2006 FL ignition switch/steering lock recall : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Trumpeter · 07-05-2006, 11:43 AM

I just got a letter from HD stating that they want to replace the ignition & steering lock components on my bike. They don't say that there's any defect or anything, just that they want to make the operation of the bike 'simpler and less confusing' to prevent operator error.

I haven't had any problems with this part of the bike, has anyone else? Can anyone tell me what the change will do?

henryjw1 · 07-07-2006, 03:03 AM

Just got my notice today. I have the same question. I don't seem to be having any problems. What gives???

RonADA · 07-07-2006, 03:10 AM

Yep, I got one too. Hopfully after the fix it will be like the "old" style so you can lock it without having to have the fork turned all the way to the left.

Trumpeter · 07-07-2006, 03:04 PM

I've found some posts in other forums where the problem was that the lock got frozen/broken in position and the bike became un-rideable without jimmying it.

Perhaps it's happening with owners used to the 'old' system and accidentally forcing the lock mechanism when the steering wasn't all the way over. As a first-time Harley owner, I never knew about the old system and have just been following the method given to me by the sales guy on delivery, with no problems.

FE Butte · 07-08-2006, 02:36 AM

Got my letter in the mail today. How do they get you a "ignition" switch lock that matches, the dealer has been promising me a matching tour pack lock cylinder since March. Would this now mean that I would need three keys in my pocket? One for the ignition, one for the bags and one for the tour pack?

ultra classic 2 · 07-10-2006, 12:18 AM

hey there fe butt,listen up get your bike in as soon as possible,I just had this problem with the switch recently when i looked the forks,and i'll tell yea,luckly i was only about 40 miles away from my dealer,my dealer had to come and trailer my bike home,because we couldn't get to unlock.My dealer wasn't very happy about coming to get me but they did,probably because i've bought 3 new bikes from them.As far as matching up the key thing,i think that there not repacing the lock,just the ignition switch,and as far as your dearler ordering you a matching tour pack key since march i think the dealer is draging their feet there,my dealer had me one in aweeks time.HOPE THIS HELPS YOU OUT

ultra classic 2 · 07-10-2006, 12:41 AM

HEY THERE O6 FL OWNERS,JUST HAD PROBLEM WITH MY FRONT END FORK LOCK AND Ignition SWITCH.I just had this happen to my bike o6 flhxi this weekend,and i was about 40 miles away from my local dealer.I received my bike in early march,so my bike was built in mid or late febuary.Any how i locked my front end and when time came to leave my ignition switch unlocked but the fork lock would not release.I call my dealer and they said to try turning the handle bar both ways to see if it would release,but had no luck.My dealer wasn't very happy but did come and trailer the bike home for me,and it wasn't very easy trying to get up on the trailer when the front end being locked ,it took 5 of us to get up on the trailer.So get yours in as soon as possible .Also i haven't received any notice from harley at all,i though i read something on here a week or ago but in said something about the early production models.good luck

Trumpeter · 07-12-2006, 05:20 PM

I found this post in the touring forum:

"From what I understand, the ignition cylinder bottom segment that actually engages the switch electrical section to turn the ignition on from the locked position is made of a pot metal type of material that is (from what I've been told) designed to break if the cylinder is being manipulated as such when someone was trying to steal the bike. This would in effect render the steering lock permenantly locked until the complete assembly was taken apart to remove the broken piece. If this is the case, it is similar to what Ford used as an anti theft device (pot metal) for their ignition lock cylilnders.

The replacement lock assembly is supposed to lock in the off (fork unlocked) position. I don't know if it will be able to lock in the fork lock position or not though."

So it would make sense that if you tried to turn the ignition from locked to OFF without unlocking with the key, the system might break in the locked position. This could happen via operator error, as the recall letter implies, or by someone fiddling with your ignition while you're away from your bike, in which case, the mechanism is doing what it's supposed to... stopping your bike from being stolen. Unfortunately, it also leaves you with an unrideable bike.

I think I'm going to switch to just using my disk brake lock and the security system until they get the recall parts in.

starwalker98 · 07-12-2006, 08:30 PM

was at the stealership today inquiring of the ignition switch and steering lock recall. the man there told me its the steering lock that they are recalling on SOME bikes, because he says when you try to turn the bars with the steering locked, the lock was breaking. well im waiting to see if i get a letter, and if he knew what he was talking about, since i see these guys getting them about the ignition switch.

V-ROD 1 FL · 08-03-2006, 05:19 PM

It is a PIA but doesn't take TOO LONG to do. they have to take the "wing" fairing off in addition to the locking mechanism.

RECOMMENDED: BEAT THE RUSH AND DO IT NOW!!!

Before you ask YES I do have a 06 FLHXI Street Glide AND a 2002 Big Bore V-Rod.

MegaGlide · 08-03-2006, 05:42 PM

One other thing that causes jamming problems is that there is at least one knuckle dragger at the factory who routes the clutch cables on the Electra Glides so they are between the rubber "donut" fork stop on the left and the frame when the forks are turned fully to the left. H-D doesn't consider this a problem as far as fixing it for you.

lschultz · 08-04-2006, 11:49 AM

I had mine done last Friday. Also had wheel weight come off rear tire that they had to put back on. It took them about 2 hrs. Then when I get home wife tells me that service department had called and wanted me to call them back. 73 miles from my house to shop. He called to tell me that they put the original steering lock back in said they would send a truck down to my house and pick it up and return it. I told him that was not necessary since I work about 3 miles from there shop that I would just drop it off there one morning from work. I did that Tuesday and the new one was put in. I can see how this could happen but thats just another reason I don't take it to the shop unless it is something under warranty. I have not finished with them yet the shop foreman was on vacation this week and I will talk to him when he comes back.

HawgDoc · 09-03-2006, 10:51 PM

Just to be clear... it's a Product Program (0900), not a recall.
There are two parts to the fairing models touring locks. The 'knob' is the key-lock part and that will not be replaced. That part is connected to and turns the lower section which does two things... makes and breaks electricl connections, and controls the fork lock 'pin' into and out of a pocket on the tripple tree.
That lower section had been used on HDI (international) models since 2003, and when it became the domestic lock for 2006 models, many owners, not being familiar with the way this 'new' lock worked, were actually breaking them during normal use.
The NEW-new lock being used to replace those OE '06 ones (under product program 0900) is similar to the '05 and earlier version in that the 'knob' can be locked without the front end being cranked over to full-left. This NEW-new lock still retains some of the tamper-resistant features present in the international version.