I'd say it's time for some warranty repair. I'm sure HD will take the hit for this one. With the weak looking supports on the rear fender - wouldn't be suprised to see more people w/this problem surfacing. Don't worry - she'll get fixed.

 

Thats cool man, after reading all the **** you just went through, I would be a little touchy myself! I noticed the same thing as WS6 with the bolt looking like it was pushed in. Hopefully they'll fix it under warranty.

 

Thanks, man. That bolt isn't pushed in. There is a a cutout a "U" if you will for the bolt so you can put the nut on. It is the angle of the camera along with the crack that makes it look to be bent. It isn't bent. It is straight as a whistle.

I hope they fix it as well. After all, this happened by itself. It is a defect of the metal it would appear. I guess we will see in the morning.

 

No problem, keep us posted on the outcome.

 

That's what I was going to point out. That bolt in the middle was transmitting vibration directly to the fender. The nut looks to be captive, the bolts looks to be too long, judging by what appears to be a dent made by a bolt that's too long

Tech23

 

The bolt doesn't touch the fender. That is a cutout in the fender, but with the crack on the left it appears to be a dent. The bolt doesn't touch. Am I not speaking English? If you have a 2010 SB go look there is a cutout in the fender for that bolt.

What it looks like to me is you have a heavy light and a license plate that hangs off a heavy bracket that is bolted to a thin piece of sheet metal. The vibrations just took affect, and the sheet metal broke where the bracket sits on the thin sheet metal. i.e. Stress Fracture

 

Yea, that sucks...it should be covered under your warranty. My '09 has the same rear fender/tail light set up and has no stress cracks.

I've had mine for two years (took delivery on Nov. 3, '08) and 12,800 miles of riding and the rear fender looks fine.

 

Were all going to get Battle scars and **** Happens. Its how we handle it that defines us. looks repairable. a little hammering , welding , body puddy and paint and your good as new. Keep on rolling.

 

Sure hope your next two weeks go better!

 

Hope it work out for the best. This is small stuff. Not the kind of thing you use insurance for. Harley may man up but they could just as easily say parking damage. If it was mine and Harley would not fix it free I would simple take a piece of 1x1/8 strap long enough to lay over abour 1 1/2" on either side of the crack. Drill it to bolt to your bracket and using SS 5/16 button head bolt through from finder side about 5/8 over from crack. Keep it equal distance from center of fender . On the paint side under the bolt head use a black hard plastic washer. If you curve the strap to the under side and pull it up carefully if would Harley be noticeable. No big deal and one of these day when you do a paint job or get a new fender when a Hummer gets you and you catch him in the act you can get it fixed like new.