2015 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK Structurebody Problems

Saddlebag fell off while driving. Dealer inspected and did not find cause. Previous recall fix had been completed.

DECEMBER 23, 2016, WHILE RIDING MY HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK ULTRA LIMITED MOTORCYCLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF INTERSTATE 295 IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE RIGHT SADDLEBAG MOUNTING PINS DETACHED FROM THE RECEPTACLES, ALLOWING THE SADDLEBAG TO DETACH FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS UNWANTED EVENT CAUSED A TRAFFIC HAZARD FOR OTHER MOTORISTS. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE ROAD SURFACE WAS DRY AND RELATIVELY EVEN. THE SADDLEBAGS WERE CHECKED APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES BEFORE THE EVENT, PRIOR TO OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE, AND NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS OBSERVED. THIS EVENT OCCURRED AFTER RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE PIN CONNECTORS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V427000). THE REPLACEMENT DESIGN OF THE PIN CONNECTORS HAS NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE THAT COULD LEAD TO UNWANTED DETACHMENT OF THE SADDLEBAGS. AN INSURANCE CLAIM HAS BEEN FILED WITH GEICO MOTORCYCLE AND IS IN PROCESS. PHOTOS HAVE BEEN TAKEN.

DECEMBER 23, 2016, WHILE RIDING MY HARLEY DAVIDSON FLHTK ULTRA LIMITED MOTORCYCLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A STRAIGHT SECTION INTERSTATE 295 IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE RIGHT SADDLEBAG PINS FROM THE RECEPTACLES, ALLOWING THE SADDLEBAG TO DETACH FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS EVENT CAUSED A TRAFFIC HAZARD FOR OTHER MOTORISTS. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE ROAD SURFACE WAS DRY AND RELATIVELY EVEN. THE SADDLEBAGS WERE CHECKED APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES BEFORE THE EVENT, PRIOR TO OPERATING THE MOTORCYCLE, AND NOTHING UNUSUAL WAS OBSERVED. THIS EVENT OCCURRED AFTER RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE PIN CONNECTORS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V427000). THE REPLACEMENT DESIGN OF THE PIN CONNECTORS HAS NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE THAT COULD LEAD TO UNWANTED DETACHMENT OF THE SADDLEBAGS. AN INSURANCE CLAIM HAS BEEN FILED WITH GEICO MOTORCYCLE AND IS IN PROCESS. PHOTOS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND WILL BE UPLOADED.