Investigations
SUDDEN REAR SUSPENSION MISALIGNMENT
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE04007 - closed, opened 2004-01-16.
NHTSA investigation PE04007 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2004-01-16 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2004-03-18 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE04007 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "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 PIV..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time.
Investigation Summary
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.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.