2016 HD Tri Glide Forks LOCKED and would not UNLOCK!!!

[Rooster57]

Several days ago I went to my local HD dealer to pick up some merchandise I ordered..... I got ready to leave and tried to unlock my trikes ignition fork lock AND IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK the fork!!! After I frantically twisted the ignition knob for a while (while trying NOT to look like I was in a state of panic) I was forced to go inside and get a mechanic.

...........Mechanic came to the trike with his ignition tool and said it shouldnt be a problem to fix.

......20 mins. later 3 mechanics were on it and said the inside latch at the fork plate below will not release for some unknown reason!

.....they ended up pulling the entire ignition/lock cylinder mechanism which left me looking though a hole below my dash and observing the plate that turns with the steering column which would normally line up with the ignition spring mechanism to lock the fork.............Then they reflashed the trike to bypass the ignition switch and would start from the "ON" switch on the handle bars............They sent me on my way and warranty ordered an entire ignition/lock switch cylinder.

....9 days later, the keyed part came in from Harley....I took the trike back to the dealer, they installed the new part and all is well.

.....But what if that would have happened ANYWHERE ELSE???? I would have been absolutely "skee-rood!" ...could'nt have unlocked trike to even roll it away!

...............Mechanic says this happens all the time but rarely does it disable the fork lock........but it did this time with me.

..........What he told me was under the on-off-acc label plate tag on the front top of the chrome ignition switch sits a small countersunk phillips screw which gets loose over time as the switch knob is used.........the driver will not notice the loose screw because the labeled plate tag hides it.....then one day you turn the chrome switch as always and "OOPS, trouble!"

.........to avoid this misadventure, you peel back the on-off- label plate tag which is only held down only with harley sticky tape stuff.........use your fingernail or carefully ease the tag up without bending out of shape...........use a slot screwdriver or whatever to delicately ease it off...............remove the phillips screw and use loctite (blue I suppose) and re-secure the screw.....reset the label plate back on the chrome knob..............and this bummer adventure won't happen.

This is what he told me, so I thought I'd pass it along.....

[MDF48]

Wow, that is very good info. I have heard of people having the fork lock and ignition problem. However, that is the first I have heard about the little screw under the label. It will be interesting to see if others have been told the same thing by other dealers. Thanks for posting this. I hope the label can be taken off without bending it. You are right though.... that could really mess you up if you were not near home or a dealer when it happens. I never use the fork lock unless I am leaving it out at night somewhere, but I probably should use it more. Anyway, glad they got you fixed up.

[Rooster57]

Hey Mike!

.........Yeah, it "FREAKED" me out too! .........I was totally "HELPLESS!!!!!" ..........I went from swaggerly walking to the bike thinking "Yeah, I'm cool", to "OH, SH_T...HELP!" in moments.

.......I actually watched him get that ignition tag off delicately with a small slot screwdriver....first he tried his fingernail, then went to the screwdriver and slowly peeled it up without damaging it.......then he set it upside down on the seat (it still is plenty sticky and can just be returned to the ignition top and pressed down when ready)..it did not curl or bend.

....Harley did not appear to have any Loctite on that screw..............Seems that Harley thinks that screw will be held in place by the sticky plate label..........IT WAS NOT! The mechanic backed the screw out with his fingers as it was loose and already partially backed out (only a little loose, but thats all it took)..........and the metal sticky tag on top had no bulge and still appeared perfectly flat to look at it.

...........I dont know, maybe this wont happen to anyone else and mine was just a fluke? ..........But I wont use my lock now unless absolutely have too! (and I told them to leave the ignition remapped through the handle bar on switch and bypass the chrome ignition switch)........The chrome combo switch/acc/lock knob is only used to lock forks when needed for me now.

Ride Safe!

[1dn5up]

Randy, that’s the info we look for.

[Jack Klarich]

Good to know

[ultrafxr]

That is scary - as are 000s of other scenarios of being stranded away from home.

As far as the ignition switch knob goes I guess the tech was able to push the release button on the bottom left side and with then turn the key to the left past the lock position and lift the knob and stem out. You could in an emergency use a screwdriver to turn the switch mechinism and get you going.

