cover leaking oil replaced and now a design flaw that I was not even kissed before being screwed. Nice, My Yamaha never gave me one oz of trouble, maybe I went American and its my fault. Has anyone else had this problem? Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
Does yours hit? An 06 recall should not affect yours since the recall was done before yours was built. It's not unusual for this type to be only a few bikes on a new year since Harley does not build that many compared to a Chevy or Toyota. Yamaha is a different animal. I had an 1100 Star Custom. It was literally perfect at 10K. But still prefer the Harley. I would dare say Yamaha could build an exact copy of a Harley and put a Yamaha name on it and it would sell for half and they would still make money. Just the way it is.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 18
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From: Houston
Below is the recall information on the 07 (not 06) fender issue. Note that there is no recall for the 08. However, you might still get some traction using the numbers listed at the bottom, notably the TSA hotline.
Make: HARLEY DAVIDSON Model: XL1200L
Model Year: 2007
Manufacturer: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY Mfr's Report Date: DEC 14, 2006
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 06V476000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Summary:
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AS A RESULT OF A GREATER BODY THICKNESS THAN USED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR MAY CONTACT THE FRONT FENDER UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. IN SOME CASES THIS CONTACT MAY ALLOW THE FRONT FENDER TO CATCH ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE REGULATOR BODY WHICH COULD IMPEDE THE OPERATOR'S ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE.
Consequence:
THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
Remedy:
ON MOTORCYCLES WHICH DO NOT HAVE ACCESSORY ENGINE GUARDS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INTERMEDIATE MOUNTING BRACKET THAT WILL RELOCATE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR TO A POSITION WHICH PROVIDES MORE CLEARANCE FROM THE FRONT FENDER. ON VEHICLES WITH AN ACCESSORY ENGINE GUARDS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE THINNNER DIMENSION VOLTAGE REGULATOR TO AVOIDE THE FRONT FENDER CLEARANCE PROBLEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 22, 2007. A SECOND CUSTOMER LETTER REFLECTING THE ABOVE REMEDY WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ON MARCH 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
Notes:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON RECALL NO. 0128. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Make: HARLEY DAVIDSON Model: XL1200L
Model Year: 2007
Manufacturer: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY Mfr's Report Date: DEC 14, 2006
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 06V476000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Summary:
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AS A RESULT OF A GREATER BODY THICKNESS THAN USED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR MAY CONTACT THE FRONT FENDER UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. IN SOME CASES THIS CONTACT MAY ALLOW THE FRONT FENDER TO CATCH ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE REGULATOR BODY WHICH COULD IMPEDE THE OPERATOR'S ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE.
Consequence:
THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
Remedy:
ON MOTORCYCLES WHICH DO NOT HAVE ACCESSORY ENGINE GUARDS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INTERMEDIATE MOUNTING BRACKET THAT WILL RELOCATE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR TO A POSITION WHICH PROVIDES MORE CLEARANCE FROM THE FRONT FENDER. ON VEHICLES WITH AN ACCESSORY ENGINE GUARDS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE THINNNER DIMENSION VOLTAGE REGULATOR TO AVOIDE THE FRONT FENDER CLEARANCE PROBLEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 22, 2007. A SECOND CUSTOMER LETTER REFLECTING THE ABOVE REMEDY WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ON MARCH 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
Notes:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON RECALL NO. 0128. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
A set of racetech emulators, thicker fluid, and progressive springs would probably reduce front end dive enough that it would never hit again.
Or go the cheap route: Chop your front fender.
Or go the cheap route: Chop your front fender.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 277
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From: kansas
I called and filed a complaint with the safety authority, and also the BBB. Harley said they did not really care when I called. Harley said that it was between me and my shop. LOL. I guess they would rather take a chance on a law suite than fix a 50 dollar problem. Typical corporation.
Tourer
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From: Charlotte, NC
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Road Master
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From: Central FL
I called and filed a complaint with the safety authority, and also the BBB. Harley said they did not really care when I called. Harley said that it was between me and my shop. LOL. I guess they would rather take a chance on a law suite than fix a 50 dollar problem. Typical corporation.HD Forum Stories
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Purchased, an 08 sportster, found that the factory had a problem with the 06s with the back of the front fender hitting the alt. plate area when hitting a bump. I talked with several people on line who had the same problem and it was a recall on some. When I talked to the dealer I was told it was a factory problem when I called the factory I was given a big blow off. Its all factory unmodified and its a design problem. No one wants to look at it and the dealer wants 75 dollars to look at it and tell me what I already know. Rocker cover leaking oil replaced and now a design flaw that I was not even kissed before being screwed. Nice, My Yamaha never gave me one oz of trouble, maybe I went American and its my fault. Has anyone else had this problem? Thanks
I called and filed a complaint with the safety authority, and also the BBB. Harley said they did not really care when I called. Harley said that it was between me and my shop. LOL. I guess they would rather take a chance on a law suite than fix a 50 dollar problem. Typical corporation.Nowhere in your posts do you say that your fender has actually hit the regulator. (Yes, it's the regulator not the alternator).
Go get another Yammy and quit whining.
