2002 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDWG — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

THE SWINGARM OF THE REAR SUSPENSION BROKE MIDWAY OF THE AXLE ADJUSTING SLOT THAT IS ON THE DRIVE SIDE LEG, (LEFT SIDE)CAUSING A SEVERE WOBBLE WHILE IN MOTION ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT SPEED. LUCKILY, AS I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED RIDER OF OVER 45 YEARS, I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE OF THE HIGHWAY, THEN CALL FOR A FRIEND WITH A TRAILER TO GET IT HOME SAFELY. SINCE THIS INCIDENT, I HAVE FOUND THAT QUITE A FEW OF THESE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED, AND COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THE SECTION WALL THICKNESS WAS MUCH THICKER!

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXDWG LOW RIDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CHANGING THE BATTERY HE NOTICED THAT A FACTORY WELD WAS CRACKED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT REFUSED TO DO ANY WORK ON IT SINCE HE WELDED THE FRAME HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 07/18/11

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN HWY 83 OUTSIDE OF LEAKEY TX, IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY, ON 07/13/05 WHEN ALL FIVE OF THE BELT DRIVE SPROKET BOLTS BACKED OUT CAUSING ONE BOLT TO SHEER INSIDE THE WHEEL HUB CAUSING THE SPROKET TO DIS-LODGE FROM THE WHEEL. I HAD TO USE EVASIVE ACTION IN ORDER NOT TO UPSET THE 02 FXD HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYLE WITH ONLY 7,300 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. ALL REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED AT TEXAN HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP IN CONROE, TX AND I HAVE ALL RECEIPT RECORDS TO DOCUMENT ALL REQUIRED AND RECOMMEND SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THIS MOTORCYLE BY TEXAN HARLEY DAVIDSON. NO WHERE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES IT SAY TO BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE FIVE REAR SPROKET BOLT ASSEMBLYS COULD POSSIBLY BACK OUT CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. MOST MOTORCYLE MANUFACTURERS USE SAFTY ANTI-BACK OFF PLATES MOUNTED ON AND AROUND THE SPROKET BOLTS ASSEMBLY, BUT HARLEY DAVIDSON CHOOSE'S TO IGNORE THIS POTENTIAL DEADLY SAFTY ISSUE. I TOOK OUT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY DENIED THE WARRANTY CLAIM AND STATED I WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO TAKE OUT AN ADDITIONAL EXTENDED WARRANTY POLICY FOR THIS TO BE COVERED. I FEEL THIS IS A GRAVE SAFTY CONCERN WITH HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYLE COMPANY AND I WILL PROBABLY SELL MY MOTORCYLE FOR THIS REASON AND DISCLOSE TO ANY FUTURE POTENTIAL BUYER THIS DEFECT MADE BY HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY.

MOTORCYCLE FAILED WHEN FUEL GAUGE READ 1/8TH TANK FULL. RIDER LOST POWER ON FREEWAY AND WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND WHILE TRYING TO REACH SHOULDER FOR SAFETY. HD SAYS THAT AT APPROXIMATELY 1/8TH TANK READING, MOTORCYCLE NEEDS TO BE SWITCHED TO RESERVE TO AVOID RUNNING OUT OF GAS, BUT MANUAL CONTAINS NO SUCH REFERENCE. BELIEVE FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE AND/OR IS INCONSISTENT WITH RESERVE SYSTEM. COULD BE OTHER PROBLEMS, SUCH AS FUEL VALVE.*AK

MOTORCYCLE FAILED WHEN FUEL GAUGE READ 1/8TH TANK FULL. RIDER LOST POWER ON FREEWAY AND WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND WHILE TRYING TO REACH SHOULDER FOR SAFETY. HD SAYS THAT AT APPROXIMATELY 1/8TH TANK READING, MOTORCYCLE NEEDS TO BE SWITCHED TO RESERVE TO AVOID RUNNING OUT OF GAS, BUT MANUAL CONTAINS NO SUCH REFERENCE. BELIEVE FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE AND/OR IS INCONSISTENT WITH RESERVE SYSTEM. COULD BE OTHER PROBLEMS, SUCH AS FUEL VALVE.*AK