60mph front brake failure 06 Dyna

[banquo]

No it's not. Not to you, me or anyone else whose life depends on it, but according to VOSA, if the rider's manual says you have to check the brake pads as part of your pre-ride checklist, and by not doing so, you fail to notice that their defective products are about to fall to bits, then it's not their responsibility, which proves beyond all doubt that VOSA is there to serve the manufacturer and not the rider.....

[snowflake]

Originally Posted by banquo

No it's not. Not to you, me or anyone else whose life depends on it, but according to VOSA, if the rider's manual says you have to check the brake pads as part of your pre-ride checklist, and by not doing so, you fail to notice that their defective products are about to fall to bits, then it's not their responsibility, which proves beyond all doubt that VOSA is there to serve the manufacturer and not the rider.....

Bugg*r

[boxer_ian]

Here is the link to the Harley-Davidson pre-ride check-list.
Browser Update Required

It is interesting on how little emphasis or detail is placed on brake inspection.

[snowflake]

Originally Posted by boxer_ian

Here is the link to the Harley-Davidson pre-ride check-list.
Browser Update Required

It is interesting on how little emphasis or detail is placed on brake inspection.

Next you'll want to check the controls to be sure they operate properly. On your list of controls to inspect should be the front and rear brakes, throttle, clutch and shifter. You should also examine the steering for smoothness by turning the handlebars through the full operating range.

Not much mentioned about the pads.

This says to me 'pull your brake lever/depress the brake pedal to check the brakes work'; it doesn't say 'check your brake pads to check whether or not they are about to fall apart'!!!

[banquo]

.... how true; and on that note, can I encourage anyone whose H-D made pads have failed, to write to VOSA, attention of Martin Ryder, as the more accounts that are sent first hand, the more chance there is that they might be forced to do something about it. Second hand stories are not of much use, but first hand accounts should count for more...
If you still have pads that have failed, even if it's just the backing plate, take photos, pack it up, and send it off...
You could save someone else's life.
Make it your New Year resolution...

[Gib]

This pre ride inspection stuff is total bollox. Whilst you can inspect them for wear and visible damage a normal person would assume that they're looking at lining thickness, not delamination. Besides, a delamination check would involve taking the pads out and refitting them. More likely to create a problem than prevent one.

Lets assume then that people may check them for wear. Brake pad lining wear is linear. If, for example, a rider checked them and found they were wearing away at 1mm per 1000 milles he or she would reasonably expect to only have to look at them every 1000 miles or so. More often when they were getting low.

I am disgusted by the way that VOSA's Defect Branch has dealt with this. Bearing in mind that VOSA was the lot that a couple of years ago dictated that, on an MoT test (bikes only, now - this doesn't apply to cars, buses or trucks) that the tester must sound the horn with every other electrical system working - lights, indicators, stoplamps - which means that the horn gets honked half a dozen times on every test. Just cos some jobsworth with too much time on his hands found some regulatory small print. Ridiculous. Talk about distorted priorities.

[gilesgraphics]

Just before xmas my rear pads did just this
I would love to know what willie g would have to say to my grandkids if I hadn't been going slower.
This is in fact the last straw with my Bob, she is going.
I have had nothing but trouble with it.
Time to go to the land of the rising sun and get something reliable.. and so it happens again..
This time I hope they don't survive.. I nearly didn't

[snowflake]

Originally Posted by gilesgraphics

This is in fact the last straw with my Bob, she is going.
I have had nothing but trouble with it.

Real sorry to hear that GG - good luck with your rice burner!

[banquo]

Funnily enough, I had a call from VOSA recently, saying how they now had two official complaints, and were still awaiting responses from H-D. They were going to visit HDUK, no doubt to be shown how to perform the pre-ride inspection that tells you how to check if your pads are about to kill you. i was told a response would be forthcoming.

Can I please ask that anyone who has had this expereince sends their failed pads and makes a written report to VOSA. Yes, it doesn't look like they are taking this very seriously, but if the outcome saves only one life it will be worth it.

[gilesgraphics]

I have my pads (I insisted on keeping them) can you publish VOSAs address and who I address them to?
I even had to pay for the pads to be replaced which frankly takes the p!$$