NHTSA Complaint #10155908 — 1999 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHR

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 HARLEY ROAD KING/FL FAMILY CYCLE. I HAVE HAD THE REAR FORK SWING ARM BREAK AT THE AXLE THROUGH HOLE SLOT ALMOST PUTTING ME IN THE BUSHES. THE SWING ARM IS MADE OF 1/8X1X2 INCH RECTANGULAR STRUCTURAL TUBING WITH THE SIDE WALL(2") SLOTTED SO THAT LITTLE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY REMAINS. IN ADDITION:1. THE VEHICLE POWER PLANT HAD INCREASE HORSEPOWER THAT YEAR AND NO MODIFICATION TO THE STRUCTURE. 2. THE SHOCK ABSORBER BOTTOM MOUNT IS TO THE REAR OF THE SLOT SO THAT IT CANTILEVERS EACH TIME THE SHOCK RETRACTS/EXTENDS AND IN ADDITION THE BELT ADJUSTER IS AT THE AXLE POINT AND MADE OF ROUND TUBING INSIDE THE SWING ARM ACTING AS A FULCRUM POINT. THIS LEADS TO TORTIONAL AND TORQUE LOADS EXCEEDING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY/STRENGTH ODF THAT SECTION. IN PREVIOUS YEARS THE SWING ARM WAS ROUND WITH A CASTING END AND THE SHOCK MOUNT FORWARD OF THE "FULCRUM" AXLE POINT. IN LATER YEARS THE SWING ARM WAS CHANGED GAIN DUE TO I BELIEVE EXCESSIVE FAILURES. I ASKED HARLEY TO ASSIST REPEATEDLY IN THE REPLACEMENT OF A CYCLE WITH ONLY 30K MILES. THEY REFUSED AND WOULD NOT FORWARD REQUESTS UP THE LINE OR TO THE ENGINEERING DEPT. AND REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO REQUEST ANY RELATED RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS. IT IS A POOR DESIGN, DUE TO THE CUTAWAY OF THE SIDE WALL AND THE LOCATION OF THE SHOCK MOUNT, WHICH EXPONENTIALLY INCREASES THE LOAD PLACED AT THE SHOCK POINT ACCORDING TO PASSENGER WEIGHT, ACCELERATION AND TERRAIN. IF THEY HAVE CHANGED IT , WHY? *NM