NHTSA Investigation PE04007

SUDDEN REAR SUSPENSION MISALIGNMENT

THE SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT USING A SOFTAIL-STYLE FRAME PRODUCED BY PRO-STREET FRAMEWORKS OF HENRYETTA, OKLAHOMA.THESE FRAMES HAD 1 O.D. FREE-FLOATING SWINGARM LEFT-SIDE PIVOT BOLT SPACERS.DUE TO INADEQUATE PIVOT BOLT SUPPORT, THIS DESIGN ALLOWED THE PIVOT BOLT TO DEFLECT AND, IN AT LEAST ONE INSTANCE, FRACTURE.WHETHER THE PIVOT BOLT DEFLECTED (BENT) OR FRACTURED, REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS AFFECTED AND MOTORCYCLE CONTROL COULD BE COMPROMISED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.IN SOME INSTANCES, RIDERS WOULD BECOME AWARE OF THE CONDITION BECAUSE DRIVE BELT TENSION WOULD BE REDUCED AND/OR THE REAR TIRE WOULD RUB ON THE FENDER.TO REMEDY THIS CONDITION, MWC HAS ADVISED THE AGENCY THAT IT CONTACTED ALL AFFECTED OWNERS BY TELEPHONE AND MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE A 1.75 O.D. SPACER WELDED TO THE SWINGARM.MWC WILL FOLLOW UP WITH LETTERS TO THE OWNERS.WITH THIS RECALL, ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION.

An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.