Fairing Brackets Rant
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 12
From: Commerce, Mich.
Fairing Brackets Rant
I needed to remove the outer fairing on my 08 Ultra in order to add a GPS hookup. Upon opening I found both fairing brackets broken. I have to wonder, and yeah, it sorta pisses me off, that HD knows of this issue, they have had it for years, and yet they don't address it and fix the problem.
At 50.00 a pop, plus labor (if you don't wrench) this becomes a very expensive repair that should NEVER be needed.
Well...I got a little creative, and said no to HD supplying the parts, or labor. Local hardware store sells corner brakets (1/2"w by 1 1/2-2" long on each side) Predrilled for 2 screws. I mounted one leg onto the fairing, and then drilled thru the braket and added two 1/4 x 1/2" bolts with lockwashers. (making certian that the correct placement was maintained) Problem fixed, but still irritated that it had to be done at all.
Harley needs to start looking at, and fix, this type of common problem that spans the years. We all know that this one goes back at least 10 years, and yet still no change in the terrible design of these brakets.
At 50.00 a pop, plus labor (if you don't wrench) this becomes a very expensive repair that should NEVER be needed.
Well...I got a little creative, and said no to HD supplying the parts, or labor. Local hardware store sells corner brakets (1/2"w by 1 1/2-2" long on each side) Predrilled for 2 screws. I mounted one leg onto the fairing, and then drilled thru the braket and added two 1/4 x 1/2" bolts with lockwashers. (making certian that the correct placement was maintained) Problem fixed, but still irritated that it had to be done at all.
Harley needs to start looking at, and fix, this type of common problem that spans the years. We all know that this one goes back at least 10 years, and yet still no change in the terrible design of these brakets.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 903
Likes: 8
From: California
Harley Davidson doesn't give a dam about the problem or its customers or they would have fix the problem a long time ago. The fix is so easy and the cost is so low it makes one wonder how sincere HD is about its customers loyalty. Oh, let's not forget; its american made and we should be loyal to anything made in America. If only the manufactures would be as loyal as its customers.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,306
Likes: 2,443
From: Eastern NE
Harley Davidson doesn't give a dam about the problem or its customers or they would have fix the problem a long time ago. The fix is so easy and the cost is so low it makes one wonder how sincere HD is about its customers loyalty. Oh, let's not forget; its american made and we should be loyal to anything made in America. If only the manufactures would be as loyal as its customers.
For OP - your fix is probably better than stock, will last longer & cheaper...plus gotta geel good w/fact you got to wrench on bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 4
From: Central IL
That had nothing to do with it. The brackets were of inferior design, that is why H-D re-designed them, albeit a bit tardy on their update.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Wpg, Mb, Canada
Ive replaced all the brackets in the fairing in the last 18 months. All the btackets have been redesigned to make them stronger in the areas where they break.
is it a pain.? Yes. But they adressed the issue, so no harm no foul.
I wonder though if the new brackets have become std issue from the factory.
is it a pain.? Yes. But they adressed the issue, so no harm no foul.
I wonder though if the new brackets have become std issue from the factory.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 417
Likes: 3
From: Watauga, TX
I just repaired mine yesterday with a repair kit from Ragan Fab Works
http://www.nwmachine.com/rfw/index.htm
Stainless and fit well. Not as cheep as using angle iron brackets from the depot, but easy to install and no fab skills required.
http://www.nwmachine.com/rfw/index.htm
Stainless and fit well. Not as cheep as using angle iron brackets from the depot, but easy to install and no fab skills required.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 417
Likes: 3
From: Watauga, TX
Trailfndr
Witch brackets were broke, the vertical brackets or the horizontal brackets that mount to the speakers?
Witch brackets were broke, the vertical brackets or the horizontal brackets that mount to the speakers?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 4
From: Central IL
I replace the vertical brackets on my '07 SG once and both horizontal ones at the same time twice. An individual horizontal bracket was replaced on 4 or 5 other separate occasions.
