2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE (NA).WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE SPEED DECREASED TO 15 MPH AND A LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE SPEEDOMETER. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,007.

SERIOUS OVER HEATING OF ENGINE WHEN DRIVING. HOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE BURNS ON RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE. AT 5,000 MILE SERVICE ALL FUEL LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED AS THEY WERE MELTED FROM HEAT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS "NORMAL". *TR

LOUD CLANK AT STARTUP IN FRONT OF PRIMARY. COMPENSATOR PROBLEM. SPOKEN TO MULTIPLE TECHNICIANS WHO HAVE SAID THAT THE OEM HARLEY DAVIDSON COMPENSATORS ON THE 09 96 CUBIC INCH MOTORS HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES. IF THIS COMPENSATOR FAILS WHILE CRUISING IT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THERE IS A FIX BY GOING WITH THE SCREAMING EAGLE COMPENSATOR WHICH IS A HEAVIER BUILD TO WITHSTAND TENSION AT STARTUP ETC. THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED INTO CAUSE APPARENTLY THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT 6,100 MILES. *TR

DURING ROUTINE OPERATION OF NEW MOTORCYCLE, NORMAL APPLICATION OF FRONT BRAKE RESULTS IN BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT JUNCTION OF FRONT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND FRONT BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER COVER. BRAKE FLUID ERODES PAINTED SURFACES AT JUNCTION OF MASTER CYLINDER AND MASTER CYLINDER COVER, RESULTING IN FURTHER DEGRADATION OF SEAL. CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE: (A) POTENTIAL LOSS OF ABILITY TO TIMELY AND SAFELY STOP VEHICLE DUE TO INEFFECTIVE FRONT BRAKE; (B) POTENTIAL LOSS OF ABILITY TO TIMELY AND SAFELY STOP VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING ON TO FRONT BRAKE DISC; (C) POTENTIAL LOSS OF ABILITY TO PROPERLY CONTROL VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING ON TO FRONT OR REAR TIRES; (D) POTENTIAL LOSS OF ABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING ONTO ROAD SURFACES; AND (E) POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD DUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND HOT MOTORCYCLE SURFACES (EXHAUST PIPES, CYLINDER HEADS, ETC.). BRAKE FLUID IS RETAINED BY RUBBER GASKET BETWEEN MASTER CYLINDER AND MASTER CYLINDER COVER. MASTER CYLINDER COVER IS SECURED BY TWO PHILLIPS-HEAD SCREWS THAT COMPRESS RUBBER GASKET. PROPER TORQUE SETTING IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN ON SCREWS. AS SCREWS LOOSEN DUE TO VIBRATION DURING NORMAL OPERATION, THE FLUID LEAK OCCURS. HOWEVER, RETIGHTENING SCREWS COMPRESSES GASKET AND MAY INCREASE AMOUNT OF FLUID LEAK. LEAK IS RELATIVELY SMALL AT PRESENT. I INTEND TO HAVE MASTER CYLINDER, GASKET AND COVER REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR