Investigations
MOTORCYCLE TAG BRACKET SEPARATION
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE05045 - closed, opened 2005-08-19.
NHTSA investigation PE05045 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2005-08-19 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2005-12-13 - 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 PE05045 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: "ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER TWO OWNERS OF MOTORCYCLES PRODUCED BY INDEPENDENCE MOTORCYCLE COMPANY OF TUCSON, ARIZONA, ALLEGED THAT THE SIDE MOUNT LICENSE PLATE BRACKET (SECURED AT THE REAR AXLE) SEPARATED FROM TH..." 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
ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER TWO OWNERS OF MOTORCYCLES PRODUCED BY INDEPENDENCE MOTORCYCLE COMPANY OF TUCSON, ARIZONA, ALLEGED THAT THE SIDE MOUNT LICENSE PLATE BRACKET (SECURED AT THE REAR AXLE) SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE BRACKET REMAINED CONNECTED TO THE MOTORCYCLE BY THE TAILLIGHT WIRING. ODI HAS INSPECTED SUBJECT MOTORCYCLES AND PEER MODELS AND MET WITH THEIR OWNERS. ODI ALSO HAS DISCUSSED THIS MATTER WITH THE MANUFACTURER, SUBJECT MOTORCYCLE DEALERS, SERVICE PERSONNEL, AND AFTERMARKET COMPONENT SUPPLIERS. DURING THESE DISCUSSIONS AND MEETINGS, ODI BECAME AWARE OF TWO ADDITIONAL ALLEGATIONS OF TAG BRACKET FAILURE. BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW, IT APPEARS THAT THE ALLEGED BRACKET SEPARATION RESULTS FROM UNINTENDED CONTACT BETWEEN A DISC LOCK (INSTALLED BY OWNERS TO PREVENT THEFTS) AND THE TAG BRACKET. THIS OCCURS WHEN OPERATORS FORGET TO REMOVE THE DISC LOCK PRIOR TO RIDING. IF NOT FRACTURED IMMEDIATELY, THE BRACKET MAY BE WEAKENED AND SUBSEQUENTLY FAIL WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS UNDERWAY. BASED ON THE INFORMATION CURRENTLY KNOWN TO ODI, A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND DOES NOT EXIST. THEREFORE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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.