For those of you that followed my leaking forks threads here and here I gave in today and had the stealer do it to the tune of almost $400. By the time I got home I had more fork oil leaking and noticed they scratched the crap out of my brand new chrome upper. While inspecting other areas of their handy work I noticed that they did not re-install the little plate that was "doggeared" to capture the two bolts that hold the fender bolts to the lower sliders. They did however use a lock washer but ther has to be a reason HD used that plate instead of lockwashers in the first place. Should I make a big deal out of this or will the lock washers suffice.

 

What stealer did you go to? Cool Springs?

 

I'd make a big deal out of more than the lockwasher!

 

yup.

 

Yes they use the lock plate for a reason, and its reusable. I would complain if they left mine off.

 

Don't get me wrong I am going to make a BIG deal out of the leak and the scratch on the upper, just don't know if I need to waste the extra effort of the lock washer thing. I humbly told them what I did and the tech came out and talked with me and he sorta had the slight air of "how dare you try this yourself" so now I am gonna throw it right back at them. Kicker is the left fork is now leaking, its was the right one when I did it myself.

 

My brother-in-law worked there. Stay away.

 

who is your bil? I know most everyone there and of course they know me.

 

Larry Martin

 

Not really. I eliminated that plate when I removed my fender to have a ding repaired. I used grade 8 washers and locktite. As a Mfg. engineer I suspect that plate is utilized to speed up assembly. It eliminates the need to fumble with four washers. A better solution would be to use flange nuts with a locktite patch. Eliminating two more parts to buy and fumble with.