Batwing bikes, check those brackets!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,090
Likes: 3,882
From: Murfreesboro , TN
RE: Batwing bikes, check those brackets!!!
I haven't had a bracket break (yet!), but I had a screw come loose, which causes the same vibration (and no I have no clue where that screw ended up!)
Stage I
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
RE: Batwing bikes, check those brackets!!!
ORIGINAL: cutacroshorty
What was the earliest date and model this happened to that anyone can recall?
What was the earliest date and model this happened to that anyone can recall?
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
RE: Batwing bikes, check those brackets!!!
I'll be needing the part number of the bracket as well 
Recently had noticed a buzz/vibe right around 2k rpm....just hated the idea of pulling the fairing going on a wild-goose chase. Once I saw this thread, noticed too many common factors to ignore. Just went out and pulled the fairing (the last time it was pulled was to install Hogtunes (that's my bike in the link that Terry provided above).....sure enough, the bracket on the left was broken. It's a stamped bracket and I'm not sure if this holds true but I've always been told in metal working that sharp angles (such as found at the break) are a no-no. Not enough of a radius in this area of the stamping to relieve stresses. Not sure if this is the case in this instance but is my attempt at a SWAG.
Recently had noticed a buzz/vibe right around 2k rpm....just hated the idea of pulling the fairing going on a wild-goose chase. Once I saw this thread, noticed too many common factors to ignore. Just went out and pulled the fairing (the last time it was pulled was to install Hogtunes (that's my bike in the link that Terry provided above).....sure enough, the bracket on the left was broken. It's a stamped bracket and I'm not sure if this holds true but I've always been told in metal working that sharp angles (such as found at the break) are a no-no. Not enough of a radius in this area of the stamping to relieve stresses. Not sure if this is the case in this instance but is my attempt at a SWAG.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
RE: Batwing bikes, check those brackets!!!
Update.
The bracket which broke on mine isn't the same as the bracket pictured above. It's a silver stamped bracket which attaches to the bottom right (as you face the front of the bike) screw of the speaker. Will attach a pic when I figure out how to get into my gallery lol
Here's a pic (abeit crappy) of the bracket. This bracket is still in one piece, the bracket attached to the other speaker broke at the bend closest to the speaker.
[IMG]local://upfiles/7780/28A7F8EC36EB4C708A5942F3BF9603EC.jpg[/IMG]
The bracket which broke on mine isn't the same as the bracket pictured above. It's a silver stamped bracket which attaches to the bottom right (as you face the front of the bike) screw of the speaker. Will attach a pic when I figure out how to get into my gallery lol
Here's a pic (abeit crappy) of the bracket. This bracket is still in one piece, the bracket attached to the other speaker broke at the bend closest to the speaker.
[IMG]local://upfiles/7780/28A7F8EC36EB4C708A5942F3BF9603EC.jpg[/IMG]
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
RE: Batwing bikes, check those brackets!!!
All this stuff started in 1996 when HD redesigned the dash on the Electra Glides. They've been breaking for a long time now.....and unfortunatley HD won't admit it.
All the brackets broke on my 1998 FLHTCUI......before 50,000 miles.
Only the right rear speaker bracket broke on my 1998 FLHTC with 180,000 miles.
Some break and others never do......
All the brackets broke on my 1998 FLHTCUI......before 50,000 miles.
Only the right rear speaker bracket broke on my 1998 FLHTC with 180,000 miles.
Some break and others never do......
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 477
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville, Fla
RE: Batwing bikes, check those brackets!!!
I've had mine replaced seven times in the last year and a half.
I went as far as getting HD engineering involved, they said that the reason my brackects are breaking is because I have SE slip-ons installed? I'm not buying it! (too much vibration?)
So I work in an aircraft factory and have some backshop technitians working on a fix for this...after I get the new brackets installed I'll give them a one month test drive and it they work I'll have them made for the same price as the HD brackets ($10.00).
So if anybody wants them after I prove them outjust PM me.
And please don't flame me for trying to sell stuff here, just trying to help out others with same problem with a permenent fix.
I went as far as getting HD engineering involved, they said that the reason my brackects are breaking is because I have SE slip-ons installed? I'm not buying it! (too much vibration?)
So I work in an aircraft factory and have some backshop technitians working on a fix for this...after I get the new brackets installed I'll give them a one month test drive and it they work I'll have them made for the same price as the HD brackets ($10.00).
So if anybody wants them after I prove them outjust PM me.
And please don't flame me for trying to sell stuff here, just trying to help out others with same problem with a permenent fix.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,801
Likes: 13
RE: Batwing bikes, check those brackets!!!
All 4 of mine were broke last month. The HD Tech said he could have their machinist repair em, and they would end up stronger and more reliable than new, which sounds good to me.
Well, the fairing is solidly mounted now. Thinkin I am gonna take out the bolts, and put some rubber washers between the mounts and the fairing, as it vibrates like mad now. That, along with the change in angle in the fairing (it is more vertical now, whereas before it was laid back a bit), and I have picked up some helmet buffeting issues that werent there before.
Well, the fairing is solidly mounted now. Thinkin I am gonna take out the bolts, and put some rubber washers between the mounts and the fairing, as it vibrates like mad now. That, along with the change in angle in the fairing (it is more vertical now, whereas before it was laid back a bit), and I have picked up some helmet buffeting issues that werent there before.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,100
Likes: 5
From: Boerne, Texas (Gods Country)
RE: Batwing bikes, check those brackets!!!
ORIGINAL: TruBluUltra
Update.
The bracket which broke on mine isn't the same as the bracket pictured above. It's a silver stamped bracket which attaches to the bottom right (as you face the front of the bike) screw of the speaker. Will attach a pic when I figure out how to get into my gallery lol
Here's a pic (abeit crappy) of the bracket. This bracket is still in one piece, the bracket attached to the other speaker broke at the bend closest to the speaker.
[IMG]local://upfiles/7780/28A7F8EC36EB4C708A5942F3BF9603EC.jpg[/IMG]
Update.
The bracket which broke on mine isn't the same as the bracket pictured above. It's a silver stamped bracket which attaches to the bottom right (as you face the front of the bike) screw of the speaker. Will attach a pic when I figure out how to get into my gallery lol
Here's a pic (abeit crappy) of the bracket. This bracket is still in one piece, the bracket attached to the other speaker broke at the bend closest to the speaker.
[IMG]local://upfiles/7780/28A7F8EC36EB4C708A5942F3BF9603EC.jpg[/IMG]