NHTSA Complaint #746262 — 1998 HARLEY-DAVIDSON HARLEY DAVIDSON

THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS OF THIS VEHICLE FROZE UP AT 75 MPH. THIS CAUSED THE BIKE TO COME TO AN ABRUPT AND SHUDERING STOP. IF THE ROAD HAD BEEN WET I AM QUITE SURE THE FRONT TIRE WOULD HAVE SLID OUT FROM UNDER ME CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. ALTHOUGH I MISSED SERVICING THESE BEARINGS AT THE PRESCRIBED 10,000 MILE INTERVAL , I DO NOT THINK THEY SHOULD BE SO FRAGILE AS TO SELF DESTRUCT AT 18,000 MILES. IN FACT NEW MODELS HAVE A DIFFERENT SEALED BEARING. I CALLED AND WROTE TO HARLEY-DAVIDSON SUGGESTING A WARNING OR RECALL BECAUSE I SERIOUSLY BELIEVE SOMEONE MAY GET KILLED BECAUSE OF THESE BEARINGS. ALSO A MAJOR EXPENSE WAS INCURRED REPLACING NOT ONLY THE BEARINGS, BUT AXLE, LOWER FRONT FORK LEGS, SPEEDOMETER DRIVE HOUSING, CABLE, SEALS, ETC. I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PART THAT COULD EASILY BE UPGRADED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. HARLEY-DAVIDSON BLAMED ME FOR NOT SERVICING THE BEARINGS ON TIME. THEY MAY HAVE FAILED EVEN IF THE SERVICING TOOK PLACE.