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[Chains]

Well after riding Saturday an noticing severe shake in the fairing, I decided to take it apart.  Diagnosis, both upper brackets broke and the RH speaker bracket busted in half, left hand fractured and ready to break.  Tig welded RH speaker bracket back together today and added stiffener rib 1/8 inch thick at break point.  Will stiffen up LH tomorrow.  Making two new stainless brackets to fix upper and a cross bar to tie them all together.  Will post photos of finished fix when complete.

[Chains]

Well after riding Saturday an noticing severe shake in the fairing, I decided to take it apart.  Diagnosis, both upper brackets broke and the RH speaker bracket busted in half, left hand fractured and ready to break.  Tig welded RH speaker bracket back together today and added stiffener rib 1/8 inch thick at break point.  Will stiffen up LH tomorrow.  Making two new stainless brackets to fix upper and a cross bar to tie them all together.  Will post photos of finished fix when complete.

Other side of upper bracket

[Chains]

Other side of upper bracket

RH speaker bracket, not a good shot hope you can see the stifner

[JDOFLHRIDER]

they have came up with a better factory bracket same part number with a (B or C) at end.

[grc]

they have came up with a better factory bracket same part number with a (B or C) at end.

I have the new brackets sitting in the boxes in the garage waiting for my lazy butt to install them.  From my admittedly cursory examination so far, it appears the only thing they beefed up is the tab at the top that attaches to the inner fairing.  Those are usually the first thing to break, but they aren't the only weak areas.  Mine have broken at those tabs, but I also had a major crack across the main part of the bracket.  I've been applying "bandaids" previously, but decided it was time to just replace and start over.  And as for the speaker braces, those are just as flimsy as the old parts.  I'm going to look at using pieces of the old ones to reinforce the new ones at the outboard ends.

Sure would be nice if H-D could either design parts strong enough to handle the vibration, or isolate them from the vibration.  I've seen stronger brackets on bicycle reflectors.


Jerry

[Chains]

I have the new brackets sitting in the boxes in the garage waiting for my lazy butt to install them.  From my admittedly cursory examination so far, it appears the only thing they beefed up is the tab at the top that attaches to the inner fairing.  Those are usually the first thing to break, but they aren't the only weak areas.  Mine have broken at those tabs, but I also had a major crack across the main part of the bracket.  I've been applying "bandaids" previously, but decided it was time to just replace and start over.  And as for the speaker braces, those are just as flimsy as the old parts.  I'm going to look at using pieces of the old ones to reinforce the new ones at the outboard ends.

Sure would be nice if H-D could either design parts strong enough to handle the vibration, or isolate them from the vibration.  I've seen stronger brackets on bicycle reflectors.


Jerry

How true, I have been thinking about a thin rubber isolator between the fairing and the bracket once I make the new brackets, sure is a cheap flimsy part for a high dollar ride.  I figure the brackets are made in China as everything else from there seems to be of poor quality at best.  It has to be a big job to replace the entire bracket and I wonder if the new ones would be any better.  As far as the speaker bracket stamping it is of the poorest weakest design I have ever seen (I am in the stamping business) no one I know would have ever put such a weak link in their system.  I'll let you know how things work out since I have re enforced them.

[CVOTequila]

I installed the Hawg Wired speakers, and actually removed those brackets all together.  I have noticed a bit more vibration in the fairing, but it has not been severe by any means, I was concerned at first about vibrations damaging the inner workings of the fairing and the electircal systems, but after taking the fairing back apart to inspect, I have not located any vibration damage. 

[Chains]

I installed the Hawg Wired speakers, and actually removed those brackets all together.  I have noticed a bit more vibration in the fairing, but it has not been severe by any means, I was concerned at first about vibrations damaging the inner workings of the fairing and the electircal systems, but after taking the fairing back apart to inspect, I have not located any vibration damage. 

Thanks,
That is good to know, I shoul have no issues then once I complete the stifners for the factory brackets.

[Boatman]

I've seen stronger brackets on bicycle reflectors.


Jerry

 

[CVOTequila]

Thanks,
That is good to know, I shoul have no issues then once I complete the stifners for the factory brackets.

I think you will be fine, but just food for thought, if you ever decide to install aftermarket speakers, you might have to modify those brackets.   

[Chains]

I think you will be fine, but just food for thought, if you ever decide to install aftermarket speakers, you might have to modify those brackets.   

Not much to modify, they are flimsy pieces of junk.

[49445CVO]

Here is a post on another member who had the same problem  and his fix.


http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=45870.0

[Quik2]

I have had the updated brackets in for the speakers since last spring granted they are not the best of quality but have lasted longer than the 1st gen brackets.

[tazmun]

Just curious, how long has Harley been making & selling the "Batwing"?

Something so simple, should only break the first year of production, after that, "NEVER AGAIN".

Wait, "improved design", or "lets make it cheaper", which is it?

[Chains]

Just curious, how long has Harley been making & selling the "Batwing"?

Something so simple, should only break the first year of production, after that, "NEVER AGAIN".

Wait, "improved design", or "lets make it cheaper", which is it?

Make it cheaper, this is my third Ultra and the first to have these issues