Broken Brackets
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
The Brackets for the Bat Wing are garbage!
I didn't know that the brackets were broken I had questioned the fairing vibration almost since I got the "06 and the dealer just told me it was not vibrating unusually.
I added fairing mount mirrors and really didn't look at the mounts..
Just today I replaced the speakers and noticed the bracket under the right speaker was sheared and then saw that the two top ones were also.
The dealer did the out of warranty dance for me I told the owner to pound salt and went to Sears bought some mending plates just bent drilled and bolted. Better than new! Total cost $6.50.
It is a shame that they can't provide a decent mount for the fairing the engineering is about three levels below poor. (make that 4!)
I guess that goes along with the answer to overheating .. Add an oil cooler.. never mind the factory installing it from the get go!
And they wonder why I won't service the Pig at the dealer!
I didn't know that the brackets were broken I had questioned the fairing vibration almost since I got the "06 and the dealer just told me it was not vibrating unusually.
I added fairing mount mirrors and really didn't look at the mounts..
Just today I replaced the speakers and noticed the bracket under the right speaker was sheared and then saw that the two top ones were also.
The dealer did the out of warranty dance for me I told the owner to pound salt and went to Sears bought some mending plates just bent drilled and bolted. Better than new! Total cost $6.50.
It is a shame that they can't provide a decent mount for the fairing the engineering is about three levels below poor. (make that 4!)
I guess that goes along with the answer to overheating .. Add an oil cooler.. never mind the factory installing it from the get go!
And they wonder why I won't service the Pig at the dealer!
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From:
I believe the bracket was redesigned or re-enforced bit it still has the same part number.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
I had my front faring off this weekend to fix a couple of broken wires and I notice that the support brackets were broken in 6 places, 3 on each side. I have heard of this happining a lot but what if any is the Motorco doing about this. I cked the price and it looks like to replace the brackets would be around 120bucks. Does any one know it the motorco is doing any thing about the broken brackets?
The brackets are garbage and when I discovered mine on my '06 3 weeks out of warranty all the dealer did was the old "Out of Warranty Dance"
I got better motor mechanics than the dealer does at better rates and with the engineerning that Harley does on brackets like this if I can't do it myself I can find a 5th grader that can lol
a $2.49 package of mending plates two pair of pliers a drill a 3/16" bit and a few #10/24 screws washers, lock washers and nuts and better than new..
All the replacement brackets from harley are gonna do is break again
I guess they kept a few bowling ball engineers from back in the AMF days to design these things.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: connecticut
I went through 5 sets of these wonderful brackets on my 06 SG, all within warranty period !! I went round and round with the factory cust service dept. till they gave me an extended 2 year policy, but still had no remedy for the breaking other than replacing them when broken.
I finally decided to get out of that bike and bought an 07 RoadGlide, 1 week after switching , HD contacted me and said the factory engineers wanted to inspect my bike and install "EXPERIMENTAL BRACKETS", if I was willing, or they were interested in buying the bike back. You can only imagine what my response was, they didnt even know I didnt own it anymore.
This bike is still on the floor at my local dealer since last sept. with the "experimental brkts" as well as new front motor mount and rear shocks.
I guess all I wanted to say is " why let me get totally frustrated and get rid of the bike before they decided to step up and get involved ? "
It all worked out for the best, I love the RG and its loaded !!
I finally decided to get out of that bike and bought an 07 RoadGlide, 1 week after switching , HD contacted me and said the factory engineers wanted to inspect my bike and install "EXPERIMENTAL BRACKETS", if I was willing, or they were interested in buying the bike back. You can only imagine what my response was, they didnt even know I didnt own it anymore.
This bike is still on the floor at my local dealer since last sept. with the "experimental brkts" as well as new front motor mount and rear shocks.
I guess all I wanted to say is " why let me get totally frustrated and get rid of the bike before they decided to step up and get involved ? "
It all worked out for the best, I love the RG and its loaded !!
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 830
Likes: 34
From: Missouri
Been noticing more "vibration" in the fairing lately of my '07 Ultra. I pick my bike up today (weather permitting) after getting it serviced. I'll check it out when I get it home. Does any one have any pics of the broken brackets? Or is painfully obvious once you have the front fairing off? You would think the MOCO would do something about this apparantly obvious problem since it sounds like this problem has been around for a while now.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Easy to find but the problem is they are not painfully obvious they sheer right where they mount to the tob of the fairng next to the speedo and tach.
When you talk to some people in the parts and service departments about them they look at you like you are from mars.
That is because until the speaker brackets (which they replace by the dozens) break the shake is bad but you really wouldn't think it was the moounts so first you tighten the windshield and outer fairing mouonting screws thinking that the are just loose and usually they are (from the vibration of the broken mounts of course) then sometimes the threaded inserts for the windshield go bad and you replace them with the twist in brass ones thinking that you over tightend them when again it was the vibration from the borken mounts. And then when the speaker mounts break and there is nothing really stopping the vibration and now the fairing is completely in control of your ride you might finally look.
The fix is easy and even if it is under warranty if the dealer replaces them and they do not reinforce the brackets it will happen again.
I fiixed mine for less than $5.00 and solved a problem I have been having since I bought the pig in 2006 NIGHT and DAY difference in the amount of vibration in the front end and handling
When you talk to some people in the parts and service departments about them they look at you like you are from mars.
That is because until the speaker brackets (which they replace by the dozens) break the shake is bad but you really wouldn't think it was the moounts so first you tighten the windshield and outer fairing mouonting screws thinking that the are just loose and usually they are (from the vibration of the broken mounts of course) then sometimes the threaded inserts for the windshield go bad and you replace them with the twist in brass ones thinking that you over tightend them when again it was the vibration from the borken mounts. And then when the speaker mounts break and there is nothing really stopping the vibration and now the fairing is completely in control of your ride you might finally look.
The fix is easy and even if it is under warranty if the dealer replaces them and they do not reinforce the brackets it will happen again.
I fiixed mine for less than $5.00 and solved a problem I have been having since I bought the pig in 2006 NIGHT and DAY difference in the amount of vibration in the front end and handling
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Been noticing more "vibration" in the fairing lately of my '07 Ultra. I pick my bike up today (weather permitting) after getting it serviced. I'll check it out when I get it home. Does any one have any pics of the broken brackets? Or is painfully obvious once you have the front fairing off? You would think the MOCO would do something about this apparantly obvious problem since it sounds like this problem has been around for a while now.
Actually I did get to speak to someone there and they say the problem is not widely reported and and off the record She believes that's because the dealers "don't" fix it because they really don't look for it when they are replacing the broken speaker supports caused by the main mounts being broken.
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
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 830
Likes: 34
From: Missouri
Thanks for the info Old Gray Beard. Weather sucked yesterday, Gustav rain all day. I'll pick it up after work today and check it out. With the fabircation experience I have and the tools I have, I know I can come up with something better. My only concern is if you fix the weak brackets, where is the next weak point that will break? I guess we'll all find out sooner or later.
