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The failure modes identified are a potential loss of brake light and a potential leak of fluid.
As far as loss of brake light goes, this is no more dangerous than a burned out bulb in my opinion. Is there, or should there be, a safety recall to periodically replace bulbs because they are eventually going to fail?
And for the fluid leak, that is a condition that will provide ample warning before a complete brake failure, i.e., visible evidence of a leak or a brake function that doesn't feel quite right. Now if the failure mode was a complete and catastrophic rupture of the switch and instant loss of all brake function, that's a different story. But that is not the failure mode reported.
I just don't see this switch recall as very urgent. This is only my opinion and I certainly don't expect that everyone would see it the same way.
Same for having the repair made. Just because I opt to take my chances with the original switch doesn't mean that everyone else should do the same. Nor because you opt to have the switch replaced doesn't mean that everyone else should also.
If you're ok with your choice and I'm ok with mine, that's all that really matters.
Last edited by 2black1s; Nov 16, 2011 at 12:05 AM.
What is true is that they cannot sell a bike unless the recall has been performed, but they cannot hold your bike, that you already own, hostage for a repair that you choose not to do.
I know a lot of you who routinely have your stuff worked on by others may not understand this, but its real.
I'd prefer if my bike was never touched by anyone... Period. It's either exactly as it was from the factory in every respect, or if not, the change or modification or repair is familiar to me because I did it.
The failure modes identified are a potential loss of brake light and a potential leak of fluid.
As far as loss of brake light goes, this is no more dangerous than a burned out bulb in my opinion. Is there, or should there be, a safety recall to periodically replace bulbs because they are eventually going to fail?
And for the fluid leak, that is a condition that will provide ample warning before a complete brake failure, i.e., visible evidence of a leak or a brake function that doesn't feel quite right. Now if the failure mode was a complete and catastrophic rupture of the switch and instant loss of all brake function, that's a different story. But that is not the failure mode reported.
I just don't see this switch recall as very urgent. This is only my opinion and I certainly don't expect that everyone would see it the same way.
Same for having the repair made. Just because I opt to take my chances with the original switch doesn't mean that everyone else should do the same. Nor because you opt to have the switch replaced doesn't mean that everyone else should also.
If you're ok with your choice and I'm ok with mine, that's all that really matters.
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
And the upside of not replacing the switch would be....?
Potential brake failure and/or a resulting crash would be at least mildly significant downsides.
What do I know