There are You Tube videos about this. Here is one from Law Abiding Biker:

[MikeyTX]

Why I don't use the fork lock. I carry one that goes through the front disc.

[rhino 2]

I never locked any of my bikes locks fork or top box/truck locks 📞

[PosseRider]

Several days ago I went to my local HD dealer to pick up some merchandise I ordered..... I got ready to leave and tried to unlock my trikes ignition fork lock AND IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK the fork!!! After I frantically twisted the ignition knob for a while (while trying NOT to look like I was in a state of panic) I was forced to go inside and get a mechanic.

Good to know Randy. I copied the fix to my computer & will be checking that when it is warmer in the garage.(30* here today) Glad ya like the discs. Not sure about that other stuff in the tires. I always use Dyna Beads for a continuous balance.

[Rooster57]

Hey Dudes!

.....seems as though this is post is getting some attention (AND IT SHOULD!) .....So I went to my garage and got my trikes' new chrome ignition switch and tried to remove the sticky cover plate to expose the hidden screw........ I thought it was so important to show the hidden screw that I would remove the sticky cover plate on this new chrome ignition knob the way I watched the HD mechanic do it.

...........so, I tried using "My Fingernail" = no way, just couldn't get it to budge..

............Then, I tried a couple of different slot screwdrivers = no luck (was too afraid of scratching the chrome or marring the plate sticker to use much force)

...............then I got a feeler gauge from toolbox and used a thin blade = slid it gently under the plate sticker easily and it popped right off without a scratch!

........now the hidden screw was exposed. Later I just pushed the sticky cover plate back in position and all was well.

I am going to try to put a couple of pictures below to show the screw and cover plate.... I hope it works! (haven't done pics before on this site)

.....I just used the feeler gauge thin blade!

......Below is the hidden screw on my chrome ignition cover on 2016 Tri Glide:



........Now who the hell looks for a screw to be tightened here? ...sure wasn't me until now!

...............Hope this is usefull to others!

[1dn5up]

Nice pix n post, now the question, was the screw loose again ? Looks like a star screw thingie, special tool # 1234 needed.

[Rooster57]

No it wasnt loose again as this time it was put in with Loctite by the mechanic.......and yes its actually a star screw..though the mechanic originally brought out a phillips...........it didnt matter on mine at that time because it was loose enough that he backed it out with his fingers!

.........oh well, if you decide to go for this screw tightening....you'll see what to use I'm sure!

Ride Safe!

[MikeyTX]

No it wasnt loose again as this time it was put in with Loctite by the mechanic.......and yes its actually a star screw..though the mechanic originally brought out a phillips...........it didnt matter on mine at that time because it was loose enough that he backed it out with his fingers!

.........oh well, if you decide to go for this screw tightening....you'll see what to use I'm sure!

Ride Safe!

What number torx is it ?

[bronxbill]

After watching a video of how easy it is to snap the locking tabs on the ignition with a vise grip; I never use ignition lock. I figure the security fob will be my first line of protection and if in a motel lot I use a disk lock also. I figure I have enough insurance to cover me if the worst happens

[MikeyTX]

After watching a video of how easy it is to snap the locking tabs on the ignition with a vise grip; I never use ignition lock. I figure the security fob will be my first line of protection and if in a motel lot I use a disk lock also. I figure I have enough insurance to cover me if the worst happens

Exactly my thought track. With a number of trips to the Pacific NW, CA, Sturgis, etc. Never had an issue.

[Ed H]

Thanks so much for the info. I am going to replace my handle bars shortly, now I know how to remove the switch.

Good info, keep it coming.

[Jack Klarich]

What number torx is it ?

Click on the picture and blow it up

It is grainy lookin but I see a star pattern on the outside, the center looks more like an Allen to these old eyes

[ultrafxr]

Good info and thanks for posting the photos. Question about the initial failure: what exactly happens when the screw backs out? Does something break thus preventing the screw from being tightened and the problem solved? Thanks.

[headheaded]

did you just remove that screw and add loctite and then reinstall ?

[MikeyTX]

Click on the picture and blow it up

It is grainy lookin but I see a star pattern on the outside, the center looks more like an Allen to these old eyes

Jack, I'm betting it's a torx. Be great if we could find out from a Harley dealer