Wtf?!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,217
Likes: 3,046
From: St.Louis Mo.
this was a common problem on heritage and fatboys, never seen it on a touring bike though. i swapped my pinch bolts out long ago on my heritage because of this. grade eight bolts with alittle blue locktite.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 243
From: Maine
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
Err no! There is no truth to your mismatch theory. Think about it, the forks are connected to a solid upper clamp and a solid lower axle, thus creating a single unit. As an example some fork sets use one fork for compression damping and the other rebound. In the off-road world, where fork technology is light years ahead of the newest Harley forks, different spring rates are commonly used to attain the specific overall spring rate .
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Err no! There is no truth to your mismatch theory. Think about it, the forks are connected to a solid upper clamp and a solid lower axle, thus creating a single unit. As an example some fork sets use one fork for compression damping and the other rebound. In the off-road world, where fork technology is light years ahead of the newest Harley forks, different spring rates are commonly used to attain the specific overall spring rate .
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Peoria, AZ
Sorry forgot to get back on here and update you guys. I pulled the the fork leg in question, completely disassembled, inspected and reassemble it. No damage what so ever to any part or component, and it works as it should. So I guess I'll be looking in the cracks and crevasses of my bike for odd loose parts from now on. It's still crazy it went from barely seeping to full on separated so quickly. I would thing as soon as it loosened past the o-ring I would have seen some signs of leaking.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 345
Likes: 10
From: Monrovia, Ca
How to we prevent this from occurring. Replacing the bolts?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 163
From: Northern VA
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
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Peoria, AZ
LOL No, This bike never gets left anywhere it could get messed with really and you'd have to take half the front end apart to actually get to anything.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
Why on earth would grade 8 bolts be helpful in this scenario?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post