NHTSA Complaint #746486 — 2000 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLSTC

THIS ENGINE TYPE (TC-88) IN EARLIER MODELS (PRODUCED BEFORE ROUGHLY END OF 1999) HAS HARLEY-DAVIDSON (H-D) ACKNOWDGED KNOWN POOR CAM BEARING DESIGN WHICH CAN RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. H-D HAS EVEN SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS OF SUCH ENGINES A FIVE (5) YEAR GUARANTEE OF TOTAL ENGINE REBUILD AND REPAIR AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNER IF THE OWNER CAN PROOVE THE ENGINE FAILED FOR THIS REASON. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE SHOULD BE A FULL UNCONDITIONAL RECALL OF ALL SUCH ENGINES THAT FALL UNDER THIS CATEGORY OF ADMISSION BY H-D. MAJOR MOTORCYLE MAGAZINES HAVE MANY, MANY DOCUMENTATIONS OF SUCH ENGINE FAILURES, MANY HAPPENING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAUSING INJURY EITHER DIRECTLY FROM THE FAILURE OR INDIRECTLY FROM ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE. THESE ARE LARGE ENGINES AND TO HAVE ONE LITERALLY EXPLODE BETWEEN THE LEGS OF THE RIDER IS NO ENVIABLE SITUATION. EVEN THOUGH H-D WILL REPLACE AFTER FAILURE, ALL REPAIRS ARE POSSIBLY NOT DONE AS METAL PARTS FROM THE FAILURE CAN GET INTO ENGINE PARTS CAUSING SECONDARY DAMAGE OR SECONDARY ENGINE FAILURE AT A LATER DATE. THE ONUS OF PROVING IN ON THE OWNER, THAT THE FIRST FAILURE CAUSED THE SECOND PROBLEM. NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN. THE VALUE OF A MOTORCYLE VALUED NEW AT $16,000-20,000 IS DIMINISHED GREATLY AND POSSIBLY NOT VERY MARKETABLE FOR RESALE. I PLEAD THE NHTSA.DOT WILL REVIEW THIS AND DECLARE A TOTAL RECALL ON ALL SUCH AFFECTED H-D MOTORCYCLES.