Share Your Catastrophic Mechanical Failures

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Oct 12, 2012 | 05:59 PM

Verbal

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Tourer

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 367

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From: MI

Share Your Catastrophic Mechanical Failures

Just curious what was the worst mechanical failures you've experienced. Not meaning to open any old woulds here, but just thought that some of us might be able to learn a thing or two. What caused the failure? Could it have been prevented? Any pictures? Advice appreciated.

Oct 12, 2012 | 06:10 PM

HandleBarLouie

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Joined: Oct 2010

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Two years ago on the way to Las Vegas I twisted the flywheels on my Jims 120 while I was just cruising down the highway. It jumped timing and smashed a valve, broke a piston and ruined my day big time. I pushed it half a mile to a gas station in Baker, CA and left it in the parking lot hoping it would get stolen! Hitchhiked the rest of the way to Vegas and had a grand old time. Hitchhiked back to the bike two days later and it was still there, so I called a towing guy and paid $385 to get back to my garage. I called Jims and they asked if I was racing....I said no, I was just cruising, but isnt it a 120c.i. race kit anyhow? I tore it all apart and shipped the flywheels to them for re-truing and had them weld the pin this time which is how they come now. What a nightmare. Ive built plenty of performance motors in my day and had plenty of breakdowns, but usually I was doing something dumb. That 120 is to date still the most fun motor Ive ever owned.

Oct 12, 2012 | 08:53 PM

SpiderPig

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 3,036

Likes: 65

From: Earth

on a trip to Yellowstone this Spring. 88TC in my sons 06 Ultra was beat to death by the front inner cam bearing that decided to come apart at 40,000 miles. Total motor rebuild including the crank assembly. $4,000 and 4 days in Belgrade Montana at Yellowstone HD and we were back on the road.

Oct 12, 2012 | 09:46 PM

piesik650

Road Warrior

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 1,597

Likes: 1

From: Frederick, CO

lost the nylon chain tensioner in my primary, threw primary chain broke primary inner and outer cover, took worm gear off the starter and made a big oil mess, and I almost **** my pants.

on my chopper I was on fresh blacktop and I dumped clutch and broke the drive belt. slapped my leg and brought back memories of my dad and his belt.

Oct 12, 2012 | 10:21 PM

whetsel.m

Advanced

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 63

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From: Hampton,MN

08 SG SE stage 4. Bolt in rear cam broke cam started rubbing on the crank. Locked up the rear tire while I was pulling in to a gas station. The only thing salvagable was the heads and cases.

Oct 12, 2012 | 10:44 PM

voodoodrug

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 3,236

Likes: 95

From: lancaster, pa

custom built bike front fender flew off at 70 mph while riding between a bunch of trucks on i-95,the speed probly saved me by haveing enough momentum to wip the fender clear off and spit it out of the way(never saw the fender again).weak brackets replaced with steel next time.

dyno kept arcing from the coil.nerves and heart rythem have never been the same,final fix was a crane coil.

more recently idle position screw worked loose do to excessive lean condition from the factory(heat) and bike went into WOT on an off ramp,navigated it ok but could have been bad.

Oct 12, 2012 | 11:11 PM

J_ULTRA

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Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 326

Likes: 5

From: N.E. Ohio

On my old shovelhead dresser. I was on the Indiana Turnpike between Gary and South Bend in the middle of nowhere, comming back from Sturgis. At 1AM on a Sunday morning the rear cylinder exhaust valve overheated and stuck open. Piston hit it and bent the valve. Bike wouldn't restart so I had to push it about (only) 5mi. to a service plaza. No cell phones back then. People were driving by laughing. I called my wife in Cleveland to bring a trailer. Ruined a 5000 mi. three week trip.