| Author | Message | ||
     Bill0351 |
Link: http://www.bmwmc.net/uploads/tm7/LAPD%20Fleet%20Re port.pdf Excerpt: The failure of the front brakes of one Harley-Davidson motorcycle in mid- 2007 led to the immediate inspection of all the brake lines on all of the Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The failure was due to the improper routing and securing of the brake line and clutch cables. The clutch cables rubbed against the brake line until it wore through and leaked brake fluid. During the inspection of the other Harley-Davidson motorcycles, it was observed that there was no consistency with the routing of the brake lines. The MTD technicians discovered about 59 motorcycles with worn brake lines. The routing of the brake lines on each motorcycle was different; some of the lines were unsecured, and some lines were bundled together with electrical tape, which was starting to fail. The MTD technicians correctly routed and temporarily secured the brake lines. The brake lines are diligently inspected every time the motorcycles are in the shop for service or repairs. This safety problem was immediately brought to the attention of Harley-Davidson's corporate office and engineering staff. Harley-Davidson's fleet sales representative and their engineering staff met with MTD personnel in October 2007 to inspect the motorcycles and discuss solutions to this problem. There was no positive response or communication from Harley-Davidson to address this very serious safety issue until just recently. On March 4, 2008, Harley-Davidson informed LAPD that they initiated a safety recall campaign related to the brake lines. The bulletin outlined the defects and stated in some cases, this condition has caused brake fluid leaks, which could lead to loss of brake function, which could lead to a crash resulting in injury or death. The repair kits will be shipped to dealers starting in Apri12008. This slow response is of grave concern to LAPD. Until Harley-Davidson can provide the repair kits and the recall campaign is completed, all the brake lines are required to be inspected during each service and repair. | ||
| Chrisrogers3 |
I just kind of skimmed over it, but WOW that is just brutal. Honestly HD should be ashamed of themselves for manufacturing such poor bikes. Especially bikes that are intended to go to our Police force. Maybe they should spend a little less on developing "Motor Clothes" and more time developing motorcycles that run. Ive personally owned 2 Harleys and can say that Ive had more issues on those two bikes than the combination of 8 Buells that Ive owned (and I owned the Buells for about 50K more miles than the Harleys). | ||
| Reepicheep |
If the front brakes on a Harley failed completely, would you even be able to notice? (And for the record, if the front brakes on my old KLR failed, that'd be the first thing they *ever* did on that bike  ) |
