NHTSA Complaint #10466374 — 2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHRC

I WAS RIDING MY 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING CLASSIC AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH A PASSENGER WHEN THE BOLTS HOLDING THE REAR SPROCKET TO THE REAR WHEEL STARTED BACKING OUT. THE HEADS OF THE BOLTS STARTED HITTING THE SWING ARM AND SHEARING OFF. AS THIS HAPPENED THE BIKE LURCHED VIOLENTLY AND WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CRASHING. UPON INSPECTION THE BOLTS TORE UP THE REAR WHEEL HUB, THE SPROCKET, AND THE SWING ARM. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE BACK TIRE DIDN'T LOCK UP AND CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL. MY BIKE HAS 24,000 MILES ON IT, I BOUGHT IT NEW, AND HAVE HAD ALL THE SERVICE AND TIRE CHANGES DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM. I HAVE HAD EVERY SERVICE REQUIRED AND IN FACT IT WAS SERVICED ABOUT 100 MILES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. AS FAR AS I KNOW THE SPROCKET HAS NEVER BEEN REMOVED FROM THE REAR WHEEL, IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE REMOVED TO CHANGE THE TIRE. IF YOU DO AN INTERNET SEARCH USING THE SEARCH CRITERIA "HD REAR SPROCKET BOLTS BACKING OUT" YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS AND PERVASIVE PROBLEM THAT HARLEY DAVIDSON ISN'T ACKNOWLEDGING. I CAN SEND YOU PICTURES AND ACTUAL DESTROYED PARTS IF IT WILL HELP. *TR