Wtf?!!
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,429
Likes: 7,122
From: Beyond Fucital
This could have easily been missed, and could have unscrewed on this ride. who the hell checks their fork screws and pinch bolts on a regular basis?
And I agree, who ever worked anywhere near your forks or trees should be castrated. And if it was you, lesson learned?
And I agree, who ever worked anywhere near your forks or trees should be castrated. And if it was you, lesson learned?
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Peoria, AZ
It's been about 3 years since the forks were last serviced and the guy is no longer around. To those that asked, yes I do check my bike over regularly before I ride, I have several bikes and an a very experienced rider/bike owner. I never really thought to look up under there and check for that. I'm almost wondering if there was a catastrophic thread failure in the tube itself because of how quickly it happened. I would think if it was unscrewing slowly I would have noticed the oil leaking much sooner, like as soon as it unthreaded past the o-ring it would have started. I'll get it apart in the next couple of weeks and give you an update. I guess now is as good a time as any to lower the front end of the bike too! LOL
Advanced
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 96
Likes: 8
From: Houston, TX
If it were a thread failure, you would have most likely seen the galling on the threads. I didn't see any, but you be better to see it than the photos.
Be sure to change out the fluid in both forks so that they are equally matched.
A mismatched fork will affect stability. Mismatch could be caused by having old/new fluid (flowing at different rates in each fork), different oil levels in each fork, and different oil weight in each fork.
If you were thinking of upgrading to a 15 weight, now is the time to do it!
Here's a good primer I found on a CVO site: https://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=44716.0
Be sure to change out the fluid in both forks so that they are equally matched.
A mismatched fork will affect stability. Mismatch could be caused by having old/new fluid (flowing at different rates in each fork), different oil levels in each fork, and different oil weight in each fork.
If you were thinking of upgrading to a 15 weight, now is the time to do it!
Here's a good primer I found on a CVO site: https://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=44716.0
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,681
Likes: 8,413
From: Utah
It's been about 3 years since the forks were last serviced and the guy is no longer around. To those that asked, yes I do check my bike over regularly before I ride, I have several bikes and an a very experienced rider/bike owner. I never really thought to look up under there and check for that. I'm almost wondering if there was a catastrophic thread failure in the tube itself because of how quickly it happened. I would think if it was unscrewing slowly I would have noticed the oil leaking much sooner, like as soon as it unthreaded past the o-ring it would have started. I'll get it apart in the next couple of weeks and give you an update. I guess now is as good a time as any to lower the front end of the bike too! LOL