NHTSA Complaint #10568072 — 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU

BEGAN TO HEAR A FAINT HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL IN THE TRANSMISSION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ALONG WITH A NOTICEABLE "CLUNK" IN THE ENGINE AT STARTUP AND SHUTDOWN. ALSO NOTICED THE "CLUNK" WHEN SHIFTING THE LOWER GEARS AND THE BIKE WAS BECOMING DIFFICULT TO GET INTO NEUTRAL. TOOK THE BIKE IN FOR THE 20,000 MILE SERVICE AND MECHANIC ADVISED HE HAD FOUND AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPENSATOR IN THE DRIVE TRAIN. MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN A FAILURE AT ANY TIME AND CAUSE A LOCK DOWN OF REAR WHEEL OR CAUSE THE BIKE TO LOSE DRIVE TRAIN FUNCTION, ALONG WITH DAMAGE TO OTHER INTERNAL COMPONENTS. COST OF REPAIR IS AROUND $900.00. WENT HOME AND RESEARCHED COMPENSATOR FAILURES ON 2009 H-D TOURING MODELS AND DISCOVERED PAGE AFTER PAGE OF OTHER RIDER EXPERIENCING COMPENSATOR FAILURES ON 08 AND LATER H-D TOUR MODELS DUE TO AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF OIL NOT REACHING THE COMPENSATORS AND THE RETAINING BOLT BACKING OFF. H-D APPARENTLY KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND BEGAN INSTALLING THEIR SCREAMING EAGLE (HIGHER QUALITY AND PRICE)COMPENSATORS IN THE LATER 2011 MODELS, WHICH INCLUDES AN OIL CATCH THAT DIRECTS OIL AT THE COMPENSATOR SPROCKET. I BELIEVE THIS SHOWS A LACK OF CARE AND CONCERN FOR H-D RIDERS AND DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THIS ISSUE WARRANTS AN IMMEDIATE RECALL OF ALL 2008-2011 AND EARLIER BIG BORE TOURING MODELS WITH THE DEFECTIVE COMPENSATORS. *TR