Got parts on the way so I decided to take advantage of the lousy weather and disassemble the forks today. The right side cap plug gave me trouble all the way out and was crossthreaded badly (cap and fork tube both).

Who sets these things up?? If it came from the factory this way it's pretty disgusting, although these things happen. Dealers aren't installing front ends on delivery are they? Even if they were I'd assume the forks would come assembled and ready to install.

Bought bike new w/30mi. on it and it's never been apart, so I'm guessing this has to be an oem failure. Anyway, called the dealer and explained what I found - bike is under warranty and they've treated me well so far - and was told to bring it in so they can inspect.

The outcome I'll post here when this gets resolved, for better or worse.

Has anybody else run across this?

 

Ever had your fork oil changed?

 

Naw - bike is a '10 and hasn't been serviced yet. Good suggestion tho...

 

Only had about 6k first time I tore the forks apart, one cap was a struggle all the way off, rusted threads, both springs were rusted, different fluid levels. Cleaned everything up and used neversieze on the cap threads.

 

Update. Dropped the tube off at the dealer's on 1/25. Hadn't heard from them yet, so I called tonight and was told the freakin' Showa tube is backordered.

Expected ship date 2/21. I'm checking availability with another dealer tomorrow and finding out what's going on here. I can't believe that Showa has so many problems they can't ship parts for one of their biggest clients.

I know for a fact that if a GM vehicle has a part availability issue, and it's a 'down' situation, they'll pull a part off the line if necessary to get that owner back on the road. Even worst case scenarios seldom take more than a week, and they use just as many jap parts as HD.

Any suggestions out there? Does HD have a customer assistance line for units under warranty?

 

Sounds to me like the perfect time to upgrade to chrome forks, in stock I bet!

 

the chrome lowers probably are in stock. but that won't help the op since it is the fork cap that has the problem.

 

My mistake. I thought he was talking about the drain screw threads. I stand corrected.

 

i would still switch to chrome (or black, whatever) while its apart...unless you're already planning on doing that

 

So what is it that is fugged up? Is it the fork cap, fork bolt, or stanchion tube, or all 3? If it is the stanchion tube 45972-09 that is backordered, it is showing in stock at the following dealers:
Call one and give credit card and have it shipped to you.


California

Quaid Temecula Harley-Davidson Temecula P-(951) 506-6903

Oakland Harley-Davidson Oakland P-(510) 635-0100

Iron Steed Harley-Davidson Vacaville P-(707) 455-7000

Harley-Davidson San Jose San Jose P-(408) 998-1464


Florida

Jim's Harley-Davidson of St. Petersburg St. Petersburg P-(727) 527-9672


Iowa

Harley-Davidson, Inc. of Mason City Mason City P-(641) 423-6007



Illinois

Coziahr Harley-Davidson, Inc. Forsyth P-217-877-7115

Illinois Harley-Davidson Berwyn P-(708) 788-1300

Workman Harley-Davidson Rock Falls P-815-626-1213

Indiana

Indianapolis Southside H-D Indianapolis P-317-885-5180

Brandt's Harley-Davidson Wabash P-(260) 563-6443


Kentucky

Four Rivers Harley-Davidson Paducah P-(270) 443-5636

Massachusetts

Kelly's House of Harley-Davidson North Billerica P-978-663-6298

Minnesota

Apol's Harley-Davidson Alexandria P-(320) 763-9800


New Hampshire

Seacoast Harley-Davidson North Hampton P-603-964-9959

New Jersey

Liberty Harley-Davidson Rahway P-732-381-2400

New York

Staten Island Harley-Davidson Staten Island P-718-447-4009

Ohio

Harley-Davidson of Cincinnati Cincinnati P-(513) 641-1188

Harley-Davidson of Eastgate Cincinnati P-513-528-1400

Tri-County Harley-Davidson, Inc. Fairfield P-513-874-4343

Signature Harley-Davidson Perrysburg P-419-873-2453


Pennsylvania

Classic Harley-Davidson Leesport P-(610) 916-7777


South Dakota

Black Hills Harley-Davidson Rapid City P-605-342-9362

Tennessee

Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson Maryville P-(865) 977-1669

Texas

Dallas Harley-Davidson Garland P-(972) 270-3962

Longhorn Harley-Davidson Grand Prairie P-(972) 988-1903

Alamo City Harley-Davidson San Antonio P-(210) 646-0499

Rio Grande Valley Harley-Davidson McAllen P-(956) 687-4646

Virginia

Bayside Harley-Davidson Portsmouth P-757-397-5550

Wisconsin
Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson Thiensville P-262-242-2464