Members...this is what happened, We were on Ca. 395, four lane section... there was an accident ahead and the two N.bound lanes were crawling along. S.bound lanes were zoooming by. I was in the right hand lane on the right side behind a long line of cars. Both N.bound lanes were full, but the inside lane was moving a bit faster. We were moving approx. 1-2 MPH when I attempted to move to the inside lane. When I did this...the forks locked at hard left. Here I was moving1-2 mph hard left turn with the forks locked and heading towards center double line with cars whipping by at 55-65 MPH. Needless to say, I was not going in at direction!!! I hit the brakes, some what hard and doing so (with the forks locked) slammed us to the ground. We did not get hurt...but the possiblites were certainly there.
What happens is...after un-locking the forks...and checking for unlocking...sometimes at low speed (in tight manuver) when I turn hard left...the forks will lock in the un-lock position. I have done a search on the subject and have read this is not an isolated incident. It's only isolated so far in my case as we were moving. I've read plenty of incidents were guys have locked there forks and not been able to unlock them durring road trips. Seems they have had to break in the system to just get the bikes on trailors so as to get them back home...ummmm.
My damage was...front fender (bottom) bent and all scratched up, front brake lever bent, throttle ened cap, missing. Front roll side bar, bent and scratched. floor board (tore up), right leather saddle bag (chrome guard, all scratched, leather tore up, right muffler guard, all scratched and dented.
As indicated above.... Harley wants to pick up the bike today and fix the lock. I then can have the bike back while (they say) the are ordering the parts to fix the damage. Needless to say, sure hope the latter pans out...and I'm not left out to dry! Muddy