NHTSA Complaint #10154183 — 1999 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTPI

THE DESIGN OF THIS MOTORCYCLES FRAME LEAVES THE POTENTIAL FOR THE OPERATOR TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE LEADING TO A CRASH THAT WILL INJURE SELF OR MAY EVEN LEAD TO DEATH. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SWING ARM FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION IS MOUNTED TO THE TRANSMISSION/ENGINE ASSEMBLY. THERE ARE ONLY TWO MOTOR MOUNTS HOLD THIS ASSEMBLY IN PLACE AGAINST SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENT AND THEY ARE FAR FROM THE MOUNT POINT. WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THE FORCES APPLIED TO THE REAR WHEEL IN LEANING THROUGH A CORNER, RIDING ON UNEVEN SURFACES, OR EVEN RIDING IN WINDY SITUATIONS (SUCH AS ON THE INTERSTATE NEAR LARGE VEHICLES) CAUSE LEVERAGE ON THE SWING ARM AND THAT LEVERAGE PUSHES THE WHEELS OUT OF LINE TO ONE ANOTHER. THIS IS FELT BY THE OPERATOR AS INVISIBLE DIPS IN CORNERS, OR WOBBLING OF THE BIKE. I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS AT LEAST ONE AFTERMARKET COMPANY THAT HAS DEVELOPED A THIRD MOTOR MOUNT FOR THE BIKE THAT IS PLACED ON THE REAR OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS REDUCES GREATLY THE AMOUNT OF LEVERAGE AVAILABLE AND KEEPS THE WHEELS IN LINE. I HAVE USED THIS AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE HANDLING OF MY BIKE. I AM CONCERNED THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON CONTINUES TO PRODUCE NEW BIKES WITH THE SAME POTENTIALLY FATAL FLAW. *NM